Turquoise waters curve into Santa Martha Bay, west of Curaçao. Limestone cliffs rise above the sea west of Willemstad. Fishing boats drift in the bay below the Santa Massa Lookout. The road to Soto is lined with cactus-covered hills, rocky bays and small beach bars facing the Caribbean Sea. And you can view it all from the comfort of your own plunge pool.
And this fall, one of the island’s biggest new resort openings lands directly on the water, and the rooms are a big part of the story.
New TUI BLUE Curaçao officially opens in October 1, 2026Caribbean Journal has learned.
A new all-inclusive resort debuts. 297 rooms, Swim Up Suite, Private pool accommodation, 6 restaurants, multiple bars, three swimming pools And then there’s the expansive beachfront setting of Groot Santa Martha, a quieter part of Curaçao that’s becoming increasingly important as the island’s luxury hotel market expands.
This opening adds another major international brand to Curaçao at a time when the island is experiencing one of the fastest periods of hotel growth in the Caribbean.
This part of the island has a completely different feel
Most visitors know Curaçao through Willemstad, Jan Thiel and Mambo Beach.
Santa Martha Bay has a much quieter feel.
The roads heading west from the capital narrow quickly. Dive boats travel through the bay near Playa Santa Cruz and Westpunt. Along the western side of the island, small villages are nestled between cliffs and beaches. Goats roam alongside the road leading to Christoffel National Park.
Below the Santa Martha lookout, one of Curaçao’s most dramatic panoramic views, the water fluctuates between dark blue and turquoise.
The new TUI BLUE hotel opens directly on the waterfront with white sand beach and expansive views across the bay. The resort will sit approx. 24 km from Curaçao International Airport and about 35 km from Willemstad.
This location puts guests close to Curaçao’s most powerful natural attractions.
Blue Room Caveone of the island’s most popular snorkeling and boat trip destinations, is approximately 10 km away. Christopher National Park Just a short drive away you can enjoy hiking trails, desert landscapes and panoramic views from the island’s highest elevation.
Cas Abao BeachThere is also a beach nearby that is regularly voted the best beach in Curaçao.
As travelers continue to seek out the quieter parts of Curacao beyond the busy areas around Willemstad, the western part of the island has become increasingly attractive for new luxury hotel developments.
The resort will focus on outdoor living
Real estate will become widespread. 6 low-rise buildings Go up to the 5th floor.
Most of the design centers around swimming pools, terraces, beach access and outdoor gathering spaces facing the sea.
Three swimming pools will anchor the property, including a large infinity-style pool surrounded by tropical landscaping and a lounge deck.
The resort is also planning a large wellness component with: blue spa and Bluff!TYoga sessions, fitness programs and spa treatments are integrated into the wider resort experience.
A splash area for children is also part of the plan, as are family-oriented accommodations and larger suite categories.
Renderings released by the resort show a wide-open pool deck, shaded outdoor dining areas, beach seating and a swim-up room section with direct access to the semi-private pool.
The wider it gets tui blue The brand has been aggressively expanding across resort destinations in Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean, with a focus on contemporary design, wellness programs and destination-focused food concepts.
Room categories extend far beyond standard resort rooms.
The room lineup is quickly becoming one of the strongest parts of the hotel.
Many accommodations are being designed around pools or direct access to the water. Partial Ocean View Swim-Up Room and Ocean View Swim Up RoomBoth have direct access to the semi-private swimming pool from a terrace overlooking the garden and sea.
The resort is also planning a luxury suite category aimed at couples, honeymooners and extended stays. that Oceanfront Swim-Up Junior Suite It features panoramic ocean views, an ocean-facing king bed, an open-plan bathroom with a freestanding bathtub and rain shower, and a private terrace with direct access to the swim-up pool.
Larger accommodations include: Senior Suite with Private Pool and Two-Bedroom Suite with Private PoolBoth are designed around long-term stays, family travel and large groups. Senior suites include a separate living room, pantry, full bathroom and private outdoor pool, while two-bedroom suites with private pool add a double bedroom, multiple bathrooms and a larger outdoor living area facing the garden and ocean.
The wider spatial mix includes: Oceanfront Room, Ocean View Room, Partial Ocean View Room, Family room, Senior Suite, Two-Bedroom Suite and Ocean View Room for Disabled Access Overlooking Santa Martha Bay.
Most accommodations include a balcony or terrace, lounge area, king-size bed, semi-open bathroom and natural-toned interiors designed around indoor-outdoor Caribbean living. Several swim-up categories have minimum age requirements, while larger suites are aimed at multi-generational travel and extended stays on the island.
Dining will be one of the defining parts of the resort
The dining program continues to be a major focus of the resort concept.
Instead of relying primarily on buffet service, the resort is planning a variety of restaurant concepts with distinct identities throughout the resort.
IVO Beach It operates directly on the sand with beach club dining during the day and switches to barbecue style dinners at night.
caribbean table The focus will be on Caribbean-inspired sharing plates, designed around local flavors and communal dining.
cooking He will take over as the resort’s luxury dinner venue, serving multi-course meals centered around international cuisine and locally sourced ingredients.
Also known as the main buffet area restaurantWe offer breakfast service and rotating themed dinners.
Smaller concepts include: Thea’s Coffee & JuiceThe focus is on coffee drinks, smoothies and light day meals overlooking the ocean.
24 hours Grab and Go The location handles sandwiches, snacks, fruit and light meals throughout the day and night.
A resort is also being planned. snack courtSeveral bars and several outdoor lounge areas facing the beach and pool.
This level of dining diversity is becoming increasingly important in the Caribbean’s all-inclusive sector as new resorts compete more aggressively on food programming and restaurant concepts rather than relying solely on room inventory and beach access.
Curaçao continues to expand its hotel market.
Curaçao has become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the Caribbean over the past few years.
Tourism growth across the islands continues, fueled by new airlifts from the United States, Canada and Europe. Luxury hotels, boutique resorts and branded all-inclusive hotels are steadily opening in various parts of Curaçao.
Unlike destinations built around large, all-inclusive resort corridors, Curaçao still spreads its tourism offering across dive resorts, boutique hotels, apartment-style lodging, beach clubs, city hotels and smaller independent properties.
In my opinion, the variety of resort options has become one of the island’s greatest strengths.
Visitors are increasingly combining beach stays with diving, snorkeling, hiking, food experiences and time in Willemstad, especially around the Handelskade waterfront and floating market.
At the same time, as demand continues to grow, large international brands are investing more across the island.
It comes as new resorts have sprung up on the island over the past five years since major launches. sandals royal curacao In 2022 it will return to properties such as Rif and Corendon.
opening You Blue Curacao It is part of a wider expansion wave and is one of the largest new resort debuts currently planned for the western region of Curaçao.
blue price
According to TUI’s booking portal, we found rates starting at $413 on opening day. Then you will get an entry level room.
