Sandals Royal Curaçao ended up being a really easy yes for me. I didn’t have to plan anything once I got there—I just moved between the beach, the pool, and wherever I was eating next (which I was always ready for). It does a lot really well, and it felt different from other stays on the island in a way that actually made the whole trip feel exciting.
If you’re still figuring out if this fits into your trip, check out my guide to Where to Stay in Curaçao (Best Areas + Hotels) because that made a bigger difference than I expected.
Before I arrived , I rented a car to explore the island a bit, it made it simple to see the island as soon as I arrived.
We pulled in and I could immediately tell Sandals Royal Curaçao is newer. Everything looked fresh, updated, and really well designed, and nothing had that worn-down feel some all-inclusives get.
I walked around the grounds right away and noticed how clean everything was, with a lot of greenery and landscaping that made it feel more upscale than I expected.
We spent the first part of the day walking around and figuring out where everything was, and I liked that the resort didn’t feel one-note. I could sit at the beach and it was quiet, then walk over to the infinity pool and it felt completely different.
I ended up in one of the float rings they provide and actually fell asleep at the beach for a bit (which honestly tells you everything). It felt like I could pick what kind of day I wanted without leaving the resort.
We stayed in a Carisia Club Level Oceanview Room, and I was really happy with that choice. I walked in and everything felt clean and updated right away, and there were small details like the moving art over the shower window.
We had a balcony that we loved to use, and the room location made it easy to get to everything we kept going back to. It wasn’t over-the-top luxury, but it worked really well and didn’t make anything feel complicated.
If you want to look at room options or pricing, you can browse Sandals Royal Curaçao here.
We ended up at the double infinity pool pretty much every afternoon, and this was easily the main spot during the day. The pool is huge, so even when it got busy near the swim-up bar, I could still find space away from the crowd.
There were games, music, and people hanging out, so it felt more social without being chaotic. I stayed there longer than planned most days, especially once the sun started going down, because the sunset from that pool was unreal.
We went down to the beach in the mornings, and this is where Sandals Royal Curaçao felt different from what I pictured. The beach is set on an inlet instead of open ocean, so you don’t get wide views or cliffs.
The water was really calm, and there’s a dock and net system that helps keep waves from passing boats out and keeps unwanted sea life away. I got in right away because the water was so still, and we stayed out there for a while without dealing with waves.
We brought my favorite resort item, a beach chair pillow, which made those longer pool and beach days way more comfortable, and I brought my pool float so I could get in, stay there, and relax instead of constantly adjusting or getting in and out.
We made our way through all of the restaurants, and for an all-inclusive, the food was solid with a couple standouts. We went to Gatsu Gatsu and did the hot plate experience, and that ended up being one of the more fun meals because of the hot plate, plus the sauces were so, so good and the sushi was a great add-on.
We had dinner at Butch’s Steakhouse another night and I got the filet and Brad got the surf and turf, which was exactly what I wanted after a full beach day (I clearly earn my steak around here). For lunch, we kept going back to the food trucks because they were quick when we didn’t want to wait on a sit down meal.
If you’re planning to go off resort, you can see my full guide on the best restaurants in Curaçao.
We made our way through all of the restaurants, and since this is all-inclusive, everything is already covered, which made it easy to just order what we wanted and more. That being said I don’t drink, but they still had plenty of mocktail options, so I never felt limited at all. If you want ideas, I have a full list of my favorite mocktails to order that I kept going back to.
I had been to several Sandals so I wasn’t expecting Michelin-level food, but I also didn’t feel like I was settling—it hit a good balance of quality and variety (you could say it really… meat expectations).
We interacted with staff throughout the stay, and everyone we talked to was friendly, welcoming, and helpful. By the second or third day, I already had a couple people I recognized and went back to, which just made everything feel like home (but more tropical).
We had a lazy day where we stayed in our room from breakfast through lunch and used room service, and it was honestly really nice to not leave the room at all. Everything just showed up and we stayed in that slow, relaxed mode longer than planned.
Room service at Sandals Resorts is included with specific room categories, so Club Sandals rooms get service from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Butler Elite suites have 24-hour service. If you’re in Club or Butler levels, you can order breakfast, lunch, and dinner to your room, and butler guests can also order directly from the resort restaurant menus.
We looked into activities early in the trip, and there was more included than I expected for a place that feels more relaxed overall. They have snorkeling gear, daily snorkeling trips, scuba diving for certified divers, pickleball, land sports, a fitness center, and both day and night entertainment.
One of my favorite things we did was the snorkeling trip to Tugboat Beach, and not having to figure out logistics made it better. If you are going on an adventure for the day and want more details on spots like this, you can read my guide to the best snorkeling in Curaçao.
If you’re planning to explore outside the resort, booking something a tour here or renting a car in Curaçao here makes it easier to get around and see more of the island.
We tried to grab chairs at the pool a few times, and this is where it got a little annoying. People were definitely saving chairs early, especially in the best spots, so I had to be a little strategic about timing.
To be honest, we stayed in the pool most of the time anyway, so a lot of the time we just left our stuff off to the side and stayed in the water, which ended up being easier and way less of a hassle.
The pool itself never felt overcrowded, but getting a good chair sometimes took more effort than I wanted to put in on vacation.
We kept falling into the same routine most days without planning it. We’d start at the beach in the morning, stay in the water for a while (or really take a nap in the floats at the beach), grab lunch at the food trucks, and then end up at the infinity pool for the afternoon and sunset.
This setup works really well if you want a great pool scene, like having everything included, want a mix of relaxing and social, and don’t want to plan every meal or activity.
It’s probably not the best fit if you want a big open-ocean beach, something ultra-private, or super high-end gourmet dining across the board.
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
We checked out at the end of the stay and I didn’t feel like I was ready to leave, which usually tells me everything I need to know.
I would come back to Sandals Royal Curaçao again without second guessing it.
I left thinking about whether Sandals Royal Curaçao was worth it, and it felt pretty clear by the end. If you want an affordable luxury all-inclusive, love having a great pool, and want a trip where everything is handled for you, it does exactly that.
If you’re ready to get planning then, I usually start with searching flights on here so I can compare options quickly.
Sandals isn’t trying to be ultra-exclusive or over the top—it just delivers a really good trip, and we enjoyed every part of 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.
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