When you are considering a Sandals Resort in Barbados you have two choices, Sandals Barbados or Sandals Royal Barbados. We’re going to break it all down for you to help you decide which you would like to go to.
In reality, they are so close to each other that the two resorts function as one. In the aerial satelite image below you can see exactly what I mean.
You can see that the only separation between the two resorts is a small pathway.
The main difference is Sandals Barbados was an existing resort that has been remodeled while Sandals Royal Barbados was built and opened a few years ago.
If you book at Sandals Barbados, you will save money and you will be in a quieter area. You can still very easily walk over to Sandals Royal Barbados when you would like. Book at Sandals Royal Barbados if an updated room is more important to you.
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Sandals Royal Barbados vs. Sandals Barbados: Overview
When combining Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados you’ll have access to a total of 20 restaurants, 14 bars, 11 pools, and 5 whirlpools.
You can easily walk between the two resorts, making it extremely easy to enjoy any of the pools, restaurants, or bars on the adjacent property.
Both Barbados Sandals resorts are set on one of the best beaches in Barbados, Maxwell Beach, in the St. Lawrence Gap area. They are 25 minutes away from the capital city of Bridgetown. When you look at the image above you can see that the beach area is relatively small compared to the overall size of the resort. Because of this they beach chairs can be hard to come by.
Choosing Which Room To Book
Your real decision is deciding which room to book.
At Sandals Barbados accommodations are older and because of that, they can be cheaper. You can find beachfront suites with soaking tubs on the private balcony or garden-view Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon Suites.
Sandals Royal Barbados is newer and more spread out. 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.
Within Sandals Royal Barbados, there are a variety of suites from swim-up suites to rondavals.
Take a look at where each suite is located before making a decision.
Which Sandals resort is the highest rated?
Sandals Barbados is slightly higher rated than Sandals Royal Barbados (4.5 on TripAdvisor and 4.3 on Google for Sandals Barbados vs. 4 on TripAdvisor and 4.3 on Google for Sandals Royal Barbados).
Tip: If you prefer a more peaceful honeymoon or romantic getaway, stay at Sandals Barbados. This resort is quieter and the rooms cost less, but since it is literally next door to Sandals Royal Barbados, you can enjoy all the amenities there but sleep on the quieter side.
Getting There
Since these two Sandal’s all-inclusive resorts in Barbados are next door to each other, it takes the same amount of time to get to either of them. They are just about 5 miles from the airport, so you can get your relaxing getaway started quickly. And it’s easy to get to either Sandals Barbados resort, as they offer complimentary transfers to and from the airport.
What airport do you fly into for Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados? To get to your couples’ vacation or honeymoon in Barbados, you’ll fly into Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).
Sandals Royal Barbados vs. Sandals Barbados: Dining
Both Sandals Barbados resorts offer a variety of world-class cuisines. Guests can choose from a total of 20 restaurants between the two resorts.
There are 9 restaurants at Sandals Royal Barbados, and they 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.
The 11 restaurants at Sandals Barbados include Indian, a world-class steakhouse, and a beachfront seafood grill. You can also savor sushi, Caribbean, Italian, Asian, pizza, and Parisian-style pastries. There’s also a hot dog stand by the pool for quick lunches.
As at every Sandals resort, all meals, snacks, and beverages are included in your stay, so you can feast to your heart’s content! Room service is included in club and butler-level rooms, with butler suites offering 24-hour room service. You can also book a private candlelight dinner on the beach for an extra fee.
Sandals Royal Barbados vs. Sandals Barbados: Nightlife
Between the two, Sandals Royal Barbados has more nightlife. There you will find Sandals’ first-ever craft beer bar and Sandals’ first-ever rooftop bar. The Sky Rooftop Bar features a glass-edged zero-entry infinity pool and a whirlpool to really enjoy your cocktails in style. You can also have fun at Sandals’ first-ever bowling alley.
The nightly entertainment happens on a stage on the Sandals Royal Barbados side.
Sandals Barbados vs. Sandals Royal Barbados: Cost
Sandals Barbados is less expensive than Sandals Royal Barbados. 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.
Rates at Sandals Royal Barbados start at $320 per person per night.
Your rate at either location will cover the same inclusions offered at all Sandals resorts: complimentary airport transfers; all dining and beverages including unlimited premium liquors and unlimited Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines; a stocked minibar in your room; a coffee maker with Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend coffee; water sports and equipment plus professional instruction; WiFi; daily and nightly entertainment; unlimited land sports; state-of-the-art fitness center; and all tips, taxes and gratuities.
Now that you’ve read our comparison of the two, what do you think? Would you choose Sandals Barbados or Sandals Royal Barbados for your Barbados honeymoon or a romantic escape? Let us know in the comments!
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.