Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Rixos Hotels vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 466 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 21 |
| Pools | 8 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | 2025 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah | 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 | Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 20 | 26 |
| Included | 17 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 3 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 5 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 24 |
| Included | 17 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 8 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah
Pros
- Lalezar has won Best Hotel Restaurant in Ras Al Khaimah consecutively—the mezze and slow-cooked meats are genuinely worth a dedicated evening.
- Ultra All-Inclusive includes premium branded alcohol—meaningful in the UAE where many all-inclusives serve only soft drinks.
- Rixy Kids Club operates until 10pm, which enables proper adult dinners without rushed timing.
Cons
- Aja (pan-Asian) only opens Friday–Saturday—limited access to one of the more interesting restaurants on property.
- UAE law sets the drinking age at 21; guests 18–20 cannot order alcohol even under the all-inclusive rate.
- 60-minute drive from Dubai International Airport means meaningful transfer costs and time for guests flying into DXB.
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 Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah offers more activities.