Hotel Riu Palace Boavista vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Riu Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Boavista | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 484 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 4 | 21 |
| Pools | 4 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Boavista | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Boavista | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 11 | 26 |
| Included | 11 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Boavista | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 0 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Boavista | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 18 | 24 |
| Included | 14 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Hotel Riu Palace Boavista
Pros
- Adults-only swim-up pool rooms are a genuinely distinctive accommodation category — private in-pool access is unusual in the all-inclusive market.
- 8–10 minute airport transfer (1.5km from BVC) is among the shortest of any resort destination globally.
- Boa Vista is less developed than other Cape Verde islands — the isolation is an asset for guests seeking genuine quiet.
- Two swim-up bar pools provides variety across the day.
- Five massage rooms in the spa means better treatment availability than most properties of this size.
Cons
- Boa Vista's isolation is also a limitation — there's minimal off-property culture, shopping, or dining.
- Trade winds that make windsurfing excellent also make the beach feel windy and blow sand — not for everyone.
- Specialty restaurants operate on fixed two-sitting system — if both sittings are full, there's no flexibility.
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 more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Palace Boavista is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.