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
Sani Club
Pros
Quieter, lower-density atmosphere than Sani Beach — the olive grove setting and bungalow format give the property a different character than standard hotel resort buildings
Rooms fully renovated in 2026 — the physical accommodations are in current condition
The Club Spa has 8 treatment rooms, a couples' suite with private steam bath, and a full thermal circuit including Turkish hammam — a more complete spa facility than most family resort spas
Junior spa treatments for guests aged 12–16 are specifically structured rather than just applying adult menus to younger guests
Blue Flag private beach with complimentary sunbeds and lower crowd density than Sani Beach given the smaller room count
Cons
Beverages are not included in any board plan — drinks are additional at every meal and throughout the day, which accumulates quickly for families
Summary
Sani Club has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sani Club is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sani Club offers more activities.
Dine Around program has per-meal credit limits — guests on half or full board may exceed the credit allocation at more expensive resort restaurants
Getting to many activities (Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, Chelsea FC Academy, treetop park, Garden Theatre) requires taking the resort shuttle rather than walking
Some guests report inconsistent delivery on baby equipment requests — communicate all specific needs explicitly at the time of booking, not on arrival
