Which brand is rated higher, Royalton Luxury Resorts or Sandals Resorts?

Sandals Resorts has a higher Resort Flock Rating at 8.3/10, compared to Royalton Luxury Resorts at 7.7/10.

How many resorts does Royalton Luxury Resorts have compared to Sandals Resorts?

Royalton Luxury Resorts has a larger portfolio with 22 resorts, while Sandals Resorts has 17 resorts.

Where can I find Royalton Luxury Resorts and Sandals Resorts resorts?

Sandals Resorts operates in 8 countries, while Royalton Luxury Resorts is present in 7. Sandals Resorts offers more geographic variety for travellers looking to explore different destinations.

Is Royalton Luxury Resorts or Sandals Resorts better for families?

Royalton Luxury Resorts is primarily family-friendly (68% have kids clubs), while Sandals Resorts leans adults-only (100% of properties). Choose the brand that best matches your travel group.

Do Royalton Luxury Resorts and Sandals Resorts resorts have beach access?

100% of Royalton Luxury Resorts resorts have beach access, compared to 100% of Sandals Resorts resorts.

Do Royalton Luxury Resorts and Sandals Resorts resorts have spas?

100% of Royalton Luxury Resorts resorts have on-site spas, compared to 100% of Sandals Resorts resorts.

Royalton Luxury Resorts vs Sandals Resorts

All-inclusive brand comparison · Updated 2026

Royalton Luxury Resorts

A modern all-inclusive brand under Blue Diamond Resorts, known for stylish design, All-In Luxury inclusions, and the adults-only Hideaway tier.

Resorts

Countries

7.68

RF Rating

Mexico Jamaica Dominican Republic Costa Rica Grenada

View full profile →Official site

Sandals Resorts

The world's leading luxury all-inclusive resort brand for couples, with 16 beachfront properties across the Caribbean.

Resorts

Countries

8.33

RF Rating

Jamaica Grenada Bahamas Barbados Curacao

View full profile →Official site

The Resort Flock Verdict

Royalton Luxury Resorts competes directly with Sandals on price and all-inclusive depth, with a strong focus on the Caribbean and Mexico. Royalton's "All-In Connectivity" and DreamBed programme are popular upgrades; Sandals counters with more destinations and a mature loyalty scheme. For couples wanting the Caribbean with a more modern, family-accessible vibe, Royalton is a strong alternative — but Sandals' butler service and romance-first positioning still give it an edge for dedicated couples travel.

Brand at a Glance

Metric	Royalton Luxury Resorts	Sandals Resorts
Resorts Listed	22	17
Resort Flock Rating	7.68/10 (22 rated)	8.33/10 (17 rated)
Hotel Star Class	4.6	5.0
Total Rooms	8,189	4,639
Adults-Only	36%	100%
Family-Friendly (Kids Club)	68%	0%
Beach Access	100%	100%
Spa	100%	100%
Destinations	7	8

Vibe Profile

Based on the vibe categorisation of each brand's resorts. Percentages show share of that brand's portfolio.

Royalton Luxury Resorts

Luxury & Gourmet55%Family-Friendly50%Party & Nightlife41%Adventure & Active23%Serene & Quiet18%Romantic9%Mega-Resort9%Boutique5%

Sandals Resorts

Romantic88%Luxury & Gourmet82%Serene & Quiet12%Party & Nightlife12%Adventure & Active6%

Brand Profiles

Royalton Luxury Resorts

What They Do Best

Royalton Luxury Resorts is the flagship brand of Blue Diamond Resorts, a Canadian-based resort management company. Royalton positions itself as a contemporary, design-forward all-inclusive brand targeting modern travelers. The All-In Luxury concept includes premium spirits, gourmet dining, free Wi-Fi, and sports including non-motorized water sports. The brand offers two tiers: Royalton (all-ages luxury) and Hideaway at Royalton (adults-only within the same property), giving couples the option to vacation in an adult environment while being part of a larger resort complex.

Resort Experience

Royalton resorts feature modern, clean-lined design with marble and contemporary furnishings. Rooms include DreamBed mattresses (the brand's signature sleep system), rain showers, and smart TVs. Diamond Club is the premium room upgrade, offering VIP check-in, private pool and beach areas, enhanced minibar, and preferential restaurant reservations. Multiple restaurants, swim-up suites, lazy rivers, and sports complexes are standard. The Hideaway sections feature their own pools, restaurants, and bars with an adults-only atmosphere.

Locations & Properties

Royalton operates in Jamaica (Negril, White Sands — Montego Bay), Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, Bavaro), Mexico (Riviera Maya, Riviera Cancun), Saint Lucia, Antigua, and Grenada. Blue Diamond's other brands include Mystique (boutique), Planet Hollywood (entertainment-themed), Grand Lido (luxury adults-only), and Starfish (value tier). This portfolio gives the parent company coverage across multiple price points and traveler types, with Royalton as the anchor brand.

Guest Experience

Royalton appeals to style-conscious travelers who want modern design and solid all-inclusive value. The brand is popular with North American travelers, particularly Canadians (reflecting Blue Diamond's Canadian ownership). The Royalton loyalty program and travel agent partnerships drive bookings. The Hideaway concept is a smart offering — couples get adults-only tranquility while maintaining access to the larger resort's facilities. The brand has grown rapidly and continues expanding, with a focus on Caribbean destinations.

Sandals Resorts

What They Do Best

Sandals Resorts has built its reputation as the premier couples-only, all-inclusive resort brand in the Caribbean. Founded in 1981 by Gordon "Butch" Stewart in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Sandals has grown to 16 properties across Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, Saint Lucia, and Curaçao. The brand is known for its Luxury Included concept, where everything from gourmet dining and premium spirits to water sports, scuba diving, and even butler service is included in the room rate. Sandals consistently wins top awards for romance and honeymoon travel.

Resort Experience

Every Sandals resort delivers an upscale, romantic experience with no wristbands and no buffet-only dining. Guests enjoy unlimited gourmet restaurants (up to 16 per resort), premium liquors, Robert Mondavi wines, and Red Lane Spa facilities. Water sports are a cornerstone — from scuba diving (the only resort chain to offer unlimited certified diving) to paddleboarding, snorkeling, and sailing. Many properties feature swim-up suites, over-the-water bungalows, and private plunge pools. Butler Elite suites come with personal butler service modeled on the Guild of Professional English Butlers.

Locations & Properties

Sandals operates exclusively in the Caribbean, with a strong presence across Jamaica (5 resorts including the flagship Sandals Montego Bay), Saint Lucia (3 resorts), The Bahamas (3 resorts including the massive Sandals Royal Bahamian), and single properties in Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, and Curaçao. Each resort occupies prime beachfront real estate. The brand also owns Beaches Resorts (family-friendly) and has the "Sandals Select" tier for more affordable options while maintaining high standards.

Guest Experience

Sandals caters specifically to couples — solo travelers and families with children are not permitted. This creates an inherently romantic atmosphere. The brand offers complimentary weddings (Beautiful Beginnings package), making it one of the most popular honeymoon and destination wedding brands worldwide. The Sandals Select Rewards loyalty program offers returning guests room upgrades, spa credits, and other perks. Airport transfers are included at most properties, and the Sandals app allows guests to book restaurants, spa treatments, and excursions before arrival.