If you’re trying to decide between Baoase Luxury Resort Curaçao and Sandals Royal Curaçao, this Sandals Curaçao vs Baoase comparison is my take after staying at both. They’re both talked about a lot, but they are completely different experiences.
If you want the shortest answer possible, here it is.
I’d book Baoase for a quiet, private, high-end luxury stay.
I’d book Sandals for an all-inclusive, social, easy vacation where everything is handled.
But the reason why I’d pick each one is completely different depending on the trip.
I walked into Baoase and it immediately felt tucked away from everything. It was quiet, really private, and had that boutique luxury feel where I wasn’t constantly seeing people around me.
I spent most of my time at the beach or in our room, and both felt secluded enough that I wasn’t thinking about anything else going on. It fully gave that hidden oasis energy.
I got to Sandals and the shift was immediate. The property is bigger, there are more people, and there’s more going on overall.
I moved between different areas depending on what I felt like doing, and it never felt like I was stuck in one type of atmosphere. I sat by a more social pool one day, then ended up in a quieter area the next, and having those different zones made a difference.
I stayed in one of the villas at Baoase, and the room felt like part of the resort amentites. We had a private pool, an outdoor bathroom, and a villa-style setup that made it feel like we had our own space the entire time.
I barely left the room (in the best way), and I didn’t feel like I needed to.
I stayed in a club room category at Sandals, and it was clean, updated, and in a good location. It was comfortable, clean, and modern but I wasn’t thinking about the room once I left it.
I spent most of my time out at the pool, beach, or restaurants instead, which is kind of the point there.
If you’re trying to compare room categories and locations, you can see my full breakdown in Sandals Royal Curaçao Review: What You Should Know Before Booking.
I sat down for dinner at Baoase every night, and this is where it really stood out. The food was high-end, creative, and each dinner felt like its own experience.
I was excited for dinner every night, and I left dinner already thinking about what I wanted the next time (which says a lot). It is expensive unless you’re doing all-inclusive, so that’s something to factor in.
I ate at all the restaurants at Sandals, but Gatsu Gatsu and Butch’s were my favorites. I also grabbed food from the food trucks during the day, which made lunch really simple when I didn’t want to sit down for a full meal.
There’s a lot of variety, and while it’s not Michelin-level or super high-end, it’s really solid for an all-inclusive. I was genuinely happy with the food, especially for what you’re paying.
I walked down to the beach at Baoase, and it’s a small, calm cove with really clear water. I got in right away and stayed in longer than I planned because it was so calm.
It felt quiet and controlled, and I didn’t have to deal with crowds while I was out there. It was so peaceful and luxurious.
I went down to the beach at Sandals, and it’s more of an inlet, so you don’t get that wide open Curaçao coastline view. The water is calm though, and I ended up taking a nap in the provided float each day.
It’s not a dramatic wow, but it’s easy to enjoy.
If you want beaches with that bright blue water and more dramatic views, check out my Curaçao Beaches with the Clearest Water (Ranked by What I Actually Saw).
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
I used the pool at Baoase a little, but it wasn’t really the focus. It felt more private, and I mostly stuck to the beach or our room pool instead.
I spent way more time at the pools at Sandals, and this is where the resort really stands out. The double infinity pool is huge, social, and even with a lot of people around, I never felt overly crowded.
I stayed there through sunset each night, and the view from the pool alone made it worth it (I told myself “one more minute” at least five times and somehow stayed another hour).
I interacted with staff at Baoase from the second I arrived, and everything felt very tailored. People knew where we were supposed to be, what we had planned, and things were handled before I had to ask.
It felt like true luxury-level service the entire time.
I talked to staff throughout the trip at Sandals, and everyone was friendly and consistent. It didn’t feel as personalized, but I still had really good interactions across the board.
I could tell the experience would feel more elevated if I had booked a butler-level room.
I looked into things to do at Baoase, and most of it centered around relaxing, spa time, and private experiences. I didn’t feel like I needed a schedule, and I didn’t try to build one. There is good snorkeling right at the private cove beach which is convenient.
I booked and actually used the included snorkeling trip, which made me feel like I was really getting my money’s worth, and they even run trips to Tugboat, which is one of the best spots on the island—so I didn’t have to figure any of that out myself. They also have scuba, pickleball, and other land sports, so there’s a lot more going on if you want options.
If you want a breakdown of snorkeling spots like that, read Best Snorkeling in Curaçao: Top Spots You Can’t Miss.
I stayed on the east side of Curaçao for both, closer to Willemstad, and neither location made me want to leave much once I was there.
Baoase felt tucked away and private the entire time, while Sandals felt like a full destination resort where everything I needed was already on property.
I looked at the total cost after both stays, and Baoase was noticeably more expensive. It made sense once I was there, but it only feels worth it if you’re actually spending time at the resort and using everything.
I paid less overall at Sandals, and having everything included upfront made it easier to relax about spending. I wasn’t thinking about every meal, drink, or activity adding up, which made the whole trip feel more straightforward.
If you’re pricing things out, you can book Sandals here and Baoase here.
I’d book Baoase if I wanted privacy, romance, high-end food, and a quiet luxury experience where I planned to stay on property the whole time.
I’d book Sandals if I wanted an easy, all-inclusive trip, a great pool, a mix of relaxing and social, and something where I didn’t have to plan anything once I got there.
I’d choose Baoase if I wanted a quiet, romantic luxury escape.
I’d choose Sandals if I wanted an easy, fun, all-inclusive vacation.
They’re both great—you just have to match it to your trip.
If you want a full breakdown of Baoase specifically, you can read my Baoase Luxury Resort Curaçao Review: Is It Worth It?.
Your Knoxville Airport survival guide, from someone who’s flown through TYS 100+ times is now up on my blog🛫
Parking, TSA wait times, where to grab food before your flight, rental cars, all of it, from someone who actually knows this airport. No guessing, no googling at the last minute.
TYS is small, easy to navigate, and honestly one of the less stressful airports I’ve been through. You just need to know a few things going in.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗
Hundreds of motorcycles. Tweed suits. Tennessee roads.🏍️
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global charity event, classic and vintage bikes, dressed-up riders, raising money for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. The bikes are stunning. The outfits are even better.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗 | @gentlemansride
Went in for Italian. Left thinking about pasta for three days straight.🍝
Osteria Stella in Knoxville is THE date night spot, pink door, moody lighting, and a radiatori con broccoli pesto that I would genuinely go back for alone. The lasagna comes out as its own perfect slice with crispy edges all around. The focaccia with garlic confit disappeared before anyone admitted to eating it.
Make a reservation. Order the pasta. Thank me later.
Full review linked in bio. 🔗
I walked down what looked like a regular hillside entrance and came out into a room that could almost fit a football stadium. 🪨 Tuckaleechee Caverns is the highest-rated cavern in the Eastern US and until you’re standing inside it, that’s just a fact. When you’re actually there, it feels earned.
Stalagmites 24 feet tall. A 210-foot underground waterfall. Formations that took 20 to 30 million years to build. A family that still runs the whole thing.
Bring a jacket. Wear good shoes. Don’t Google how it was discovered before you go hearing it on the tour is so much better.
#townsend #visittennessee #travel #travelling #travelvlog
If you’ve only ever seen the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge side of the Smokies, Townsend is going to feel like a completely different state. 🌲 No neon signs. No traffic. No crowds fighting for the same overlook.
🥾 Middle Prong Trail | River views, small waterfalls & fresh air the whole way. Hike as little or as much as you want.
⛰️ Tuckaleechee Caverns | Start underground with massive cave rooms, waterfalls & guided tours. Go early, beat the rush.
🍕 Peaceful Side Social | Made-from-scratch food, craft beer & mountain views. Fair warning: you’ll stay longer than planned.
🚗 Scenic Drive to Tremont | Slow down. Stop. Take it in. The drive itself is part of the experience.
Summer swap? Ditch the hike for River Rat Tubing — same vibe, more splash.
Townsend calls itself the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. After one full day there, I completely understood why. Entire itinerary linked in bio.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
