Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Barceló Hotels vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | — | 222 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 21 |
| Pools | 9 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2022 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | 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 | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 26 |
| Included | 6 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 10 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 4 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 24 |
| Included | 15 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 9 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort
Pros
- The Hypoxia Room and professional cycling center are genuinely unique — no other all-inclusive in the Canary Islands offers comparable training infrastructure for serious athletes
- La Dolce Vita's wood-fired pizza is one of the better specialty restaurant offerings in the Barceló Canaries portfolio
- Lanzarote's consistent 20-25°C year-round climate makes this the most practical base for cold-weather training camps in January-February
Cons
- The 10-lane Olympic pool costs €3.50 per session even for all-inclusive guests — a minor irritant at a resort that markets itself as sports-focused
- Cala del Ancla is a small pebbly cove, not a sandy beach — guests expecting a Canaries beach holiday should check beach photos before booking
- Sunlounger towel-reservation starts before 8 AM in peak season and there is minimal enforcement — a frustration repeatedly noted in summer reviews
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 has more dining venues.