Sandals Barbados vs Royal Barbados is one of the most confusing comparisons for travelers booking an all-inclusive stay in Barbados. Even though Sandals has these resorts listed on their website as two individual resorts, most travelers researching these resorts at home don’t realize that they’re actually located at the same address.
Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados resorts are connected which provides guests at both resorts access to the exact same amenities of both resorts. For this reason, it can leave you questioning what the difference is and why one is usually priced higher than the other.
Let me help you break down the key differences between Sandals Barbados vs Royal Barbados so you can decide actually which stay will lead to your perfect Caribbean vacation.
Sandals Barbados vs. Royal Barbados: Quick Decision
With the “stay at one, play at two” approach at these Sandals Resorts, your decision between Sandals Barbados vs. Royal Barbados comes down to room preference. A quick summary:
- Choose Sandals Barbados for budget-travel. Travelers who plan to be away from their rooms for the majority of the day can stay on this side and enjoy all amenities without paying for a pricy room.
- Choose Sandals Royals Barbados for a luxury travel experience with top-tier modern rooms and premium amenities. Travelers who enjoy spending time relaxing in their rooms will enjoy these superior suite rooms.
Sandals Royal Barbados Overview
Sandals Royal Barbados is the newer of the two sister resorts, which opened in December of 2017. This expansion took place after the original Sandals Barbados opened in 2015. For this reason, one of the primary differences between Sandals Barbados vs Royal Barbados is the aesthetics and feel of the resort. Sandals Royal Barbados was created with a more upscale and modern luxury feel than Sandals Barbados.
- Room Types: Sandals Royal Barbados only has higher-end club and butler-level suites. For this reason, you’ll see that rooms here are almost always pricier than at Sandals Barbados. All rooms here are suite rooms and there are no standard, budget rooms. Common room types here include Skypool Suites, Rondoval Suites, and Swim-Up Suites, which all including soaking tubs.
- Premium Room Amenities: Sandals Royal Barbados caters to the traveler who truly wants the most luxurious room. If premium, in-room amenities like your own private pool matter to you, you’ll want to select a stay on the Royal Barbados side.
- Vibe: The atmosphere and vibe at Sandals Royal Barbados is higher-end, with more amenities like bowling, an infinity rooftop pool, and premium restaurants (but you still get access to these amenities even when staying at Sandals Barbados).
Sandals Barbados Overview
Sandals Barbados is the older of the two resorts, featuring a classic Caribbean vibe that feels slightly more dated. This resort caters to travelers seeking a variety of different of room types, offering both entry-level room stays and higher-end suite rooms. In general, this side has a little bit more of a quieter feel that feels more relaxed than the Sandals Royal Barbados side.
- Room Types: Entry-level, mid-tier (including in-room premium liquor), and butler suites. There’s more choices for budget-friendly rooms here compared to Sandals Royal Barbados.
- Vibe: The vibe at Sandals Barbados feels similar to many other Sandals resorts I’ve stayed at, with a classic Caribbean feeling. There’s a mixture of types of people here, from honeymoon couples to birthday celebrations and anniversaries. It does not feel as high-end, but also feels more like the true all-inclusive resort feel that compares to other islands.
Sandals Barbados vs. Royal Barbados: Making Your Decision
As you consider a stay at Sandals Barbados vs Royal Barbados, let’s make one key point clear. Guests staying in rooms on either side of this resort have access to the exact same amenities. This means there’s no exclusive access to pools, lounges, bars, or restaurants for either resort. Given that both resorts are connected, you can choose to spend your days on either property. The only difference in the pricing between these resorts comes down to the rooms.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Sandals Barbados if:
- You want to save money on your room
- You don’t care about upgraded modern interiors
- You plan to spend most of your time outside the room
Choose Sandals Royal Barbados if:
- You want a more upscale, modern resort feel
- You want a newer, luxury all-suite experience
- You care about high-end swim-up suites, Skypool suites, or Rondoval suites
What matters most to you?
Personally, when I travel, I try to spend as little time in my room as possible. The “explorer” in me doesn’t want to spend my days relaxing in a beautifully luxurious hotel room. Instead, I want to be out participating in island excursions in Barbados and sightseeing.
At a resort like Sandals, I want to be sitting by the swim-up bar and enjoying the sun — out where all the excitement is happening. I’m personally not a traveler who feels motivated by a nice hotel room. But not everyone travels the same. What impresses me and excites me may not excite you. For this reason, I really urge travelers to get in touch with what matters most to them when weighing between Sandals Barbados vs Sandals Royal Barbados.
For you, the key is to get in touch with how you feel about your trip and what type of traveler you are. If you love relaxing in a room with amazing views and enjoying a quiet, private pool, you’ll love a stay on the Sandals Royal Barbados side. These rooms are much newer and have a much more luxurious feel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can you walk between Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados?
A: Yes, these two resorts are only about a five to ten minute walk and feature a connected walkway.
Q: Is Sandals Royal Barbados worth it?
A: Yes, a stay at Sandals Royal Barbados is worth it for travelers who value premium room amenities and enjoy spending time in their rooms. Those who prefer to be away from the room for most of the day may prefer a cheaper room with less amenities on the regular Sandals Barbados side.
Q: Should I pick Sandals Barbados vs. Royal Barbados for a honeymoon?
A: Both resorts offer great rooms for honeymoons, but luxury travelers seeking an upscale room experience will prefer Sandals Royal Barbados. For a budget stay with access to the same pools and restaurants, I recommend you save money on the room and stay at Sandals Barbados.