Set in St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados, along a stretch of breathtaking beach right next to Sandals Barbados, Sandals Royal Barbados is one of our picks for best Sandals resort. We loved the beach, food, and pools here.
A bit more upscale than Sandals Barbados, Sandals Royal Barbados has a newer area that was added just a few years ago. It features some unique offerings like Sandals’ only rooftop bar, restaurant, and pool as well as Sandals only bowling alley, and an excellent farm-to-table restaurant.
With the neighboring resort, you have access to 21 restaurants, 14 bars, 11 pools, and 5 whirlpools.
Getting to Sandals Royal Barbados
Located just 15 minutes from the airport, Sandals Royal Barbados makes it easy to get into vacation mode right away. As at every Sandals, airport transfers are included.
Accommodations at Sandals Royal Barbados
There are only club and butler level accommodations at Sandals Royal Barbados. All are suites, and all have Tranquility Soaking Tubs on the private patios or balconies.
Our room was set near the back of the resort, away from the beach in the South Seas area. It was a swim-up club level ultra suite, and we really enjoyed being able to get right in the pool from our patio. We also enjoyed the Tranquility Soaking Tub on the patio.
Some of the more unique and luxurious options are the South Seas Rondoval Butler Suite with Private Pool Sanctuary, the Beachfront One Bedroom Skypool Butler Suite w/ Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub, and the Beachfront Prime Minister One Bedroom Butler Suite w/ Private Pool and Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub.
A new room here is the Royal Seaside Crystal Lagoon One Bedroom Butler Suite w/ Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub. There are also penthouse suites, beachfront suites, walkout suites, oceanview suites, one-bedroom suites, and more.
Sandals Royal Barbados Food & Drink
There are 9 restaurants onsite at Sandals Royal Barbados and 11 more next door at Sandals Barbados. You will be spoiled for choice with all the variety on offer: everything including Caribbean, international, Asian, Indian, Italian, American, French, Mediterranean, sushi, steak, seafood, grilled specialties, French pastries, pizza, and British pub fare.
A favorite of ours is Greenhouse, which serves healthy farm-to-table dishes. It is unique to Sandals Royal Barbados. We also loved Heart & Sol, which serves smoothies, salads, wraps, and acai bowls, and the gourmet donut shop. Other top picks were the Indian, pan-Asian, and sushi.
You’ll have plenty of options for drinks as well, with 14 bars between the two resorts. There are 6 bars onsite at Sandals Royal Barbados. We really enjoyed the rooftop bar with its wonderful views and cool vibe. There are also swim-up bars, a piano bar, a British pub, and Sandals’ first-ever craft beer bar.
Sandals Royal Barbados Activities & Amenities
Complimentary activities at Sandals Royal Barbados include a full range of watersports and land sports: scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing, tennis, beach volleyball, table tennis, bocce ball, cricket, and bowling at Sandals’ only bowling alley.
We loved the beach here, with its bright white sand and the clear blue water. Note that it can get a little crowded between the two resorts, so you may need to get up early to get a beach chair.
There are 11 pools to choose from at the two resorts. The main pool here is by the beach and has a cool glass infinity edge, along with a swim-up bar and daytime activities and music. Another great option is the rooftop infinity pool. There is also a big pool with swim-up bar in the South Seas area, as well as some quieter pools.
The fitness center is included, as is nightly entertainment like theme nights, beach parties, chocolate buffets, and live music.
The Red Lane Spa offers a full range of services for extra cost. You can also book area excursions (not included) to see more of beautiful Barbados.