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
Secrets Aura Cozumel
Pros
The only adults-only all-inclusive on Cozumel — no competition for this niche on the island.
Reef snorkeling directly from the beach is genuinely excellent; underwater visibility and coral quality surpasses most mainland Riviera Maya beaches.
Cross-resort access to Sunscape Sabor Cozumel and Dreams Cozumel adds meaningful dining and pool variety for week-long stays.
Sky Bar sunset views are the best vantage point on the western shore without leaving the resort.
Cozumel airport is 20 minutes away — one of the shortest airport transfers of any Secrets property.
Cons
Standard rooms show the age of a 2007 property — broken fixtures, inconsistent hot water, and dated bathrooms appear in multiple guest reviews.
Food quality is inconsistent: cold dishes arriving at themed restaurants and limited variety at the buffet are recurring complaints.
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Secrets Aura Cozumel is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues.
Preferred Club upgrade value is debated — some guests find the perks do not justify the price difference over standard rooms.
The Secrets Spa is located at the neighboring Sunscape property, not on-site — a minor inconvenience for guests who want to walk directly from their room.
