Sandals Royal Barbados vs Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, by AMR Collection, an All-Inclusive Resort by Hilton: Which is Better? (2026) | Resort Flock
Sandals Royal Barbados vs Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, by AMR Collection, an All-Inclusive Resort by Hilton
Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, by AMR Collection, an All-Inclusive Resort by Hilton
Our Rating
8.2
8.4
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
222
198
Restaurants
21
14
Pools
11
4
Year Opened
2017
2021
Year Renovated
2021
—
Features
Metric
Sandals Royal Barbados
Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, by AMR Collection, an All-Inclusive Resort by Hilton
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 Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, by AMR Collection, an All-Inclusive Resort by Hilton
Total Venues
26
24
Included
26
23
Extra Charge
0
1
Room Comparison
Metric
Sandals Royal Barbados
Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, by AMR Collection, an All-Inclusive Resort by Hilton
Room Categories
12
6
Suite Categories
12
5
Activities Comparison
Metric
Sandals Royal Barbados
Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, by AMR Collection, an All-Inclusive Resort by Hilton
Total Activities
24
24
Included
18
20
Extra Charge
6
4
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 Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, by AMR Collection, an All-Inclusive Resort by Hilton
Pros
Butler service is genuinely responsive — guests report butlers memorizing drink preferences by day two and having them pre-set at pool chairs.
Teodoro is one of the only AAA Five Diamond tasting menu restaurants inside any all-inclusive property in Mexico.
The three man-made cenotes at adjacent Moxché are an unusual swim feature you won't find at most Riviera Maya resorts.
No reservations required at most restaurants — walk-in to French, Italian, Mexican, and Asian à la carte any evening.
Cons
The two-resort layout means some amenities require a walk or shuttle — particularly the Moxché pools and cenotes from the Impression wing.
Teodoro, the flagship restaurant, carries a supplemental charge on top of the all-inclusive rate.
Summary
Secrets Impression Moxché Playa del Carmen, by AMR Collection, an All-Inclusive Resort by Hilton 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.
