This New Curaçao All-Inclusive Has a Private Beach, Swim-Up Rooms, and an Opening Date

Curaçao has quietly become one of the Caribbean’s most compelling all-inclusive destinations.

Over the last several years, the Dutch Caribbean island has added a growing collection of resorts built around the all-inclusive experience, from Sandals Royal Curaçao and Dreams Curaçao (and its Il Mare enclave) to Zoëtry Curaçao, Sunscape Curaçao, and Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao.

The appeal goes beyond unlimited dining and drinks. Curaçao gives you the freedom to pair a full-service resort stay with more than 30 beaches, some of the region’s best diving, a vibrant restaurant scene, and the colorful streets of Willemstad.

Now, the island’s all-inclusive growth is reaching one of its most scenic corners.

The new TUI BLUE Curaçao is set on a private beach in Groot Santa Martha, on the quieter western side of the island. The resort has swim-up rooms, oceanfront accommodations, private-pool suites, multiple pools, six restaurants, three bars, a spa, and a wide selection of fitness and island experiences.

The setting is far removed from Curaçao’s better-known resort districts. Santa Martha Bay is surrounded by cactus-covered hills, fishing villages, and the small coves that define western Curaçao. From the resort, you can spend one day beside the pool and the next exploring Cas Abao Beach, Christoffel National Park, or the glowing waters of the Blue Room Cave.

It gives Curaçao something different: a full-service all-inclusive in a part of the island long known more for snorkeling, diving, road trips, and natural scenery than large hotels.

Rooms Built Around the Water

The accommodations are a major part of the appeal.

Standard rooms measure about 431 square feet and range from partial-ocean-view and ocean-view categories to oceanfront rooms and family accommodations with sliding partitions between the sleeping and lounge areas.

The swim-up rooms open directly from private terraces into semi-private pools, letting you step into the water without crossing the resort. Partial-ocean-view and ocean-view categories are available, and both include king-size beds, sofa beds, lounge areas, and semi-open bathrooms with double sinks.

The 517-square-foot Oceanfront Swim-Up Junior Suites are designed for couples and honeymooners. They add an ocean-facing king-size bed, a freestanding tub, a rain shower, panoramic sea views, and a private terrace with loungers beside the swim-up pool.

Traveling with family or friends gives you several larger options. The 732-square-foot Senior Suites include separate living rooms, pantries, dining space, and two bathrooms, while the 775-square-foot Two-Bedroom Suites have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large living area, and a private balcony.

Both suite categories are also available with private pools. You can spend the afternoon on your own terrace and still have the resort’s beach, restaurants, bars, and pools only a few steps away.

A Beachfront All-Inclusive

The resort is built around a broad private beach with direct entry into the Caribbean Sea.

The water on Curaçao’s western side is known for calm coves, strong visibility, and reefs close to land. It is a particularly rewarding part of the island for swimming and snorkeling, with many of Curaçao’s best-known beaches nearby.

At the resort, the beach is joined by several pools, including infinity-style pools and the semi-private pools connected to the swim-up accommodations.

You can spend the day beneath an umbrella, take a kayak or paddleboard onto the water, join a beach yoga session, or head out for a guided snorkeling excursion.

The setting works equally well for couples and families. Couples can choose an adults-only swim-up suite, while families have larger rooms, two-bedroom suites, a children’s pool, and activities designed for younger travelers.

Six Places to Eat

Dining is a significant part of the resort, with six restaurants, several casual food options, and three bars.

The principal restaurant, simply called The Restaurant, serves live cooking, themed buffets, and a broad selection of international dishes.

IVO Beach is the casual beachfront venue, with grilled dishes, beach bites, and a relaxed setting near the sand. You can stop there for lunch after a swim or return later for drinks at the adjoining IVO Beach Bar.

Mesa Caribe focuses on grilled meats, seafood, and meze, with ocean views and a more intimate atmosphere. Culinarium, TUI BLUE’s signature à la carte restaurant, serves regional dishes in a quieter setting designed for dinner.

The resort also has Thea’s Reserve, with barista coffee, drinks, and lighter food; a Snack Court serving finger foods throughout the day; and a Grab & Go outlet for meals and drinks before an excursion.

A longer stay gives you enough variety to move between buffet meals, beachfront lunches, coffee breaks, and à la carte dinners without repeating the same experience every day.

Curaçao’s All-Inclusive Growth

Curaçao was not always known as a major all-inclusive destination.

The island built much of its tourism identity around independent hotels, dive resorts, small beach properties, and city stays in and around Willemstad. Visitors often rented cars, explored different beaches, and ate their way through the island’s Dutch, Caribbean, Latin American, and Creole culinary traditions.

The newer all-inclusive resorts have added another dimension to the destination.

Sandals Royal Curaçao brought a high-end, adults-only experience to Santa Barbara, with private-pool bungalows, a two-level infinity pool, and an extensive dining program.

Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa and Casino and Zoëtry Curaçao Resort and Spa expanded the island’s presence in the Hyatt Inclusive Collection, while Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa and Casino remains a popular family option.

The Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao and The Rif at Mangrove Beach have added more all-inclusive rooms close to Willemstad, letting you pair a resort vacation with the restaurants and architecture of the capital.

TUI BLUE adds another major international brand while extending the resort map toward Groot Santa Martha.

Its location is central to the story. Many of Curaçao’s better-known resorts are concentrated near Willemstad, Piscadera Bay, Jan Thiel, and Spanish Water. TUI BLUE places a full-service all-inclusive closer to the beaches, parks, and dive sites of the west.

Wellness and Island Experiences

The resort’s wellness program centers on the BLUE Spa, the BLUEf!t fitness program, yoga, and a modern gym.

You can begin with a beach yoga class, spend part of the day at the spa, or join an organized fitness session before heading back to the pool.

The experience menu also includes guided snorkeling, nature hikes, and island excursions.

Western Curaçao gives you several strong reasons to leave the resort for part of the day.

The Santa Martha Lookout Point is about two minutes away and offers one of the island’s most dramatic views, with the bay curving between steep hills and small communities visible below.

Cas Abao Beach is approximately 15 minutes from the resort. It is one of Curaçao’s best-known swimming and snorkeling beaches, with white sand, calm water, and a reef beginning close to the beach.

Christoffel National Park is about 20 minutes away. You can hike through the park, look for native birds and wildlife, or climb toward the island’s highest point.

The Blue Room Cave is roughly 25 minutes from the property. The sea cave is known for the intense blue light created as sunlight passes through the water, making it a popular stop for snorkeling trips.

Willemstad is farther east, at approximately 40 to 45 minutes by car, but it remains an essential part of a Curaçao vacation.

You can walk beside the pastel-colored buildings of the Handelskade, cross the Queen Emma Bridge, explore the shops and galleries of Punda, and have dinner in Pietermaai before returning to Santa Martha.

Curaçao’s Tourism Renaissance

TUI BLUE is arriving during a remarkable period for Curaçao tourism.

The island has become one of the Caribbean’s strongest tourism success stories, with rising visitor arrivals, expanding air service, and a steadily broader hotel sector.

Part of Curaçao’s strength is its range.

You can stay at a boutique hotel in Pietermaai, a luxury resort near Spanish Water, a dive hotel beside a western beach, or an all-inclusive with restaurants and activities included. The island works for a city break, a beach vacation, a diving trip, or a longer resort stay.

Willemstad has also undergone a significant revival. The neighborhoods of Pietermaai, Otrobanda, Punda, and Scharloo now have a growing collection of restaurants, cocktail bars, galleries, and small hotels.

New resorts have arrived, older properties have been renovated, and international hotel brands have taken a greater interest in the island.

Yet the qualities that made Curaçao distinctive remain intact. It still has dozens of individual beaches, excellent shore diving, a multilingual culture, and a capital unlike anywhere else in the region.

The growth of all-inclusive resorts has made the island easier to consider for travelers who previously looked first to Punta Cana, Jamaica, or the Mexican Caribbean. Once you arrive, however, Curaçao still encourages you to explore beyond the resort.

How to Get to Curaçao

Curaçao has nonstop service from several major cities in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

From the United States, American Airlines flies to Curaçao from Miami and Charlotte. JetBlue serves the island from New York, while Delta Air Lines flies from Atlanta. United Airlines also operates seasonal service from Newark.

Canadian travelers can reach Curaçao from Toronto and Montreal, depending on the season, with carriers including Air Canada and WestJet.

The island has particularly strong connections with the Netherlands. KLM, TUI, and Corendon Dutch Airlines connect Curaçao with Amsterdam, reflecting the island’s historic and cultural ties to Europe.

Travelers from Latin America can connect through cities including Panama City and Bogotá. Regional flights also link Curaçao with nearby Caribbean destinations.

Curaçao International Airport is approximately 27 minutes from TUI BLUE Curaçao.

A rental car is especially useful for a stay in Groot Santa Martha. With your own car, you can visit Cas Abao, Playa Porto Mari, Grote Knip, Christoffel National Park, and Willemstad on your own schedule.

A Different Side of Curaçao

Western Curaçao has always rewarded travelers willing to explore.

The beaches are smaller and more individual, often hidden between limestone cliffs and dry hills. The water is clear, the reefs are close, and each cove has its own character.

TUI BLUE Curaçao brings a large all-inclusive experience into this part of the island, pairing private pools, varied dining, wellness, and a beachfront setting with one of Curaçao’s most scenic regions.

You can spend most of the vacation at the resort, but the best version of the trip will probably include both sides of the experience: a swim-up room and an afternoon at Cas Abao, dinner at Culinarium and a night in Pietermaai, a private pool and a hike through Christoffel National Park.

Curaçao is no longer an emerging all-inclusive destination. It has become one of the Caribbean’s most interesting places to take an all-inclusive vacation — and its newest resort brings the experience to the coves and hills of the island’s western side.

When Can I Book?

Rooms are available for booking starting Oct. 20, according to what I found on TUI’s website. Prices start at around $294 per night, which is a good value. 

If you want a swim-up room (which you know I always recommend), the price goes up to about $421.26 per night for an ocean-view swim-up. For an entry-level room with an ocean view, the rate is $293.76.