11/25/2024
We just returned from Sandals Curacao last night. Had a nice vacation, and boy was it hot. Felt like temps of 102 everyday! Nice breeze on the beach sure helped.
We spent our entire time on the beach, plus snorkeling and diving. Tried the beautiful main pool one day but no breeze and just too darn hot. Pools and beach packed everyday.
Staff was friendly, rooms nice, food good (some better than other of course). No issues getting reservations at Vincent or Butch’s. Also no or short wait for the others.
Plenty of bars during the day. Other than restaurant bars, there is just the Lobby Bar at night. Entertainment is near the beach on some nights, so they open the bar there during show time.
Diving and snorkeling were not great. That was a major disappointment. Coral is mostly dead - sad. However, I did see a lot of parrot fish, even schools of them, which I have never seen anywhere else. Beach is fine but not on the ocean. Swimming area is very pleasant though. Of course our room was the furthest from the beach. Watersports (kayaks and paddle boards) are restricted to the swim area. Sailing was on the canal. We didn’t do any as it just didn’t appeal with those restrictions.
Language on Curacao is Papiamento. Basically a mix of English, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Some workers were very difficult to understand, but we managed.
Our Housekeeper was amazing, as was my spa technician (had a facial). Spa was nice but do note that there are no “amenities” like pool, saunas, outdoor oasis.
A variety of off resort excursions are offered to experience the culture and/or nature. The things that appealed to us were all day adventures, and with the heat, sadly we passed.
If you love watersports, diving, snorkeling, and a beach with a great oceanview, this may not be the place for you. If those things don’t matter, and you just love a great pool, or enjoy watching boats go by from your beach chair, then yes, it is definitely worth a try.
Shade at the beach and pool goes early, so plan accordingly if you don’t have a butler.
Met a lot of really nice people, having a great time. I mean, vacation does make one very happy!
Airport was super easy to get through both ways. Transfer is on motor coaches, about 40-50 minutes. There is a great view of Willemstad from atop the bridge if you are in the right side of the bus on arrival and left side on return. The bridge is incredibly high, so be prepared if you are not comfortable with heights (or just don’t look. lol)
Let me know if you have any questions. Happy to share more. Didn’t take many pictures - sorry.
