Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Riu Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 694 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 21 |
| Pools | 4 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2016 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 18 | 26 |
| Included | 18 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 30 | 24 |
| Included | 14 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 16 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas
Pros
- Bombay Indian restaurant is genuinely unusual in the Cabo all-inclusive market and well-executed.
- Land's End Arch views from El Medano Beach — one of the most photographed landmarks in Mexico.
- Swim-up junior suites for adults provide private pool access without the crowds.
- Complimentary Splash Water World compensates for the non-swimmable beach situation.
- Six specialty restaurants provides dinner variety across a week-long stay.
Cons
- El Medano Beach is non-swimmable — strong Pacific surf prohibits ocean swimming directly from the resort. This needs to be understood before booking.
- 40–50 minute transfer from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).
- 692 rooms means peak-period crowds at pools and buffet.
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 Cabo San Lucas is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas offers more activities.