Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Club Med vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 286 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 21 |
| Pools | 4 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1974 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2019 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers | 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 | Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 6 | 26 |
| Included | 6 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 21 | 24 |
| Included | 14 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers
Pros
- The motorized water sports package (waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking) included in the base rate is the strongest water activity offering at any Club Med Indian Ocean property.
- The 2019 renovation produced consistent room quality across categories — the post-renovation room condition is materially better than historical reviews suggest.
- The kids' clubs cover ages 4 months to 17 years — a comprehensive range that suits families at every stage.
Cons
- The reef immediately around the resort is damaged — guests expecting snorkeling from the beach will be disappointed. Good reef snorkeling requires a paid boat excursion.
- Saturday activity programming is reportedly lighter — historically a staff rest day with reduced GO activity coverage.
- Spa treatments and scuba diving are not included in the all-inclusive rate — these add materially to the total cost for wellness-focused guests.
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 Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.