Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo vs Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.1 |
| Star Rating | — | 5.0 |
| Room Count | — | 257 |
| Restaurants | 7 | 10 |
| Pools | 4 | 5 |
| Year Opened | — | 2013 |
| Year Renovated | 2020 | 2013 |
Features
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 18 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 4 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 25 |
| Included | 21 | 22 |
| Extra Charge | 3 | 3 |
Pros & Cons
Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo
Pros
- El Portillo beach is reef-protected and wider than most Dominican all-inclusive beaches — genuinely suitable for long walks and calm-water snorkeling.
- Boavista Brazilian Rodizio consistently receives the highest food scores of any specialty restaurant here — book it early and build your week's dining around it.
- The 9,000 sq ft main pool is one of the larger all-inclusive pools in Las Terrenas — doesn't feel overwhelmed even at peak capacity.
- Connecting Family Master Suites sleeping up to eight guests make this one of the few Dominican all-inclusives practical for large extended family groups.
- The spa's outdoor garden jacuzzi and beachfront hydromassage pool combine views and water therapy in a way most all-inclusive spas don't offer.
Cons
- Room air conditioning is unreliable — multiple recent reviews describe units that don't adequately cool the room in high humidity.
- Room doors have old closing mechanisms that slam audibly and disturb light sleepers — request a ground-floor corner room or a building away from main corridors.
- Bathroom condition remains a complaint despite the 2020 renovation — worn fixtures and dated tile work in some blocks.
- The airport transfer is 45–90 minutes on a winding coastal road — motion sickness medication is worth packing.
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Pros
- Pink Gin Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable — sheltered cove geometry prevents the choppy surf that affects more exposed Caribbean beaches.
- Ten restaurants for 257 rooms is a high ratio, resulting in shorter waits and more consistent kitchen quality than larger Sandals properties.
- Five-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Sandals chain — no long bus rides after a redeye.
- SkyPool suites with private infinity plunge pools are architecturally distinctive and not replicated at most other properties.
- PADI scuba diving up to two dives/day is included — at $80–100 per dive externally, this adds real value for certified divers.
- The property's smaller, quieter personality makes it work well for couples who want intimacy over high-energy activity.
Summary
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more restaurants, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa offers more activities.