Sandals Royal Barbados vs Secrets Mallorca Villamil Resort & Spa
Sandals Resorts vs Secrets Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Mallorca Villamil Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 222 | 162 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 5 |
| Pools | 11 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 2019 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Mallorca Villamil 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 Mallorca Villamil Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 13 |
| Included | 26 | 13 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Mallorca Villamil Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Mallorca Villamil Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 17 |
| Included | 18 | 12 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 5 |
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 Mallorca Villamil Resort & Spa
Pros
- The Sky Bar terrace offers the best cocktails-with-a-view combination on the property — go at sunset for the optimal experience.
- Playa Palmira is a genuinely good beach — calm water, golden sand, and a 5-minute walk from the resort.
- The castle architecture and small scale (162 rooms) make this feel different from typical all-inclusive mega-resorts.
Cons
- Dinner quality in the à la carte restaurants is inconsistent — doesn't always live up to the 5-star designation.
- Lounger reservation with towels is a persistent issue — pool chairs are claimed early and management hasn't enforced a policy.
- Parking costs €40 per day — significant if you're renting a car for island exploration.
Summary
Secrets Mallorca Villamil Resort & Spa 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 Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.