Sandals Royal Barbados vs Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún
Sandals Resorts vs Secrets Resorts & Spas— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 222 | 412 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 9 |
| Pools | 11 | 12 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2024 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 20 |
| Included | 26 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 10 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún
Pros
- Maroma Beach is objectively one of the best beaches attached to any all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean — fine sand, calm water, and consistently praised.
- All-suite format means even entry-level rooms have furnished terraces and more space than standard hotel rooms.
- The Preferred Beach Club with beachfront firepits is the most distinctive dining amenity in the Secrets portfolio.
Cons
- 500-acre property means significant walking distances between buildings — factor in buggy wait times for guests with mobility considerations.
- Sargassum seaweed accumulates on Riviera Maya beaches seasonally — the beach can look very different in August versus January.
- Price premium over other Secrets properties in Mexico is significant — primarily justified by the beach and all-suite format.
Summary
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues.