Catalonia Royal La Romana - Adults Only vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Catalonia Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Catalonia Royal La Romana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 117 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 5 | 21 |
| Pools | 2 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Catalonia Royal La Romana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Catalonia Royal La Romana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 21 | 26 |
| Included | 21 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Catalonia Royal La Romana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 8 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 4 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Catalonia Royal La Romana - Adults Only | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 24 |
| Included | 22 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 3 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Catalonia Royal La Romana - Adults Only
Pros
- Dominicus Beach is genuinely seaweed-free and swimmable — a concrete advantage over Punta Cana's Bávaro Beach for guests who prioritize beach quality
- 2017 construction means rooms, A/C, and infrastructure are current — no aging fixtures or renovation gaps
- Adults-only throughout keeps the atmosphere consistently quiet and the pools uncrowded
- Cross-access to the Gran Dominicus adjacent property adds 7+ more restaurants and activities without additional cost
Cons
- Menu variety across all restaurants can feel repetitive by the 6th or 7th night of a longer stay — the rotation is limited
- The swim-up suite pools are semi-private rather than fully private — shared among a cluster of adjacent units
- Getting to La Romana airport is 20 minutes, but Punta Cana is 60–70 minutes — guests flying through PUJ face a longer transfer
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 more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Barbados is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Catalonia Royal La Romana - Adults Only offers more activities.