Sandals Royal Barbados vs Sandos Benidorm Suites
Sandals Resorts vs Sandos Hotels & Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Benidorm Suites |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Room Count | 222 | 200 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 2 |
| Pools | 11 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 1975 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2017 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Benidorm Suites |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Benidorm Suites |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 7 |
| Included | 26 | 7 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Benidorm Suites |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 4 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 4 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sandos Benidorm Suites |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 21 |
| Included | 18 | 16 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 5 |
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
Sandos Benidorm Suites
Pros
- All-suite format means every room has a separate living area — a practical upgrade over standard hotel rooms at the same price point.
- The 70s/80s/90s music entertainment is the most consistent and well-executed theme in the building — guests who like this era find the evenings genuinely fun.
- Khas Mahal Indian restaurant is one of the better specialty dining options among Benidorm all-inclusives.
Cons
- Neither main pool is heated — visiting October–April means cold pool water unless you use the Sandos Monaco spa circuit.
- The 15-minute walk to the main Levante Beach area is slightly uphill on return — a minor but recurring mention in guest reviews.
- Food variety becomes repetitive on longer stays; guests staying over 5 nights consistently note this.
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados 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.