Brand-new construction with no deferred maintenance issues common in older Aruba resorts
Eagle Beach location is genuinely exceptional — wide, uncrowded compared to Palm Beach, calm water
Spa scale is unusual for Aruba — 7 cabins and a full hydrotherapy circuit in one place
Swim-out suites consistently receive the strongest reviews of any room category
Breakfast buffet quality and variety is among the most praised aspects of the property
Cons
Service pace runs slow — what staff describe as 'island time' is real and affects restaurant and housekeeping speed
All-inclusive plan is essential — food and drink prices without it are high even by Aruba standards
Beach chairs run out by 9–9:30 AM in peak season; there's no guaranteed chair policy
Rooftop pool occasionally closes for private events without advance notice to general guests
Bill errors have been reported at checkout — review your itemized charges before leaving
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
Summary
Iberostar Grand Aruba has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Iberostar Grand Aruba is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.
