I remember learning that there are two Sandals Resorts in Barbados and starting to research which one is better. I then realized that they are basically the same resort. They were built right next to each other and staying at one of the resorts gives you access to the others.
Why are Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados different Resorts?
Sandals purchased what is now Sandals Barbados and started renovating and improving it, reopening it in 2015. At the same time they started building Sandals Royal Barbados next door.
Why non just build on to Sandals Barbados? Tax incentives. At the time there were incentives to build a new resort on the island, not to expand existing resorts.
So today we have two separate resorts that act as one resort. There are two separate check in counters and different accommodations, but everything else is shared.
Sandals Barbados & Royal Barbados Renovations
Now that a decade has passed since Sandals Barbados was opened, it is clear that some rooms need some renovations. Sandals has started with renovating the rooms at Sandals Barbados. In the past we have always said the accommodations at Sandals Royal Barbados are better, but now we do not know what the refreshed Sandals Barbados rooms will look like once they are finished, which we should start seeing anytime now.
Accommodations
The rooms at Sandals Barbados have a traditional Caribbean charm with a mix of garden, pool, and beachfront views. Many of the accommodations feature Tranquility Soaking Tubs on the balcony, a luxurious touch that adds to the romantic feel of the resort.
Overall, the rooms at Sandals Barbados are closer to the beach than Sandals Royal Barbados.
Royal Barbados takes luxury to the next level with exclusively Club and Butler-level rooms—there are no standard Luxury Level rooms here. The SkyPool Suites feature glass infinity pools on the balcony, offering unmatched ocean views, while the Millionaire Suites provide private plunge pools and ultra-modern decor.
If you’re looking for the most luxurious accommodations, Sandals Royal Barbados wins. But if you prefer a more traditional Caribbean charm, Sandals Barbados might be a better fit.
Restaurants
One of the biggest perks of these sister resorts is that they share restaurants, meaning guests have access to a combined total of 20 dining options.
Both resorts offer exceptional food, but Royal Barbados has a slight edge due to newer, more unique dining concepts and the rooftop dining experience.
Regardless of what you side the restaurants are on you can visit them from either side. One thing to keep in mind is that several of the dinner options are reservation only and book up fast.
Breakfast
There are several options for breakfast including buffets, a la carte restaurants and room service. Additionally, there is a donut and coffee shop, Heart & Sol for smoothies and fresh juices and Cafe de Paris which has coffee, crepes and other sweet treats.
Lunch
Casual lunch options are spread throughout the resort.
• Dinos Pizzeria (Sandals Barbados) – Authentic wood-fired pizzas made to order. Try the Jamaican Jerk Chicken pizza for a local twist!
• Spices (Sandals Barbados) – Authentic wood-fired pizzas made to order. Try the Jamaican Jerk Chicken pizza for a local twist!
• Jerk Shack (Sandals Royal Barbados) – Traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, pork, and fish cooked fresh on the grill, served with festival bread and island-style slaw.
• Mariner Seaside Grill (Sandals Barbados) – A classic beachfront grill offering burgers, wraps, and fresh salads.
• The Greenhouse (Sandals Royal Barbados) – A farm-to-table dining option serving light, organic lunch dishes with locally sourced ingredients.
• Sweet n’ Salty’s Gourmet Donuts & Coffee (Sandals Royal Barbados) – A fun option if you’re craving a sweet treat or coffee with a beachside view.
• Neptunes (Sandals Royal Barbados) – A relaxed seaside restaurant with seafood and other casual eats like hamburgers and quesadillas.
• Heart & Sol (Sandals Royal Barbados) – A new concept with salads, wraps and smoothies.
• American Tavern (Sandals Royal Barbados) – An American-style bistro serving favorites like sandwiches, salads, and seafood dishes.
Dinner Options
For an elegant, romantic night out, these restaurants deliver an elevated dining experience with premium ingredients and gourmet menus:
• Butch’s Steak & Seafood (Both Resorts) – One of Sandals’ signature restaurants, serving high-quality steaks, lobster, and fresh seafood in a sophisticated setting. A must-visit for steak lovers!
• La Parisienne (Sandals Royal Barbados) – A French rooftop bistro with Parisian-inspired cuisine, perfect for a romantic evening with ocean views.
• Chi Asian Fusion (Sandals Royal Barbados) – A trendy Pan-Asian restaurant with Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese flavors, offering dim sum, wok dishes, and handcrafted sushi.
• American Tavern (Sandals Royal Barbados) – Classic American cuisine, featuring seafood, steaks, and comfort food favorites.
• Schooners Seafood Grill (Sandals Barbados) – A seaside seafood spot featuring grilled fish, shrimp, and lobster dishes with an oceanfront view.
• Soy Sushi Bar (Sandals Barbados) – A chic, romantic sushi bar serving fresh sashimi, nigiri, and specialty rolls.
• Kimonos Teppanyaki (Sandals Barbados) – An interactive Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, where chefs cook hibachi-style meals right at your table.
• Portofino’s (Sandals Barbados) – A cozy Italian trattoria offering handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and authentic Mediterranean flavors.
• The Greenhouse (Sandals Royal Barbados) – A farm-to-table restaurant focused on fresh, organic, and locally sourced ingredients.
Pools
Both Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados have huge and unique pools.
The most popular is the main beachfront infinity pool. During the day the chairs fill up quickly, they have a swim up bar and entertainment like DJs. Another highlight si the rooftop pool but it is very quiet and small.
The remaining pools all tend to be quiet, which include the various lagoon pools next to the swim-up suites and the large South Seas pool. The newest pool is the Oasis pool which is next to the Spa and Heart & Sol restaurant.
On the Sandals Barbados side, we loved the main pool with a swim-up bar which is close to the beach. We grabbed chairs between the pool and beach so we could go back and forth. The European Pool is quiet and has fewer guests during the day, and the Lagoon pool is quiet as well which is the pool that runs along the swim up suites.
Regardless whether you choose Sandals Royal Barbados or Barbados you have access to all the pools on site.
Beach
Whe beach at Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados are exactly the same so there is no reason to choose either based on the beach. It is a wonderful beach with crystal clear water and soft white sand.
Entertainment
When it comes to entertainment, you might find yourself at Sandals Royal Barbados more often than Royal Barbados. The nightly entertainment is on the Royal Barbados side as well as the Bowling Alley.
The pools on the Royal Barbdos side also have more entertainment throughout the day so if that is what you are looking for, plan to go to Royal Barbados.
The Spa
The new and better spa is on the Sandals Royal Barbados side of the resort. The Red Lane® Spa at Sandals Royal Barbados is a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation, offering a world-class spa experience that blends Caribbean-inspired treatments with modern wellness techniques. Whether you’re looking for a romantic couples massage, a refreshing facial, or a full-body treatment, the spa is designed to help you unwind and indulge in pure luxury.
Even if you are not getting a treatment you can enter to go to the pool, sauna or steam room.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Both Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados offer a luxurious, all-inclusive experience, but they cater to different types of travelers.
The way I would decide is based on thave to offer. It’s a convenient and easy way to enjoy the best of both worlds without having to pay extra fees.