Marival Distinct All-Suites & World Spa Handwritten Collection
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Our Rating
9.2
9.1
Star Rating
4.5
5.0
Room Count
169
257
Restaurants
5
10
Pools
5
5
Year Opened
—
2013
Year Renovated
—
2013
Features
Metric
Marival Distinct All-Suites & World Spa Handwritten Collection
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
All-Inclusive
Yes
Yes
Adults Only
No
Yes
Beach Access
Yes
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Kids Club
Yes
No
Dining Comparison
Metric
Marival Distinct All-Suites & World Spa Handwritten Collection
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Venues
11
18
Included
8
17
Extra Charge
3
1
Room Comparison
Metric
Marival Distinct All-Suites & World Spa Handwritten Collection
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Room Categories
14
10
Suite Categories
10
6
Activities Comparison
Metric
Marival Distinct All-Suites & World Spa Handwritten Collection
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Activities
17
25
Included
14
22
Extra Charge
3
3
Pros & Cons
Marival Distinct All-Suites & World Spa Handwritten Collection
Pros
Entry-level suites start at 1,410 sq ft — guests who find standard hotel rooms confining get genuine residential space at the base category
Access to adjacent Marival Emotions' facilities gives a 169-residence property a functional activity and dining roster comparable to a much larger resort
Cocina de Autor is the most ambitious gastronomic restaurant among Nuevo Vallarta all-inclusives — the tasting menu justifies the designation
Cons
The World Spa charges extra on top of an already premium all-inclusive rate — spa-focused travelers should budget for treatments separately
Bay of Banderas Pacific water lacks the turquoise clarity of Caribbean or Baja resorts — manage expectations for guests focused on ocean appearance
At this price tier and room size, the property attracts guests expecting the highest service standards — staff inconsistencies during busy periods stand out more than they would at a volume resort
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Pros
Pink Gin Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable — sheltered cove geometry prevents the choppy surf that affects more exposed Caribbean beaches.
Ten restaurants for 257 rooms is a high ratio, resulting in shorter waits and more consistent kitchen quality than larger Sandals properties.
Five-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Sandals chain — no long bus rides after a redeye.
SkyPool suites with private infinity plunge pools are architecturally distinctive and not replicated at most other properties.
PADI scuba diving up to two dives/day is included — at $80–100 per dive externally, this adds real value for certified divers.
The property's smaller, quieter personality makes it work well for couples who want intimacy over high-energy activity.
Cons
The Sandals app reservation system is unreliable — restaurants show as fully booked while tables are available, and closures go unannounced.
Summary
Marival Distinct All-Suites & World Spa Handwritten Collection has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more restaurants, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa is the larger property, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa offers more activities.
"Partial ocean view" and even some "ocean view" rooms deliver disappointing sightlines — verify the specific building and floor before booking.
Butler Elite categories represent a meaningful price jump; the value is clearest for guests who actually use 24-hour room service and prefer to delegate planning.
Beach lounger availability at the South Seas pool requires early claiming (pre-8:30 AM on busy weeks) — not ideal for late risers.
Older sections of the property show maintenance wear relative to the newer Italian village buildings.
