Rixos Borovoe vs Sandals Royal Barbados
Rixos Hotels vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Rixos Borovoe | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.7 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 200 | 222 |
| Restaurants | 6 | 21 |
| Pools | 3 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2012 | 2017 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Rixos Borovoe | 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 Borovoe | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 10 | 26 |
| Included | 1 | 26 |
| Extra Charge | 9 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Rixos Borovoe | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 15 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 7 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Rixos Borovoe | Sandals Royal Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 22 | 24 |
| Included | 10 | 18 |
| Extra Charge | 12 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Rixos Borovoe
Pros
- The only Rixos all-inclusive in a national park—Borovoe's pine forests and Lake Shchuchye are genuinely worth a dedicated trip for the right guest.
- Hammam and Finnish sauna included in the base rate, not treated as an upsell—meaningful in a cold-weather destination.
- Winter activity program (skiing, ice skating, sledging) extends the resort's appeal beyond the standard summer season.
Cons
- Four of the specialty restaurants are extra-cost à la carte—the all-inclusive label covers only the L'Olivo buffet for main meals.
- Kazakhstan's first wake park and most adventure activities (rope park, horseback riding, go-karts) carry additional charges.
- Astana airport is 287 km away—plan the transfer in advance; options are not as developed as in Western resort markets.
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 Borovoe has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Barbados is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.