Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Our Rating
8.0
8.2
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
500
222
Restaurants
8
21
Pools
3
11
Year Opened
2018
2017
Year Renovated
2019
2021
Features
Metric
Hilton Playa del Carmen, 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 Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Total Venues
16
26
Included
16
26
Extra Charge
0
0
Room Comparison
Metric
Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Room Categories
8
12
Suite Categories
8
12
Activities Comparison
Metric
Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort
Sandals Royal Barbados
Total Activities
29
24
Included
26
18
Extra Charge
3
6
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 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
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adults Only Resort offers more activities.
