Occidental Nuevo Vallarta vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Occidental Hotels vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | — | 222 |
| Restaurants | 5 | 21 |
| Pools | 3 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2011 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta | 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 | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 26 |
| Included | 7 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 3 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Occidental Nuevo Vallarta | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 24 |
| Included | 18 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Occidental Nuevo Vallarta
Pros
- The Bay of Banderas beach is genuinely calmer and more swimmable than most Pacific Mexico beaches — a consistent top reason guests re-book this specific resort.
- The Royal Level pool's exclusivity works in practice — smaller crowd, premium bar, hot tub access without the main pool traffic.
Cons
- Specialty restaurant reservations fill fast and access is restricted per stay length for non-Royal Level guests — without the upgrade, you may not get all three specialty dinners on a 5-night stay.
- Lobby bar seating is reported as uncomfortable in some areas — request the front desk to note specific seating preferences when booking.
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 a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Occidental Nuevo Vallarta offers more activities.