Curaçao’s resort offering is set to grow when TUI BLUE Curaçao begins welcoming guests on 20 October 2026. The 297-room property plans a phased opening before its official launch on 1 November. Its swim-up accommodation, beach and all-inclusive facilities will give travellers another option alongside established resorts across the Caribbean.
The new opening comes amid strong stayover demand. Curaçao welcomed 788,427 stayover visitors in 2025, up from 700,249 in 2024, according to the island’s tourist board. That growth helps explain continued interest in accommodation that combines resort facilities with opportunities to explore the island.
Across Curaçao, Barbados, Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, travellers can choose different versions of the swim-up holiday. The important differences lie in room access, resort rules, dining and the activities included in the booking.
TUI BLUE Curaçao Prepares to Open
Located at Groot Santa Martha, TUI BLUE Curaçao plans rooms with swim-up access and suites with private pools. Its wider offering includes a beach, multiple pools, six dining venues and three bars.
Planned activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling and fitness sessions. Travellers could also use the resort as a base for visits beyond the property, including Willemstad and Curaçao’s western coastline.
Early guests should check what will be operating during their stay. The resort says facilities and opening hours will be introduced progressively through October and November. An advertised activity or restaurant may therefore have a different schedule during the opening phase.
That distinction matters for travellers booking specifically for a particular dining venue, spa treatment or watersport. Confirming availability before departure will help them choose dates that match their holiday plans.
Curaçao Offers More Than One Resort Style
Travellers who want a swim-up stay closer to Willemstad can consider The Rif at Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao. Its accommodation includes rooms with terrace access to a pool, alongside beach facilities and dining options.
Sandals Royal Curaçao offers another approach, with several swim-up suite categories and an extensive dining programme. Its adults-only format makes it a different choice from a resort welcoming families.
The location of each property changes how visitors might spend their time away from the pool. A stay near Willemstad can make city exploration convenient. A resort farther west may better suit travellers planning beach days and coastal excursions.
Curaçao recorded 881,665 cruise passengers in 2025 alongside its stayover visitors. Cruise arrivals and overnight guests represent different tourism markets, so the figures should not be combined when judging hotel demand.
Barbados, Jamaica and the Bahamas Add Variety
Sandals Royal Barbados pairs swim-up suites with rooftop facilities, dining and watersports. Travellers can balance resort time with visits to Bridgetown and opportunities to try Bajan food beyond the hotel.
In Jamaica, Sandals Dunn’s River combines swim-up accommodation with access to activities around Ocho Rios. Visitors may plan time for local dining and attractions, including Dunn’s River Falls, alongside their resort stay.
Sandals Royal Bahamian offers swim-up accommodation and access to a private offshore island. That creates a different itinerary for Nassau visitors who want beach time and marine activities within a resort-centred trip.
Each island offers experiences that a room category cannot provide on its own. Travellers choosing an all-inclusive stay should consider how easily they can reach local restaurants, attractions and communities.
Dominican Republic Extends the Choice
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana adds a Dominican Republic option for adults seeking swim-up accommodation. Its room categories include suites with direct access to a shared or semi-private pool.
The destination suits travellers who want to divide their time between the resort and the wider Cap Cana area. As with other large resorts, guests should check which dining and activities their selected package includes.
Comparing national arrival totals can provide context, but it cannot identify the best resort for an individual trip. Some destinations report cruise and air visitors together, while Curaçao’s stayover figure measures overnight arrivals.
Check the Room Before Booking
“Swim-up” usually describes direct pool access from a room terrace. It does not necessarily mean the pool is private. A private pool, plunge pool and pool-view room can each offer a different experience.
Travellers should also confirm whether airport transfers, speciality meals and watersports are included. Adults-only rules and restaurant reservation requirements can be equally important.
For TUI BLUE Curaçao, opening-stage availability deserves particular attention. Across all seven resorts, the strongest choice will depend on the traveller’s preferred island, room privacy and plans beyond the hotel.
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