Sandals Royal Barbados vs Secrets St. James Montego Bay
Sandals Resorts vs Secrets Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets St. James Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 8.0 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 222 | 350 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 10 |
| Pools | 11 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 2010 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | — |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets St. James Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| 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 St. James Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 21 |
| Included | 26 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets St. James Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 5 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Secrets St. James Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 26 |
| Included | 18 | 18 |
| 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 St. James Montego Bay
Pros
- Blue Mountain restaurant is one of the few Secrets properties with a specifically Jamaican culinary focus — order the jerk preparations.
- Free access to Wild Orchid next door meaningfully expands entertainment and dining without extra cost.
- The peninsula layout gives water access on multiple sides and a more secluded feel than a straight-line beach resort.
- Piano Bar is a quieter evening option that doesn't require the theater-show format — good for guests who want live music without a production.
Cons
- Food consistency is a recurring issue — dishes can be well-prepared one night and disappointing the next.
- House wine quality is frequently criticized — order by varietal or request a specific label when possible.
- The colonial-style aesthetics are distinctive but the property is showing age in some areas compared to newer Secrets openings.
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Secrets St. James Montego Bay is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Secrets St. James Montego Bay offers more activities.