Hotel Riu Cancun vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Riu Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Hotel Riu Cancun | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 569 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 21 |
| Pools | 4 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2014 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Hotel Riu Cancun | 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 | Hotel Riu Cancun | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 13 | 26 |
| Included | 13 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Cancun | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 4 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Cancun | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 24 |
| Included | 22 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 3 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Hotel Riu Cancun
Pros
- Pacha discotheque entry and drinks are included — rare for this price tier in Cancun.
- Exchange privileges with other Riu Cancun properties and Riu Party access with transportation expands the entertainment options significantly.
- Three pools including a swim-up infinity pool with Caribbean views.
- Diverse specialty restaurant lineup (Asian, Italian, Gourmet, Steakhouse) included in the all-inclusive.
- Adults-only since late 2024 — the party atmosphere now has a cleaner, more consistent audience.
Cons
- Sunbed reservation culture is endemic and not policed — plan early mornings or use the beach.
- Main buffet quality is variable — some guests report inconsistent freshness, especially at dinner.
- Formal dress codes at specialty restaurants require planning ahead when you only packed casual clothes.
- An environmental tax is charged separately at check-in — it's not large but confirm the amount.
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 Hotel Riu Cancun is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Hotel Riu Cancun offers more activities.