Sandals Curaçao Review 2026: Our Honest Take on Sandals Royal Curaçao
Updated October 2026, after our stay
Yes, Sandals Royal Curaçao is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort for couples, and yes, we think it’s worth it. The one honest catch is the beach: it’s calm and swimmable, but small, and it sits on an inner channel instead of open ocean.
We’re Jason and Karen Cavadas, owners of Twinsburg Travel. We’ve worked with Sandals since 1994 and have been to every Sandals resort, so choosing where to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary was no small decision. We picked Sandals Royal Curaçao and stayed in an Asombroso Rondoval Butler Villa with a private pool in August 2026. After 32+ years with the Sandals brand, Karen came home calling it her favorite Sandals resort, period. Jason’s verdict: a top-tier Sandals resort, a lot nicer and bigger than he expected.
Here’s everything we’d tell a friend before booking: what the beach is really like, every restaurant and what to order, whether you need a butler here, the room we stayed in, and how we’d book it.
| Adults only? | Yes, couples and adults 18+ |
| All-inclusive? | Yes, food, drinks, water sports & scuba for certified divers |
| Airport | Curaçao (CUR), about 16 miles, transfers included |
| Restaurants | 8 restaurants, 3 food trucks & 13 bars |
| The beach | Calm and swimmable, small swim area |
| Pools | 3, including the 2-level infinity pool |
| Golf | Old Quarry next door, about $175 a round |
| Our room | Rondoval Butler Villa with private pool |
| Best for | Anniversaries, honeymoons, golfers & couples who like to explore |
Sandals Curaçao Beach: Is It Swimmable? Our Honest Take
Yes, you can swim at Sandals Curaçao, but the swim area is small and it isn’t a classic open-ocean beach. As much as we’d like to say it’s perfect, it’s a somewhat funky beach. It was also better than we expected.
- It sits on an inner boat channel off Spanish Water Bay, not facing the wide-open ocean. Boats pass by, and honestly, that isn’t a bad thing. It gives you something to look at.
- The swim area is smaller and limited, but yellow floating rafts make it easy to lay out on the water and relax.
- The sand is white and the beach is extensive, with lots of room to lay out. Parts of the shoreline are rocky.
- You can snorkel right off the beach. A floating bridge sits in front of the inner beach area. Bring your own snorkel and you can snorkel there without a safety vest. If you borrow theirs, a vest is required.
- Water sports launch from the same spot: paddle boards, aqua trikes and kayaks.
- Turn left for open water. The big beach on that side is used for beach volleyball and the nighttime entertainment stage.
Our take: if you spend most of the day between the pool and a lounger, this beach won’t hold you back. If a long, open beach is the number one thing on your list, tell us and we’ll point you to the Sandals resort that fits you better.
Is Sandals Curaçao the Right Resort for You?
Tell us how you like to vacation and we’ll tell you honestly if this is your resort, or which one is. We’ve been to every Sandals resort, and our planning is always free.
Is Sandals Curaçao Worth It? Who It’s For (and Who It Isn’t)
Sandals Curaçao is worth it for couples who want a big, beautiful resort with great food and an island worth exploring. It’s less of a fit if your dream trip is a classic open-ocean beach right outside your door.
It’s a great fit if you:
- Want lots of restaurant variety without ever feeling the need to leave the resort
- Love pools. There are three, including the two-level infinity pool.
- Want to get out and explore. Everyone we met in Curaçao was friendly and outgoing.
- Play golf, pickleball or tennis, or you’re a certified diver
- Are celebrating an anniversary, honeymoon or wedding
It may not be the one if you:
- Want a wide-open ocean beach with a big swim area
- Want a small resort where everything is steps from your room. This is a long property, and the restaurants are spread out.
Sandals Curaçao has three pools, and each one has its own personality.
- The main pool (the Dos Awa 2-level infinity pool): absolutely beautiful. It’s two pools in one, with an infinity pool flowing into a larger pool, a beautiful ocean view and tons of seating. There’s a swim-up bar, and during the day you’ll find trivia, bingo, music and even a saxophonist.
- The activities pool: it used to be called the quiet pool. It’s near the main pool with pool volleyball and basketball, it still feels tranquil, and a tiki bar sits steps away.
- The hidden pool: a third pool that’s very quiet and far from the main scene. Go here when you want peace.
Cabanas are free for butler-level guests.
Sandals Curaçao Restaurants: Every One, Plus What to Order
Sandals Curaçao has 8 restaurants, 3 food trucks and 13 bars, and we never ran out of places to eat. We didn’t even get to the dine-around program, because we couldn’t fit it in with everything on the resort.
- Gatsu Gatsu (sushi): excellent. Order the champagne sushi. We went twice and sat right at the bar so the chef made it in front of us.
- Strand (seafood, right on the beach): Karen’s favorite. The mahi tacos were fabulous.
- Aolos (Greek and Mediterranean): overlooks hole 1 of the Old Quarry golf course and the ocean. Fabulous for dinner under the stars, and gorgeous views at breakfast.
- Butch’s Island Chop House (steakhouse): a highlight for breakfast and dinner, and not hard to get into.
- Pietra (Italian): an antipasto and salad bar, then you order off the menu.
- Kanaal (café): coffee, pastries, cheese and wine, plus crêpe making. We went every night for ice cream and pastries to take back to the room.
- Vincent (international) and Zuka (South American): also included. Vincent requires a reservation.
- Food trucks: Toteki (Curaçao favorites), Heart & Sol (fresh bowls and sandwiches) and Kishi (Asian). The trucks also overlook hole 1.
No, you don’t technically need a butler here, but it was a very nice added touch. If you truly want to be in vacation mode and skip the runaround back to your room, the butlers handle all of it.
What our butler did:
- Set up a private lunch for us on the grass overlooking the ocean
- Served us lobster in our cabana, since it was in season
- Drove us to dinner by golf cart. This is a very long property and the restaurants are spread out, so this matters more here than at most Sandals resorts.
- Brought afternoon snacks, found specialty beers, and gave us a cooler with our favorite drinks for the day
Butler-level guests also get free cabanas, and butler stays of 7 or more nights qualify for the Island Inclusive Program: a $250 dine-out credit at local restaurants plus a MINI Cooper to explore the island. Give 24 hours’ notice to use the dine-out vouchers.
Getting There and Getting Around: Airport, Golf Carts and Rental Cars
Sandals Curaçao is about 16 miles from Curaçao International Airport (CUR), and round-trip airport transfers are included. We booked private transfers.
On the resort: it’s a big, long property, so plan on bikes or golf carts. Bikes are everywhere to grab and ride, and the butlers drive their guests by golf cart.
Leaving the resort: the resort sits inside a gated community with the Old Quarry golf course and a yacht club. It takes about 10 minutes just to get out of the gates, and 20 to 30 minutes to reach local restaurants.
Renting a car: Enterprise is right on property. We rented for the day, picked it up at 9:30 in the morning, dropped it off at 7:30 at night, and saw turtles, flamingos, a lunch spot right on the water and downtown Willemstad. Certain top suites include a MINI Cooper instead.
Driving tip: there are no street signs. Use Google Maps, but check the route yourself. We were told to turn left more than once when turning right would have been a 5-minute drive.
Want a day out planned for you? See our Curaçao island guide, or ask us to set up excursions at no extra cost.
Our Room: The Rondoval Butler Villa With a Private Pool
We stayed in an Asombroso Rondoval Butler Villa, and we’d book it again.
- Private pool, plus an outdoor shower and an indoor shower
- Central location. We could walk right to the main pool and the beach.
- Quiet. On the resort map you’ll see a road behind these villas, but it only serves the property. It was never noisy.
See it for yourself: here’s our Rondoval villa tour from our stay.
Our typical day: the main pool, some snorkeling or water sports, a game of pool basketball or volleyball, trivia back at the main pool, then cheese and crackers and a game of cards by our own pool before dinner.
Other room levels: rooms and suites are scattered around a big property, from the lowest price point in a central location, to swim-outs, swim-outs with butler service, the Rondovals, and the higher suites overlooking the ocean with a private pool. Because the resort is so spread out, where your room sits matters.
Not sure which room level is worth it? Tell us what you’ll use most and we’ll compare the rooms for you, free.
Water Sports, Snorkeling and Diving
- Our Hobie Cat tip: ask the water sports team to take you out sailing on the Hobie Cat. We went pretty far out, and it was a wonderful time.
- Snorkeling: bring your own snorkel so you can skip the vest at the beach. Night snorkeling is offered too, usually on Thursdays, so check the weekly schedule when you arrive.
- Diving: scuba is included for certified divers, and the dive team is serious, so make sure your certification card is current. Night dives cost extra, and resort courses and PADI certification are available.
- Also included: paddle boards, kayaks and aqua trikes.
Pickleball, Tennis and Things to Do
- 8 pickleball courts, 2 full-size tennis courts and a clubhouse
- Cornhole, ping pong, pool basketball, pool volleyball and beach volleyball. We played them all.
- Bikes to explore the resort
- Yoga, Pilates and kickboxing classes, plus a fitness center
Golf isn’t included, but it’s right there. The resort sits on the Old Quarry golf course, a round was about $175 when we stayed, and staying at Sandals guarantees you a tee time.
Even if you don’t play, you’ll enjoy the course. Aolos and the food trucks overlook hole 1, which sits right on the water, and it’s gorgeous.
Planning a golf trip? See our guide to golf at Sandals resorts.
- Latin dancing, wine and paint nights, shows, and local singers and performers
- Stargazing nights, mixology classes and sushi-making classes
- The big beach becomes the nighttime entertainment stage
- Kanaal for late-night ice cream and pastries
Weddings, Groups and the Sandals Curaçao Heart Locks
Sandals Curaçao has the space for weddings and big groups, and it never felt overrun. While we were there we saw weddings, cocktail parties and an evening event for what looked like 100 to 250 people under lights on the beach. It was gorgeous, and the rest of the resort never felt crowded by it.
The heart locks: couples can add a lock at the resort to seal their love. We brought one from Amazon, then bought a second at the gift shop, since those sales support the Sandals Foundation. We interlocked the two for our 34 years.
How We’d Book Sandals Curaçao
- Pick your location first. It’s a long property, so a central room near the main pool and beach, like our Rondoval, saves a lot of walking.
- Decide on the butler. It’s optional here. Book it if you want the golf-cart rides, private dining moments and free cabanas, or a 7+ night stay with the $250 dine-out credit and MINI Cooper. Skip it if budget matters more. You won’t miss out on the resort.
- Pack your own snorkel so you can skip the vest at the beach.
- Ask water sports about the Hobie Cat early in your stay.
- Plan one day off property. Rent from Enterprise on site, or let us arrange excursions.
- Golfers: your tee time is guaranteed.
Then let us handle the price. We’ll check every Sandals promotion, stack what you qualify for, and keep watching your booking after you book, all free. We’ve been there. Let us take you there.
We’ve been there. Let us take you there.
Jason & Karen Cavadas
Twinsburg Travel
440-292-5979
Want Our Honest Take on Which Resort Fits You?
Is Sandals Curaçao adults only?
Yes. Sandals Royal Curaçao is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort designed for couples.
Is Sandals Curaçao worth it?
For most couples, yes. We stayed in August 2026 and rate it a top-tier Sandals resort, with great restaurants, three pools and an island worth exploring. The one trade-off is a small beach on an inner channel instead of open ocean.
Does Sandals Curaçao have a swimmable beach?
Yes, but the swim area is small. The beach sits on an inner channel rather than open ocean, so boats pass by, and parts of the shoreline are rocky. The sand is white, there’s plenty of room to lay out, and floating rafts sit in the swim area.
How far is Sandals Curaçao from the airport?
About 16 miles (26 km) from Curaçao International Airport (CUR). Round-trip airport transfers are included with every room.
Is Sandals Curaçao all-inclusive?
Yes. Meals at 8 restaurants and 3 food trucks, drinks at 13 bars, water sports and scuba for certified divers are included. Golf, spa treatments and excursions cost extra.
Do you need a butler at Sandals Curaçao?
Not necessarily. We’d call it a very nice added touch rather than a must. Butlers drive you to dinner by golf cart on this long property, set up private dining and stock your cooler, and butler-level guests get free cabanas.
Is golf included at Sandals Curaçao?
No. The Old Quarry golf course is right next to the resort. A round was about $175 when we stayed, and Sandals guests are guaranteed a tee time.
What is the best restaurant at Sandals Curaçao?
Our favorites were Gatsu Gatsu for the champagne sushi (sit at the bar), Strand for the mahi tacos, and Aolos for dinner under the stars overlooking hole 1.
Is Sandals Curaçao good for honeymoons?
Yes. It’s adults-only and built for couples, with villas that have private pools, private dining with a butler, and heart locks to seal your love. We celebrated our 34th anniversary here.