Sandals Royal Barbados vs Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort
Sandals Resorts vs Secrets Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 222 | 278 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 7 |
| Pools | 11 | 5 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 2021 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 30 |
| Included | 26 | 30 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 8 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 8 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 26 |
| Included | 18 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 7 |
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
Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort
Pros
- The Sordo Madaleno architecture gives this property a design identity most all-inclusives lack — the rooftop infinity pool layout in particular is well-executed.
- Free-flow access to Dreams Bahia Mita next door meaningfully extends dining variety on a multi-night stay.
- Introductory surf lessons included in the plan is an uncommon perk that suits the Punta Mita location.
- Whale watching on Banderas Bay (December–March) is a genuine seasonal activity worth planning a trip around.
- The Preferred Club hydrotherapy circuit access is a built-in value if you'd otherwise pay for spa access separately.
Cons
- Banderas Bay is not a calm Caribbean swimming beach — some days the surf makes conditions rough for casual swimmers who expected flat water.
- The property's upscale Punta Mita location means limited local wandering; reaching Puerto Vallarta for cultural experiences requires a ~45-minute taxi.
Summary
Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort is the larger property, while Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort has more dining venues, while Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort offers more activities.