Hotel Riu Palace Oasis vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Riu Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Oasis | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.5 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 310 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 3 | 21 |
| Pools | 4 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2018 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Oasis | 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 Oasis | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 8 | 26 |
| Included | 6 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Oasis | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 9 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 2 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Oasis | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 27 | 24 |
| Included | 16 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 11 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Hotel Riu Palace Oasis
Pros
- 1,000+ palm trees provide real shade across the property — this materially changes the outdoor comfort level in summer
- Direct Maspalomas Beach access with no dune walk required — better beach logistics than nearby competing properties
- Full rebuild in 2018 means the physical condition of rooms and infrastructure is better than older Canary Island competitors
- Adults-only swim-up rooms with private pools are a genuine premium option, not just a marketing tier
Cons
- Half-board means drinks and lunch are extra charges — full-day pool guests face significant additional costs
- Mixed family and adults environment despite adults-only room categories — not a clean adults-only hotel
- Specialty restaurants (Krystal, Botánico) open select evenings only — limited booking windows for short stays
- Poolside snack bar charges separately — most snacking outside meal periods adds to the bill
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
Hotel Riu Palace Oasis has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Palace Oasis is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Hotel Riu Palace Oasis offers more activities.