Secrets Vs Sandals Resorts Comparison

Secrets Vs Sandals Resorts: Which To Choose?

By Erik Ritland | Updated on October 6, 2025

After staying at both Secrets and Sandals Resorts, I decided to compare the two adult-only resort brands to see how they stack up. Overall, Sandals is ideal for couples seeking a luxurious, romantic, retreat in the Caribbean with the most inclusions by far.  Secrets, on the other hand, is better for individuals or groups that are looking for a broader range of locations across Mexico and Europe since the brand is owned by Hyatt Group.

Let me preface this by saying that the best choice for you will depend on the occasion, your budget, the location, and what overall vibe you are looking for. I’ll lay out what I believe are the pros and cons of each so you can come away with a decision for yourself. Feel free to message me with any questions too!

Comparison Of My Resort Experiences

Although both Secrets and Sandals are all-inclusive and adults only, there are some key differentiators between them. As a certified travel agent that has been to all 17 Sandals locations and nearly all of the Secrets Resorts (with the exception of Bulgaria and a couple of the locations in Mexico), here are the biggest differences I noticed after staying at both hotel brands. 

Inclusions: Sandals Resorts include more with their all-inclusive offering. For example, Secrets does not include airport transfers, and you also need to tip the employees. Whereas, everything is included at Sandals, even airport transfers, gratuities, and SCUBA diving. Once you book your Sandals vacation, you can literally put your wallet away for the whole trip.

Target Audience: Sandals Resorts are designed for couples on romantic getaways, with exotic locations around the Caribbean that have fewer rooms so it’s more exclusive. Secrets is more welcoming to individuals and groups, and has larger resorts in terms of number of rooms at each location.

Accommodations: Sandals has more unique accommodations like their Overwater Bungalows, Rondoval Suites, Sky Pool Suites, and Swim-Up Suites. Don’t get me wrong, Secrets has fantastic suites and villas with unique architecture at the newer locations in Nayarit and Tulum, but they don’t have the innovative offerings like Sandals.

Locations: One of the biggest differences is that all 17 of the Sandals Resorts locations are located throughout the Caribbean Islands. They are founded and headquartered in the Caribbean, so they really put forth an effort to embody the vibrant local culture. In contrast, Secrets Resorts are owned by Hyatt and have 28 locations primarily in Mexico, but also a few in the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.

Price: It’s important to factor in all costs. When comparing similar room categories and locations, Secrets could be more expensive because they do not include things like airport transfers and tipping. That said, you can find cheaper options in locations like Mexico and Dominican Republic for Secrets, or check Jamaica and St. Lucia for the cheapest options at Sandals.

Sandals Resorts Overview

Secrets Vs Sandals_Sandals Resorts Overview

As I mentioned above, we have been to all of the Sandals Resorts, many of them multiple times. What I love about Sandals is they include more than any other all-inclusive resort, hands down. Each location has a unique vibe and different price points so there is something for everyone. There are also some drawbacks, which I’ll also cover below. 

What I Love About Sandals Resorts:

  • Service Level: Overall I felt like the service level at Sandals Resorts was better than Secrets. You get 5-star luxury included service regardless of which room category you choose. The staff seemed incredibly happy to assist with anything you needed and a lot of times they knew us by name when we were coming and going!
  • Food Quality: There are typically more dining options at Sandals and the overall food quality is higher. They do a great job sourcing as much food as possible from local vendors. I also feel that the restaurant concepts offered a broader range of options at Sandals. You can have fresh caught seafood one night and a Japanese teppanyaki show the next night.  Each resort has enough restaurants to try something new for each meal. 
  • No Tipping: There is no tipping allowed at Sandals!  The only exception to this would be if you have a Butler Level room, tipping your butler is somewhat common, but it’s not required. 
  • Airport Transfers:  Airport transfers are always included regardless of which room you choose. If you get a Butler level room, you can even get a transfer in a Rolls Royce or BMW!
  • SCUBA Diving: PADI certified scuba diving is included.  There are generally two outings per day.  If you need to get certified, you can also do that right at the resort with a three hour class. 
  • Exchange Program: With the exchange program you get full access to any neighboring Sandals Resorts. For example, if you stay in St. Lucia, you get access to all 3 St. Lucia Sandals locations. That means you would get access to 27 restaurants and 21 bars in total. The same goes for Jamaica and Barbados. 
  • More Exclusive: Secrets Resorts are generally larger and each resort will have more rooms. Sandals Resorts will still have large properties with lots of activities, but there are fewer rooms which makes them more intimate. 
  • Exotic Locations: Sandals Resorts are all located on some of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean. Because Sandals was founded in the Caribbean over 40 years ago, they have cherry picked all the best locations to create the picture perfect tropical getaway.  They also have private offshore islands that you can stay on!
  • Couples and Romance Focused: If you are looking for a romantic retreat with your partner, there is no option better than Sandals.  Whether it’s a honeymoon, anniversary, or a much needed vacation, Sandals Resorts is designed with couples in mind.  Although Secrets can be plenty romantic, it was created with more emphasis on adults-only, so it doesn’t have the same options for romantic experiences and there can be more groups found there. 
  • Entertainment: There is entertainment every night of the week.  I do think that some locations have better entertainment than others. For example, the Grande St. Lucian has a large entertainment area that hosts amazing performances like fire dancers, Carnival celebrations, and plenty more. The piano bars are also fantastic for live music and karaoke. 
  • Butler Service: Sandals really shines when it comes to their Butler Level suites because their butlers are all certified by the Guild Of Professional English Butlers, whereas the Preferred rooms with butler service at Secrets essentially have a personalized concierge that was not very responsive for us. 
  • Unique Accommodations: I appreciate that Sandals is pushing the envelope when it comes to new types of rooms and designs.  The Skypool Suites, Rondoval Suites, and Overwater Bungalow Villas are just a few perfect examples. Secrets does not have these types of rooms.  Sandals is also continuously updating and renovating existing rooms. I have never stayed in a Sandals that felt outdated or unclean. 
  • Locally Focused: You can enjoy 5-star luxury service while eating some of the best local cuisine, listening to local music, and seeing the most famous local attractions. Importantly, Sandals also has a non-profit Foundation that solely focuses on giving back to the communities around the Caribbean. 
  • Excursion Options: Sandals is unique in that all resorts have their own Red Lane Spa and tour company Island Routes. Because of this, you get access to nearly unlimited activities that you can seamlessly do.   
  • Golfing: You get free transfers to and from the course, and get free greens fees. The only thing you would need to pay for is a cart if you want to rent one. There are courses available in Jamaica, St. Lucia, and the Bahamas. 
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Drawbacks Of Sandals Resorts:

  • Non-Stop Flights: All of the Sandals locations are in the Caribbean, while Secrets has more locations in Mexico. This can mean for some departure cities, a non-stop flight might be more challenging, but it is not always the case! Airports in Jamaica, Bahamas, St. Lucia will definitely have some non-stop flights. Other Caribbean islands might require a brief layover in Miami or something similar, but the layovers I have had are all pretty brief on my way to the islands.  
  • Room Service Options: Sandals has three room levels, and the introductory Luxury Level rooms will not have room service, but Club and Butler Level rooms will.  For me, having room service was not a deal breaker so I do not mind it as much if it means getting a better deal.  
  • Solo Travelers: Contrary to popular belief, Sandals is not exclusively for couples. You only have to be older than 18 to stay there. Individuals can stay at Sandals, but there is no single person occupancy rate, so the price would be rather high if you need your own room. 
  • Dinner Reservations: Some people don’t like that a reservation is required for a few of the nicer restaurants.  If you wait until the last minute, you might not be able to get a reservation for that night. A trick is to use the app to book ahead of time!

Secrets Resorts Overview

Secrets Vs Sandals_Secrets Resorts Overview

Having been to nearly all of the Secrets Resorts locations, there is a lot to like about the resorts, but also some drawbacks to be aware of.  I actually lived on the Riviera Maya for 6 months in 2023 so I have been to some of the Mexican Secrets many times and know how they compare to the other resorts very well!

What I Love About Secrets Resorts:

  • More Locations:  A big upside to Secrets Resorts is they have 28 locations in total that are spread out around Mexico, Central America, Spain, Bulgaria, and the Caribbean.  This provides more resorts to choose from depending on what you are looking for! 
  • Hyatt Group: Secrets is part of the Hyatt Group so you can use World Of Hyatt rewards to stay at Secrets, or use the points you earn at Secrets for other Hyatt Group hotel stays. 
  • Group Activities: There were group activities every day that included bike tours, tequila tastings, and site seeing.  This is a fun little touch if you have a couple of hours to fill.  
  • Room Service: Secrets includes 24 hour room service for all room levels, whereas Sandals does not have room service for the entry level Luxury rooms.  The room service also refilled our mini bar and snacks every day, but they do not have liquor in the mini bar. Just non-alcoholic drinks and beer. 
  • Secret Box: The “secret box” room service means you can enjoy the privacy of your room without seeing a soul to have your room service! Get breakfast dropped off right at your door. 
  • Individual Travelers And Groups: If you’re part of a group or a solo traveler who needs your own room, Secrets is the better option.  They have pricing that can accommodate single occupancy stays. This also means there will be more groups around the resort, whereas Sandals is more geared towards couples. 
  • Flexible Dining: Reservations generally not required at the restaurants. One exception that I noticed was for the Tepenyaki restaurants where there is limited seating, you need to make a reservation in advance for that. 
  • Golf: You can enjoy golf at the Cancun, Cabo, Montego Bay and Punta Cana locations. 
  • Accessibility: For the folks coming from the United States, traveling to Mexico is generally pretty easy, and you can potentially get non-stop flights to Cancun.  Since Secrets has a lot of locations in Mexico, getting there can be easier than some of the more exotic Caribbean Islands.

Drawbacks Of Secrets Resorts:

  • Tipping: There is tipping at Secrets, although it’s not required. The staff seemed to frequently try to upsell me on the different tiers and offerings like the Unlimited Vacation Club (UVC) as we checked in and throughout our time there. Sandals does not allow tipping at all so the environment seemed much more stress free. The last thing I want to do on vacation is sit and listen to a sales pitch. 
  • Airport Transfers: Airport transfers are not included so it adds more expenses, and it’s another piece of logistics planning that is so nice to not have to deal with. One time in Cancun we had an early flight and our transfer did not even show up! There are many providers you can get right at the airport. Especially in Cancun you will have no problem finding options like Amstar and others. 
  • Beach Quality: Beach quality is generally good, but I found a few locations to have less desirable beaches. For example, the Secrets Punta Cana beach was not too clean and there were vendors trying to sell a lot of things. The beach at Fuerteventure Spain is not really even a beach, it is very rocky. Also keep in mind that the Riviera Maya in Mexico can also be prone to heavy seaweed (or sargassum), especially around August. 
  • Unique Accommodations: Sandals has 4 locations with Overwater Bungalows while Secrets Resorts technically have no Overwater Bungalows.  The Palafitos Overwater Bungalows at the neighboring El Dorado Maroma are part of Hyatt though.  If you want unique suites like Overwater Bungalows, Skypool Suites, Villas, or Rondoval Suites, Sandals would be better. 
  • More Crowded: There were occasions where it was harder to find a lounge chair by the pool and beach, especially if you don’t have a premium level room. Because the Secrets resorts typically have more rooms than Sandals, at times the resorts feel more crowded (in the pools, beach, restaurant, and bars).

Cost Comparison Of Each Resort

One of the most important aspects to consider is the price of each resort.  I always recommend looking at everything that’s included at Sandals vs Secrets to make sure you are factoring in the full price of your vacation. 

As an example, I’ll share the price breakdown for the Sandals Montego Bay and the Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay using the same dates and comparable rooms so we have an apples to apples comparison. A stay at the Secrets in a Junior Suite With Ocean view is $603 per night for two people. In contrast, a stay at the Sandals in a Beachfront Club Room with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub is $592 per night for two people.  The price is pretty close for both, but remember that Secrets does not include tipping or airport transfers, so that will add at least $200 dollars to the total at Secrets Resorts. Overall, a 7 night vacation for two at the Sandals Montego Bay would be $4,144 and the Secrets Montego Bay would be $4,421, not including airfare. 

That said, the cost of either resort will vary depending on the specific location, room category, time of year, and current promotions.  I have found that both resorts will start at around $200 per person per night.  The cheapest Sandals locations are usually Sandals Ochi in Jamaica or Sandals La Toc in St. Lucia. For Secrets, the cheapest locations are usually Punta Cana, Cancun, and Cozumel. In general, you could likely find a room at Secrets for less than Sandals, but it would need to be in one of the Junior Suites in Mexico or Puerto Rico rather than the more exotic Caribbean locations that Sandals offers. 

Sandals has three room categories, Luxury Level, Club Level, and Butler Level.  The least expensive are the Luxury rooms. While Secrets has Junior and Preferred level rooms. There are a variety of Junior Suites available at Secrets Resorts that will be the most affordable options.

Importantly, there are several ways to save at both resorts depending on the time of year, if you are celebrating a special occasion, if you are a veteran, or plenty of other options!

Overall Conclusion

Overall, the decision between Secrets and Sandals really depends on the occasion, your budget, and the overall vibe you’re looking for. Some people will say that Sandals is more expensive, but for us, it has always been worth it once you consider everything you get. In fact, there are a lot of situations where Secrets is in fact more expensive after you add everything that isn’t included!

If you are looking for a romantic getaway, Sandals Resorts will be the best option because they are designed for couples in love.  Sandals is not a couples only resort, but the guests definitely skew more towards couples on vacation, on their honeymoon, or anniversaries because of the exclusive activities the resort offers.  Additionally, Sandals is truly luxury all-inclusive in the sense that they offer more activities, airport transfers, and do not allow tipping so it’s a low stress environment with big bang for your buck. 

I would recommend Secrets if you are going as a solo traveler or as a group.  Since Sandals does not offer single occupancy room rates, you will be able to get better pricing at Secrets because they do indeed offer single occupancy pricing.  Just remember that Secrets does not include tips or airport transfers, so there will be some additional costs you need to take care of.  Also, if you want to travel to Mexico, Spain, or Central America, Secrets would be the better option since Sandals is only located in the Caribbean. 

I know there are a lot of things to consider in this comparison, and it is hard to go wrong with either resort!  If you need help picking the perfect location or making sure you get the best deal, just let me know.  We have created thousands of tropical vacations for happy clients!

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Comparison Table: Secrets Vs Sandals

Item Sandals Resorts Secrets Resorts
Adults Only Yes, Sandals is adults only. Yes, Secrets is adults only.
Couples Only Sandals is oriented toward romantic couples, but is not restricted to couples only. Secrets is good for individuals, groups, or couples.
Locations There are 17 locations located entirely across the Caribbean Islands like Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados, and more. More locations located in Mexico, Central America, Costa Rico, and Europe.
Tipping No tipping allowed. Tipping is allowed and expected.
Airport Transfers Allways included no matter which room you choose. Transfers are not included.
Activities More water and land activities are included, like scuba diving, skiing, boat rides, and more. Activities like scuba diving or boat tours are not included.
Restaurants Several premium restaurants to choose from at each resort, each with a different theme. Some require reservations, while others are more casual. Each resort has several restaurants to choose from, generally they do not require a reservation.
Golf Golf is included at Jamaica and St. Lucia Resorts. Golf is included at the Cabo, Cancun, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay locations.
Sharing Privileges The stay and play program allows you full access to all Sandals when you stay at any location. (all restaurants, pools, and beaches at all Sandals) There is no reciprocal sharing program with Secrets Resorts when you stay at one.
Rooms Unique accommodations like Overwater Bungalows, Rondoval Suites, Bluff Side Villas, and butler service. Beautiful rooms that are well maintained, but there are no special suites like Overwater Bungalows or private villas.