Sandals Royal Curacao Review
Source: Dan and Michelle, Honeymoon Always (return visit — they've been to all 17 Sandals Resorts)
Overview
Sandals Royal Curaçao is an adult-only, all-inclusive resort with a glamorous, fresh vibe: 8 restaurants, 3 food trucks, 13 bars (including a swim-up bar), and an iconic double-decker infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Included activities: beach volleyball, pool volleyball, scuba diving, snorkeling.
This is a Sandals 2.0 resort — the next-generation prototype for future Sandals properties, with elevated food, service, and decor.
Pools
- Main double-decker infinity pool: Ocean-overlooking, most of the daytime activity happens here — games, music, DJ
- Quieter side pool: Still within earshot of the main activity but calmer; home to pool volleyball
- Far/quiet pool: Off to the side, away from the main area — coolers with drinks nearby, food trucks a short walk away
Beach & Water
- Ocean views and beach are beautiful, but the most scenic stretch of beach is not swimmable
- Swimmable area is on a river inlet, separated by a dock — popular but not the classic postcard Caribbean beach look
- Not the right resort if a swim-for-hours Caribbean beach is the top priority (reviewers can help find alternatives)
Water Sports & Snorkeling
- Included: kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, water bike, snorkeling (gear lent if you don't bring your own)
- Daily included snorkeling trips — sign up at the water sports area
- Club room/butler room guests should check for exclusive excursions
- "Honeymoon Always Approved" snorkeling: coral growing on poles along the dock draws a variety of fish — no trip required to see marine life
- Verdict: makes up for the non-classic beach if snorkeling matters to you
Chair Availability
- At ~85% resort capacity, plenty of chairs were still available at 9:30am around pools and the beach
- Previously a complaint area — resort has since added significantly more chairs with umbrellas (visible via Google Maps comparison)
Food & Dining
- Elevated, boutique-style cuisine since a recent management push toward local Curaçaoan cuisine (per conversation with the executive chef)
- Reviewers now rank this among their top three Sandals resorts overall, largely due to food improvements
- Butch's Steakhouse: the classic Sandals steakhouse staple
- Zucca (personal favorite): Latin fusion, recently elevated menu, funky/Instagram-worthy vibe, right on the water for sunset/sunrise views
- Food trucks: great for quick lunch; bao buns called out as a personal favorite
Island Character — Curaçao
- Curaçao is a Dutch island, giving this resort a distinct Euro vibe compared to the other 16 Sandals properties
- Dine-around option: available for stays of 7+ nights in certain rooms — go into the city to try local restaurants (also bookable as an excursion for shorter stays)
- Excursions: sailing tour with strong snorkeling at a marina area, dedicated sea turtle snorkeling tour, ATV island exploration, and others via Island Routes
- Enterprise rental car desk on-site — unique to this resort among Sandals properties, aimed at encouraging guests to explore the island
Choosing a Room
- Room categories are similar, but location matters most: beachfront vs. ocean view, proximity to lobby (can mean hearing nighttime entertainment bass late into the evening), or far-end rooms (more seclusion, longer walks)
- Multiple room categories have multiple location options within the resort
- Reviewers offer free help choosing rooms/locations via email
Extras
- Bikes on-site for getting around — adds to the European feel; more useful if staying on the resort's far side
- Wellness focus: daily smoothies, Pilates and yoga during the week, a weekly kickboxing class (unique among Sandals resorts reviewers have seen), a gym with updated equipment
- Pickleball: recently added courts — called the most elevated pickleball setup of any Sandals resort; includes classes, organized play, and Thursday matches against the resort managers
- Tennis courts also recently redone
Atmosphere / Vibe Change
- On a previous visit, the resort felt loud and party-heavy — more than the reviewers personally prefer
- Since then, a change in management has brought a more chill, balanced vibe — still plenty of entertainment, but calmer overall
- Reviewers note other Sandals resorts are better picks for guests specifically seeking a big party atmosphere
- Works well for groups (destination weddings, friend groups, couples groups) since the resort is large and spread out — group presence doesn't detract from the romantic atmosphere for other guests
Recent Updates Since Last Visit
- New pickleball courts
- New Rendezvous Suites
- Minor cuisine updates toward a more local style
Reviewers don't expect further major updates soon, given the resort's role as the Sandals 2.0 prototype — though they anticipate possible future room expansion and, eventually, a rum club.
Verdict
The improved food and overall experience are prompting the reviewers to move this resort up in their annual Sandals rankings (a full ranking update video to follow after revisiting a few other properties).