Guayarmina Princess (Only Adults +16) vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Princess Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Guayarmina Princess (Only Adults +16) | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 505 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 3 | 21 |
| Pools | 3 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1988 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2018 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Guayarmina Princess (Only Adults +16) | 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 | Guayarmina Princess (Only Adults +16) | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 26 |
| Included | 6 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Guayarmina Princess (Only Adults +16) | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 3 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Guayarmina Princess (Only Adults +16) | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 29 | 24 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 12 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Guayarmina Princess (Only Adults +16)
Pros
- Direct Fañabé Beach access and promenade proximity make this the most walkable of Costa Adeje's all-inclusive options — guests can leave the resort easily without organizing an excursion
- Adults-only (16+) creates a genuinely quieter atmosphere than the family-heavy resorts neighboring it on the Tenerife coast
- Year-round Canary Islands climate with clear days and stable temperatures makes seasonal booking less critical than at Mediterranean resorts
Cons
- Buffet hot food temperatures are inconsistently maintained — guest feedback is consistent about this; eat closer to opening time for best results
- Noise from adjacent hotel's cooling installations affects specific room locations — request a room away from the east/northeast side when booking
- Air conditioning quality has been noted as variable across different room categories
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 a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Guayarmina Princess (Only Adults +16) is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Guayarmina Princess (Only Adults +16) offers more activities.