Among the enticing accommodation options on the idyllic island of Barbados are two ultra-luxurious Sandals resorts – each offering their own flavour of the Caribbean.
(Photo: Sandals Resorts)
The picture-postcard eastern Caribbean island is one of the jewels in the region’s crown, drawing vast numbers of tourists seeking sun-kissed beaches and a taste of the Caribbean’s famous laid-back vibes every year. Among the island’s most high-end places to stay are two all-inclusive, adults-only Sandals resorts – the original Sandals Barbados and its younger sibling Sandals Royal Barbados – both of which are home to a wide range of upscale entertainment and recreational amenities, all set against a backdrop of raw natural beauty. But which one to chose? We’ve compared them both below.
Location
Both Sandals resorts can be found adjoining each other on the more developed southern coast of the island, where they back onto the long, powder-soft white sands of Maxwell Beach – serving up a scenic setting for guests. Breakwaters created off of the beach sections closest to the resorts help temper the ocean currents, making the area swimmable for guests and water sports enthusiasts. The buzzing nightlife scene of St Lawrence Gap, is a brisk 10-minute walk away, and the famous Oistins Friday night Fish Fry party can be reached via a quick coastal drive southeast.
(Photo: Sandals Resorts)
Style & Character
Hibiscus and bougainvillea dominate the foliage that is dotted around the pristinely-landscaped and maintained grounds of Sandals Barbados, where waterfalls and poolside fire pits and swinging love seats create an achingly romantic atmosphere that would convince even the most reticent of men to get down on one knee at this couples only resort. Poolside, elegant, candy-striped cabanas exude Caribbean cool, while the ocean vistas add to the feeling that there’s nowhere else on earth you’d rather be. Except, perhaps…
Boasting a more hotch-potch design style than its neighbour, Sandals Royal – which also caters exclusively to couples – has something of the Miami mid-rise look and feel about it. Mediterranean tiled roofs, ancient Greek temples and thatched South Seas cottages speak to this architectural melange, though uniformity is found in the tropical gardens that could easily flow directly from the equally verdant grounds next door.
Services and amenities
Sandals properties are renowned for their exceptional facilities and their Barbados outposts are certainly no outliers. At Sandals Barbados, suitably attired butlers are at your beck and call around the clock, with guests given mobile phones with fast-lines so they can make requests at any time. Beyond the butler service, there are three swimming pools – each with their own vibe. There’s one with a swim-up bar, another with stylish cabanas, and a long lagoon pool with bridges and water jets. Guests can also partake in non-motorised watersports, hit the weights at the state-of-the-art gym, or treat themselves at the luxury spa. There’s also a busy programme of daytime activities including volleyball on the beach and water polo, plus evening entertainment.
A significant perk for guests at Sandals Barbados is that they also have unlimited access to the facilities at Sandals Royals, including a separate spa complex, more swimming pools (including a rooftop pool and a glass-fronted infinity pool overlooking the ocean) and a four-lane indoor bowling alley. Furthermore, land and water sports on offer include tennis, yoga, stand-up paddleboarding and trips to a nearby marine park where you can try your hand at diving and snorkelling. There’s also a men’s barbershop.
(Photo: Sandals Resorts)
Guest rooms and suites
With some 280 rooms across 14 categories at Sandals Barbados, there’s certain to be something to suit your preferences and tastes. But while specific layouts and configurations vary, all rooms share some common characteristics, including smart mahogany furnishings and eye-catching décor. Upgrade to Club Level of Butler Level suites and your in-room experience will be augmented by such lavish features as swim-up patios connected to the lagoon pool, pod-like baths on the terrace, and sumptuous bathrooms with giant walk-in showers and circular baths for two.
At Sandals Royal, standard rooms can be found in distinctive riled-roofed buildings and are bedecked with maritime artworks and white, grey and ocean blue colour tones. Full-height windows create a sense of airy space, while the private bathrooms come with double vanities and giant walk-in showers that you could swing several cats in with comfort. Upgraded rooms here include swim-up and ocean-front suites, and there are also self-contained cottages that come complete with their own private plunge pools.
(Photo: Sandals Resorts)
Food and drink
When it comes to diversity of dining options, both Sandals Resorts have enough options so that you can try not only a new dish, but a new restaurant almost every day. And being all-inclusive, there’s no limit to how broadly you cast the net while you’re there. At Sandals Barbados, there are 11 restaurants, some set in eye-catching glass-walled pavilions and together spanning a variety of cuisines including Caribbean, Italian, Japanese, sushi and Indian. There’s also a steakhouse, an English-themed pub and a French café, while dotted around the property are also several bars.
At Sandals Royal, you’ll find an additional 9 dining choices. Guests speak particularly highly of the property’s breakfast offering, while the ocean-front Neptune’s serves up Mediterranean-style lunches with a view. Dinner can be enjoyed at Asian or French-themed restaurants, or an American tavern. Unlike at many all-inclusive resorts, there is no extra charge to eat in any of the restaurants, or indeed how often. All alcohol is included too.
(Photo: Sandals Resorts)
Rates
As one would expect, accommodation prices at Sandals’ two Barbados resorts vary significantly depending on the time of year when you’re looking to travel. Mid-December to mid-April marks the high season (and the dry season) in St Lucia, which means an increased number of visitors, and low flight and accommodation availability. Weather-wise, winter is also a great time to visit, but hotel rates do tend to spiral during this period.
When we searched for guest stays at the Sandals Barbados in mid-March for two adults, we found rates starting at $6,391 for a 7-night stay in a Caribbean Grand Luxe room. This rose up to $6,634 for those seeking to push the boat out and stay in a Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon Room with a balcony and soaking tub.
At Sandals Royal, meanwhile, prices were a little pricier when we conducted our searches for the same period, with the cheapest available rate coming out at $7,765 for a 7-night stay in the South Seas Crystal Lagoon Club Level suite with a balcony and a soaking tub. Meanwhile the priciest option was for a Royal Seaside Crystal Lagoon Oceanview Butler Suite, also with a balcony and soaking tub, which was available for $9,380 for 7 nights.
Summary
Sandals properties tend to have a number of uniform brand hallmarks – and in Barbados this no different. As well as a harmonious mix of colonial style and Caribbean architecture and design aesthetics, the two properties’ close physical proximity ensures they both share many of the same characteristics in terms of the immediate natural scenery. Nonetheless, there are also enough differences between the resorts to be able to recommend one over the other, depending on your tastes, preferences and budget.
The most affordable of the two Sandals resorts in Barbados is Sandals Barbados, owing to the fact that it is that bit older and therefore perhaps lacks quite the spruced up appearance of its snazzy counterpart. It does, however, just pip Sandals Royal when it comes to sheer choice of amenities, with more restaurants and pools. However, given that while guests at both resorts can pay extra for “Stay at One, Play at Two” privileges, this difference is rendered a moot point. Therefore, in summary, we’ve picked out Sandals Royal as our number one choice for your next Caribbean adventure, owing to its more modern and up-to-date appearance.
Book a Sandals resort in Barbados here