Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Our Rating
6.8
8.2
Star Rating
4.0
5.0
Room Count
1,170
222
Restaurants
9
21
Pools
6
11
Year Opened
2001
2017
Year Renovated
2020
2021
Features
Metric
Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All Inclusive 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
Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Total Venues
25
26
Included
23
26
Extra Charge
2
0
Room Comparison
Metric
Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Room Categories
4
12
Suite Categories
0
12
Activities Comparison
Metric
Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Total Activities
24
24
Included
17
18
Extra Charge
7
6
Pros & Cons
Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort
Pros
The only all-inclusive in Panama with an on-site 18-hole golf course — if you play golf, this is the only resort in the country where you can walk from your room to the course.
Cuzco (Peruvian) and El Pilón (Panamanian beachfront) are the most distinctive specialty restaurants at any all-inclusive in Central America — both worth specifically booking.
The open-air cinema provides an experience that doesn't exist at most Caribbean or Mexican all-inclusives.
Rio Hato airport is 10 minutes away for guests on charter flights — the shortest airport transfer of any major Panama resort.
Cons
Guests flying via Panama City (Tocumen Airport) face a 90-minute, 90 km transfer — plan accordingly for your arrival and departure days.
At 852 rooms, the reservation system for à la carte restaurants fills quickly — guests who don't book within their first hours may not get into their preferred venues.
Panama City — a genuinely interesting destination with the Canal and Old Town — is 90 minutes away, which makes it a committed day trip rather than a casual excursion.
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
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues.
