Sandals Resorts International has officially opened its 16th resort in the Caribbean: the new Sandals Royal Curaçao.

The property welcomed its first guests on June 1, marking the company’s first-ever property in the Dutch Caribbean.

The 351-room property is a dramatic transformation of the former Santa Barbara Resort, set on the 3,000-acre Santa Barbara Estate.

“Our vision for the Sandals Royal Curaçao experience was inspired just as much by the island’s natural beauty and colorful culture, as it was by our guests and the many ways they can engage with this amazing destination,” said Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart. “This resort — a true labor of love years in the making with my father and our late founder, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, at the helm — is a testament to the transformative power of tourism via next-generation experiences that not only up the ante on all-inclusive vacations, but celebrate the local people, flavors and terrains every step of the way.”

It’s home to a number of “firsts” for the Sandals brand, including a bi-level infinity pool, and new room categories like the Awards Seaside Butler Bungalows and Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows.

The hotel has 11 different culinary concepts, including eight eateries, joined by three gourmet food trucks and 13 bars.

Sandals has launched several new dining concepts, including Aolos, an open-air Meditarreanan-style eatery, and Vincent, a European fusion restaurant that’s an homage to Van Gogh.

More uniquely, Sandals is also debuting its first-ever off-site dining program called Island Inclusive, which expands its all-inclusive offering to eight partners restaurants around the island of Curacao.

The program, valid on seven-night minimum stays, is available to those booked in butler suites and to Sandals Select Reward Members.

The program gives a $250 voucher to dine out at one of the eight restaurants, with roundtrip transportation included.

For more, visit Sandals Royal Curaçao.

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