Alua Calvia Mallorca vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Alua Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Alua Calvia Mallorca | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 324 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 21 |
| Pools | 4 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2026 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Alua Calvia Mallorca | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Alua Calvia Mallorca | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 8 | 26 |
| Included | 8 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Alua Calvia Mallorca | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 13 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Alua Calvia Mallorca | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 15 | 24 |
| Included | 10 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Alua Calvia Mallorca
Pros
- January 2026 renovation means all 391 rooms are in genuinely new condition — no mixed-vintage inventory to navigate, which is the most common source of quality inconsistency at older all-inclusives
- My Favourite Club exclusive pool eliminates the peak-season sunbed competition that plagues Mallorca all-inclusives in July and August
- 25-minute airport transfer from Palma (PMI) is among the shorter times for a south-coast Mallorca all-inclusive
Cons
- Magaluf's party destination reputation can put guests off before they arrive, even though the resort itself is positioned above that scene — research the specific resort rather than the neighborhood
- No specialty à la carte dining — guests eating all meals on property for 7+ nights will eat buffet only, every night
- As of early 2026, post-renovation guest reviews are limited — first-season operational issues are common after major renovations, and the risk of teething problems is real
Sandals Royal Barbados
Pros
- The rooftop infinity pool is the Caribbean's first — an evening pool experience with ocean views that's unavailable at other Sandals properties
- All-suite property means no standard rooms — every guest has suite-level accommodations
- 'Stay at One, Play at Two' with adjacent Sandals Barbados effectively doubles dining to 20+ restaurants and 10+ bars
- 15-minute transfer from Grantley Adams International Airport — one of the shortest Sandals arrivals in the Caribbean
- Lovers Lanes bowling alley and craft beer bar are genuine novelties within the all-inclusive format
Cons
- Maxwell Beach is a public beach — other hotel guests and persistent local vendors are present and regularly cited by guests
- Lounge chair competition is consistent: early morning positioning is required for both the main pool and beachfront spots
- Service at restaurants and bars is noted as slower than expected given the pricing — allow extra time for meals
- The scale of the combined Royal Barbados and Sandals Barbados property means it's a larger, more crowded operation than quieter Sandals resorts
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Alua Calvia Mallorca is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.