Stay at one, play at two is the idea here. There are two resorts on property with 17 restaurants, 12 bars, 6 pools, and 5 whirlpools. The resorts are right next to each other, so guests are able to walk between them without having to get in a car.
Many of you guys might not be aware, Sandals is a luxury included resort for couples, meaning you cannot book a single’s room. You’re more than welcome to come here with your best friend, but keep in mind that the experience is tailored for couples looking for a luxurious romantic experience. Love is all you need to bring here, because everything else is taken care of.
One advice, bring bigger pants, because you’re going to need it after eating at all 17 restaurants!
Check-in Process
Sandals Royal Barbados offers complimentary roundtrip airport transfers. They have a stand outside the airport that cannot be missed. Upon arrival to the resort, I was greeted by the welcome staff singing while other staff members took my bags and gave me a cold towel to cool off from my short ride from the airport. It was such a friendly welcome that really set the mood for the entire experience.
The Room
Sandals Royal Barbados is an all-suites resort. I was in the Royal Seaside Crystal Lagoon Penthouse Oceanview Butler Suite w/ Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub. The room is spacious with a separate living room and a private balcony with a soaking tub. The bathroom is outfitted with a dual-control walk-in shower and a double basin vanity. The best part about it? Personal butler service. I had the pleasure of having three butlers during my stay and I want to give a special shout out to Makeba, who was just wonderful and extremely attentive to all my needs.
The bathrooms are stocked with products from the Red Lane Spa. All products are sulfate-free with all natural ingredients.
Dining
The amazing French Toast at La Parisienne
Executive Chef Garry O’Connor
Believe it or not, I ate at all 17 restaurants between two resorts. I had the pleasure of meeting the executive chef, the F&B manager, the resort manager, and the PR manager each night at different restaurants throughout my stay. There are many options to choose between both resorts, but I’m going to keep my focus here on Sandals Royal Barbados. Global Gourmet is what Sandals Royal Barbados offers to its guests. The restaurants here feature master chefs from all over the world, meaning if you’re eating at a Chinese restaurant, the chef is from the specific region of what the concept of the restaurant is based on.
Variety, authenticity, quality, value, consistency, and modernization are the six pillars of their 5-Star Global Gourmet mission. One major plus for me is that Sandals is in the process eliminating all single-use plastic straws by November 1.
The six restaurants on the Sandals Royal Barbados side are-
This is your steak & seafood restaurants. Butch's Steak & Seafood serves the highest quality grain-fed Midwestern beef together with the finest fish and seafood. I don’t eat beef, so i had most of their seafood dishes. They also have a large selection of side dishes that can be combined into a main meal. The attire is evening resort, meaning no tee-shirts, shorts and sandals.
One of my favorites meals during my stay. Chi is an asian fusion restaurant combing flavors from Korea, Japan, China, and Vietnam. Everything was delicious and came in great presentation. My favorite was the pork belly bun, which you can see a photo in my gallery below. This is a must stop if you like Asian cuisine.
American Tavern serves contemporary comfort food. I came here for both breakfast and lunch during my stay. The concept changes daily for lunch/breakfast. It is served buffet style for breakfast and lunch. This is the place to go if you want something quick and easy during the day!
My Favorite restaurant for dinner at Sandals Royal Barbados. Every single item on the dinner menu is meticulously prepped and full of flavor. They also have an amazing wine pairing option here and the staff is educated on recommending the best paring for your evening. Must make this a visit for dinner during your stay!
Neptunes is a casual restaurant by the pool that serves simple, flavorful cuisine in a stunning seaside setting. It’s a nice little stop in the afternoon if you’re hungry but not ready for a full meal yet. The portion sizes are small so you won’t overindulge.
A very popular casual spot at the resort! With open-air seating and a rustic vibe, the Jerk Shack serves up authentic jerk with traditional accompaniments. This is a MUST stop. I came here almost daily during my stay. Get the spicy sauce, you’ll thank me later!
The Service
There is a difference between genuine 5-star service and “forced” 5-star service. At Sandals Royal Barbados, everyone was extremely friendly and warm. The service felt authentic and real. I want to take this moment to talk about Butler’s Elite, which is a service included in all top-tier booking categories. All personal butlers are trained in accordance to exacting standards by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, which provides butlers and valets to nobility and celebrities worldwide.
During my entire stay, my butler made all my dinner reservations, tour bookings, and water activities for me. One day I was lounging by the pool, my butler brought me pizza and made sure I had a drink with me the entire time I relaxed by the pool. In the evening, the butler escorted me to dinner where they have reserved for me, sat me down, and got my first drink for me. Throughout my stay, I built a very good relationship with my butler, Makeba, that she became my go-to for everything. On my last night, she even arranged breakfast for me at 3am to make sure I had some breakfast before I had to depart.
Activities and Entertainment
There are many stunning pools to choose from depending on what you’re looking for. If you are looking for a quiet time relaxing by the pool, then go to the rooftop infinity pool overlooking the ocean. If you are looking to be in the midst of the action, then go to the main infinity pool with a DJ playing all afternoon. For poolside spots, your butlers will hold your chair for you until 10 am. You won’t have a problem finding a spot by the pool. The pool gets busy from 10am to around 5pm.
There are also beach chairs on the beach for guests that prefer to be on the sand. Many water sports are included, such as kayaks, snorkeling, hobie cats, paddle boarding, and glass bottom boat rides. I went out on the hobie cat one of the days. It was a short 20 min ride but great to see the resort and island from the ocean.
There is Lovers Lane for those that prefer land activities. It is a 4-lane bowling alley with a beer bar that serves 19 different beers from around the world. This is normally where guests hang out at night and it is packed from 10pm and on after dinner. There are pool tables outside as well as TVs and fireplaces for guests to hangout. Lover Lane also has a full menu as well. There is live entertainment every night at 9pm at the main courtyard. It’s a great stop after dinner before you head to one of the bars on either Sandals Royal side or Sandals Barbados side.
Final Thoughts
I had such an amazing time being here. It was truly a paradise that I never wanted to leave. I remember at one point telling my friend that it is going to be very hard to go back to the real life after such an experience. I felt pampered, relaxed, and rejuvenated. I probably gained a few pounds, but well worth it! The only con I can think of is the wi-fi goes in and out a bit when you’re at specific spots of the resort, but you’re in Barbados, you should just disconnect and enjoy.
Since the resort is luxury included, it is up to the guests on tailoring their vacation the way they like it. Go out for an adventure on the water, lay poolside all day, or pamper yourself at the spa. If you’re looking to book here, I highly suggest booking a suite with butler service, it’s the best way to fully experience the resort. Now pack your bags and make your way to paradise!
The Spa at Sandals Royal Barbados