Rating7.8Adults Only
Rating8.8Adults Only
Rating8.6Adults OnlyGood
Based on 2.2k reviews
Iconic Pools
The magnificent Dos Awa two-level infinity pool is a stunning centerpiece, highly praised for its design and ocean views, complemented by other unique pool options like the Kurason Island Pool.
Gourmet Dining
Guests consistently rave about the exceptional quality and vast variety across 8 à la carte restaurants and 3 unique food trucks, calling the culinary experience 'amazing' and 'high cuisine'.
Outstanding Service
The friendly, inviting, and impeccable service from all staff, including dedicated butlers, receives widespread acclaim, significantly enhancing the overall guest experience.
Luxurious Accommodations
Rooms and suites are frequently highlighted for their spaciousness, impeccable cleanliness, modern decor, and overall luxurious feel, meeting the high standards expected of Sandals.
PADI® Scuba Diving
Certified guests appreciate the complimentary, high-quality scuba diving experiences offered with an excellent dive team, exploring Curaçao's renowned underwater world effortlessly.
Unique Exploration
The provision of complimentary Dutch bikes for resort navigation and MINI Coopers for select guests offers unique and appreciated ways to explore both the expansive property and the island.
Remote for Sightseeing
While beautiful and private, the resort's location can feel a bit distant for guests desiring frequent off-resort sightseeing, with potential traffic concerns when venturing out.
Beachfront for Views
The main beach directly in front of the pool area is noted to be better for scenic views than direct swimming due to a somewhat rocky coastline, though other pristine beach areas are ideal for water access.
Initial Construction
Some very early reviews upon the 2022 opening mentioned ongoing construction work impacting the guest experience, though this issue has largely subsided as the resort has matured.
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Resorts - Caribbean and Atlantic - Best Overall List
2025
Scuba Diving's Readers Choice Awards
Best Adults Only Resort
2025
Unspecified Awarding Body
Best Resorts for a Destination Wedding
2025
Unspecified Awarding Body
Sandals Royal Curaçao opened in June 2022, converted from the former Santa Barbara Beach and Golf Resort (originally the Hyatt Regency Curaçao, 2010). The building is modern by all-inclusive standards, and the defining design element is the Dos Awa pool — a two-level infinity configuration that overlooks the Caribbean from the elevated main resort grounds. The Dutch colonial architecture throughout the property reflects Curaçao's European heritage in a way that distinguishes it from the British colonial aesthetic common to Sandals Jamaica and Barbados properties.
This resort suits couples who want a larger, more active property with a strong food and beverage program and don't need to be within walking distance of a town. The Santa Barbara Estate is remote — about 26–45 minutes from Willemstad, the capital — and the grounds are expansive enough that the Dutch bikes available for guest use serve a practical purpose, not just a novelty one. The heart-shaped Kurason Island Pool, the natural saltwater ocean-fed pool, and the overwater bar are feature amenities that read as genuinely differentiated. Guests who want a compact, walkable resort near local dining and culture will find Royal Curaçao too isolated.
The rocky coastline in front of the main pool is an honest limitation — it's a view beach, not a swimming beach. Other areas of the Santa Barbara beach are sandy and swimmable, but the best beach access requires knowing which section to use. Confirm beach location with the front desk on arrival.
For butler-level guests, the MINI Cooper program (7+ nights required) is one of the most practically useful resort perks in the Sandals portfolio — Curaçao's concentrated geography means the full island is accessible in a half-day. The Dos Awa pool is best at sunset when the light hits the two levels from the west.
