Sandals Royal Curacao: An Honest Review from a Travel Advisor Who Stayed There
- Melissa Fail
- 21 minutes ago
- 8 min read
I've been a travel advisor for over ten years now and have stayed at a lot of resorts. It comes with the territory when you havemy job. But every now and then, a property genuinely surprises you — and Sandals Royal Curaçao was one of those places.
I attended a work conference at Sandals Royal Curacao in June 2026 for five nights. While my schedule during the day was full of classes, a fun resort tour, inspection of the luxury rooms and suites, and yummy sampling of wedding cake along a visit with the wedding planning team, I made sure to experience as much of the resort as I possibly could — because that is exactly what my clients deserve when they ask me for an honest recommendation.
Here is what I found.
What to Know when Arriving in Curaçao and Getting to Sandals Royal Curacao
Let me prepare you for something the resort brochure will not mention — the journey from the Curacao International Airport to Sandals Royal Curaçao. This trip takes anywhere from 45 minutes to a full hour - in traffic it can take longer. As you make your way to the resort, you'll catch glimpses of the colorful streets of Willemstad in the distance, roll through some hilly terrain, and eventually arrive at a beautiful coastal entrance that makes the ride worthwhile.
Note, if you are prone to motion sickness, I would recommend taking motion sickness medication before you leave the airport. It is a winding ride and a little preparation goes a long way.
What about a helicopter? Being the planner that I am, I did inquire about helicopter transfers that would allow guests to skip the drive entirely. As I am told, Sandals Resorts and Island Routes are working on this option for the future. They will work with local officials since it involves developing the infrastructure at the Curacao International Airport as well as the resort. So friends, standby.
The Sandals Royal Curacao property itself is lovely
This property is genuinely beautiful. The architecture blends Caribbean warmth with a polish that feels elevated without being stuffy. The grounds are well-designed, the pathways are lush, and everywhere you turn there is something lovely to look at — a water feature, a garden courtyard, a perfectly framed ocean view. Lots and lots of benches and comfy seating tucked away for guests to sit and chat. It is the kind of resort that makes you slow down the moment you arrive, which is exactly the point, right?
Because it is a newer property, everything is in pristine condition. That matters more than people realize. There is a freshness to the experience that older resorts — however beloved — simply cannot live up to. I noticed plenty of people tending to the gardens and painting trim in the stairwells to ensure the buildings stayed in great condition.
My Room at Sandals Royal Curacao, Club Level, and a Butler
I was in a Sunchi Club Level Oceanview room, and waking up to that view every morning was a lovely way to start the day. The Club Level perks were nice (priority service, bottled liquor on the shelf, upgraded amenities and access to the Club Lounge), but let me be truthful here... I'm not a drinker, so when I travel I much prefer priority services and special attention by a butler.
The Club Lounge is open 24/7, but is only staffed between 8am - 10pm. There are pastries and delicious snacks, drinks that include Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, espressos, and cappuccinos, and some great lounging areas, but if those amenities don't make your heart thump, then perhaps you won't value a Club Level room.
That said, if I am being completely honest with you, if your goal is a truly effortless experience where every detail is handled before you even think to ask, the Butler suite category is worth every single penny. Prior to your arrival, you'll complete a preferences form alerting the Butler Services team about your preferred mini-fridge items, and so much more. Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed and whisked away to your suite quickly. (Who doesn't want attention like that?)
The Butler handles your dining reservations, prepares breakfast on your terrace, arranges a tee time for golf, and takes care of the kinds of details that would otherwise require you to think. (Okay, I'm spoiled and on my vacation, I don't want to do everything for myself. I would LOVE for someone else to manage the logistics. I just want to show up, roll out of bed each morning, and have someone else let me know what time my spa appointment is and where I'm having dinner... but that's just me.)
The Dining at Sandals Royal Curacao offers a Good Variety to Satisfy Every Palate
There are plenty of dining options here, and the variety is one of the resort's strengths. My personal favorite was Aolos. I had lunch as well as dinner at this restaurant. My absolute favorite was the Greek salad at lunch. For the evening meal, you simply cannot beat viewing the sunset from the patio and the prime rib. Both were excellent.
Tucked back in a corner near Aolos Restaurant, you'll find the the food trucks. These were a fun and unexpected casual dining choice. Each truck offers a special type of food and you can easily order something from multiple trucks. I ordered a plate of french fries from one truck that included a more than generous portion to share with my tablemates, and a pulled pork barbecue sandwich from a different food truck. The whole atmosphere has a relaxed, "come-as-you-are" energy that appealed to me and felt like a nice change of pace from the sit-down restaurants. (I do wish that Sandals would add more tables in this area though.)
The lunch buffet at Pietra was also a go-to for me — easy, satisfying, and perfect for midday when you want something good without a long commitment of time.
Butch's Island Chop House rounded out my dining experience with a solid dinner option as well. One item to note, it took quite a while for meals to be prepared and arrive to our table. It seemed like that was the norm because I had three dinners there and none arrived quickly. Just keep this in mind, give yourself plenty of time. You don't want to miss the evening's entertainment.
Don't skip a daily visit to Kanaal, a quaint little pastry shop that offers Dutch-inspired treats and coffee during the day. Later in the afternoon, the shop turns itself into a wine and cheese bar. This was a crowd favorite!
The Bi-Level Infinity Pool is the Heart of This Resort!
Here is the honest truth about Sandals Royal Curaçao: the beach is fairly small and the coastline is rocky. If you are booking this resort with the expectation to see a long stretch of pristine white sand, you will be disappointed.
But if you love a good pool, this resort is for you! The double-level infinity pool is fantastic! It is the centerpiece of the resort, and for good reason. During my stay it was where the energy was — guests gathered there throughout the day, the atmosphere was lively with a DJ who played music and hosted an occasional trivia game or good-hearted competition, etc. The view of the pool as you overlook the water looked like something on the cover of a travel magazine. This is not a resort where you mourn not having a larger beach. It is a resort where you never leave the pool and feel perfectly happy about it.
For those seeking a quieter pool environment, you won't be disappointed. There are smaller pools located around the property to provide a low-key, laid back experience. While on my resort tour with the Sandals sales team, I visited several pools where there were only a couple of people reading books and enjoying their quiet time.
Activities and Evening Entertainment that Surprised Me at the Resort
I was genuinely surprised by how much was happening throughout the day. The catamaran looked like an absolute delight, groups were painting together and clearly having a wonderful time, and there was a steady rhythm of activities meaning you could be as engaged or as relaxed as you choose.
The evenings had great energy too. The karaoke nights and evening shows were well-attended, and even if you are more of a people-watcher than a participant — which, on this particular trip, I was — the atmosphere is warm and fun. There is always something happening if you want to join in, and always a quiet corner if you do not.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Book
No honest travel advisor review would be complete without the real talk, so here it is.
Room location matters at this resort. Some rooms in the back section of the property face a construction area. Depending on your room, this may be a non-issue — but if the view on your walk back from dinner is important to you, it is worth booking a room category that is situated away from that area. (I always handle that kind of detail for my clients, but it is good to know going in.)
The small beach and rocky coastline are not a dealbreaker by any means, but they are worth understanding before you arrive. The pools more than compensate — I just want you to arrive with the right picture in mind.
There is an Enterprise Car Rental office on site. It operates on limited hours and limited number of vehicles available. If you want to reserve a car, make sure you reserve you car early and through the Enterprise website. I never saw an employee sitting at the desk, but I'm sure I was probably in a workshop and missed them. Speaking of cars, when reserving some of the top tier suites, you will have access to complimentary use of a private, Sandals-branded Mini Cooper convertible to explore the island
My Bottom Line
Would I send a client to Sandals Royal Curaçao? Without hesitation.
This is a resort that genuinely delivers — beautiful property, tasty food, extraordinary pool, lively atmosphere, and the kind of all-inclusive experience that lets you fully exhale. It is best suited for couples, whether you are honeymooning, celebrating an anniversary, or simply ready for a trip where the two of you can focus entirely on each other. Although I'll say after speaking with one of the sales members, they are beginning to see more best friend getaways come for a visit.
If you want to talk through whether a Luxury Suite, Club Level Suite, or Butler Suite is the right fit for you, or whether Sandals Royal Curaçao should belong on your "must-visit" list, I would love to have that conversation. Helping you arrive at the right resort — for your personality, your expectations, and your trip — is exactly what I find important for those wishing for the perfect vacation.
📅 Schedule your complimentary consultation today!
Comments