Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 149 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 21 |
| Pools | 1 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 26 |
| Included | 9 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 18 | 24 |
| Included | 12 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Bahia Principe Grand Samana - Adults Only
Pros
- Panoramic bay views from the hillside pool and most sea-view rooms — the most distinctive setting in the Bahia Principe adults-only portfolio.
- Adults-only creates a genuinely quiet atmosphere that the large Punta Cana properties cannot replicate.
- December–March whale watching in Samaná Bay is one of the Caribbean's best wildlife activities.
- Small private beach with calm bay water — well-maintained and without the crowds of Bavaro.
Cons
- Extensive stairs throughout the hillside property — a genuine disqualifier for guests with mobility issues or anyone who finds repeated stair climbing in heat problematic.
- Isolated Los Cacaos location means all off-site activity requires paid taxis.
- Buffet variety becomes repetitive on 5+ night stays without the cross-complex restaurant access the Punta Cana Grand properties offer.
- Wi-Fi beyond the lobby is a paid upgrade.
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 Sandals Royal Barbados is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.