Sandals Barbados used to be #5 on my list of favorite Sandals resorts. Not anymore.
That doesn’t mean we don’t like the resort. We do. My wife and I returned to Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados this past June for our second visit, and there is still a lot to like.
But after this trip, I couldn’t justify keeping it in my Top 5. Here’s why.
Why Listen to Me?
First, the usual disclaimer.
I’m not a travel agent or tour guide. I haven’t visited every Sandals resort, and I certainly don’t pretend to know every all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean.
What I can give you is my own experience.
My wife and I usually visit Sandals at least twice a year. We’re Diamond loyalty members, and this was our second trip to Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados. This review is based on our experience.
There’s Still a Lot to Like at Sandals Barbados
Let’s start with the positive. Barbados is a beautiful island, and we really enjoyed it.
The Sandals property is also unusual because Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados sit side by side, essentially giving you two resorts to enjoy.
And there is plenty to enjoy.
The food is excellent, with more than 20 dining options. We particularly enjoyed the Indian restaurant.
The pools are also excellent. I love the rooftop Skybar, and the resort has some unusual features you won’t find at every Sandals—including a bowling alley and a beer bar with televisions for watching sports.
The World Cup was happening during our visit, so I especially appreciated that.
The excursions we’ve done in Barbados have also been excellent. So why did the resort fall out of my Top 5?
The Beach at Sandals Barbados Was a Mess
This was my biggest issue.
We visited in June, and the beach was covered with seaweed throughout our stay.
Sandals did its best to clean it up, but there was only so much they could do.
For a resort to make my Top 5, I expect a great beach. During this trip, Barbados simply didn’t have one.
I also recognize that beach conditions change throughout the year. Our experience in June isn’t necessarily what someone will find during another season.
But my rankings are based on the trips we actually experienced. And this wasn’t a Top 5 beach experience.
Great Food. Mediocre Service.
The food and service were a mixed bag.
As I mentioned, the food was a major strength. There are tons of choices, and we ate very well.
The service was another story. We pay extra for butler service when we stay at Sandals, so I think it’s reasonable to expect excellent service. At Sandals Barbados, it just wasn’t as good as what we’ve experienced at some of the other Sandals resorts.
It wasn’t terrible. It was mediocre. And mediocre isn’t enough to help a resort stay in my Top 5.
Renovations Didn’t Help at Sandals Barbados
We also picked an unfortunate time to visit.
Major renovations were underway at Sandals Barbados, including work around the main building and pool area.
It was a nuisance and affected the overall experience.
To be fair, renovations are temporary. I wouldn’t permanently downgrade a resort simply because construction happened to be underway during one visit.
But I did learn something from it. Before returning to a resort, I’ll check whether any major renovations are planned during our stay. If there are, I’ll probably go somewhere else and come back when they’re finished.
So What’s #5 Now?
I don’t know. And I’m okay with that.
My current Top 4 remains Sandals South Coast, Sandals Regency La Toc, Sandals Saint Vincent and Sandals Grenada.
Previously, Sandals Grande Antigua sat just behind Barbados on my list.
But I haven’t visited Antigua in years, and I’m not going to automatically move it into the #5 spot based on an old experience.
I’ll leave #5 open. We’ll visit more resorts, revisit some old favorites, and eventually one of them will earn the spot.
Would We Return to Barbados?
Yes. That’s probably the most important point.
Dropping Sandals Barbados out of my Top 5 doesn’t mean we had a terrible vacation or that I wouldn’t recommend the resort.
Barbados is still a great island. The resort has excellent food, excellent pools, and some genuinely fun and unusual features.
Our experience just wasn’t good enough to keep it among my five favorite Sandals resorts.
We’ll return. Probably not in June.
And next time, I’ll make sure there aren’t any major renovations underway before we book.
The ranking changed. Our desire to return didn’t.
I am Doug Keating, and this is my letter to my sons.