Iberostar Selection Creta Marine vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Creta Marine | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 361 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 9 | 21 |
| Pools | 5 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1989 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2024 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Creta Marine | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Creta Marine | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 14 | 26 |
| Included | 13 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Creta Marine | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 15 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Creta Marine | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 15 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 8 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Iberostar Selection Creta Marine
Pros
- The 2024 full rebuild means everything is genuinely new — rooms, restaurants, and common areas all rebuilt from scratch rather than incrementally updated
- Three private coves give a varied and secluded beach experience that open-access beach properties cannot replicate
- The Vegghera Cretan Tavern with locally sourced ingredients is a legitimate reason to eat there — especially if the Irini Tzortzoglou guest menu is running during your stay
Cons
- All-inclusive guests have limited complimentary visits to the specialty restaurants — this limit is not prominently advertised and surprises guests who expect unlimited access
- Cove beaches are smaller and more varied in terrain than many guests expect; if flat wide sandy beach is non-negotiable, this is not the right property
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 more restaurants, while Iberostar Selection Creta Marine is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.