Sandals Royal Barbados vs Sunscape Coco Punta Cana
Sandals Resorts vs Sunscape Resorts & Spas — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sunscape Coco Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 222 | 1,091 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 12 |
| Pools | 11 | 7 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 1999 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2023 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sunscape Coco Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sunscape Coco Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 26 |
| Included | 26 | 25 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sunscape Coco Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 9 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 5 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Sunscape Coco Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 25 |
| Included | 18 | 24 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 1 |
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
Sunscape Coco Punta Cana
Pros
- The $25 million 2023 renovation means rooms and common areas are genuinely fresh — not just touched up.
- No reservations required at any à la carte restaurant — walk in, get seated, and eat without planning a day in advance.
- Seven pools give the property genuine variety — families can rotate between activity zones without retracing steps.
- Explorer's Club and Core Zone run until 10 PM, giving parents full evening time without arranging babysitters.
Cons
- At 1,091 rooms, the resort is large enough that the walk from room to beach can be a 10-minute journey depending on your building.
- Sargassum seaweed is a seasonal reality on Bavaro Beach — check the forecast before booking if beach swimmability is your top priority.
- Sun Club WiFi is complimentary; standard rooms charge separately for internet — factor this in when comparing room categories.
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sunscape Coco Punta Cana is the larger property, while Sunscape Coco Punta Cana offers more activities.