Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Riu Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.8 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 538 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 21 |
| Pools | 4 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2019 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica | 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 Costa Rica | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 13 | 26 |
| Included | 13 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 26 | 24 |
| Included | 20 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
Pros
- 20-minute transfer from LIR airport — among the shortest Guanacaste resort transfers available.
- Tokio's teppanyaki option is a genuinely distinctive dining experience within the all-inclusive format.
- Complimentary Splash Water World access at Riu Guanacaste is a strong family amenity.
- Two spa relaxation pools (complimentary) are unusual for this property tier.
Cons
- Some rooms and facility areas remain dated despite the 2019 renovation.
- Matapalo Beach has rocky sections in some areas — not uniformly smooth sand entry.
- Four specialty restaurants with no reservation system means early-arrival queuing is necessary.
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 Palace Costa Rica is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica offers more activities.