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Sandals Royal Barbados: Our Honest Honeymoon Review

We visited Sandals Royal Barbados and it is definitely one of the best Sandals Resorts. The beach was Michelle’s favorite of all we visited and we loved the variety of pools and food options.

Swim-up suites at Sandals Royal Barbados

In this review, we will be going through our reaction to Sandals Royal Barbados in detail after staying there for 8 nights.

Sandals Royal 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.

Sandals Royal Barbados Overview

Sandals Royal Barbados is an adults-only all-inclusive resort for couples seeking that perfect romantic resort in Barbados. An entirely new area was added in 2021, the South Seas Village, which features 66 new luxury suites, 2 new pools, and 2 new healthy dining concepts.

Sandals Royal Barbados features unique aspects such as Sandals’ first-ever rooftop pool, restaurant, and bar; first craft beer bar; first bowling alley; first gourmet doughnut shop; and two new restaurant concepts.

When you vacation at Sandals Royal Barbados, you actually get two resorts in one. It’s right next door to Sandals Barbados, and you’ll have access to all the facilities and amenities there as well, bringing the total to 20 restaurants, 14 bars, 11 pools, and 5 whirlpools.

The resorts are separated by a small walkway so it is easy to go from one to the other.

Watch our Sandals Royal Barbados Video Review

Barbados is a gorgeous island that is a top romantic vacation and honeymoon destination in the Caribbean due to its excellent year-round weather, beautiful beaches, crystal clear water, rich culture and history, delicious cuisine and locally made rum, and friendly hospitality.

Arriving At Sandals Royal Barbados

One of the best benefits of going to Sandals Royal Barbados is the proximity to the airport.

After arriving at Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), you’ll check in with the Sandals desk and they will get you on a shuttle to the resort which will take about 15 minutes until arrival.

Sandals Royal Barbados Suites

Upon arrival, we were checked in and escorted to our rooms. We stayed in a South Seas Swim-up Club Level Ultra Suite w/ Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub which was located at the back of the resort near the tennis courts.

There were several days where we just relaxed in the pool area outside of our room instead of going to be the beach or large pools.

There are plenty of other options to choose from.

If you have the budget, the Beachfront Prime Minister One Bedroom Butler Suite w/ Private Pool and Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub allow you to enjoy a private pool with a view of the beach.

The South Seas Royal Rondoval Butler Suite w/ Private Pool Sanctuary also offers the privacy of a pool with butler service. They have 20-foot ceilings and a private pool sanctuary just off the bedroom that features an oversized patio with a plunge pool, loungers, a dining table, and a Tranquility Soaking Tub for two.

You can also choose other swim-up suites, beachfront suites with soaking tubs on the private balcony, penthouse suites, garden view suites with balcony soaking tubs, and more.

If you are looking for something more budget-friendly, you can stay at Sandals Barbados and still enjoy all the amenities of Sandals Royal Barbados.

Sandals Royal Barbados Food & Drinks Review

After visiting all the Sandals Resorts we think Sandals Royal Barbados has some of the best food.

With a total of 20 restaurants to choose from, with 9 at Sandals Royal Barbados and 11 more at the neighboring Sandals Barbados there is a ton of variety.

Restaurants at Sandals Royal Barbados include a few firsts, including the first Sandals rooftop restaurant (which serves French cuisine), the American Tavern serving traditional American food, and the Chi Asian fusion restaurant which combines the flavors of Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Japan, and China.

There’s also a steak and seafood restaurant, a beachfront Mediterranean seafood restaurant, a farm-to-table restaurant, a Caribbean jerk shack, a gourmet doughnut and coffee shop, and a deli that serves healthy sandwiches, soups, salads, and smoothies.

We loved the variety of Asian options at Chi and appreciated the server pushing us to order more things to give them a try.

Salty n’ Sweet was a fun place to go every day for donuts with unique flavors and specialty coffee drinks.

The newest restaurants are Heart & Sol which has smoothies, wraps, and acai bowls. Next door is the Greenhouse, which is a farm-to-table concept. I was pleasantly surprised when I tries something a little different when I ordered the grilled portobello mushroom as my entree and it was the best thing I’ve eaten at an all-inclusive resort.

There are 6 bars at Sandal Royal Barbados, including the first-ever rooftop bar, the first-ever craft beer bar, swim-up bars, and a piano bar, plus more to enjoy at Sandals Barbados. The Sky Rooftop Bar also features a glass-edged zero-entry infinity pool and a whirlpool to really enjoy your cocktails in style.

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, and some suite levels have 24-hour room service. You can also book a private candlelight dinner on the beach for an extra fee.

Sandals Royal Barbados Pool Review

When you go to Sandals Royal Barbados you have access to 11 pools.

The main pool is located right next to the beach and is an infinity pool with a glass wall at the end where it meets the beach.

The resort has a rooftop pool where there is a bar and whirlpool as well. The amount of people at this pool varies greatly throughout the day.

The South Seas Pool is another large pool area that has a swim-up bar and is right next to the shake shack.

The Oasis pool is the newest addition and is close to the Heart & Sol restaurant which is great for breakfast and lunch and a bar.

For a quiet pool area, you can get a swim-up suite on the crystal lagoon which is very long. And tucked away in the very back area is a pool that rarely anyone goes to around the Loggerhead Building. This is actually where I would go to get towels for the pool at our swim-up resort.

Sandals Royal 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.

Things to do at Sandals Royal Barbados

We never ran out of things to do at Sandals Royal Barbados. We spent time relaxing at the beach, and at the different pools, and also made it on an excursion and enjoyed the many amenities available on the 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.

Unique to Sandals Royal Barbados where you can go bowling at the 4-lane bowling alley, grab a drink by the bar, or participle in the late-night activities.

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.

Excursions in Barbados

You can also get out and see Barbados. 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 Royal Barbados offers a full range of treatments (not included in your room rate) such as facials, massage services, body services, and a steam room.

You can also get out and see Barbados. 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. 

The Spa at Sandals Royal Barbados

If you want the ultimate relaxation on your Barbados honeymoon or vacation, book a couples massage or other indulgent spa service. The 15,000-square-foot Red Lane® Spa at Sandals Royal Barbados offers a full range of treatments (not included in your room rate) such as facials, massage services, body services, and a steam room.

Honeymoon couples massage Sandals resort

How old is Sandals Royal Barbados?

Sandals Royal Barbados opened in December 2017 but added an entirely new area, the South Seas Village, in 2021.

What is included at Sandals Royal 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 Royal Barbados:

Unlimited Fine Dining

You can feast at any of the restaurants or in your room; all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and beverages are included in your stay.

Sun, Sand and a drink in the bahamas

Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks

As part of the 5-Star Luxury Included® experience, Sandals only serves premium brand liquors. You can order whatever you would like, including specialties you would expect at a tropical resort, like a Pina Colada, Margarita, Blue Lagoon, or a Bahama Mama.

In all rooms, there is a mini-fridge stocked with water, juice, soda, Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Wine, and local beer. Additionally, every room includes a coffeemaker with Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend coffee.

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.

Roundtrip Airport Transfers

Sandals Royal Barbados provides complimentary transportation to and from the airport.

Included Activities at Sandals Royal Barbados

You have access to unlimited water sports, and scuba diving is included! For certified divers, you can dive up to twice a day with two tanks a day. Scuba courses are not included but start at $120. You can also enjoy plenty of land-based activities, as well as a full fitness center.

Entertainment

Along with these amazing activities, there are plenty of entertainment options including theme nights, live music, performances, and more.

A Free Wedding at Sandals

Stay 3 nights or longer at any Sandals resort and your wedding is free!

Room Service

If you book a room that includes butler service, room service is available 24 hours a day. For all other accommodations, room service is available between 7am-10pm.

WiFi

WiFi is included throughout the resort.

Honeymoon package at Sandals Royal Barbados

If you get married and then honeymoon at Sandals Royal 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. The 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 passports) 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.

If you go out to bars or nightclubs in Barbados, keep yourself safe just as you would at home. Don’t go alone—always in pairs or groups; stick to main streets and brightly lit areas; and always keep your eyes on your drink. If you consume alcohol, do so responsibly so you can stay alert. 

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.

What to pack for Sandals Royal Barbados

You can pack light when you stay at a Sandals resort since so much is provided for you. For example, you don’t need to pack a hairdryer. A gift shop is available onsite in case you forget any necessities.

In terms of clothes, the dress code is casual during the day and resort elegant at night, which means a mix of shorts, t-shirts and tanks, lightweight short sleeve shirts, sundresses, casual slacks, and swimsuits, plus dressier outfits (including shoes) for dining in the nicer restaurants. If you’re planning on golfing, make sure to bring the appropriate clothing. Women may want to bring a scarf, shawl, or light jacket in case they get chilly in air-conditioned places.

Bring several swimsuits since you’ll likely be wearing one every day. Women can bring a cute cover-up to throw on for walking around the resort, and may also want to pack some shorts to pull on over their swimsuit if doing any watersports. A rash guard will come in handy during watersports as well.

The type of shoes you bring will depend on what activities you want to do while in Barbados. You will probably want to bring water shoes, flip-flops, and sandals; you may want to add tennis shoes if you’re going to do a lot of walking or playing sports.

You will, of course, need to bring your passport (make sure it’s more than 6 months away from expiring) and ID, including a valid driver’s license if you want to rent a car. (But remember that they drive on the left in Barbados!)

You will also want to bring a credit card (not that you’ll need it in the resort, since everything is covered, but in case you want to add extras like spa services or go exploring in Barbados) and some cash as well, for tips at the airport, taxis, and local shops that don’t take credit cards. You may need to pay a departure tax in cash at the airport if it’s not included in your plane ticket, so be sure to ask in advance.

Tip: Bring two cards and hide one in a safe place for emergency backup. Also, make sure you have a record of your credit card numbers, as well as the customer service contact information.

As with any trip, make sure you pack any medicine that you need. Put it in your carry-on bag so you don’t have to worry about your luggage getting lost. In addition to any prescription medication, you can bring over-the-counter drugs (like aspirin, ibuprofen, stomach remedies, seasickness medicine, and antihistamines) so you’ll have them on hand if you need them. But in case you forget, these types of remedies will be available at the gift shop.

Tip: Keep all prescription medications in the original bottles when flying to avoid any issues.

Pack all the usual beach necessities including a bag to carry everything in (choose one that can get wet and sandy). These include sunglasses, sun hats, and sunscreen—the higher the SPF, the better when you’re in the Caribbean! If you’re going to be diving or snorkeling, make sure your sunscreen is reef-safe. You won’t need to pack beach towels, however, as these are provided for free at every Sandals resort.

You may also want to bring a camera—especially a waterproof camera if you plan on watersports; a waterproof case for your phone, and your phone charger.

A few more items to consider: insect repellant and bite relief cream, bandaids, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, prescription snorkeling goggles if you wear them, a backpack for day trips, and a waterproof bag if you’re going to go on a boat.

However, you don’t need to pack toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion unless you want to—these items are included in your room at Sandals Royal Barbados, and they come from the onsite spa so they’re top-quality!

Tip: Make sure all your luggage is labeled clearly with tags, and add something bright like a colorful ribbon to make your bags stand out at baggage claim.

For a full honeymoon packing list, check out our article on stress-free honeymoon packing.

Now that you’ve read our Sandals Royal Barbados review, are you ready to plan your honeymoon or romantic escape today? Let us know what you think in the comments!

TripAdvisor Rating: 4

Google Rating: 4.3

Mike

Wednesday 18th of January 2023

Thank you for the informative review of Sandals Royal Barbados. My wife and I are going to be there in 2023. Your review has made us more excited by covering all aspects of the resort.