Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 437 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 3 | 21 |
| Pools | 5 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1989 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2025 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace | 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 | Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 12 | 26 |
| Included | 11 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 0 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 24 |
| Included | 15 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 8 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace
Pros
- 2025 renovation means facilities are genuinely current — no dated infrastructure issues
- Jandía Beach is less congested than beaches in northern Fuerteventura resort zones
- On-demand night childcare (ages 2-12) is a rare amenity that significantly improves evening flexibility for families
- Fuerteventura's consistent trade winds make kitesurfing and windsurfing available here at a genuinely high level
- Star Prestige private pool and restaurant creates effective adults-only separation within the family-friendly property
Cons
- 80–86 km from Fuerteventura airport means a 1–2 hour transfer — the longest standard transfer of any Iberostar Canary Islands property
- Fuerteventura's afternoon wind can limit beach comfort; mornings are consistently more suitable for swimming and lounging
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 Selection Fuerteventura Palace has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.