Sandals Royal Curacao Marks A New Dawn for Sandals Resorts

Seaside bungalows with private infinity pools. A massive two-level infinity pool. Luxury bungalows set around a heart-shaped pool with its own island in the centre. The newly opened Sandals Royal Curacao debuted with a lot of firsts for the all-inclusive brand, and Gebhard Rainer, Chief Executive Officer of Sandals Resorts, says it’s only the beginning of what’s to come.

“What I’m really excited about is looking at this property, we were able to incorporate a lot of innovation, a lot of the new things that we want to do that will define the brand Sandals for the future,” Gebhard Rainer told PressToday on location for the resort’s grand opening celebration. “What you see here is the beginning of what you are going to see in our next new Sandals coming out — new innovation, an evolution of the product, new restaurant concepts, and new ideas as to how we create experiences for guests. It’s really a new dawn, a new beginning, in many ways of what we call Sandals 2.0 — that’s the evolution of the brand that we’re building.”

One of the unique concepts is a new dine out program that allows guests to eat out at local restaurants in the capital city of Willemstad — without paying a cent.

“It’s included in the package and they can experience the local culinary scene,” he shared. “Curacao is a very special island with very special people.”

Ahead of entertainment by Blue Man Group, Sandals Resorts International’s Executive Chairman Adam Stewart took the stage during the opening celebration on June 24 to share how Sandals acquired the now the 351 room and suite property during the pandemic. However, he’d been dreaming of owning it since touring the property with his dad, the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, over 10 years ago.

“As fate would have it my father is not here tonight but his fingerprints are all over this development,” he noted.

Sandals Royal Curacao marks the 16th Sandals Resort and is located about 40 minutes from the Curaçao International Airport.

Under the mindset to “never waste a good crisis,” Stewart said SRI purchased five hotels during the pandemic and moved full steam ahead with updates and renovations.

Some of the anticipated new openings in the works are Beaches St. Vincent and Sandals Dunn’s River in Jamaica. Meanwhile, updates are slated for Sandals Negril, Beaches Negril and Sandals Royal Plantation.

“Put your seat belts on, because the next five to 10 years are going to be insane,” Stewart said.

Stay tuned to upcoming editions of Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier for a behind-the-scenes look at the new resort as well as a look at what the future holds for Sandals Resorts International.

In the photos:

• Blue Man Group entertained the crowd for the Grand Opening Celebration of Sandals Royal Curacao
• Adam Stewart joined Blue Man Group on stage to create a work of art for
  Sandals Resorts
• Gebhard Rainer, Chief Executive Officer of Sandals Resorts
• The new Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows
• From heart-shaped beach loungers to the main lobby and restaurants like Zuka, Sandals Royal Curacao is highly-Instagrammable