Barceló Tambor vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Barceló Hotels vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Barceló Tambor | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 6.6 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 402 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 21 |
| Pools | 3 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1992 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2012 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Barceló Tambor | 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 Tambor | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 26 |
| Included | 8 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Tambor | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 4 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Barceló Tambor | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 22 | 24 |
| Included | 18 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Barceló Tambor
Pros
- Daily complimentary 18-hole golf at Los Delfines Golf & Country Club is a meaningful inclusion — few all-inclusives include green fees in the base rate.
- The volcanic sand beach in a protected cove has calm, shallow water that's genuinely safe for families with young children.
- The surrounding rainforest delivers genuine wildlife encounters — howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, and iguanas are regular morning visitors to the grounds.
- Two large pools connected by a waterfall create a strong day-use core, with the swim-up bar at the south pool as the social hub.
- Miyako Japanese and El Rancho Steak House consistently receive better food reviews than the resort's all-inclusive peers.
Cons
- The main buffet (El Tucán) receives consistently poor reviews — guests who don't prioritize specialty restaurant access will be disappointed with the baseline dining.
- Specialty restaurant reservations are competitive and limited for non-Premium Level guests — arriving without a plan means missed dinners at the three best venues.
- Wi-Fi is unreliable in rooms and often carries an extra charge — a persistent complaint unresolved across multiple seasons of guest reviews.
- The location requires a full commitment to the resort — no walkable restaurants, bars, or entertainment in Tambor village without transport.
- Room quality reports mention dated decor, occasional musty smells, and dripping AC units — the property renovated in 2012 and age is showing in some blocks.
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 Tambor is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.