Sandals Royal Barbados

Once we set foot on the beach at Sandals Royal Barbados, the soft powdery sand massages your feet with each step.  When people talk about white sand beaches, maybe it’s almost white, this beach is truly white sand! 

Stretched along the coastline of Maxwell beach, the Caribbean Sea’s glowing azure waters is a site to behold.

The property is tucked into the southwest corner of the island, and is protected with rock wave breaks, so the water at the beach is perfectly calm. If you swim out only a few meters, you are able to snorkel and see some pretty cool tropical fish. 

For those who prefer to stay on the surface, paddleboarding or kayaking is a great way to explore, with the gentle sea breeze at your back.  There are also beach volleyball games to participate in. 

Here’s what to expect for a day at the beach here: 

• Beach: A private white sand beach that wraps around the entire cove.
• Water: The calm and crystal clear waters are like a personal Caribbean swimming pool.  Perfect for taking a dip or swimming. 
• Watersports: A host of watersports like paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and hobbycats. PADI-certified scuba diving is a must-try.
• Lounging: The beach has plenty of lounge chairs, hammocks, umbrellas, or private cabanas with towels so you don’t need to worry about finding a spot or losing yours if you hit the water for a bit.
• Beach Service: Servers will deliver you drinks, food, and towels. There are also a couple of beach side bars like Neptunes you can go to.

The versatility of dining options is one of the reasons we love Sandals Royal Barbados. With 10 specialty restaurants, you can have a global gastronomic journey without leaving the resort.

Remember that you get access to 11 more restaurants at the other Sandals Barbados, so there are a total of 21 restaurants to choose from!

Here is a rundown of the restaurants at Royal Barbados:

Butch’s Steak and Seafood: A more formal dinner restaurant with reservations required.  We ate way too much premium grain-fed steak and fresh seafood. The ambiance is perfect for a romantic evening.  (Fun fact, the restaurant is named Butch’s after the founder of Sandals, Butch Stewart)

Chi Asian Fusion A more casual dinner setting, but reservations are still required here.  Here you can get amazing sushi, stir fry, pad thai, and other Aisian inspired dishes.  I would highly recommend the Mango Pudding for dessert!  

American Tavern: Serves traditional American comfort foods like ribs, burgers, caesar salads, crab cakes, and more.  There are no reservations required, and I really like going to this restaurant for the breakfast buffet because it opens at 7:30 AM. 

Parisienne: This restaurant features a rooftop patio that is a great place to watch the sunset.  It is open for breakfast and dinner, but reservations are required.  They prepared very nice French cuisine, and yes, that included escargots! 

Neptunes:  Neptunes was my favorite place to grab lunch because it is located right on the beach with a more casual vibe.  You can get fresh salads, seafood, and burgers, which are perfect mid day snacks while you are sitting a few feet away from the ocean. 

The Jerk Shack:  The Jerk Shack delivers some of the best jerk chicken and barbeque that I have had.  It is a Jamaican themed “shack”, so you can also wash the food down with a Red Stripe.  It’s a very casual place to grab a snack. 

Sweet N Salty’s:  A nice place to grab coffee in the morning because it opens early at 7:00 AM.  I am not super into donuts for breakfast, but to their credit, they do make everything fresh and they look and smell amazing! 

Heart And Sol: I actually loved this concept because it serves up healthy juices from locally sourced fruits and veggies.  You can get light sandwiches and salads that are made to order.  And, you can take them to go for a snack later – which is a great option if you are going for a hike or excursion. 

Greenhouse:  Really nice fresh foods here that are perfect for vegetarians, vegans, or lactose free.  It features a cool farm-to-table concept that is possible through partnerships with local farmers. 

Lovers Lane: The best for last? Yes. This Sandals is the only location with its own 4 lane bowling alley and bar.  It is a blast to have your own private alley after a day of sun!  

It’s worth noting that each restaurant not only served outstanding dishes but the staff was so on point with making sure you enjoyed the experience.  That was true with everything from a coffee in the morning to bowling at Lovers Lane. 

I have to admit, the pool offerings at Sandals Royal Barbados is my favorite of all the Sandals locations. 

The main pool is one of a kind. Imagine yourself relaxing in a glass walled infinity pool, where the water seems to cascade right into the sea in front of you.

And if that’s not enough, the resort features the first rooftop infinity pool in Barbados.  I loved to mix it up on the rooftop pool because it has a great panoramic view of the Caribbean. 

The swim up bar off on the side pool offers a great place to post up and relax in the pool with a drink and some good conversation.  It is also right by the beach so you get great views. 

For those that want access to their room without ever leaving the water, the swim-up suites and skypool suites are the perfect setup.  More on these later in the types of suites section.  

The nice thing about staying at Sandals Royal Barbados is you would never have to leave if you didn’t want to. There are a variety of activities that cater to all of your interests, even if that means simply maxing your relaxation.

Activities At The Resort

If you want a break from relaxing on the beach, Sandals offers a lot of activities right at the resort. The glass bottom boat is a great low key adventure to see fish and coral under the water’s surface. Aside from the water sports, the fitness center is ideal for keeping up with your workout routine.  You can also schedule tennis lessons with a certified instructor. 

• Watersport: Endless water sports including, kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, windsurfing, scuba excursions, and more!
• Tennis: The tennis courts are top-notch, and they have all the equipment available for you to use.
• Gym: Keep up with your fitness routine in our fully equipped gym.
• Table Tennis & Bocce: Engage in some friendly competition with table tennis or a game of bocce. 
• Beach volleyball:  Join a low key game of beach volleyball on the white sand beach. 
• Bowling: Throw some balls down the private bowling alley at Lovers Lane!

Relaxation And Spa

There’s nothing better than unwinding at the Spa while on vacation. I would highly recommend the “Scents Of Love” Couples massage to help set the romantic mood. You can get a massage in a private garden setting which is amazing to hear the waves and wildlife in the background, definitely worth it. 

• Red Lane Spa: Indulge in luxurious treatments, facials, manicures and pedicures at the Red Lane Spa.
• Couples Massage: Share a relaxing moment with a couples massage.
• Yoga Class: Join the yoga classes to balance your mind, body, and spirit.
• Sauna: The spa here includes a sauna which can be a nice break from the outside world.

Off-Site Adventures

If you want to adventure off the resort, there are a few activities that we highly recommend. 

• Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park:  Take a tram through the crystallized limestone cave which takes about 3 hours. It looks like something out of Narnia with its glowing pools of water and flowing streams.  It costs $57 but only $39 for children.  There is also a Zipline and Challenge Course that looks like a lot of fun!
• Hunte’s Gardens: Only 7 miles from Bridgetown, this famous botanical garden is extremely beautiful and contains a wide variety of Caribbean plants that are world renowned. Entrance to the garden is only $20. 
• Oistins Fish Market: The Friday night Fish Fry at Oistins is legendary.  It is a step toward a more authentic Barbados experience, and the music and dancing make the trip well worth it. You can get fried fish and a drink that will cost about $15 USD.  
• Checkout Bridgetown: The capital of Barbados located along the southwest point of the island. The colorful British colonial architecture and boardwalk are a must see! 
• Boat Excursions: Set sail on a catamaran or pirate boat tour to experience Carlisle Bay, the beaches, diving, and relaxation.  You can get these tours right from Island Routes at the Sandals Resort. 

Nightlife And Live Music

The evenings will always have something going on from live music to themed parties.  My personal favorite was Beach Party night, but there is so much to offer. 

• Nightlife: Mix and mingle at our themed parties and social gatherings.
• Live Music: Enjoy the vibrant rhythms of live music performances right here at the resort.
• Night Club Scene: You can find a range of lively clubs in Bridgetown and St Lawrence Gap if you want to step out to see the local vibe. 

There are 22 room categories that cater to everyone’s preferences and budgets.  In all, Sandals Royal Barbados has 272 luxurious suites throughout the resort.  The property is split between two villages called the Royal Seaside Village and the South Seas Village. 

For example, we stayed in a Skypool Suite, but here are the three different room levels to choose from:

Luxury Level Rooms:  The Sandals Luxury Level rooms are entry level rooms with amenities such as a king-size bed, smart TV, and in-room refrigerator. These rooms are still very nice rooms with great views, but without additional amenities like butler service or private pools.

Club Level Rooms: Club Sandals Level rooms include the Luxury Level offerings with added concierge services. These rooms come with a fully stocked bar with premium liquors and access to the Club Sandals Lounge. All of these will also have great views of the Caribbean. 

Butler Level Suites: If you want the ultimate luxury experience, Butler Level suites have a personal butler to tend to your every need. These include premium Skypool Suites, Swim Up Suites, Millionaire Suites, and Rondoval Suites.

Note that the Royal Barbados only includes Club and Butler level suites, whereas the connected Sandals Barbados includes Luxury Level rooms as well.

Overall, it really depends on your preferences and budget.  Regardless of the suite, you will get top-notch services and a plethora of amenities to make your stay at Sandals Royal Barbados an unforgettable one.

Sandals Royal Barbados was designed to provide the ultimate luxury experience. It’s important to remember that when you stay at Sandals Royal Barbados, you get access to all the amenities at the connected Sandals Barbados resort too!  Considering all of the included amenities, it was definitely worth it to us. 

Let’s unpack everything that is included: 

• Luxury Accommodations: The rooms and suites strike a fine balance of elegance and comfort. Even the Luxury Level rooms stand out as being quite nice for “entry level”.   
• Unlimited Dining And Drinks: With 10 gourmet restaurant options and 14 bars, all-inclusive is taken to the next level. You choose which restaurant you want for every meal.  Also premium liqueurs and wine like Mondavi Twin Oaks.
• Water Sports: The water sports options include PADI certified scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more!
• Land Sports:  Enjoy tennis and tennis training from a certified instructor.  There is also beach volleyball, table tennis, bocce ball, and more.
• Entertainment: There is always music and festivities going on somewhere it seems.  We really enjoyed Beach party night.  There is also live music and fire eaters. 
• Bowling:  The only Sandals resort that has its own private bowling ally!
• Service: The team is clearly dedicated to providing a friendly and attentive service.  If you go with the butler service, you can request anything you want at any time of day!
• Airport Transfers: Hassle-free transfers to and from the airport are included with any room package you get. 
• VIP Service: Top-tier suites will get Rolls-Royce transfers and escorted fast-track immigration at the airport.
• In-Room Wine and Spirits: A selection of premium wines and spirits are stocked right in your room.
• Private Beach: The beauty of the private white sand beach is just steps away from your suite.
• Fitness Center: A very nice and modern fitness center.  You can do classes or have a trainer, but we were too busy on the beach. 
• Wi Fi Connection: This is an underrated one for me!  The wifi connection everywhere on the resort was very strong (even on the beach) when I needed to work a little. 
• No Tipping Policy: Last but not least, no tipping is allowed! Indulge in whatever you want without the need for extra gratuities.  This creates a laid back atmosphere, but more importantly, you wont get any extra fees or charges at checkout.

There are also amenities that are offered, but not included.  These are things like the on-site Red Lane spa, beach cabanas, butler candlelight dinners, and local tours.

Sandals Royal Barbados located on the southwest corner of Barbados, just on the outskirts of St. Lawrence Gap.  Although it is the most easterly island of the Caribbean, the flight from Miami takes just over 3 and a half hours. 

There are several direct flights from major cities in the United States and Canada. 

The resort is conveniently situated just a short 15-minute drive from Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).  Each stay at Sandals includes a complimentary transfer to and from the airport so we were through immigration and at the resort in no time.  

I went to Sandals Royal Barbados with my wife, and I could easily see the allure of celebrating special romantic milestones here.

Whether a destination wedding, honeymoon or an anniversary, the luxurious yet beautiful resort property serves as the perfect backdrop for special moments.

Weddings: The Royal Barbados is the only Sandals resort that has a rooftop terrace so you can have an intimate ceremony overlooking the Caribbean views. You can also have a gazebo setup on the beach or in the garden. The Sandals staff is on standby for all your wedding needs from a test drive to the final vows!

Honeymoons: The honeymoon package is specially designed for newlyweds, which  includes a bottle of chilled sparkling wine upon arrival, a special turndown service, candlelit honeymoon dinner, and a breakfast in bed. Suites come with soaking tubs for two set the stage for relaxation and romance.

Anniversaries: Celebrating a milestone can be just as exciting as those first blissful wedding days together. The resort offers a renewal of vows packages, so you can reaffirm your love in paradise, complete with a photo session to capture the magic.  The package also includes options similar to the honeymoon package, like sparkling wine at arrival, candlelit dinner, and breakfast in bed.  I might also suggest a couples massage at the spa to get the mood going. 

When is the best time to visit Sandals Royal Barbados?

The best time to visit Barbados from January to April when there is not much rain and the average temperature is a pleasant 85 °F.  For the best pricing and less crowds, the rainy season between June and November can offer great value.

How does Sandals Royal Barbados cater to couples seeking a romantic getaway?

Sandals Resorts create a romantic escape with it’s adult only environment. Couples can enjoy lavish suites with private Skypools, private candlelit dinners on the beach, or couples massages at the Red Lane Spa.  The staff is there to support any request you might have to ensure the perfect experience for you and your loved one. 

What is the difference between Sandals Royal Barbados and the Sandals Barbados?

Sandals Royal is a little more upscale, featuring only Club and Butler level suites.  Whereas, the neighboring Sandals Barbados also has Luxury level suites.  Guests at both resorts can freely use the amenities at each location though.  Getting to the two resorts is a short 5 minute walk as they are connecting with a walking path and practically the same property.