Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Our Rating
8.0
9.1
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
500
257
Restaurants
8
10
Pools
3
5
Year Opened
2018
2013
Year Renovated
2019
2013
Features
Metric
Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
All-Inclusive
Yes
Yes
Adults Only
Yes
Yes
Beach Access
Yes
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Kids Club
No
No
Dining Comparison
Metric
Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Venues
16
18
Included
16
17
Extra Charge
0
1
Room Comparison
Metric
Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Room Categories
8
10
Suite Categories
8
6
Activities Comparison
Metric
Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Activities
29
25
Included
26
22
Extra Charge
3
3
Pros & Cons
Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Pros
All 524 accommodations are suites — the in-room whirlpool tub comes standard at the entry level, not as an upgrade.
Fifth Avenue is one block away: the best pedestrian shopping, taco spots, and nightlife in Playa del Carmen are genuinely walkable from the resort.
Booking a single spa treatment unlocks daily hydrotherapy circuit access (sauna, hot/cold plunge, steam) for the length of the stay.
The $20M renovation was completed in 2019 — rooms and public areas are current, not dated.
Cons
All specialty dinner restaurants require reservations, with some specifying formal dress. Guests who arrive without reservations are turned away at peak times — book everything at check-in.
The beach has documented seasonal seaweed and rocky water entry — the pools are the reliable swimming option, and the beach itself is primarily for sunbathing.
Pool cabanas at the main pools cost extra; beach cabanas are complimentary — the difference is not obvious at booking.
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.
Cons
The Sandals app reservation system is unreliable — restaurants show as fully booked while tables are available, and closures go unannounced.
Summary
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more restaurants, while Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort is the larger property, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort offers more activities.
"Partial ocean view" and even some "ocean view" rooms deliver disappointing sightlines — verify the specific building and floor before booking.
Butler Elite categories represent a meaningful price jump; the value is clearest for guests who actually use 24-hour room service and prefer to delegate planning.
Beach lounger availability at the South Seas pool requires early claiming (pre-8:30 AM on busy weeks) — not ideal for late risers.
Older sections of the property show maintenance wear relative to the newer Italian village buildings.
