Paradisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Paradisus by Meliá vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Paradisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 630 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 9 | 21 |
| Pools | 9 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2006 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Paradisus Princesa del Mar 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 | Paradisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 21 | 26 |
| Included | 21 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Paradisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 11 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Paradisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 17 | 24 |
| Included | 13 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Paradisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa
Pros
- The lagoon pool complex is among Varadero's best — multiple connected sections with hydromassage areas separate the social and quiet zones effectively
- Royal Service tier insulates guests from Cuba's typical all-inclusive service inconsistencies — dedicated restaurants, beach area, and concierge operate at a noticeably higher standard
- Staff quality receives unusually strong praise for a Cuban property — multiple reviews cite specific staff members by name as exceptional
Cons
- Main buffet variety is limited even by Cuban resort standards — specialty restaurant reservations are more important here than at Paradisus properties in Mexico or the Dominican Republic
- The property size is large and navigating between Royal Service and standard areas requires planning — some guests feel the distances are inconvenient
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 Paradisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.