Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Princess Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 1,126 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 17 | 21 |
| Pools | 6 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1991 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2019 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive | 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 | Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 30 | 26 |
| Included | 28 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 6 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 28 | 24 |
| Included | 21 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive
Pros
- The 96-acre ecological reserve with preserved native vegetation and local wildlife is genuinely unusual for a large Caribbean all-inclusive — bikes make it navigable
- Post-2019 renovation quality is evident across most areas of the property — it feels newer than its 1992 origin suggests
- 14 total dining venues means variety doesn't run out even on long stays — 11 themed à la carte restaurants span a genuine range of cuisines
Cons
- At 1,290 rooms, service consistency varies — an off-night at one restaurant or an older room wing doesn't reflect the whole property, but it does happen
- 6 treatment rooms in the spa is insufficient for 1,290 rooms of guests — high season spa booking requires same-day or advance planning
- Property navigation is a genuine consideration — the 96 acres mean the farthest rooms from the beach require a bike ride or shuttle, not a short walk
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 Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive is the larger property, while Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive has more dining venues, while Grand Bavaro Princess - All Inclusive offers more activities.