Sandals Royal Barbados vs Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Sandals Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 9.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 222 | 74 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 5 |
| Pools | 11 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 1997 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2010 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 9 |
| Included | 26 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 7 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 27 |
| Included | 18 | 23 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 4 |
Pros & Cons
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
Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Pros
- All 74 rooms have ocean views and a dedicated butler — there's no inferior room category to accidentally book.
- The exchange program to Sandals Ochi and Sandals Dunn's River means you have access to 33 restaurants from a single base.
- The two-cove beach layout separates water sports from quiet swimming without any conflict between the two.
Cons
- Some rooms show their age from the 2010 renovation cycle — request recently updated rooms if this matters to you.
- On-site dining tops out at 5 restaurants; guests who don't use the exchange shuttles may feel the options are thin by day 4.
- Golf at Upton Estate includes green fees but mandatory caddies add a cost that surprises guests who don't research this in advance.
Summary
Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica 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 Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica offers more activities.