Sandals Royal Barbados vs Viva Azteca by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort
Sandals Resorts vs Viva Wyndham Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Azteca by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 7.7 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 222 | 337 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 4 |
| Pools | 11 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 1992 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Azteca by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Viva Azteca by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 17 |
| Included | 26 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Azteca by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 8 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 0 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Azteca by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 32 |
| Included | 18 | 25 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 7 |
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
Viva Azteca by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort
Pros
- The 'Stay at 1, Play at 2' exchange is legitimately useful — seven restaurants and two pool environments without leaving the all-inclusive radius
- Playacar beach consistently earns the most enthusiastic guest feedback of any component — calm water, white sand, and genuinely good security within the gated complex
- Xul Ha Mayan restaurant is one of the few specialty options in the area serving authentic Yucatán preparations rather than generic 'Mexican food'
Cons
- Pool loungers are claimed by 8:30 AM during peak weeks — either wake up early or resign yourself to a second-tier position
- Default spirit pour at all bars is local-brand unless you specifically request premium — ask for the top-shelf option by name rather than hoping it's offered
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Viva Azteca by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Viva Azteca by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive Resort offers more activities.