Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino vs Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.9 | 9.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 366 | 257 |
| Restaurants | 14 | 10 |
| Pools | 6 | 5 |
| Year Opened | 1994 | 2013 |
| Year Renovated | 2017 | 2013 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 18 |
| Included | 15 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 4 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 25 |
| Included | 19 | 22 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 3 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino
Pros
- The only resort in the three-property complex with a casino, open until 3 AM daily
- Teppanyaki, Indian, Brazilian, and Spanish a la carte options within the Palace's own building cluster — unusual breadth for a Punta Cana all-inclusive
- Pirate's Castle kids club (ages 4-12) has a zip line and dedicated water park — one of the more complete kids facilities in the Punta Cana market
- El Secreto adults-only pool with bar open until midnight gives couples a genuine quiet-zone option
- 1-kilometer Blue Flag beach with consistent sand quality and active seaweed management
Cons
- The 2017 renovation didn't cover all buildings — unrenovated rooms have noticeably older furnishings and bathrooms compared to villas 91-97
- Hydrotherapy circuit at Zentropia Spa carries a $10 USD per person daily fee for guests not booking a treatment
- Walking between the three Grand Palladium properties takes 15-20 minutes — the shuttle helps but adds waiting time
- A la carte restaurants require advance reservations and enforce a strict dress code (long trousers and sleeved shirts for men at dinner)
- Pool areas reach capacity quickly during peak season (December to April) — prime lounger spots near swim-up bars gone by 9 AM
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Pros
- Pink Gin Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable — sheltered cove geometry prevents the choppy surf that affects more exposed Caribbean beaches.
- Ten restaurants for 257 rooms is a high ratio, resulting in shorter waits and more consistent kitchen quality than larger Sandals properties.
- Five-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Sandals chain — no long bus rides after a redeye.
- SkyPool suites with private infinity plunge pools are architecturally distinctive and not replicated at most other properties.
- PADI scuba diving up to two dives/day is included — at $80–100 per dive externally, this adds real value for certified divers.
- The property's smaller, quieter personality makes it work well for couples who want intimacy over high-energy activity.
Summary
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has a higher guest rating, while Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino has more restaurants, while Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino is the larger property, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa offers more activities.