Sandals Royal Barbados vs Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort
Sandals Resorts vs Secrets Resorts & Spas— Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 222 | 500 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 8 |
| Pools | 11 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 2013 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2014 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 15 |
| Included | 26 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 12 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 23 |
| Included | 18 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 8 |
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 Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort
Pros
- The oceanfront infinity pool aligned with the Sea of Cortez horizon is one of the most dramatic pool views at any all-inclusive property anywhere.
- 21 treatment rooms in the spa means appointment availability is more consistent than at smaller properties — you can often get same-day spa bookings.
- Sunrises from the beach and the rooms facing east are genuinely spectacular given the desert-ocean landscape.
Cons
- The ocean beach is not swimmable — strong currents prevent ocean entry. Guests expecting Caribbean-style beach swimming will be significantly disappointed.
- Los Cabos golf courses beyond any included twilight access carry significant additional fees — plan the golf budget before booking.
- The Puerto Los Cabos gated community has minimal walkable off-resort options.
Summary
Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.