Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 536 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 21 |
| Pools | 7 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2008 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2016 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte | 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 Praia do Forte | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 15 | 26 |
| Included | 15 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 10 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 6 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 24 |
| Included | 18 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte
Pros
- TAMAR sea turtle conservation project operates on-site — the most distinctive eco-tourism engagement available at any Iberostar property
- Five specialty à la carte restaurants including Odoiá, the only restaurant in this portfolio serving traditional Bahian cuisine
- Spa Kids and Spa Baby treatment programs are genuinely rare amenities not available at comparable all-inclusives
- P.B. Dye 18-hole golf course with nine ocean-view holes is among the better course designs attached to a Brazilian resort
Cons
- Sprawling grounds create significant walking distances — guests with mobility limitations should request rooms near main facilities at check-in
- Irregular paved surfaces in some areas make navigation difficult for wheelchairs or guests with limited mobility
- Specialty restaurant reservations are competitive — guests report difficulty booking preferred options mid-stay without early action
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 Praia do Forte is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues.