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
Wyndham Alltra Samana
Pros
Javo Beach La Playita is a genuinely secluded and beautiful private beach — the bay geography and white sand make this one of the better beaches in the Dominican Republic all-inclusive market
The remote Las Galeras location means no neighboring resorts, no strip of shops, and a genuine sense of quiet that's hard to find elsewhere in the DR
Horseback riding and pool scuba lessons are both included — unusual inclusions that add real value over comparable all-inclusives
Proximity to whale watching (January–March), Cayo Levantado, and Samaná national park excursions makes the location compelling for guests who want to do more than sit by the pool
Cons
Buffet quality at Azul is inconsistent and repetitive — guests on 7+ night stays consistently report menu fatigue, particularly at dinner
Service at a la carte restaurants is slow enough that multiple guests report waits of an hour or more — book early reservation slots at check-in to avoid peak crowding
Summary
Sandals Royal Barbados has more restaurants, while Sandals Royal Barbados has more dining venues, while Sandals Royal Barbados offers more activities.
Approximately 2-hour transfer from El Catey Airport (AZS) on sometimes rough roads — the distance from Punta Cana or Santo Domingo airports is prohibitive (3.5–4 hours)
