Barbados is a lovely, lush Caribbean island. With excellent year-round weather, beautiful beaches, crystal clear water, rich culture and history, delicious cuisine and locally made rum, and friendly hospitality, it’s no wonder that Barbados is a top honeymoon destination.
We visited Sandal Barbados and wanted to share our full review to help you decide which Sandals Resort is the best for you!
Sandals Barbados Overview
Set on the southern part of the island, Sandals Barbados is a luxury beachfront adults-only all-inclusive resort that’s the perfect setting for honeymoons or romantic getaways in Barbados.
Named the second-best all-inclusive resort in Barbados by U.S. News, it features three different areas—the Caribbean Village, the Crystal Lagoon Village, and the Beachfront Village—each with its own vibe.
When you vacation or honeymoon at Sandals Barbados, you actually get two resorts in one. It’s right next door to Sandals Royal Barbados, and you’ll have access to all the facilities and amenities there as well.
With this combo, I think this is one of Sandal’s best resorts.
Watch our Sandals Barbados Video Review
While at Sandals Resort, we had access to the 11 restaurants, 3 swimming pools, and a gorgeous stretch of beach with tons of complimentary watersports. Plus, you have access to neighboring resort Sandals Royal Barbados with additional pools (including Sandals’ first-ever rooftop pool), restaurants, and amenities.
Sandals Barbados is set on one of the best beaches in Barbados, Maxwell Beach, in the St. Lawrence Gap area.
Sandals Barbados is an affordable honeymoon destination, with rates starting at $277 per person per night. This makes it one of the most affordable Sandals resorts.
Sandals Barbados Deals
Sandals has regular discounts on some rooms and resorts. It is best to check their website before booking or to work with a travel agent who can find you the best deal for you. I have seen great last-minute deals and they have an ongoing 777 deals that change each week.
Arriving At Sandals Barbados
One of the best benefits of going to Sandals Barbados is the proximity to the airport.
After arriving at Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), we checked in with the Sandals desk and they put us on a shuttle to the resort which took about 15 minutes until arrival.
Sandals Barbados Rooms and Suites
After getting to the resort, we checked into our room.
We stayed in one of the Beachfront Penthouse Club Level Suites with a Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub. Penthouse suites are on the top levels of the resort and overlook the pool area and the beach behind that.
Some other options are the Crystal Lagoon Swim-up Suites which feature a patio with direct access to the large lagoon pool.
If you are trying to choose between Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, you will notice that Sandal Barbados has luxury-level rooms which are less expensive than the cheapest rooms at Sandals Royal Barbados that are club-level.
The rooms are also older at Sandals Barbados since they were lightly renovated where the resort was purchased and reopened as a Sandals property in 2015, while all the rooms at Sandals Royal Barbados were built new in 2017 or even more recently.
Sandals Barbados Food & Drink Review
Sandals Barbados is the best Sandals resort for foodies.
Since you are right next to Sandals Royal Barbados, you get access to all of the restaurants at both resorts giving you a total of 20 restaurants to choose from.
For breakfast, you have several different options. On days when we didn’t want a full breakfast, we would go to Sweet n’Salty for donuts or Heart & Sol for smoothies, or Acai bowls on the Royal Barbados side. There is also the Cafe de Paris which where you can get a crepe, specialty coffees, and pastries.
For a full breakfast you can also go to the buffet at Spices (our preference) or an a la carte menu at Schooners, Portofinos or one of the options at Royal Barbados.
For lunch, there are so many options. We loved Heart & Sol for smoothies and wraps, as well as Dino’s for pizza and the Mariner for jerk chicken, quesadillas, and burgers. We didn’t eat st Spices for lunch, but it is a buffet and we have always enjoyed the buffets at Sandals.
They even have a hot dog stand during the day near Spices.
For dinner, we tried as many different options as we could. Make sure you make reservations as soon as you check in so you get into the restaurants you want.
I won’t name them all, but all the meals we had were great.
Some of our favorites were Bombay for Indian, Soy for Suchi, Chi for Asian fusion, American Tavern, and the best overall was from the newest restaurant Green House where I had the most flavorful meal of any Sandals Resort, a grilled Portabello mushroom entree. I am not a vegetarian and still loved the vegan meal.
There are 8 bars at Sandal Barbados, including a swim-up bar and a tiki bar, plus more to enjoy at Sandals Royal Barbados. Be sure to stop by the Sky Rooftop Bar, which features a glass infinity pool.
As at every Sandals resort, all of your meals, snacks, and beverages are included in your stay, so you can feast to your heart’s content. Room service is also included for club and butler suites.
Sandals Barbados Pools
When you go to Sandals Barbados you have access to the pools 11 pools.
The main pool is the beachfront pool. We stayed several days here and liked that it was so close to the beach. We could choose to get into the pool, go to the beach or grab something to eat easily. It is also easy to get chairs here in the morning before breakfast.
Another crowd favorite is the rooftop infinity pool which has great views of the area from sunrise to sunset.
There is another quieter pool on the other side of the rooms, next to the Italian restaurant and the crystal lagoon.
Beyond these pools, there are the pools on the Royal Barbados side as well. The main pool at Sandals Royal Barbados is always busy and where the more lively entertainment is during the day.
Sandals Barbados Beach Review
We loved the beach in Barbados. It has beautiful clear water with soft white sand.
The only issue people have with the beach is that the beach chairs go quickly. If you do not have one claimed by 7 or 7:30 you likely will not get one.
This is a public beach so there are vendors and some people offering excursions and jet skis for rent.
Things to do at Sandals Barbados
There is so much to do at Sandals Barbados both on and off resort.
Included Water & Land Activities
You can enjoy a variety of complimentary water sports including snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat rides, and Hobie Cat sailing.
Professional instruction in watersports is even included (except for scuba diving).
If you want to stay on land, you can play beach volleyball, day and night tennis, bocce ball, table tennis, pool, and cricket, take a yoga class, or work out at the state-of-the-art fitness center.
You can also visit Sandals Royal Barbados and go bowling at the 4-lane bowling alley.
When you want to completely relax, the resort’s amazing spa is waiting for you, or you can just pick a sun bed and let the warm Caribbean sun soothe your body and soul.
Entertainment at Sandals Barbados
Daily and nightly entertainment includes theme nights, a piano bar, beach parties, chocolate buffets, Barbados Day and street jamboree, and live music.
Over at Sandals Royal Barbados the party goes on at the bowling ally later into the night.
Excursions in Barbados
You can also get out and see Barbados with some popular excursions. Visit nearby St. Lawrence Gap or go to the capital city of Bridgetown and hit bustling Broad Street for some shopping, explore botanical gardens, or tour rum distilleries like Mount Gay or St. Nicholas Abbey, which also has a museum in a 350-year-old plantation home.
We booked a snorkeling excursion that included seeing a sea turtle and 3 shipwrecks that we highly recommend.
The Spa at Sandals Barbados
If you want the ultimate relaxation on your Barbados honeymoon or vacation, book a couples massage or other indulgent spa service. The Red Lane® Spa at Sandals Barbados offers a full range of treatments (not included in your room rate) such as facials, massage services, body services, and a steam room.
The spa at Sandals Royal Barbados is larger and newer so we recommend going there for your spa treatments.
What is included at Sandals Barbados?
At Sandals Resorts, when they say all-inclusive, they really mean it. You can arrive at the resort without having to worry about what is included and what is not. Here is what is included at Sandals Barbados:
You can go to any of the restaurants or in your room; all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and beverages are included in your stay.
Tips
At Sandals resorts, even tips, taxes, and gratuities are included for most services you would usually tip for! There is no need to worry about tipping the bartender, the bellman, or your server at one of the specialty restaurants.
If you are staying in a butler-level suite, your butler can and will accept tips. We recommend tipping a butler $20 a day, depending on how much you use their services.
Spa therapists and airport transport drivers should also be tipped.
Honeymoon package at Sandals Barbados
If you get married and then honeymoon at Sandals Barbados, or if you come here within 30 days of your wedding date, you’ll get Sandals’ complimentary honeymoon package. This includes a bottle of chilled sparkling wine, a special turndown service with flower petals on your bed the first evening of your honeymoon, and fresh flowers and a decadent breakfast in bed one morning of your choice.
What is the best time of year to go to Barbados?
Barbados has wonderful weather throughout the year. Peak season for Barbados is late December to mid-April; this is when the temperatures—and prices—are highest. For lower prices, book your Barbados honeymoon or couples’ trip between July and November; although this is technically hurricane season, storms rarely affect Barbados.
Is it safe to go to Barbados?
Yes, Barbados is a safe island. When you’re off the resort and exploring the island, just follow the usual safety precautions such as traveling in groups or with at least one other person; keeping your valuables out of sight and in a safe place, such as a hotel safe or locked suitcase; and staying aware of your surroundings.
Don’t carry a lot of cash on you, and keep what money you do have (along with credit cards and passport) in a zipped purse or travel pouch concealed under your clothes. Make sure you have a copy of your passport, driver’s license, and credit cards in a safe location in case any of these are stolen.
What to pack for Sandals Barbados
You can pack light when staying at a Sandals resort as most essentials are provided, including a hairdryer and quality toiletries. If you forget anything, there’s an onsite gift shop.
For clothes, pack casual outfits for the day and resort elegant attire for the evening. Bring shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, casual slacks, swimsuits, and dressier outfits for dining. If you plan to golf, pack appropriate attire. Women might want a scarf, shawl, or light jacket for air-conditioned areas.
Bring several swimsuits and a cover-up or shorts for walking around the resort. A rash guard is useful for watersports. For shoes, pack water shoes, flip flops, and sandals, plus tennis shoes if you plan to walk or play sports.
Don’t forget your passport, ID, and a valid driver’s license if renting a car. Carry a credit card for extras and cash for tips, taxis, and local shops. Check if you need to pay a departure tax in cash.
Pack any necessary medication in your carry-on, along with over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and antihistamines. Beach necessities include sunglasses, sun hats, reef-safe sunscreen, and a waterproof camera or phone case. Sandals resorts provide beach towels.
Consider packing insect repellant, bite relief cream, bandaids, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, prescription snorkeling goggles, a backpack, and a waterproof bag for boat trips.
Label your luggage clearly and add a bright ribbon to make it easy to spot at baggage claim.
How many Sandals resorts are in Barbados?
Sandals has two locations in Barbados, both in St. Lawrence Gap: Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados. As we noted above, they are right next to each other and guests have access to both resorts.
Now that you know everything there is to know about Sandals Barbados, are you ready to plan your honeymoon or romantic escape today?
He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.
Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.