Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Decameron All Inclusive vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 6.7 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 244 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 5 | 21 |
| Pools | 2 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1980 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | 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 | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 12 | 26 |
| Included | 11 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 19 | 24 |
| Included | 18 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive
Pros
- Pirate galleon complex houses two distinct specialty restaurants — a legitimate differentiator at this price tier.
- Pozos Colorados Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable, not just marketing copy.
- 10–15 minute transfer from SMR airport is among the shortest on the Colombian coast.
- Nightly entertainment production quality is consistently above average for a 3-star property.
- Strong position for Tayrona day trips — the park is under an hour away.
Cons
- Only one massage room in the spa, with no additional wellness facilities.
- À la carte dinner reservations are competitive — guests who don't book on day one often miss out.
- Gym hours cap at 5 PM, inconvenient for guests who prefer evening workouts.
- Room décor and fixtures are dated across all categories; renovations are overdue.
- English proficiency among staff is limited — relevant for international travelers without Spanish.
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 Decameron Galeon - All Inclusive is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.