Two of the luxurious adults-only all-inclusive Sandals resorts are Sandals Barbados and Sandals Montego Bay. There are a lot of similarities between these two, but also some differences.
Although they are located on different islands—Barbados and Jamaica—both of these resorts offer access to a neighboring resort, are set on beautiful beaches, and offer plenty to do.
To help you choose which one is right for you, here is our comparison of Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay.
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Quick Take
Both Sandals Barbados and Sandals Montego Bay have a lot to offer, including access to all the amenities at another resort, beautiful beaches, and lots to do. However, Sandals Montego Bay has a more active nightlife.
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Overview
Sandals Barbados is located on beautiful Dover Beach and has been named the second-best all-inclusive resort in Barbados. It’s next to Sandals Royal Barbados, giving you access to a total of 21 restaurants, 14 bars, 11 pools, and 6 whirlpools. Since they are only separated by a path, it’s easy to walk back and forth between the two properties. Sandals Barbados has a quieter atmosphere than Sandals Royal Barbados, which is newer and livelier.
Sandals Montego Bay is one of 7 Sandals resorts in Jamaica and is the original Sandals (although completely renovated in 2019). Set in lively Montego Bay, it features a long white-sand beach with calm turquoise water, 7 pools, 3 whirlpools, 12 restaurants, and 6 bars. You also get access via a free shuttle to all the amenities at nearby Sandals Royal Caribbean, which has 9 restaurants, 5 bars, 8 pools, and 6 whirlpools as well as a private offshore island with pool, swim-up bar, beach cabanas, and a Thai restaurant.
Sandals Montego Bay is rated higher than Sandals Barbados.
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Location
Sandals Barbados is located on Dover Beach in the St. Lawrence Gap area of Barbados. It is 25 minutes from the capital of Bridgetown and 15 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport.
Sandals Montego Bay is located on the beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica, just about 5 minutes from Sangster International Airport.
As at every Sandals, airport transfers are complimentary.
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Beaches
The beach at Sandals Barbados is one of the best on the island and features white sand and vivid blue water. However, it is a small area relative to the size of the resort, so it can be hard to find a lounge chair.
Sandals Montego Bay’s beach is very long, so it’s fairly easy to find a lounge chair here. It’s a lovely private stretch of white sand along turquoise water that is very calm thanks to offshore reefs.
Both resorts have a wide range of complimentary watersports available at the beach. Sandals Montego Bay has motorized options including waterskiing.
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Rooms and Suites
The rooms and suites at Sandals Barbados are spread across three areas, each with its own atmosphere: the Caribbean Village, the Crystal Lagoon Village, and the Beachfront Village. Choose from a variety of rooms and suites, including garden-view Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon Suites, beachfront suites with Tranquility Soaking Tubs for two, swim-up suites, and penthouse suites.
We stayed in one of the Beachfront Penthouse Club Level Suites with a Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub. Penthouse suites are on the top levels and overlook the pool and beach beyond.
Sandals Montego Bay has a wide range of rooms and suites, many of which are beachfront or very close. We love the swim-up rooms that overlook the ocean. These Beachfront Swim-up Butler Suites feature a retractable glass wall that slides open so you can step right into the lagoon-style pool and go for a swim, lie in the sun on your private in-pool lounger, or enjoy an oversized Tranquility Soaking Tup for two. And you’re just steps from the beach.
Other romantic rooms include Beachfront Honeymoon Butler Suites, with a balcony that overlooks the Caribbean and has a Tranquility Soaking Tub; Crystal Lagoon Swim-up Elite Luxury Rooms with a private patio and direct access to a swimming pool surrounded by lush gardens; or Beachfront Honeymoon Walkout Club Elite Junior Suites, located just steps from the beach and featuring Tranquility Soaking Tubs with ocean views.
All the butler suites at both resorts come with the 24-hour services of a private butler, while all club-level rooms and suites give you access to dedicated concierge service, a 24-hour private lounge, and special activities.
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Activities and Amenities
Both Sandals Barbados and Montego Bay have plenty of complimentary unlimited activities including water and land sports. Even scuba diving is included; certified divers can dive up to twice a day at either resort. Sandals Montego Bay has motorized watersports including waterskiing, while all the watersports at Sandals Barbados are nonmotorized.
Both resorts also have state-of-the-art fitness centers and luxurious spas. The spa at Montego Bay is especially nice, with a sauna as well as plunge pools in a secluded garden that are free to use.
Sandals Barbados has 3 pools and 3 whirlpools, plus a variety of complimentary watersports including snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, glass-bottom boat rides, and Hobie Cat sailing. Land activities include day and night tennis, beach volleyball, bocce ball, cricket, table tennis, and pool. You also have access to all the pools and activities at neighboring Sandals Royal Barbados (which has a bowling alley as well as a beachfront glass-edge pool).
You can also get out and see the lovely island of Barbados. Visit nearby St. Lawrence Gap or go to the capital city of Bridgetown and hit bustling Broad Street for some shopping, explore botanical gardens, or tour rum distilleries like Mount Gay or St. Nicholas Abbey, which also has a museum in a 350-year-old plantation home.
We booked a snorkeling excursion that included seeing a sea turtle and 3 shipwrecks that we highly recommend.
Sandals Montego Bay has 7 pools and 3 whirlpools. Water sports include wakeboarding, tubing, and waterskiing as well as the usual snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and Hobie Cat sailing.
Land sports include day and night tennis in addition to beach volleyball, pickleball, table tennis, lawn chess, croquet, basketball, pool tables, and exercise classes. You also get access via a free shuttle to all the amenities and activities at nearby Sandals Royal Caribbean, which has 8 pools and 6 whirlpools. It also features a private offshore island with a pool, swim-up bar, beach cabanas, and Thai restaurant.
You can also explore the lively town of Montego Bay or take an excursion to see more of Jamaica. Excursions at Sandals Montego Bay include ziplining in the jungle, horseback riding on the beach, ATV tours, a “drive-your-own” adventure to Negril or Ocho Rios, boat trips, river rafting, waterfall tours, mountain hiking, swimming in a luminous lagoon, rum tours, catamaran cruises, and more. (These are not included in your stay.)
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Food and Drink
Sandals Barbados has 8 bars and 11 restaurants, including Indian, a world-class steakhouse, a beachfront seafood grill, and a hot dog stand by the pool. You can also enjoy sushi, Caribbean, Italian, Asian, pizza, and Parisian-style pastries and crepes.
You also get access to all the restaurants and bars at Sandals Royal Barbados, which you can walk to next door. This gives you a total of 21 restaurants and 14 bars.
Sandals Montego Bay features 6 bars (including swim-up bars and a piano bar) and 12 restaurants, many of which overlook the beautiful beach. These include an elegant Old Jamaican restaurant, a seaside bar and grill, Italian, Japanese, a steakhouse, a waterfront restaurant serving international dishes, a sushi bar, a Caribbean jerk shack, a British pub, a casual pizzeria, a Parisian café, and a toes-in-the-sand open-air restaurant serving fresh seafood and local dishes.
You also have access via a complimentary shuttle to Sandals Royal Caribbean, which has 9 restaurants and 6 bars, including swim-up bars and a piano bar.
At both Sandals Barbados and Montego Bay, you can also get room service or request private dining options like a candlelight dinner on the beach (for an extra fee). If you are in a club level room, you can get room service between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.; butler suites get 24/7 room service.
As at all Sandals resorts, your all-inclusive rate covers unlimited meals and snacks plus all beverages including premium liquors and Robert Mondavi wines.
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Nightlife
Sandals Barbados has 8 bars including a swim-up bar and a tiki bar. It is a quieter resort, but you can walk next door to Sandals Royal Barbados for a more active nightlife scene. It features nightly entertainment such as theme nights, beach parties, chocolate buffets, Barbados Day, and live music, plus 6 bars including a hip rooftop bar with a glass-edged infinity pool, a piano bar, and a craft beer bar. There’s also a bowling alley.
Sandals Montego Bay is known for its vibrant atmosphere. It has 6 bars including swim-up bars and a piano bar as well as plenty of nightly entertainment options, including live shows, music, a piano bar, beach parties, and theme nights. Sandals Montego Bay is also close to the active nightlife scene in Montego Bay, if you want to go out to local clubs. And you can also go to the bars at Sandals Royal Caribbean via a free shuttle.
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Price
Although rates at Sandals resorts vary throughout the year, Sandals Montego Bay is currently more affordable than Sandals Barbados. Rates at Sandals Barbados currently start at $336 per person per night, while rates at Sandals Montego Bay start at $189 per person per night.
Stays at all Sandals resorts include all meals and snacks at all restaurants; unlimited non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including unlimited premium liquors and unlimited Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines; a minibar in your room that is refreshed daily, stocked with juice, water, soft drinks, wine and beer; a coffee maker with Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend coffee; unlimited nonmotorized watersports such as snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking, including equipment and professional instruction; scuba diving (including equipment) for certified divers; unlimited land sports including golf and tennis (at most resorts), beach volleyball, etc.; a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment; daily and nightly entertainment; WiFi; roundtrip airport transfers; private airport arrival lounges at some locations; and roundtrip shuttles to other resorts and access to their facilities (at some locations).
You won’t have to worry about tips and taxes because they are all included as well. Plus, stay a minimum of 7 nights in a club or butler room and get a free wedding. The Sweetheart Package is good for up to 10 people and also gives you a 15% discount at the spa as well as credits toward photography and videography packages. Free ceremonies are limited to Monday through Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sandals Barbados vs. Montego Bay Conclusion
Both are great resorts with a lot of similarities including access to amenities at another resort. However, at Sandals Barbados you can walk next door to Royal Barbados, whereas you have to take a shuttle from Sandals Montego Bay to Sandals Royal Caribbean. Sandals Montego Bay is more affordable, though.
Sandals Montego Bay has a more vibrant nightlife scene and gives you access to all the bars and clubs in Montego Bay as well. It is also rated higher than Sandals Barbados (4.4 vs. 4.2 on Google).