Excellence El Carmen vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Excellence Resorts vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Excellence El Carmen | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 492 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 12 | 21 |
| Pools | 23 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2016 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Excellence El Carmen | 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 | Excellence El Carmen | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 30 | 26 |
| Included | 30 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Excellence El Carmen | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 15 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 15 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Excellence El Carmen | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 19 | 24 |
| Included | 16 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 3 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Excellence El Carmen
Pros
- 23 pools eliminate the chair-scramble dynamic at single-pool resorts
- Lobster included in the all-inclusive rate — a specific value point worth noting
- No reservation policy at most restaurants gives genuine flexibility vs. pre-planned weeks
- Uvero Alto location is quieter than Bavaro with calmer beach conditions
Cons
- Uvero Alto is 25–45 minutes from Punta Cana airport — longer transfer than Bavaro properties
- Nightlife ends early — guests wanting late-night entertainment will find limited options after 11pm
- Humidity levels in rooms can be uncomfortable — request a dehumidifier if this affects your sleep
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 Excellence El Carmen is the larger property, while Excellence El Carmen has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.