Iberostar Selection Playa Mita vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Playa Mita | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 452 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 21 |
| Pools | 3 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2013 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Playa Mita | 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 Playa Mita | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 26 |
| Included | 15 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Playa Mita | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 10 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 6 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Playa Mita | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 26 | 24 |
| Included | 15 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 11 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Iberostar Selection Playa Mita
Pros
- Huichol and Cora cultural integration with 100% locally sourced design materials gives the resort genuine regional character
- Pacific coast conditions enable surfing and bodyboarding unavailable at Caribbean all-inclusives
- Climate-controlled Aqua Fun water park operates comfortably even on the hottest afternoons
- Two-level infinity pool is one of the largest and most distinctive pool designs among Pacific Mexico resorts
Cons
- Some rooms show maintenance issues and signs of age — review specific room categories before booking and request recently refreshed units
- 80 km from Puerto Vallarta airport means a 45-minute minimum transfer — longer than Riviera Maya alternatives for most North American travelers
- Pacific beach conditions are choppier in afternoons than Caribbean equivalents — morning beach time is more reliably swimmable
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 Playa Mita is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Iberostar Selection Playa Mita offers more activities.