As an experienced travel couple with an insatiable wanderlust we were excited to experience an island destination that has been on our list of places to see for a while. We wanted a romantic getaway and a chance to explore a tropical paradise, so we set our sights on the all-new Sandals all-inclusive resort located on the breathtaking island of Curacao. This resort has a plethora of activities and amenities to choose from which allowed us to embark on a vacation filled with adventure, relaxation, and culinary delights. Come along with us as we explore the exciting world of the all-new Sandals Royal Curacao Resort!
Here are the complimentary highlights offered at Sandals Royal Curaçao.
MAIN FEATURES
- Unlimited food & drinks
- 8 world-class restaurants
- 3 new food trucks
- 13 bars serving unlimited premium liquors
- Awa Seaside Bungalows with private pool
- Kurason Island Suites overlooking heart-shaped pool
- PADI® certified scuba diving
- Unlimited water sports
- Red Lane® Spa
A Romantic Getaway: ❤️
As a travel couple, we are always in search of resorts offering luxury & adventure with a sense of romance. The all-new Sandals Resort in Curacao provided the perfect setting to create these intimate moments. The moment are plane wheels touched down on this tropical island we immediately transported to island time. The month of May can be a pleasant time of year to visit the Caribbean, and this was no exception. Weather was moderate ranging from temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees every day. Private transportation is arranged for all Sandals guests directly from the airport to the resort which allows for a stress free arrival especially if you travel with as much luggage as we do. Guests are greeted with a cold refreshing glass of the country’s signature blue Curacao Liquore upon arrival to the resort at check in. There are 24 room categories at this resort, and our room accommodation was called, “The Island Heart Bungalow Suites” which is accompanied by their Butler Elite service. Once they checked us in, we were introduced to our first Butler, Chris, which escorted us to our suite.
Island Poolside Butler Bungalow with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub: 🏝️
These gorgeous bungalows are arranged in Sandals iconic heart formation around a semi-private pool. Each bungalow has hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, custom crafted king-size beds and large plush pillows for the ultimate sleep experience. In addition, each bungalow is equipped with a smart TV, a fully stocked wet bar with premium liquor and a large ceiling fan to stay cool while enjoying gentle Caribbean breezes. Every bathrooms is equipped with his and hers sinks, a large backlit mirror, and a walk-in rain shower. Our favorite part of this suite is each private patio has an extended sun deck, Tranquility Soaking Tub with privacy curtains, sun loungers, and a bistro set for two. As mentioned, the island heart bungalow suites come with attentive service from a personal butler and 24-hour in-room dining.
Culinary Excellence at your fingertips: 🍽️
Curacao is renowned for its culinary scene, and we wasted no time in savoring its delights. The all-inclusive package at Sandals Resort offered an exceptional variety of world-class cuisines. From delectable Caribbean dishes to international gastronomic delights, we indulged in a culinary journey that satisfied our taste buds and awakened our senses.
Here are the 8 restaurants offered at this resort:
- Butch’s: Island Chop House
- Zuka: Latin Fusion
- Strand: Seafood House
- Kanaal: Cafe & Wine Bar
- Aolos: Mediterranean
- Gatsu Gatsu: Sushi
- Pietra: Italian
- Vincent: Modern European
In addition, there are 3 unique food trucks:
- TOTEKI: Traditional Curaçao Fare
- KISHI: Asian Fusion
- La Palma: Spanish Tapas
During our visit, we had the pleasure of trying the majority of these restaurants listed above. Although all of their restaurants are complimentary, reservations are required to both Butch’s and Vincent’s. We decided to save the best for last. Our top recommendations would be the delicious unlimited sushi at Gatsu Gatsu. We ordered a few different sushi rolls accompanied by a unique lava rock dish where we were able to cook meat & seafood at our table. The cocktails were also hand crafted and delicious.
Our restaurant highlights, however, are most definitely their Butch’s and Vincent’s! At Butch’s we ordered an array of delicious entrees accompanied by some of our favorite appetizers. We started our culinary journey with a pair of the signature Explorer Martini! One of the main ingredients was an aged Dewars scotch whiskey so I quickly acquired a second one after a few sips on Ashley’s side. Our top picks for this restaurant were the following dishes:
- Clam & Corn Chowder
- Waldorf Caesar
- Grilled Black Pepper Bacon
- Dungeness Crab Cake
- Chefs Surf & Turf: Fillet Mignon and Lobster
Vincent’s was more of a unique experience which allowed us to try European infused dishes. Our top selections for this amazing restaurant included:
- Petite Iceberg
- Crab Salad
- Pan-Seared Duck Foie Gras
- Escargots a La Bourguignonne
- Duck a L’Orange
Aquatic Adventures: 🤿
Our first adventure began with snorkeling and scuba diving in the azure waters surrounding Curacao. Equipped with snorkeling gear, we immersed ourselves in a vibrant underwater world, swimming among tropical fish and encountering majestic sea turtles. The crystal-clear visibility provided an awe-inspiring experience as we marveled at the colorful coral reefs. After a refreshing snorkel trip to the other side of the island, we decided to take advantage of Sandals complimentary Scuba Diving into the depths of Royal Curacao.
Important ⚠️
A minimum Open Water certification is required to participate in the complimentary scuba diving. If a guests is not certified, Sandals offers a PADI certified scuba diving course at an additional cost.
We have to take a minute and mention the awesome scuba diving instructors who we had the pleasure of diving with in the beautiful waters of Curacao. We encountered a wide array of marine life within the first few minutes of our dive. Water visibility is generally always decent with ours being 100 ft plus, and the temperature was in the 80’s. The gear provided was ScubaPro which we have used before, and our snorkel masks worked perfectly. We highly recommend exploring the underwater world of Royal Curacao!
The vibrant culture of Curaçao: 🇨🇼
Curacao is famous for its vibrant and colorful architecture, known as “the filter.” We took the opportunity to explore the island’s unique neighborhoods, strolling through charming streets adorned with pastel-colored houses. We immersed ourselves in the island’s rich culture and history by visiting the colorful city of Willemstad. The filter of Curacao provided a backdrop of charm and beauty, adding an extra layer of enchantment to our vacation.
Fun Fact ❣️
Sandals Royal Curacao offers complimentary Mini Coopers to their guests who are staying in a Suite.
We opted to use the Mini on two separate occasions: A trip to snorkel at the famous Playa Piskado and a fun filled day exploring Willemstad. One of the highlights we recommend when visiting Willemstad is to stop by the Worlds Best Mojito Bar! If you prefer to capture Instagram worthy locations another couple favorites are the giant Curaçao sign or you can lock your love on the “Punda Love Hearts.”
Beach Days & Poolside Bliss: 🏖️
No tropical getaway is complete without ample time spent on sun-kissed beaches and by inviting infinity pools. Sandals provided us with private poolside cabanas throughout the duration of our stay. There are also Dutch style bikes scattered around the gorgeous property that we took advantage of transporting us from our Island Heart Suite to our private poolside cabana. Sandals offers an extensive menu of delicious food and cocktails to order poolside while the entertainers on property engage with guests for trivia games and themed dancing. There are two main heated infinity pools with a swim up bar overlooking the turquoise waters of Royal Curacao.
Every week Sandals entertainers perform a parade celebrating Carnival around the main pool area for guests to participate or watch! We were provided a couple colorful head pieces with lots of feathers and decided to join in the parade! This was an exciting experience to immerse ourselves in true Curacao culture!
Best entertainers on the island: 💃🏼🕺🏻
The entertainment was definitely a highlight throughout our visit! The singers in particular truly enhanced our time at Royal Curacao. Every night Sandals offers a chance to witness performances by dancers and singers that take place both on the beach and up in the ballroom. There are in fact two singers who we enjoyed watching perform through our trip, Oryan and Leeah West!
Couples Massage for two: 💆♂️
One of the last experiences we decided to save for the end of our visit was a couples’ massage at the resort’s luxurious Red Lane spa. The ambiance and serenity of this spa allow guests to relax & recharge. Our masseuses greeted us with welcoming smiles and a special Curacao tradition that left wonderful impressions on our heart. We each were given candles to light a unity candle, however, before we lit the unity we exchanged vows to one another. This was a moment between the two of us where we were able to share special messages before our relaxing couples massage. This was such a special touch that was the perfect ending to our adventurous trip to the beautiful Sandals Royal Curacao.
Conclusion:
Our experience at the all-new Sandals all-inclusive resort in Curacao surpassed all the expectations we had. From snorkeling and scuba diving in the captivating underwater world to indulging in culinary excellence and immersing ourselves in the vibrant culture of Curacao, our journey was filled with unforgettable moments. We reveled in beach days, poolside bliss, and the serenity of our suite accommodations. Above all, our romantic getaway provided the perfect backdrop for creating cherished memories as a married couple. Curacao and Sandals Resort has truly captured our hearts, and we await our return!
