Just as it starts expansion on all three of its exclusive hotel properties in Saint Lucia, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) earlier this week commemorated its first venture into the Dutch-speaking Caribbean during a special ribbon cutting ceremony held Thursday at the new Sandals Royal Curaçao, the chain’s 16th resort property, which officially opened to guests on June 1 in the Netherlands Antillean capital.
SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, said at the launch: “Today marks a dream decades-in-the-making, as Sandals Resorts officially becomes part of the story of Curaçao…” and he added: “It’s a great honour to now share this incredible destination with the world with its eclectic melting pot of culture, vibrance and stunning beauty.”
Stewart also noted, though, that “Today is also bittersweet, as I wish my father and our late founder, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, could have been here to see this dream of our family’s become a reality.”
The 351-room Sandals Royal Curaçao, offering everything from experiential-driven and off-site programming to locally-inspired resort experiences, unique and impactful community and environmental development programs, also adds its unique approach to tourism, pleasantly welcomed and saluted by attending dignitaries who recognized its progress and impact on the capital of the Dutch Antilles, so far.
The Curacao ceremony included remarks from industry leaders including Prime Minister the Honourable Gilmar Pisas, SRI Executive Chairman Stewart, SRI CEO Gebhard Rainer, the new Resort’s General Manager Kevin Clarke, Executive Vice President of Sales at Unique Vacations Inc. Gary Sadler, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation Heidi Clarke, American Airlines Managing Director for the Caribbean Christine Valls and President of American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Zane Kerby.
“The arrival of Sandals Royal Curaçao has a great impact in the continued development of our touristic product, giving us a great competitive advantage in our region,” said the Hon. Gilmar Pisas.
“The most beautiful part of this process is our shared vision and the impact on our local people and economy long before the resort even opened its doors.”
He said, “The government (of Curaçao) is very pleased to welcome Sandals Royal Curaçao and together we look forward to providing travelers from around the world with great experiences that will have them extending their stays and coming back for years to come.”
During his remarks, Stewart introduced the Sandals Foundation’s newly formed partnership with the Netherlands’ AFC Ajax soccer team to launch Future Goals – a programme that turns fishing nets sourced from the ocean and recycled plastic waste into soccer goals for children.
Expanding opportunities for locals through the power of youth sports, particularly the beloved game known locally as football, the landmark partnership kicks-off at primary schools across Curaçao, where the programme’s official launch was celebrated last month at MGR Niewindt College, where students received the first set of Future Goals ahead of the resort’s opening.
Attendees watched the official Future Goals video, with the Sandals Foundation’s Executive Director Heidi Clarke sharing more insight on the programme.
The new Sandals Royal Curaçao is located within the exclusive, 3,000-acre Santa Barbara estate – just 15 miles from the Curaçao International Airport and its signature, west-facing position on the southernmost part of the island authentically intertwines nature with the resort experience, while capturing one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular sunsets.
• According to SRI, “At the heart of the property, couples can bask under the sun at the brand’s first ever bi-level Dos Awa Infinity Pool, with views overlooking the Spanish Water and the rugged mountain landscape beyond.”
• “With its admirable west-facing position,” the release continued, “Sandals Royal Curaçao includes two new signature suite categories, the Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows and Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows, complete with Tranquillity Soaking Tubs, private pools, and butler service – plus perks for select suites, like access to sporty and stylish convertible MINI Coopers to drive while exploring the island.”
• It continues: “From the Melemele Walkout Suites (Papiamentu for affectionate) to the Sunchi Beachfront Suites (meaning kiss), locally-inspired accommodations include entirely new room categories, such as the Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows and Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows, capturing the height of luxury and overlooking private lagoons and the Curaçaon coast.”
• Sandals Royal Curaçao boasts eleven culinary concepts, including eight restaurants – seven of which are new to the brand and only available at this resort – along with three beachside gourmet food trucks and 13 bars.
• A sampling of all-new concepts include Aolos, home to an open-air Mediterranean dining experience; Vincent, an homage to the famous Dutch painter with a robust European fusion menu; and Toteki food truck serving up traditional Curaçao fare.
• The SRI release says: “Further immersing guests in the unique flavours of the island, Sandals Royal Curaçao offers the brand’s first-ever off-site dining program, Island Inclusive, which expands its all-inclusive dining options to eight partner restaurants around the destination.
“Valid on seven-night minimum stays, the programme is available exclusively to guests who are booked in Butler suites, as well as Sandals Select Reward Members (Diamond, Pearl, Ambassadors Club), offering one $250 USD voucher to dine-out at one of the eight partner restaurants, with off-site roundtrip transportation included.”
On May 20, it was Saint Lucia’s turn to thanks Sandals for its continuing expressions of confidence in the island with the most SRI properties outside Jamaica, when Group CEO Rainer unveiled plans for taking the island’s three resorts to the next luxury level, at a ceremony at Sandals Halcyon attended and addressed by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, Deputy Prime Minister (and Tourism Minister) Dr Ernest Hilaire and Senior Minister (and former Prime Minister) Stephenson King.
Meanwhile, with Sandals La Source already in Grenada, the next SRI resort is carded to roll-out in St. Vincent & The Grenadines, where the group defied disruption by last year’s rare volcano eruption and proceeded with plans for the next big link in the growing Sandals chain in the third Windward Island, after starting the ball rolling three decades ago, with Sandals La Toc in Saint Lucia.