Decameron La Marina, Ramada All Inclusive vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Decameron All Inclusive vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Decameron La Marina, Ramada All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 161 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 21 |
| Pools | 2 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2020 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2023 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Decameron La Marina, Ramada 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 La Marina, Ramada All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 5 | 26 |
| Included | 5 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Decameron La Marina, Ramada All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 0 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Decameron La Marina, Ramada All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 24 |
| Included | 20 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Decameron La Marina, Ramada All Inclusive
Pros
- The spa has four treatment rooms plus sauna and steam — the most complete wellness facility of the three Guayabitos Decameron properties.
- Non-motorized water sports are concentrated here, making it the practical hub for guests on the sister-resort program.
- Fitness center opens at 6 AM — early-morning workout option before beach activities.
- Beach sunrise yoga is a genuine highlight rather than a lobby-area afterthought.
Cons
- U-shaped building design means pool noise carries to interior-facing balconies — a relevant consideration for light sleepers.
- One à la carte restaurant for 161 rooms creates a competitive reservation situation.
- Inter-resort nightclub transport isn't provided — guests using the Los Cocos disco need to arrange their own way there.
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 Sandals Royal Barbados is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Decameron La Marina, Ramada All Inclusive offers more activities.