Sandals Royal Barbados vs Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive
Sandals Resorts vs Viva Wyndham Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 6.3 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Room Count | 222 | 275 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 4 |
| Pools | 11 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 1992 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 9 |
| Included | 26 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 6 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 0 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 25 |
| Included | 18 | 20 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 5 |
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 Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive
Pros
- 1,200-foot private beach with genuinely calm, clear water — the best element of the property and the main reason to choose Grand Bahama over Nassau all-inclusives
- Trapeze instruction is supervised by certified instructors and legitimately available to most fitness levels — a rare activity at this price tier
- Proximity to Grand Bahama Airport (15 minutes) makes arriving and departing smoother than most Caribbean transfers
Cons
- Rooms show their age — mold on bathroom curtains, slow drains, and thin walls appear repeatedly in guest reviews; request a room transfer immediately if your assigned room has maintenance issues
- Bees around drinks at the pool and beach are a consistent complaint — not a dealbreaker but worth knowing if you have an allergy
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive offers more activities.