Sandals Royal Barbados vs Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa
Sandals Resorts vs Secrets Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | — |
| Room Count | 222 | 356 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 7 |
| Pools | 11 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 2025 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| 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 La Romana Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 12 |
| Included | 26 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 19 |
| Included | 18 | 16 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 3 |
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 La Romana Resort & Spa
Pros
- Bayahibe Beach consistently ranks as one of the cleanest beaches in the Dominican Republic — the bay position keeps it calm and the Blue Flag certification is renewed annually.
- La Romana International Airport is 15-20 minutes away — one of the fastest airport-to-resort transfers in the Caribbean.
- No reservations required at any restaurant — just show up, including at Sakura's teppanyaki tables.
Cons
- À la carte restaurant quality is inconsistent — some evenings Chinola and Noor feel underpowered relative to the buffet (Caoba).
- Room service carries a $10 delivery fee — the only out-of-pocket expense in the all-inclusive rate.
- Some beach areas have rocky or coral seabed — water shoes are advisable.
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.