Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Divi Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 241 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 3 | 21 |
| Pools | 3 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1996 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2026 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | No | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 5 | 26 |
| Included | 0 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 7 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 7 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 35 | 24 |
| Included | 12 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 23 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort
Pros
- Every suite has a full kitchen, washer, and dryer — genuinely useful for families or stays over five nights.
- The 2026 renovation updated all 240 rooms; furnishings and bathrooms are current as of early 2026.
- 24-hour ocean-view fitness center is the best gym facility on Palm Beach.
- Palm Beach is directly out front with calm, swimmable water and complimentary cabanas.
- Kids 6–12 stay free, reducing the cost burden significantly for families.
Cons
- All-inclusive isn't integrated — you add it separately and use it mainly at other Divi properties nearby, requiring shuttle transportation.
- Check-out is 10am with limited flexibility, which is earlier than most Aruba competitors.
- All dining is à la carte and extra charge unless you've purchased the all-inclusive add-on — easy to underestimate food costs on a room-only booking.
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 Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort offers more activities.