Paradisus Los Cayos vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Paradisus by Meliá vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Paradisus Los Cayos | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 802 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 12 | 21 |
| Pools | 32 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2018 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2018 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Paradisus Los Cayos | 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 | Paradisus Los Cayos | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 26 |
| Included | 26 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Paradisus Los Cayos | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Paradisus Los Cayos | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 24 |
| Included | 19 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 5 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Paradisus Los Cayos
Pros
- Cayo Santa María's beach is among Cuba's finest — genuinely calm, clear water with white sand.
- 30 swim-up pools tied to ground-floor rooms is a strong structural feature rarely matched elsewhere in Cuba.
- Introductory scuba diving included in the all-inclusive rate — uncommon and worth using.
- Cuban cultural programming (salsa lessons, nightly shows) has more authenticity than at most resort circuits.
- Royal Service adults-only zone offers meaningful exclusivity — butler, private pool, dedicated restaurant.
Cons
- Main buffet (Naos) receives consistently mixed reviews — Cuba's import constraints directly affect variety and quality.
- The 110km transfer from Abel Santamaría Airport (SNU) takes 1h37m one-way — budget extra transfer time.
- Room service is only available to The Reserve and Royal Service guests — standard rooms have no in-room dining option.
- Specialty restaurants require formal dress, which many guests find incongruous with a beach all-inclusive.
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
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Paradisus Los Cayos is the larger property.
