Iberostar Grand Amazon vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Iberostar Grand Amazon | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.1 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 75 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 21 |
| Pools | 2 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2005 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2024 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Iberostar Grand Amazon | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Grand Amazon | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 4 | 26 |
| Included | 4 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Grand Amazon | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 4 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Grand Amazon | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 21 | 24 |
| Included | 21 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Iberostar Grand Amazon
Pros
- Excursion guides consistently receive exceptional reviews for knowledge, enthusiasm, and multilingual ability
- All-inclusive program covers meals, drinks, and every guided excursion — no unexpected costs
- Every cabin has a private balcony for watching the jungle pass at any hour
- Food quality, especially Amazonian dinner service, is a genuine highlight for a cruise vessel
- Ability to access places and experiences unreachable by land-based resorts
Cons
- House wine quality is noticeably lower than the rest of the all-inclusive program
- Some balcony doors don't seal or lock securely — a known structural issue on certain cabins
- Gym is genuinely small; serious fitness routines aren't feasible
- Humidity builds up quickly if air conditioning is switched off
- Third-party booking platforms have caused communication issues; book direct
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
Iberostar Grand Amazon has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Barbados is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.