Travel2latam visited the impressive resort and spoke in detail with Arlene García, Director of Sales and Marketing for Latin America at Sandals & Beaches Resorts.
What could you tell us about this property here on the island of Curaçao?
It is a beautiful property located in the Santa Bárbara sector, with 361 rooms. We started with 351, we just added 10 new ones and we always say that the center of the room is where all the energy is concentrated. Romance is precisely where the bedroom is. They are very well designed and located on the viewer. It is a beautiful resort. We have 11 dining options that are included in the transfers, we have premium drinks, and among them the Robert Mondavi house wine, a Californian wine from the Napa Valley.
What room categories do you offer?
We offer different categories of rooms. We start with the luxury category which is the First Level, we also have the Club Level, and Butler Level, which is the highest within those categories. We also have Bungalows, which are very close to the sea with an impressive view, have their own pool, relaxation tub and personalized attention from a 24-hour butler, who anticipate the desire and preference of our guests, and turn their dreams into reality. .
We also have the possibility for our guests to request their preferences, such as a specific type of drink or liquor, and upon arrival they are greeted by the butler. Accompanying this, we have the Heart Category, with a heart-shaped pool, very beautiful and romantic. These have the possibility, together with the Beach Bungalows, that guests can opt for a mini Cooper, which is a convertible car to stroll around the island at some point.
There is also, in the case of these higher categories, the opportunity to enjoy all-inclusive room service along with premium drinks. That is, you can decide to drink your bottle of wine every night and it will be replenished the next day. In addition, we have beautiful open spaces to walk like the gardens, the famous 2-water pool, with two levels, which has a glass floor or front and has an infinity style that connects directly with the sea and wherever you approach, the view is impressive.
What activities can the guest do during the day?
We have entertainment for those who seek the enjoyment of music, dancing, games. And it is definitely impressive that within the 11 gastronomic options we have 11 food trucks, we also have Latin and Asian cuisine, and you can enjoy a beautiful evening there at lunch time, or in the afternoon when the sun goes down. There is also Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Japanese cuisine. We have bicycles throughout the resort, which allow you to get to know a little more and even exercise during your vacation. The spa salon, the gardens. Walking on the beach and sports are also included here, both aquatic and land-based. Within them we have the possibility of diving for certified divers.
What is the concept of Sandals and how is it transmitted in each of the proposals?
I would define it with one word and for me it is love. Today we have said that Sandals is a product aimed at adults over 18 years of age, but it can be a mother and daughter, it can be two brothers, two friends, or a couple. In the end each site is unique, each of the viewers are also unique, each design is different, and the concept is the same, as are the standards of care.
Are new openings coming for the brand?
In the case of Sandals, a new resort will soon open its doors in a new destination, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines starting in March of this year. Touring the Caribbean and continuing to grow in the Caribbean is the vision of our Chairman of the Board, Mr. Adam Stewart. I think that every place here is beautiful and that the excuse to come on vacation can be anything like an anniversary or just needing relaxation.
What is the reason why guests may fall in love with Sandals?
Here you feel loved, not only by your partner or companion, but also by all the members of our staff, who are very friendly and show you a smile from the moment you arrive at our hotel until the moment you leave. This family and close relationship means that many of our guests belong to the repeat and loyalty guest program, who prefer Sandals every year for vacations. Here they find warmth, good service, and also that relaxing atmosphere.
How has the Latin American market responded throughout 2023?
Latin America continues to grow, it is still recovering post-pandemic, but last year there was a travel disaster. And today the Latino understood that you have to go out, enjoy, know, and there is nothing better than living the experience. Those memories that you create at Sandals, enjoying walking around each place, enjoying your room, the pool, the beach, sharing and meeting new friends and connecting with each other is a key point.
What is the connectivity like and what markets are top for Sandals hotels?
The great challenge in Latin America is connectivity, we continue working and today we can say that we have airlines like Copa through Panama that connect with destinations. We also have connectivity through Mexico, but we continue to seek alliances with airlines and we hope that demand from Latin travelers continues to increase so that we can have more flights and more seats. Argentina is our number one market in the region, and despite all the crises, it is a market that continues to stand out. At any time of the year, you will always find some clients from Argentina or from the Southern Cone, because we also have a large number of Chileans.
We also have Jamaica, so these destinations are preferred because there is air connectivity that allows them to arrive not only through the United States and American Airlines, but also through Panama and with Copa Airlines.
How do you continue your work from your position?
Our job is precisely to be very close with travel agents. For us, education is showing them the product so that they know it perfectly, understand it and fall in love with it. This is the guarantee so that they have us on their radar and can thus offer the product to their clients, our clients, that is, those we have in common through special certification programs.