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 Dunes
Pros
The Dine Around program across 26 Sani Resort restaurants is a genuine differentiator — most resorts in Greece don't offer this kind of culinary range within the plan.
The 3,500 sq m heated lagoon pool is the largest in Greece and doesn't feel crowded outside of peak July-August weeks.
Branded activity academies (Rafa Nadal Tennis, Chelsea FC Football) are rare additions to a beach resort and have real coaching pedigree.
Beach service quality is high — 4m of spacing per umbrella, refreshment delivery, and the Babewatch childcare option are premium touches.
The Kassandra Peninsula location offers quieter, forested surroundings compared to busier Greek island party destinations.
Cons
Families with children under 4 will need to pay extra for crèche services — and this resort overall skews adult/teen rather than young-family focused.
Summary
Sani Dunes 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 Sani Dunes offers more activities.
The Dine Around program has nuance: some à la carte selections require a meal allowance top-up beyond what Half Board covers.
Branded academies, most water sports, and cultural classes all add meaningfully to the total trip cost — the base rate doesn't reflect what most guests actually spend.
The resort operates seasonally; the shoulder season window narrows the experience significantly (some pools and kids' programs only run June–August).
