Divi Little Bay Beach Resort vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Divi Resorts vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 211 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 21 |
| Pools | 4 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1989 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2018 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort | 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 | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 26 |
| Included | 8 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 9 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Divi Little Bay Beach Resort | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 24 |
| Included | 14 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 10 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Pros
- Private peninsula setting gives the resort a more isolated feel than typical Philipsburg properties, while remaining walking distance to town.
- Three distinct pool options including an infinity pool mean you can find your preferred crowd level.
- The PureRoc lava-rock cooking experience is genuinely unique on St. Maarten — families with kids enjoy it particularly.
- Philipsburg casinos, duty-free shopping, and restaurants are a 15-minute walk for guests who want evenings off property.
Cons
- Buildings A and B and beachfront units were under renovation through late 2025 — confirm room renovation status before booking.
- MIX AT OCEANS rooftop lounge is extra charge for standard all-inclusive guests, which feels restrictive given the room rates.
- 10am check-out creates friction for guests with afternoon flights.
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.