The adults-only all-inclusive Sandals Royal Bahamian is romantic and luxurious, perfect for your Bahamas honeymoon, anniversary trip, or couples’ vacation.
We visited the resort and had a great time and wanted to share our experience to help you know what to expect.
Who Would Love Sandals Royal Bahamian?
We have been to Sandals Royal Bahamian twice and each time we ask other guests what they love about the resort.
The overall sentiment of guests who return to Sandals Royal Bahamian time and time again is that the resort is extremely convenient to the US, only a 30-minute flight from Miami. It is very lively on the West side of the resort with a fun environment. The average resort guest is younger than other Sandals Resorts and is a perfect place to stay as you explore the rest of Nassau.
Sandals Royal Bahamian is also perfect for shorter getaways. Where most Sandals guests stay for 5-7 days at other resorts, the average at Sandals Royal Bahamian is close to 4 nights.
Watch our video about Sandals Royal Bahamian on YouTube
Sandals Royal Bahamian Overview
Sandals Royal Bahamian is located on the famous Cable Beach in Nassau, the main island in the Bahamas. Recently renovated, the resort now offers beachfront swim-up suites with butler service, 2 huge pools and 6 whirlpools, 10 restaurants, and 8 bars. The resort also has a British influence, with billiard rooms and daily high tea.
What sets Sandals Royal Bahamian apart is the private offshore island with a beach, pool, Jacuzzi, restaurant, and cabanas. It also offers a vibrant atmosphere with lots to do and a compact layout that is easy to get around.
This is the best Sandals Resort for someone looking to be in the Caribbean without going very far. Not only is it close to the US but it is also close to the airport. It is also the only Sandals Resort that is near a Las Vegas-style casino. You can enjoy amazing food, the casino, and the waterpark at BahaMar during your trip.
If you are looking for a more party vibe the main pool area has music all day and regular activities like a foam party.
For relaxation, there is a private island with its own pool, restaurant, and bar.
Getting to Sandals Royal Bahamian
Sandals Royal Bahamian is located in Nassau, which is the capital of The Bahamas so there are plenty of direct and nonstop flights to Sandals Royal Bahamian.
We arrived at Lynden Pindling International Airport and checked in with Sandals. We were quickly led to our complimentary airport transfers and were at the resort ready it check in about 15 minutes. Since we were in a Bulter suite, we had a private transfer in a Rolls Royce with a very friendly driver which was a great way to start our vacation.
The resort is conveniently located 20 minutes from downtown Nassau and Bay Street and 30 minutes from Paradise Island.
Sandals Royal Bahamian Rooms and Suites
Sandals Royal Bahamian offers a variety of luxurious accommodations spread across three distinct areas: West Bay, East Bay, and the Island Village. Each area provides unique experiences tailored to different preferences.
The West Bay is known for its suites with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and overlooking the main pool. This section features some of the most opulent options, such as the Beachfront Swim-up Butler Suites, where guests can enjoy direct access to a private pool and beach, or the Penthouse Oceanview Butler Suites, which provide expansive views from high floors. Couples staying in the West Bay will experience a refined and serene atmosphere, perfect for romantic getaways.
The East Bay section of the resort is vibrant and lively, with accommodations that cater to guests seeking both comfort and proximity to the main pool areas and restaurants. Here, you’ll find rooms like the Balmoral Oceanview Club Level Suites, which offer elegant furnishings, ocean views, and Club Sandals access, providing added luxury with exclusive concierge services. The East Bay is ideal for those wanting to stay close to the action while still enjoying premium amenities and picturesque ocean views.
Lastly, the Island Village is a more secluded area designed for privacy and tranquility. Inspired by Bahamian island life, this village is set amidst lush tropical gardens and features standalone villas, such as the Honeymoon Villa Suites with Private Pool Sanctuary. These villas come with their own private plunge pools and butler service, offering a secluded and intimate retreat. The Island Village is perfect for couples looking for an ultra-private and serene environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the main resort areas.
Each section at Sandals Royal Bahamian provides a distinct ambiance, ensuring that whether guests seek beachfront luxury, a lively atmosphere, or private seclusion, there’s an ideal room option to match their desires.
After arriving and checking in we were quickly taken to our suite, the East Bay Beachfront Club Level Room.
Our room was everything we needed, but the more expensive rooms had our eye.
One thing to keep in mind when choosing a room is the location on the resort. If you want a quieter room, you will want one of the Island Villiage. The next area would be the East Bay rooms. The rooms on the West Bay village since it is closest to the main pool and entertainment.
If our budget allows next time, we would love one of the butter suites that come with a private pool and well keep our eyes on the 7-7-7 deals to bring that price down.
Pool Review
At Sandals Royal Bahamian there are three main pools.
The West Bay Pool is the lively pool where you will have a DJs and entertainment throughout the day.
At the East Bay Pool things a more relaxed, but you can still clearly hear whats going on at the other pool. This is perfect if you want to hear some music but don’t want to have the base pumping.
For more relaxation, there is a pool on the private island. This pool is very calm and relaxed and still has a swim up bar.
There are also several Crystal Lagoon pools surrounding the hotel room buildings that go up to the swim-up suites.
Beach Review
At Sandals Royal Bahamian we loved the beach options. The water is very clear and you can enjoy the beach on the main part of the resort or the beaches at the private island.
Private Island Review
One of the main attractions at the resort is the private island. There is a boat that will take you over throughout the day.
On the island is a restaurant, a pool, and plenty of beach chairs.
You can go find a chair by the pool, a secluded chair along the beach or our pick was a chair on the beach that was close to the pool and restaurant. Not only did we have access to the pool and beach, but we had regular drink service.
There is a small aqua center here where you can get snorkeling equipment to use.
The restaurant on the island is Aralia House which serves lunch a good variety of American favorites like hamburgers and BBQ ribs as well as more local food and seafood.
The Food & Drink Review
We were impressed by the variety of food options available on resort.
The newest options are the food trucks. Coco Queen served Bahamian fare including several conch dishes and Sweets’N’Tings which serves expresso coffee drinks, crepes and other snack.
Sandals Royal Bahamian has ten additional restaurants, all serving different cuisines. These include La Plume (elegant French), Butch’s Island Chop House (steaks and seafood), Tesoro (southern Italian), Kanoo (pan-Caribbean), Kimono’s Oriental Cuisine, the open-air and beachfront Aralia House (seafood, located on the private island), Soy Sushi Bar, the casual and beachside Calico Café (seafood and grilled items), the Queen’s Pearl British Pub, and Gordon’s on the Pier (grilled meat and seafood specialties in an upscale setting over the water).
Activities at Sandals Royal Bahamian
During our stay at the resort, we split our time between relaxing and staying active.
Onsite at Sandals Royal Bahamian, you’ll find complimentary watersports such as kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, sailing, water trikes, and Hobie Cats, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving. You can enjoy multiple pools and whirlpools, plus two beautiful beaches and the Coconut Grove lounge area.
Land activities include day and night tennis, pool tables, croquet, basketball, lawn chess, shuffleboard, table tennis, and beach volleyball. There’s also a full fitness center onsite, which is located in a penthouse to give you amazing views as you work out! You can also choose to indulge in optional services at the Red Lane Spa.
The resort is also close to other attraction in Nassau, like historic sites, museums, galleries, the BahaMar waterpark, botanical gardens, markets, and casinos. We had a great time going to BahaMar where there is a large water park and a casino.
Our Thoughts on Sandals Royal Bahamian
We really enjoyed our stay at the resort and will be going back in August of 2024. We were impressed by the food options, loved going to the private island enjoyed the water as well.
We also loved that it was convenient to get to.
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.