Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Dreams Resorts & Spas vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|
| Our Rating | — | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | — | 5.0 |
| Room Count | — | 222 |
| Restaurants | 5 | 21 |
| Pools | 9 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa | 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 | Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|
| Total Venues | 18 | 26 |
| Included | 18 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|
| Room Categories | 8 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|
| Total Activities | 22 | 24 |
| Included | 16 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa
Pros
- Fantastic beachfront location directly on Playa Dorada with promenade access.
- Easy walking access to Marina Rubicón and Playa Blanca's old harbour.
- Consistently high standards of cleanliness maintained throughout the day.
- Friendly, attentive, and superb staff providing excellent service.
- Beautiful and well-maintained heated pool areas suitable for all ages.
- Extensive facilities for families, including kids' club, teen club, and water park.
- Wide variety of dining options catering to diverse tastes.
- Luxurious and elegantly furnished rooms with good amenities.
Cons
- Perceived "four-star experience" unless upgrading to Preferred Club.
- Evening entertainment can be underwhelming for some guests.
- Limited and small car parking spaces available.
- Historical price increases noted after the Dreams rebranding.
- Standard room amenities might not feel fully 5-star to all guests.
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
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.
