Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island
Our Rating
9.8
7.9
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
267
404
Restaurants
8
10
Pools
4
8
Year Opened
2003
1995
Year Renovated
2015
2022
Features
Metric
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island
All-Inclusive
Yes
Yes
Adults Only
No
Yes
Beach Access
Yes
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Kids Club
Yes
No
Dining Comparison
Metric
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island
Total Venues
9
21
Included
9
21
Extra Charge
0
0
Room Comparison
Metric
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island
Room Categories
12
11
Suite Categories
11
9
Activities Comparison
Metric
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island
Total Activities
23
20
Included
21
19
Extra Charge
2
1
Pros & Cons
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Pros
AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star simultaneously — one of the most decorated all-inclusive resorts in Mexico
Suites start at 1,000 sq ft with private terraces, ocean views, and 24-hour butler concierge — the entry level here exceeds most competitors' premium categories
Premium spirits, wines, and 24-hour room service are fully included — not standard at most all-inclusives, even premium ones
Banderas Bay is swimmable — actual ocean swimming possible, unlike Los Cabos Pacific corridor properties
Cons
Pool lounger competition peaks by 8 AM in high season (December through March) — early rising is required for preferred positions
Some ocean view suites have partial obstructions from palm trees or the Selva del Mar restaurant building — ask at booking about specific suite positioning
Piaf and Frida fill up during high season — book before arrival rather than assuming walk-in availability
Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island
Pros
Sandals Barefoot Cay is a genuinely private offshore island — the snorkeling off the reef and the Goombay swim-up bar in open Caribbean water are experiences unavailable at most Caribbean resorts
15 minutes from Nassau International Airport — one of the shortest Sandals transfers
The 2022 renovation is recent enough that all facilities are in current condition
Nassau's broader tourism infrastructure — historic harbor, Paradise Island, Atlantis — is accessible for guests wanting off-resort days
The Bahamas has excellent visibility for scuba diving — some of the clearest Caribbean waters
Cons
Barefoot Cay access is weather-dependent — high winds cancel the boat, and this can happen unpredictably
Competition for pool loungers and dining reservations is a consistent guest complaint — early morning reservation is essential
Service quality is inconsistent — some interactions are excellent, others fall short of the luxury price point
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island has more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.
