Sandals Barbados vs Jamaica Resorts: How They Compare
Sandals resorts have 2 locations in Barbados and 7 locations in Jamaica. These Caribbean islands are both popular destinations with great beaches, but they do have some differences—as do the Sandals resorts you’ll find on each.
In this article we’ll compare Sandals Barbados vs Jamaica resorts to help you figure out which is best for you.
Which is better, Jamaica or Barbados?
The answer to this question really comes down to personal preference and the type of vacation you’re interested in. Both islands have many beautiful beaches, but Barbados has a more quiet and sophisticated ambiance while Jamaica is both lively and laidback.
Jamaica is known for its nightlife and adventurous outdoor activities like ziplining in the rainforest, while Barbados is known for its British- and West African-influenced Bajan culture.
Jamaica is a larger island with a mountainous interior and multiple cities, while Barbados is smaller and features one main capital city—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and some smaller towns. Both have good shopping, but Barbados is more upscale. Both islands also feature a wide range of historic sites, natural attractions, and fun activities.
Barbados is in the southwestern Caribbean near St. Lucia, while Jamaica is closer to the US, near Cuba. The weather on both islands is pretty similar. Barbados is considered a safer island than Jamaica, although it is perfectly safe to visit Sandals resorts in Jamaica.
It can be easier and cheaper to get to Jamaica from the US, as there are plenty of direct flights each day from multiple major airports to the international airport in Montego Bay. While you can also find direct flights to Barbados, they are fewer and may cost more.
The island of Barbados also tends to be more expensive than Jamaica.
Sandals Barbados vs Jamaica Resorts
There are two Sandals resorts in Barbados, and they are located right next to each other within walking distance on a beautiful beach in the St. Lawrence Gap area. This gives you two resorts in one for your vacation, regardless of which you stay at.
Jamaica has seven Sandals resorts: Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay; Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, and Sandals Ochi in Ocho Rios; Sandals Negril in Negril; and Sandals South Coast in Whitehouse.
In some locations, you have also access to a nearby resort (Sandals Montego Bay/Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals Royal Plantation/Sandals Ochi, Sandals Dunn’s River/Sandals Ochi, Sandals Negril/Beaches Negril).
Sandals Barbados vs Jamaica Resort Accommodations
You can find a wide range of rooms and suites at Sandals resorts in Barbados and Jamaica, although you will only find overwater bungalows in Jamaica (at Sandals South Coast and Royal Caribbean).
In Jamaica you can also choose luxurious Skypool suites, Rondoval suites, and swim-up suites in addition to a variety of gardenview, oceanview, poolside, penthouse, beachfront, and walkout rooms and suites.
All of the suites at Sandals Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios are oceanfront and come with personal butler service.
Sandals Barbados resorts also offer Skypool suites, swim-up suites, and Rondoval suites as well as gardenview, oceanview, penthouse, poolside, beachfront, and walkout rooms and suites.
Sandals Barbados vs Jamaica Resort Activities and Amenities
All of the Sandals resorts in Jamaica and Barbados offer a huge list of complimentary activities including watersports and land sports, but you’ll only find golf at some Sandals resorts in Jamaica. Only the Sandals resorts in Barbados feature bowling.
While snorkeling and scuba diving are included at all Sandals resorts, and good on both islands, you can snorkel right off the beach at some Jamaica Sandals but not at the Sandals resorts in Barbados. However, there is more to see in the water in Barbados.
One of the resorts in Jamaica—Sandals Royal Caribbean—features a private offshore island with beaches, a pool, swim-up bar, and restaurant for a unique amenity.
All of the Sandals resorts feature fitness centers, which are included, and full-service spas, which are not. You can book area excursions for an extra cost at resorts on both islands. They all also include daily and nightly entertainment.
Sandals Barbados vs Jamaica Resort Food and Drink
All meals, snacks, and drinks are included at all Sandals resorts in Barbados and Jamaica. The number of restaurants and bars varies depending on the resort you choose in Jamaica, ranging up to 16 restaurants and 11 bars at Sandals Ochi. Food is consistently good across all Sandals resorts, but some are better than others. Our favorites for food are Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Caribbean, and Sandals Royal Barbados.
At Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados, you can enjoy 21 restaurants and 14 bars between the two resorts.
Many of the resorts have the same restaurants in common, but Sandals Dunn’s River and Sandals Royal Barbados stand out for some unique offerings. At Sandals Dunn’s River, which is one of the newest Sandals resorts, almost all of the restaurants are new to the brand. We had some of the best meals we’ve had at a Sandals resort there (it is one of our favorite Sandals resorts overall and our pick for the best Sandals in Jamaica).
We also had an amazing meal at the healthy restaurant at Sandals Royal Barbados, Greenhouse, and loved their unique smoothie and acai bowl café as well as the gourmet donut shop. Sandals Royal Barbados also has the only rooftop bar and restaurant.
Sandals Barbados vs Jamaica Reviews
While the majority of reviews of all the Sandals resorts in both Barbados and Jamaica are positive, the individual resorts have different ratings.
Jamaica has some of the highest-rated Sandals resorts:
- Sandals Royal Plantation, 4.7 Google rating
- Sandals Dunn’s River, 4.6 Google rating
The resorts in Barbados are a bit lower-rated:
- Sandals Barbados, 4.2 Google rating
- Sandals Royal Barbados, 3.9 Google rating
Sandals Barbados vs. Jamaica Price
Although prices vary throughout the year, Sandals Jamaica resorts tend to be cheaper than Sandals Barbados resorts.
Jamaica has the cheapest Sandals resort, Sandals Ochi, which currently has rates starting at $199 per person per night.
The rates at Sandals Barbados are lower than Royal Barbados, and they currently start at $336 per person per night.
