Sandals Royal Barbados vs Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort
Sandals Resorts vs Viva Wyndham Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Room Count | 222 | 286 |
| Restaurants | 21 | 5 |
| Pools | 11 | 2 |
| Year Opened | 2017 | 2015 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | Yes | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | No | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 26 | 8 |
| Included | 26 | 8 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 12 | 3 |
| Suite Categories | 12 | 0 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Sandals Royal Barbados | Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 24 | 31 |
| Included | 18 | 25 |
| Extra Charge | 6 | 6 |
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 Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort
Pros
- Coson Beach is one of the Dominican Republic's best — calm, wide, beautiful, and not shared with ten other neighboring resorts fighting for the same stretch
- Bungalow liquor bar means top-shelf spirits are stocked in your room — no bar queues for drinks from your private plunge pool
- Humpback whale watching is accessible from Samaná Bay between January and March — one of the only resort destinations in the Caribbean where this is a realistic excursion
Cons
- The buffet (Le Marche) is consistently the weakest element — guests staying longer than four nights find the rotation limited; plan your stays to use the three à la carte restaurants regularly
- Some guest reviews report the in-room safe costs extra — confirm at check-in to avoid surprise charges
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort is the larger property, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Viva Wyndham V Samaná, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive Resort offers more activities.