Sandals Resorts International (SRI), the world’s leading all-inclusive company, announced that it had signed an agreement that will bring Sandals® Resorts to Curacao. The company has purchased the Santa Barbara resort and plans to renovate it and open in 2021.
It will be the ninth island for the brand in the region of the Caribbean. The new Sandals Curaçao will first include 350 luxurious rooms and suites located along Spanish Water and the Caribbean, with further expansion planned in next years. Formerly the Santa Barbara Beach and Golf Resort, part of a broader 3,000-acre development, the resort will be fully “sandalized” and the process will begin in 2021.
Sandals Curaçao will also have a long-term positive and immediate impact on the island; In its first year alone, it is expected to have an economic footprint of over US $40 million and more than 1,200 jobs.
Concept plans for the resort include the addition of key elements for the Sandals signature experience, including various 5-star Global Gourmet ™ restaurants, expansive new pools and deluxe accommodations, including the stunning newly built River Suites. Visitors will also have access to the adjacent two yacht locations, 18-hole Pete Dye championship golf course and 38,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor conference facilities, the largest on the island.
Sandals Resorts Worldwide Chairman Gordon “Butch,” Stewart said: “It has been a great pleasure for us to work with the federal government of Curacao and the Smits family on this exciting new endeavor for the Sandals model.
Welcoming the Sandals brand to the island, Director of Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, Roald Smeets said: “We have a great opportunity to engage an internationally renowned hotel operator, owner and investor such as Sandals Resorts, who will bring unprecedented benefits to the Curacao tourism industry and local economy. We found his impressive plans for the site and his ambition to create Curacao’s profile as a world-class travel destination particularly appealing. Curacao has a great future with this exciting new venture that will take Curacao onto the global stage.”
The new hotel “will bring unprecedented benefits to the Curacao tourism industry and the local economy,” said Roald Smits, director of Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort. He said SRI’s ability “to attract regularly scheduled airlines from North America clearly sets it apart from other hotel groups.”
Penyak Travel Company’s owner and Senior Travel Consultant Janet Penyak reacted to the news with excitement “Sandals will have a very unique offering with adding the island of Curacao to it’s portfolio. This resort will embrace the local culture and I expect it to deliver the exceptional service experience guests love with the brand.”
More information
Penyak Travel has released a detailed podcast on this news:
According to the citizens of the World Travel Awards, Sandals is recognized as the world’s leading all-inclusive company. For more information on the differences between Sandals Resorts Luxury Included®, visit https://www.sandals.com/.
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