Hotel Riu Palace Tenerife vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Riu Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Tenerife | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 364 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 3 | 21 |
| Pools | 5 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2015 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Tenerife | 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 Palace Tenerife | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 9 | 26 |
| Included | 9 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Tenerife | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Hotel Riu Palace Tenerife | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 21 | 24 |
| Included | 13 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 8 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Hotel Riu Palace Tenerife
Pros
- Adults-only beachfront infinity pool is a distinct amenity — physically separate from the main complex, facing the ocean.
- Playa del Duque's breakwaters make swimming more reliable than exposed southern Tenerife beaches.
- Poolside Spanish Restaurant is the most contextually appropriate specialty option for a Spanish island property.
- Five pools including indoor and children's pools — all main pools heated in winter for year-round use.
- Physiotherapy available in the spa — unusual for an all-inclusive, useful for guests with specific needs.
Cons
- 334 rooms means a limited specialty restaurant rotation — only two à la carte options (Krystal and Poolside Spanish).
- Playa del Duque's volcanic black sand is characteristic of Tenerife but may disappoint guests expecting white-sand Caribbean beaches.
- No RiuLand kids' club — families with children 4–12 wanting a structured program will find this property lacking.
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 Tenerife has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Hotel Riu Palace Tenerife is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.