Sandals Royal Barbados vs Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen
Sandals Resorts vs Secrets Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 222 | 485 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 11 |
| Pools | 11 | 11 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Moxché Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 19 |
| Included | 26 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 10 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 18 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
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 Moxché Playa del Carmen
Pros
- Three man-made cenotes are the most distinctive pool feature in Riviera Maya — a genuine differentiator from competing all-inclusives.
- Food quality at the à la carte restaurants (Bisou, Allora, Dos Almas) is consistently rated well above the all-inclusive norm.
- The nightly taco and marquesitas carts are an informal evening highlight that generates consistently warm mentions in guest reviews.
Cons
- Anti-algae barriers on the beach are functional but visually disruptive — the beach is supplementary, not a primary draw.
- Suki Teppanyaki tables and the Tanoshii Omakase experience require reservations and fill within hours of check-in.
- 35-65 minute airport transfer from CUN depending on traffic — longer than Cancun Hotel Zone properties.
Summary
Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.