Palm Island Resort & Spa vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Elite Island Resorts vs Sandals Resorts— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Palm Island Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 43 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 2 | 21 |
| Pools | 1 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 1968 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 1999 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Palm Island Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Palm Island Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 5 | 26 |
| Included | 5 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Palm Island Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 6 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Palm Island Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 32 | 24 |
| Included | 25 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Palm Island Resort & Spa
Pros
- Pre-closure, the staff-to-guest ratio was among the best in the Caribbean — with only 41 rooms, the team learned every guest's name and preferences within hours
- Five beaches around a private island means different exposures and completely uncrowded conditions even at full occupancy
- The Grenadines reef systems are among the Caribbean's healthiest — snorkeling directly off the resort beaches is genuinely rewarding
Cons
- The resort is closed following complete destruction by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 — do not book until official reopening is confirmed
- Getting here requires a connecting flight to Union Island (via Barbados or St. Vincent), then a 5-minute boat transfer — logistics deter casual travelers and inflate total trip cost
- Pre-closure, the deliberate absence of TVs and in-room phones was policy, not an amenity gap — not suited to guests who want connectivity
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 Sandals Royal Barbados is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Palm Island Resort & Spa offers more activities.