Located in St. Lawrence Gap on one of the best beaches in Barbados, Maxwell Beach, Sandals Barbados is one of our picks for best Sandals resort because it also offers access to everything at the nearby, newer Sandals Royal Barbados. This includes some Sandals firsts, such as the first rooftop pool and bar and the first bowling alley, as well as some unique dining options.
Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados are close to the airport, with just a 15-minute transfer time, and packed with plenty of things to do. Sandals Barbados is also one of the most affordable Sandals resorts. Plus, the island of Barbados is lush and beautiful, offering a range of activities and sights to experience.
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What We Love About Sandals Barbados
- Affordable: one of the least expensive Sandals resorts
- Close to the airport: just a 15-minute transfer
- Beautiful beach (one of the island’s best)
- Access to Sandals Royal Barbados which is literally next door, so you can “stay at one, play at two” with ease—21 restaurants, 14 bars, 11 pools, 6 whirlpools
- Delicious new restaurants including the healthy GreenHouse and Heart & Sol, as well as a gourmet doughnut shop
- Great location on a wonderful, friendly island with plenty to do
Cons
- Public beach: there are vendors here, but it’s not too bad
- Hard to get good beach chairs: because the two resorts are so close, it can be crowded and the good beach chairs go fast. If you’re not in a suite with butler service, you’ll need to get up early to reserve one.
- Rooms are older at Sandals Barbados than at Royal Barbados, but that also means lower prices.
Who Would Love Sandals Barbados
Sandals Barbados is great for people who love having plenty of things to do. It’s also perfect for foodies, with so many restaurants to try. And as a quieter resort, it’s good for those who prefer a more lowkey experience but also want access to a livelier vibe at the resort next door.
Arriving
Sandals Barbados is located conveniently close to the airport. We arrived at Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), went to the Sandals desk, and were directed to our complimentary shuttle. The ride to the resort took just 15 minutes.
Rooms at Sandals Barbados
Sandals Barbados offers a variety of rooms and suites, divided into three main categories: luxury, club, and butler.
- Luxury Rooms: You will only find these lower-priced rooms at Sandals Barbados, not at Sandals Royal Barbados. These include the Caribbean Deluxe Caribbean Honeymoon Premium, Caribbean Grand Luxe, and Caribbean Grande Luxe Walkout rooms, all with private balconies or patios and tropical garden views.
There are also Crystal Lagoon Luxury Honeymoon rooms with Tranquility Soaking Tubs™ for Two on the balcony. Note that luxury rooms at Sandals do not come with room service. - Club Rooms: These rooms come with room service between 7am and 10pm, concierge service, and access to a special Club lounge. Our room was a Beachfront Penthouse Club Level Suite with a Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub. It was on the top level of the building and gave us a nice view of the pool and beach.
There are also swim-up club rooms in the Crystal Lagoon area, which feature large private patios with zero-entry access to the pool and a Tranquility Soaking Tub.
- Butler Suites: Butler suites come with personal butler service and 24-hour room service. There are Crystal Lagoon One Bedroom Butler Suites with Balcony Tranquility Tubs, featuring separate living rooms and full bars; Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suites with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tubs, offering great ocean views and separate living rooms; and Beachfront Penthouse One Bedroom Butler Suites with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tubs, set on the top level and offering sweeping views, large balconies, and separate living rooms.
Beach at Sandals Barbados
Maxwell Beach, where Sandals Barbados is located, is one of the best beaches on the island. We loved its soft white sand and beautiful clear water. However, it is a public beach, so expect some vendors. It can also get crowded, so if you want a beach chair by the water you’ll need to get up early to reserve it.
Pools
There are 11 pools overall at Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados, and 6 whirlpools. Three of the pools are located at Sandals Barbados. Of the pools at Sandals Royal Barbados, one is a really cool rooftop infinity pool next to a bar.
We like the main pool at Sandals Barbados, which is beachfront and is pretty easy to get chairs at if you stop by before breakfast. There is also a quiet pool by the Crystal Lagoon area.
If you like a lively atmosphere, head to the main pool at Sandals Royal Barbados.
Food and Drink
There are 11 restaurants at Sandals Barbados. With the restaurants at Sandals Royal Barbados, you get access to a total of 21.
There are 14 bars at the two resorts, including swim-up bars, beach bars, and a great rooftop bar with infinity pool.
Sandals Barbados has some unique breakfast options, including the healthy Heart & Sol, which serves smoothies, juices, and acai bowls. We loved this café, as well as the delicious gourmet donut shop, Sweet’n’Salty. Another option is the Café de Paris, which has specialty coffees, pastries, and made-to-order crepes. You can also get breakfast buffet style at Spices or a la carte at Schooners, Portofinos, or several restaurants at SRB.
There are multiple choices for lunch:
- Heart & Sol: this healthy spot also serves salads and wraps
- Mariner: a seaside grill offering yummy quesadillas, jerk chicken, and burgers
- Spices: buffet-style with a wide variety of dishes to choose from or a la carte menu
- Dino’s: great brick oven pizza
- And a hot dog stand near Spices
There are 7 restaurants serving dinner at Sandals Barbados plus more at SRB. Some restaurants are closed on certain nights, so be sure to check the schedule before making your plans. Note that some also require reservations; we recommend making those as soon as you arrive at the resort.
Here are our favorites:
- Greenhouse: This restaurant has a really good menu of farm-to-table dishes and is one of our absolute top choices. We had the most delicious dish we’ve ever had at a Sandals resort here–a grilled portabello mushroom entrée, which was incredibly flavorful. Reservations are required.
- Bombay: This Indian restaurant can be found at other Sandals resorts and is always good. We love trying multiple dishes and new flavors.
- Chi: Another restaurant that’s unique to Barbados, Chi serves Asian fusion.
- Soy: Excellent sushi; another of our go-to choices at Sandals.
- American Tavern: Serves a varied menu of classic American dishes and regional comfort foods
- Kimono’s: Found at other Sandals resorts, this Asian restaurant serves Japanese teppanyaki in a fun atmosphere. Reservations required.
- Butch’s Chophouse: Also found at multiple Sandals, this steakhouse is named after Sandals’ founder and serves top quality beef and seafood. Reservations are required. There is also one at SRB, which is a little more elegant.
- Schooner’s: Located near the water, this seafood restaurant has an open-air deck with great views.
You can also eat dinner or get late-night snacks at the British pub.
Activities at Sandals Barbados
You will find plenty to do at Sandals Barbados, and best of all it’s included in your rate.
- Watersports: These include snorkeling kayaking, paddleboarding, Hobie Cat sailing, and glass-bottom boat rides. Scuba diving is also included for certified divers.
- Land activities: This includes day and night tennis, beach volleyball, bocce ball, table tennis, pool, and cricket. There’s also a bowling alley at SRB.
- Fitness center with exercise classes
Entertainment includes a piano bar, beach parties, live music, Barbados Day celebrations, chocolate buffets, and theme nights. The bowling alley is also pretty lively late at night.
There is also a full-service spa, but services there are not included. While both resorts have spas, we suggest going to the one at Sandals Royal Barbados because it is newer and larger.
Sandals Barbados Excursions
Although these are not included, we always try to go on at least one to see the local area.
We went on a snorkeling tour to three shipwrecks and had a great time, seeing marine life including sea turtles. You can also do cultural and historic tours, visit rum distilleries, explore botanical gardens, or visit the capital city of Bridgetown.
Two Resorts in One: Access to Sandals Royal Barbados
You will find Sandals Royal Barbados literally next door to Sandals Barbados—so close you can walk between the two resorts easily. This gives you access to all of the restaurants, bars, and other amenities at SRB any time you want to go.