Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Our Rating
8.2
8.2
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
356
222
Restaurants
5
21
Pools
4
11
Year Opened
2018
2017
Year Renovated
2019
2021
Features
Metric
Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
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
Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Total Venues
22
26
Included
22
26
Extra Charge
0
0
Room Comparison
Metric
Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Room Categories
11
12
Suite Categories
1
12
Activities Comparison
Metric
Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Total Activities
32
24
Included
27
18
Extra Charge
5
6
Pros & Cons
Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Pros
Chinola restaurant's passion fruit cocktails and grilled fish are genuinely distinctive — the beachfront Dominican-cuisine dining is the best single-restaurant experience on the property.
Bayahibe Bay's Blue Flag beach has calmer and clearer water than the Punta Cana coastline — a meaningful upgrade for guests who prioritize swimming quality.
The Enclave upgrade delivers its clearest value at the pool and beach — a private section with butler service that makes the resort feel substantially smaller and quieter.
The Drift Away Spa at 21,000 sq ft is one of the more substantial spa facilities in the Caribbean all-inclusive sector.
Cons
No elevators in the three-story buildings — a significant inconvenience for guests with mobility limitations or heavy luggage. Request first-floor rooms at booking, not just check-in.
Bookings through third-party sites may not earn Hilton Honors points — the resort operates under Playa Resorts management, which affects the Hilton loyalty program relationship.
Timeshare sales presentations are reported by multiple guests as aggressive — politely declining at check-in is easier than trying to extract yourself mid-pitch.
Uber and external transport services have restricted access to the resort entrance — arrange official transfers before arrival.
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
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort offers more activities.
