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 Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Pros
4 km from PVR airport — the shortest transfer of any Hotel Zone all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta, which matters for late arrivals and early departures.
Walking distance (or short taxi) to the Malecón and Old Town Puerto Vallarta restaurants and nightlife.
The Deluxe Family Kids ground-floor terrace access to the Explorer's Club and water park is a genuinely practical room design for families with young children.
Cultural workshops including cooking classes, dance lessons, and bartending are included — more comprehensive than standard all-inclusive activity programs.
Cons
The property is noticeably dated — rooms and infrastructure show their age, with reports of AC issues, leaks during rain, and elevator wait times.
WiFi connectivity is consistently described as poor throughout the property. Bring a personal hotspot if you need reliable internet.
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.
Core Zone Teens Club hours (11 AM–5 PM) are shorter than comparable properties — teenagers without their own agenda have limited supervised programming time.
