Picture this: a 2000-acre plantation hugged by the Caribbean Sea. Now add: a AAA Four Diamond resort (one of the best in the entire Caribbean). And top it off with: a plethora of luxury amenities and activities (more than you could ever squeeze into one vacay). This, my friends, is what you’ll get when you jet off to the colourful island of Curaçao and stay at the Santa Barbara Beach And Golf Resort…
Photo credit: Santa Barbara Beach And Golf Resort
Boasting over 350 rooms and suites, three resort pools, two full-service marinas, a private beach AND an 18-hole golf course (rated as one of Golfweek’s best courses in the Caribbean and Mexico), the pristine property is just so magnificent that I couldn’t quite capture it all with my own camera. So I found this video to give you guys a sense of its vastness…
Dreamy, right?! The landscape is so diverse and truly breathtaking. And in my opinion, the best way to take it all in is through the incredible range of activities onsite. From SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) and guided hikes to golfing and snorkeling – there are so many ways to experience the resort. Here are the highlights during my stay…
Golf – The Old Quarry Golf Course is where I had my first golf lesson ever! I may have scared the PGA pro, Jane, who guided me on my new adventure, but I (kind of ) got the hang of it by the end. I may have been slightly distracted by the jaw-dropping views which span the plantation, marina, Tafelberg Mountain and the Caribbean Sea…
Rates range from $60 US for a round of golf during sunset all the way up to $700 US for 7 rounds so you can play every day. They even offer night golf!
This is Jane, the very patient and talented PGA pro! A 1 hr private lesson with her is $60 US.
Pilates/Yoga – The resort offers complimentary pilates or yoga classes throughout the week. Just imagine stretching it out with a gentle sea breeze and this view…
SUP – Once a week the resort offers guests a complimentary stand up paddleboarding clinic on their private beach. I finally got a chance to try out SUP with the guidance of my new friends Otmar and Fleur. So. Much. Fun!!
Aquafit – My fave! I love aquafit so I was thrilled to see that the resort offers a couple sessions every week. It’s a great way to meet people, burn a few calories and stay cool. If a pool workout is not your thang, they also have an awesome gym.
Biking/Hiking – Once a week there is a free, guided Hadali hike (make sure to pack running shoes). You can also rent a mountain bike ($15/3 hrs) to explore the scenic plantation. I recommend early morning or late afternoon adventures as it does get quite hot during the day.
Gluttony – That’s an activity, right?! Well, you all know me. It’s definitely my kind of activity. Especially after all the adventures! Fortunately, the resort has tons of dining options – seven restaurants and bars to be exact. AND there’s a gelato store onsite. Mic drop…
Bella Italia is independently-owned and a lovely little cafe onsite. Handmade pizzas, espresso drinks and delish gelato await. I inhaled the mango gelato – yum!
Shore is the place to head for an elegant evening of outdoor dining and breathtaking views of the Caribbean. Photo credit: Santa Barbara Beach And Golf Resort.
Medi is where I had my breaky in the mornings. They have a FANTASTIC breakfast buffet: fresh fruit, made-to-order omelettes and freshly baked goodies.
The donut station and the oatmeal station at Medi both won me over. There is so much variety at the buffet that I had a hard time deciding what to devour!
The fish tacos at Splash are to die for. Wish I could ship some over to Toronto!
Oh, and the cocktails at Shore blew my socks off. Ja, the incredibly talented bartender, made me a Bird of Paradise (rum, fresh grapefruit, triple sec and guava) that had me smiling from ear-to-ear.
Iguana Feeding – Naturally. Because it’s not a visit to Curaçao without an encounter with these little guys. While many of the locals eat iguanas, things are reversed at this resort. As a guest, you can join a staff member as they spoil the iguanas with fresh fruit. I gave my new friend some watermelon…
Snorkeling – Did I mention the resort has its own private beach?! White sand and clear water — perfect for snorkeling. In fact, the water is so clear that you don’t even need gear to see the beautiful fish – just look down!
Spa – No trip to a luxury resort is complete without a spa treatment (or two). For that, you’ll want to head to Atabei. The spa is serene, offers a comprehensive list of services and uses all-natural, vegan products that are made locally. You can even make your own scrubs!
Photo credit: Santa Barbara Beach And Golf Resort
And after all of the activities and gluttony, you’ll be ready to hit the sack. That’s where their luxurious suites come in. I stayed in a Premier Water View room (1311 in the west wing to be exact). It was immaculately clean, spacious and best of all: my balcony opened up to the sea! Which means I got to wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore and tropical birds chirping. Pure magic…
The rooms are very spacious and have all the essentials (plenty of electrical outlets, full-length mirrors, WiFi etc.)
If you’re looking to step up the luxe experience a few notches, book a Sea Traditions suite: they’re in a more secluded part of the resort and have the most incredible bathrooms — I’m talking outdoor shower, private sun deck and glorious tubs!
Le sigh, I wish I never had to leave Santa Barbara Beach And Golf Resort. It is certainly a special gem on the island of Curaçao: a tranquil luxury resort with great food and service. But what really sets them apart are the wide-range of amenities and activities they offer; it’s definitely a property I could never get bored of and one I’d highly recommend!
A few tips before you go:
- To get to and from the airport either book the hotel shuttle ($60 US roundtrip) or rent a car. Taxis are very expensive on the island (it would cost you $70 US one way).
- The resort offers amazing deals (like free nights!) so check here for promotions before you book.
- There are several different packages, including all-inclusive if you don’t want to worry about meals/drinks. I’d personally recommend the Resort Plan which only includes breakfast so you can have the flexibility to dine off-resort and at the privately-owned restaurants onsite. Make sure to visit Shore at least once during your stay.
- For those of you who like to shop, the resort has some great shopping available at DLG, Emilia Boutique and Bella Vista. You can even buy some wine/bubbly at Bella Vista — I loved that!
- The resort is quite a distance from Curaçao’s main attractions so I highly recommend renting a car (parking onsite is free) or booking an island tour when you arrive.
- Lastly, there are sooo many more activities available at the resort that I didn’t highlight above (like tennis and guided kayak tours) so make sure to review their website to plan your adventures. They can even arrange ultra-luxe experiences like a private helicopter ride and dinner! Um, yes please.
The pool at Sea Traditions.
Our stay at Santa Barbara Beach And Golf Resort was complimentary. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.
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