Majestic Colonial Punta Cana vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Majestic Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 658 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 7 | 21 |
| Pools | 7 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2005 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2017 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana | 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 | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 20 | 26 |
| Included | 20 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 10 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 10 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Majestic Colonial Punta Cana | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 27 | 24 |
| Included | 20 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Majestic Colonial Punta Cana
Pros
- The Colonial Club butler service creates a genuinely different experience from the main section — butlers handle restaurant reservations and special requests before you need to ask
- Arena Gorda beach is one of the better maintained sections of Playa Bávaro — wide, regularly cleaned, and the water is clear
- The evening entertainment program is better produced than most comparably priced properties in Punta Cana
Cons
- Pool bar and main restaurant waits are noticeably long during peak hours (noon-4 PM) in the family section — this is a 658-room resort and the staffing shows it
- The 2017 renovation updated some rooms but not all — request recently renovated rooms at check-in or book via an agent who can flag the better inventory
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 Majestic Colonial Punta Cana is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Majestic Colonial Punta Cana offers more activities.