Barceló Puerto Vallarta vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Barceló Hotels vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Barceló Puerto Vallarta | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 316 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 5 | 21 |
| Pools | 4 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1990 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2008 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Barceló Puerto Vallarta | 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 Puerto Vallarta | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 26 |
| Included | 9 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Puerto Vallarta | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 7 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Puerto Vallarta | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 24 |
| Included | 21 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Barceló Puerto Vallarta
Pros
- All-suite accommodations starting at 732 sq ft — double the space of a standard all-inclusive room without paying premium boutique prices.
- Mismaloya Beach is a sheltered cove with calm, swimmable Pacific water — rare on Mexico's Pacific coast where most beaches have strong surf.
- Four specialty restaurants carry Mexico's H Award for culinary standards — verified food quality above the typical all-inclusive level.
- The Mismaloya location gives access to Sierra Madre zip-lining and Banderas Bay whale watching that Hotel Zone properties can't match in proximity.
- Los Arcos grill restaurant on the ocean's edge at sunset is one of the more atmospheric dinner experiences in Puerto Vallarta's resort corridor.
Cons
- The property last received major renovations in 2008 — 15+ years on, some rooms and common areas show their age despite cosmetic updates.
- Non-Premium Level guests have specialty restaurant access restricted by length of stay — short trips of 3–4 nights may not get full use of all four H Award restaurants.
- The location 14 miles south of Puerto Vallarta means the city's dining and nightlife require a taxi, making spontaneous evenings out impractical.
- U-Spa is small for a property this size — one couples' treatment room and two singles means limited availability, especially on weekends.
- Premium spirits and better cocktail quality require upgrading to Premium Level — standard all-inclusive alcohol is basic.
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 Barceló Puerto Vallarta is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Barceló Puerto Vallarta offers more activities.