Genuinely walkable location — Puerto de la Cruz's historic center, harbor, and Lago Martiánez lido are all within 10 minutes on foot
The Sunlight Spa hydrotherapy circuit is an unusually strong amenity for this price category
Main outdoor pool is heated November–April, making the resort viable year-round for swimmers
Views of both Mount Teide and the Atlantic Ocean from higher-floor rooms are rare and memorable
Friendly, attentive staff — consistently the most praised element in guest reviews
Two included à la carte specialty dinners per week are a genuine dining upgrade over buffet-only properties
Cons
The building was last renovated in 2006 — rooms are noticeably dated, with worn furniture and bathrooms that show their age
Nearest beach (Playa Martianez) has rocky black sand and strong Atlantic swells — it's a surf beach, not a gentle swim beach
Kids' Club only operates during school holidays, not year-round
On-site parking is expensive and reportedly the cost has increased significantly — factor this in if driving
Tenerife North Airport is closer (20 min), but Tenerife South (the main international hub) is almost an hour away
Food quality at the main buffet receives mixed reviews — the specialty restaurants are a meaningfully better experience
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
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.
