Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Domes Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 201 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 21 |
| Pools | 3 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2024 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2023 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 11 | 26 |
| Included | 10 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 10 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 24 |
| Included | 12 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 13 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton
Pros
- Amphitheater hillside design means almost every room has a direct Mirabello Bay and Spinalonga Island view — the view quality is consistent throughout the property rather than dependent on luck with room assignment.
- Adults-only 16+ policy and cool-inclusive format create a quieter, more composed atmosphere than traditional family all-inclusives.
- Opened 2023 with updated renovations the same year — facilities are genuinely new without dated elements.
Cons
- One-hour drive from Heraklion airport is a commitment — factor in transfer costs and time on both arrival and departure days.
- Pebble beach requires water shoes; guests expecting a sandy beach will need to adjust expectations for this stretch of Crete.
- As a 2023 opening, the long-term service consistency track record is still being established.
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 more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Barbados is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Domes Aulūs Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton offers more activities.