Rixos Bab Al Bahr vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Rixos Hotels vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Rixos Bab Al Bahr | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.6 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 650 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 7 | 21 |
| Pools | 8 | 11 |
| Year Opened | — | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Rixos Bab Al Bahr | 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 Bab Al Bahr | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 18 | 26 |
| Included | 16 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 2 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Rixos Bab Al Bahr | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 11 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 7 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Rixos Bab Al Bahr | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 19 | 24 |
| Included | 13 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Rixos Bab Al Bahr
Pros
- Ultra All-Inclusive genuinely includes premium branded alcohol—significant in the UAE market where many competitors serve soft drinks only.
- Rixy Kids Club operates until 10pm—meaningful for parents who want dinner time without children's club closing pressure.
- Turkish hammam in the Avitane Spa is the most authentic spa offering in the area given Rixos's Turkish heritage.
Cons
- Aja (pan-Asian) opens only Thursday–Saturday—three evenings per week for one of the more interesting restaurants on property.
- Alcoholic beverages restricted to guests 21+ per UAE law—guests aged 18–20 pay the full all-inclusive rate but cannot access alcohol.
- 60-minute drive from Dubai International Airport; for guests flying into DXB, transfer costs and time are meaningful.
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
Rixos Bab Al Bahr has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Rixos Bab Al Bahr is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.