Real and Honest Sandals Royal Barbados Review
We loved Sandals Royal Barbados, especially the beautiful beach which is Michelle’s favorite of all the Sandals locations. It’s a newer and glamorous resort with some unique amenities that set it apart.
Plus, it’s located next to Sandals Barbados so you have access to everything there as well. Our honest Sandals Royal Barbados review will tell you all you need to know about this resort.
What to Know About Sandals Royal Barbados
Sandals Royal Barbados is set right next door to Sandals Barbados with just a small walkway between them so you can easily go from one to the other. It really is like getting two resorts for the price of one.
Speaking of price, Sandals Royal Barbados is more expensive than Sandals Barbados since it’s newer, but we feel like the more luxurious rooms are definitely worth the cost.
There are some cool amenities here that are unique to the Sandals brand, such as a rooftop bar, restaurant, and infinity pool; a bowling alley; a gourmet doughnut shop; a craft beer bar; and two new healthy restaurant concepts.
Getting to Sandals Royal Barbados
Sandals Royal Barbados is one of the Sandals resorts that’s located close to the airport. We landed at Grantley Adams International Airport, headed to the Sandals desk, got on the shuttle, and arrived at the resort in just 15 minutes.
As at all Sandals resorts, airport transfers here are complimentary. Top-level suites get private transfers in Rolls Royces!
Sandals Royal Barbados Suites
All of the accommodations at Sandals Royal Barbados are suites. During our 8-night stay we were in a South Seas Swim-up Club Level Ultra Suite. The South Seas Village was added in 2021 and has 66 luxury suites.
Our spacious and modern suite had a private patio with access to the lagoon pool and a Tranquility Soaking Tub™ for two. It was located at the back of the resort near the tennis courts for more privacy and quiet.
We enjoyed having the option of just hanging out at the pool in front of our room, rather than going to one of the main pools or the beach.
If you want a private pool and an ocean view just steps from the beach, consider the Beachfront Prime Minister One Bedroom Butler Suite with Private Pool. It also has a Tranquility Soaking Tub on the patio. There are also SkyPool Butler Suites, which have elevated infinity pools and beach views.
Another romantic option is the South Seas Royal Rondoval Butler Suite with Private Pool Sanctuary. These round thatched-roof suites have high ceilings and a private outdoor area with a pool, Tranquility Soaking Tub, loungers, and dining table.
All the butler suites come with 24-hour inroom dining and personal butler service.
The suites at Sandals Royal Barbados are newer and more luxurious, and that’s reflected in the room rates. If you want something more affordable, look at Sandals Barbados.
Food and Drink at Sandals Royal Barbados
There are 10 restaurants at Sandals Royal Barbados plus 11 more at Sandals Barbados next door so you’ll never run out of new dishes to sample.
We loved the two new healthy restaurants here: Heart and Sol, which has smoothies plus lighter fare for lunch including vegetarian and vegan options, and Greenhouse, which is a farm to table restaurant serving amazing fresh dishes that we thought were some of the best we’ve had at any Sandals resort.
Another new restaurant here is Chi Asian fusion, which mixes multiple Asian cuisines. Our server encouraged us to try a bunch of new things and they were delicious. At Greenhouse, we had a grilled portabello mushroom dish that was one of the best dishes I’ve ever had at Sandals.
Other top choices are Butch’s Steakhouse the American Tavern, the rooftop restaurant (which serves French cuisine), and the beachfront Neptune’s, which has Mediterranean and seafood.
We went to the gourmet doughnut place, Sweet n’Salty’s, every day for yummy doughnuts and specialty coffee.
Sandals Royal Barbados has 6 bars including a rooftop bar with amazing sunset views and a glass infinity pool plus whirlpool, swim-up bars, a craft beer bar, and a piano bar. There are also 8 more bars at Sandals Barbados.
Pools at Sandals Royal Barbados
Sandals Royal Barbados has multiple pools, and we really liked the variety. A beachfront infinity pool has a curved glass wall overlooking the water, a swim-up bar, a DJ, and daily activities.
The rooftop infinity pool has incredible views and a whirlpool, and is right by the bar. A mellow pool is in the South Seas Village. It has a swim-up bar and is near the Jerk Shack for easy lunches. Another quiet pool is tucked in the back by the Loggerhead Building.
There’s also a newer pool by Heart and Sol, as well as multiple pools at Sandals Barbados.
The Beach at Sandals Royal Barbados
The beach at Sandals Royal Barbados is one of our favorites of all the Sandals resorts due to the soft white sand, calm blue water, and sheer size. However, it can be hard to get a lounge chair—you have to get up pretty early to claim one, and the prime spots go fast.
This is a public beach, so you will encounter some vendors, but you can also rent jet skis here if you want.
Of course, you’ll have all the complimentary watersports equipment available here as well.
Sandals Royal Barbados Activities and Entertainment
You will not be bored at Sandals Royal Barbados. Free watersports include snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and Hobie Cat sailing, with professional instruction included.
You can also go scuba diving if you’re certified, and go on glass bottom boat rides. Land activities include day and night tennis, bowling, beach volleyball, cricket, bocce ball, table tennis, pool, and a fitness center.
Entertainment includes live music, theme parties, beach parties, chocolate night, and the piano bar.
The spa here is really nice and set in relaxing gardens with pools if you want to get a massage or other service (these cost extra).
We recommend trying some excursions here, as Barbados is beautiful and fun to explore. We booked a snorkeling trip on a catamaran that took us to several areas to snorkel; we saw shipwrecks, fish, and sea turtles, and enjoyed food and drink plus fun music as we sailed. Other great excursions are touring rum distilleries, visiting the capital city of Bridgetown, and exploring the 350-year-old St. Nicholas Abbey.
Sandals Royal Barbados Review Final Thoughts
We loved the gorgeous beach, luxurious feel, upscale suites, cool pools, and food options at Sandals Royal Barbados. We also enjoyed the island of Barbados and definitely recommend doing some excursions while you’re there.
However, if the price point at Royal Barbados is too high for your budget, you can stay at neighboring Sandals Barbados and enjoy all the same restaurants and amenities for a lower cost.
