El Palmar beach has some of the calmest waves of any beach in Ixtapa — reliably swimmable conditions throughout the season
The adjacent Palma Real Golf Course means golfers can walk to the first tee without a transfer
Staff consistently get the best reviews of anything at this property — multiple reviews mention staff remembering names and drink preferences
Cons
Rooms are dated — rattan furniture, occasional maintenance issues (broken locks, sewer smell), and aging finishes are the most common complaints from recent guests
Standard all-inclusive guests fight for specialty restaurant reservations and often get late slots (9:30 PM); the dining program effectively requires a Premium Level upgrade to work well
Wi-Fi is unreliable and may be restricted to public areas unless you have Premium Level — a significant inconvenience for working travelers
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.
Cons
The Sandals app reservation system is unreliable — restaurants show as fully booked while tables are available, and closures go unannounced.
"Partial ocean view" and even some "ocean view" rooms deliver disappointing sightlines — verify the specific building and floor before booking.
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.
Butler Elite categories represent a meaningful price jump; the value is clearest for guests who actually use 24-hour room service and prefer to delegate planning.
Beach lounger availability at the South Seas pool requires early claiming (pre-8:30 AM on busy weeks) — not ideal for late risers.
Older sections of the property show maintenance wear relative to the newer Italian village buildings.
