Crown Paradise Golden Puerto Vallarta vs Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Crown Paradise Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Crown Paradise Golden Puerto Vallarta | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.8 | 9.1 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 299 | 257 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 10 |
| Pools | 2 | 5 |
| Year Opened | — | 2013 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2013 |
Features
| Metric | Crown Paradise Golden Puerto Vallarta | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Crown Paradise Golden Puerto Vallarta | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 12 | 18 |
| Included | 12 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Crown Paradise Golden Puerto Vallarta | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 7 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 3 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Crown Paradise Golden Puerto Vallarta | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 25 |
| Included | 20 | 22 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 3 |
Pros & Cons
Crown Paradise Golden Puerto Vallarta
Pros
- Salvador's restaurant consistently delivers above all-inclusive expectations — the food quality and service match a standalone restaurant rather than a resort outlet.
- 4–15 minute airport transfer makes Crown Paradise Golden genuinely stress-free for arrivals and departures.
- The heated infinity pool with jacuzzi is the property's best physical feature — excellent for a morning swim and a late afternoon social drink.
- Rooms were fully remodeled in 2015 and hold up reasonably well for an adults-only property at this price tier.
- Access to the neighboring Crown Paradise Club's pools and facilities effectively doubles the aquatic options.
Cons
- Buffet food quality is inconsistent — temperature issues and bland execution are recurring complaints that undercut the all-inclusive value.
- No beach umbrellas — bring shade or sunscreen reserves, because the beach has limited natural shade.
- Wi-Fi is unreliable in some room locations.
- Disco only operates Thursday–Saturday — guests expecting nightly late-night options will be disappointed on off-nights.
- Some premium imported spirits cost extra despite the all-inclusive label — confirm exactly what is and isn't covered at check-in.
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Pros
- Pink Gin Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable — sheltered cove geometry prevents the choppy surf that affects more exposed Caribbean beaches.
- Ten restaurants for 257 rooms is a high ratio, resulting in shorter waits and more consistent kitchen quality than larger Sandals properties.
- Five-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Sandals chain — no long bus rides after a redeye.
- SkyPool suites with private infinity plunge pools are architecturally distinctive and not replicated at most other properties.
- PADI scuba diving up to two dives/day is included — at $80–100 per dive externally, this adds real value for certified divers.
- The property's smaller, quieter personality makes it work well for couples who want intimacy over high-energy activity.
Cons
Summary
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more restaurants, while Crown Paradise Golden Puerto Vallarta is the larger property, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more dining venues.