Our Sandals Barbados Review (2025)

Sandals Barbados is a luxury all-inclusive resort located on a gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach in the St. Lawrence Gap area of Barbados. Set right next door to Sandals Royal Barbados, this resort offers guests the chance to enjoy two resorts in one, with full access to the restaurants, pools, and amenities at both properties. Whether you’re coming for a honeymoon, anniversary, or a much-needed vacation, Sandals Barbados delivers an upscale, relaxing escape with something for everyone.

We loved our time at Sandals Barbados. The beach here is one of our all-time favorites, and the entire experience felt effortlessly luxurious, especially considering it’s one of the more affordable Sandals resorts. Read on for our full Sandals Barbados review to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your next Caribbean getaway.

Getting to Sandals Barbados

Getting here is easy. Sandals Barbados is just a 15-minute drive from Grantley Adams International Airport, and complimentary transfers are included. You’ll be relaxing by the pool with a drink in hand in no time.

Sometimes it can take some time for your luggage to arrive in the room. Because of this, we always bring everything we need for a few hours in the pool. Sometimes it also takes some time to get checked into a room.

Accommodations at Sandals Barbados

There are a variety of rooms and suites at Sandals Barbados, ranging from premium and deluxe rooms to club-level rooms and suites to butler suites. All of the accommodations here have a private outdoor patio or balcony and feature either garden or ocean views. Some have oversized outdoor soaking tubs.

Some of the most popular rooms are the swim-up rooms, which have swim-up access to the lagoon pool from private patios with oversized soaking tubs. The nicest room is the Beachfront Penthouse One Bedroom Butler Suite with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub.

When we visited, we stayed in a Beachfront Penthouse Club Level Suite with a Tranquility Soaking Tub on the balcony, and we found the views to be amazing.

Dining at Sandals Barbados Review

Since the two Barbados resorts are located right next to each other, you can easily walk back and forth to go to all of the restaurants and bars. There are 11 restaurants at Sandals Barbados and 9 at Sandals Royal Barbados.

There is definitely something for everyone here. Cuisines include Caribbean, international, Asian, Indian, Italian, American, French, Mediterranean, sushi, steak, seafood, grilled specialties, French pastries, pizza, and British pub fare. Unique to Sandals Royal Barbados is Greenhouse, which serves healthy farm-to-table dishes, and Heart & Sol, which serves smoothies, salads, wraps, and acai bowls.

Highlights Include:

• The Greenhouse: Farm-to-table healthy cuisine at Sandals Royal Barbados. One of our favorite meals, but also the slowest service. Reservations are required.
• Chi Asian Fusion: A flavorful Asian dining experience. Also at Sandals Royal Barbados.
• Bombay Club: Authentic Indian cuisine.
• Soy Sushi Bar: Creative sushi in a lively setting.
• Heart & Sol: Açaí bowls, wraps, smoothies, and healthy snacks.
• Dino’s Pizzeria and Schooners: For casual beachside dining.
• Sweet n’ Salty’s Gourmet Donuts: A fan favorite!
• Butch’s Chophouse – Reservations Required. This is a crowd pleaser and can be hard to get a reservation. Just keep going back till you do or show up when it opens.
• Café de Paris – This is your stop for espresso drinks like lattes and Americanos. They also serve pastries, treats and crepes.
• Merry Monkey – The resorts pub which actually has some great food.
• Kimonos – Reservations Required. This is a Sandals staple, entertaining guests with Japaneese Teppanyaki.
• Portofino’s – The resort’s Italian restaurant.
• Spices – This is our choice for breakfast and if we want a quick lunch at the buffet.
• Schooner’s – Seafood, only open for Dinner.
• The Mariner – Great for a casual lunch like the Jerk Burger.
• The Jerk Shack – Located at Sandals Royal Bahamian and our favorite lunch spot.

Drinks flow freely at swim-up bars, the Sky Rooftop Bar, pubs, and lounges across both resorts.

We especially enjoyed the Indian, pan-Asian, sushi, and farm-to-table restaurants. There is also a gourmet donut shop that we loved.

There are 14 bars between the two resorts, including swim-up bars, a cool rooftop bar with an infinity pool, a British pub, and more.

Sandals Barbados Activities & Amenities

Sandals Barbados offers a wide variety of included activities, many of which you’ll also find next door at Sandals Royal Barbados:

• Scuba diving for certified divers
• Snorkeling
• Paddleboarding, kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing
• Beach volleyball, bocce ball, tennis
• Sandals’ only bowling alley
• Fitness center and group classes
• Daily entertainment and live shows

You can choose from 11 pools, including beachfront and rooftop infinity. There’s a fitness center as well. You can also enjoy daily and nightly entertainment.

Here’s an expanded version of The Beach section for your Sandals Barbados review:

The Beach

The beach at Sandals Barbados is one of the standout features of the resort. Located along the scenic Maxwell Beach in the St. Lawrence Gap area, it boasts soft, powdery white sand and gorgeous turquoise water that’s as inviting as it looks in photos. I

t’s the kind of beach you dream about, perfect for long walks, lounging under an umbrella with a cocktail, or taking a refreshing swim.

The water here is usually calm enough to swim comfortably, especially in the mornings, though it can get a bit rough when the tide comes in. On red-flag days, it’s best to enjoy the view from the sand or hop into one of the many pools on property. When conditions are good, you can enjoy body surfing or floating in the gentle waves.

Because the beach is public (as all beaches in Barbados are), you will encounter some local vendors selling crafts or offering hair braiding. They’re generally respectful, and a polite “no thank you” is enough if you’re not interested.

Beach Chair Availability

This is one of the worst Sandals Resorts when it comes to getting a beach chair. If you want one of the best spots, it’s a good idea to head down very early in the morning.

If getting a front row beach chair is a priority, you should book a Butler suites.

With plenty of shade from palm trees, a laid-back vibe, and close proximity to beachside dining like Schooners and The Mariner’s Grill, the beach is a highlight for guests who want to blend relaxation with convenience. And since you’re right next to Sandals Royal Barbados, you can easily switch things up by walking a few steps down to enjoy the other side of the beach as well.

For an extra cost, you can book services at the full-service spa, or go on area excursions. We went out on a snorkeling trip and saw sea turtles and shipwrecks.

Is Sandals Barbados a party resort?

No, Sandals Barbados is not a party resort. It has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Neighboring Sandals Royal Barbados is livelier, with more nightlife options.

Can you swim in the ocean at Sandals Barbados?

Yes, you can swim in the ocean at Sandals Barbados, although the water is sometimes a little rough.

Does Sandals Barbados have a nice beach?

Sandals Barbados has a beautiful white-sand beach with clear blue water.

Is Sandals Barbados Right for You?

Sandals Barbados is ideal for couples looking for a relaxed, romantic getaway with access to a more vibrant scene just next door. While it’s not a party resort, you can enjoy more nightlife, bowling, rooftop bars, and entertainment at Sandals Royal Barbados.

It’s also a great pick for guests who want:

• Easy access from the airport
• A beautiful beach with walkability
• A more affordable Sandals option
• Access to a variety of dining without needing reservations
• Swim-up rooms or beachfront butler suites