Sandals Royal Barbados vs Viva Heavens by Wyndham
Sandals Resorts vs Viva Wyndham Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Heavens by Wyndham |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 7.7 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Room Count | 222 | — |
| Restaurants | 21 | 6 |
| Pools | 11 | 3 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | — |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2023 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Heavens by Wyndham |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Heavens by Wyndham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 11 |
| Included | 26 | 11 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Heavens by Wyndham |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 4 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 1 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Heavens by Wyndham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 25 |
| Included | 18 | 22 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 3 |
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 Heavens by Wyndham
Pros
- Five specialty restaurants for 190 rooms is an unusually high ratio — you can eat at a different restaurant every night without repeating
- Sofrito's authentic Dominican menu using local ingredients and ancestral recipes is the most distinctive dining option on the Playa Dorada strip
- Fast, reliable WiFi throughout the property including rooms — consistently mentioned in guest reviews as a genuine differentiator from comparable resorts
Cons
- Bathroom conditions are the most reported physical complaint — moisture problems and missing exhaust fans in some units; inspect on arrival and request a room change if needed
- The 'Stay at 1, Play at 2' exchange with Viva Tangerine in Cabarete is geographically inconvenient — 20+ minutes away with no included transport, making it a planned excursion rather than a casual lunch option
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Viva Heavens by Wyndham offers more activities.