Are you planning a trip to Barbados and wondering where to stay? With so many hotels and resorts, it is hard to pick the best one for you and your partner.
Barbados has a wide range of hotels to pick from. They vary from small boutique hotels with less than ten rooms to large resorts with over 350 rooms. Among all of these possibilities, Sandals Barbados stands out as one of the favourite options among travellers.
With its atmosphere, restaurants and bars, entertainment, spa, and an extensive offer of other amenities, this hotel has been enchanting tourists who visit.
Learn more about what to expect when arriving and everything that Sandals offers.
Sandals Barbados is one of the resorts owned by the Sandals group. Over the years, they have perfected their reputation as one of the best hotels for a romantic getaway in the Caribbean.
Sandals is one of the most well-known hospitality names, winning many awards for its exceptional locations and services. Today, they have five brands and 24 properties all over the Caribbean, in countries like Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, Antigua, and Barbados.
Sandals Barbados is an adults-only vacation destination. Located in the St. Lawrence Gap area, this all-inclusive retreat is the perfect spot for a romantic vacation with a partner.
Luxurious dining experiences with international cuisine, surfing and sunbathing afternoons at the beach, and bathing on Tranquility Soaking Tubs™ are some of the few things you will be able to do here at this resort.
Barbados is where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet. This makes this country one of the most unique ecosystems on the American continent, with rich biodiversity and mesmerizing landscapes.
In Barbados' 430 km2, you can find an extensive diversity of wildlife. Here, there are terrestrial species native to the island and others that stop by during migration season. Go under the ocean, and you will find an even more extensive range of species to explore.
The economy of Barbados moves primarily because of tourism, and its environment and fauna are a strong reason for the country's appeal to travellers. The marine and terrestrial wildlife and landscapes are well preserved to guarantee the best experience for those who live on the island or are visiting for a while.
The government of Barbados is very active in supporting environmental preservation. The result is clean and golden beaches, crystal-clear ocean water, green trees all over the island, and many different animal species that live in harmony with the population.
Getting to Sandals Barbados
The best way to get to Barbados is by airplane. Air Canada has non-stop daily flights from Toronto to Barbados, and during winter, Montreal connections are through Toronto.
Sandals Barbados is located less than 12 km away from the Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI). That is the closest airport to the resort and the easiest one to fly into.
Location
Sandals Barbados is located on the south coast of Worthing Beach. It is within walking distance from St. Lawrence Gap, the hip neighbourhood with lively nightlife and many restaurants and boutiques.
The hotel is also close to Rockley Beach, another popular destination among travellers, and not too far from plenty of other beaches where you can day-trip to. It is 8 km away from the capital of Barbados, Bridgetown.
Transportation
The quickest way to get to the hotel from the airport is to grab a taxi. There are plenty of those available once you leave the gate, and it will cost you about $20-25 Canadian dollars and 12 minutes to get there.
The hotel also offers private transfers to its clients, so call them ahead and schedule a pickup time at the airport. There's also a Sandals desk at the airport, where your complimentary transfer can be arranged.
There are also bus lines that will leave you near the hotel entrance. They are the cheapest option and run regularly from the airport bus stop. However, it will take around 30-40 minutes to get to the hotel.
Local Language and Culture
The culture of Barbados is a blend of British and West African cultures. This is because Barbados was a British colony for quite some time, and they used to bring African slaves to the country to work the fields and in the homes of the settlers.
As the years went by and Barbados became independent, both cultures emerged to form the population of Barbados today. The official language of the island is English. Still, some people speak the Bajan dialect, which is a mixture of the different languages spoken by its people over the centuries.
Is It Beneficial to Know a Little Bajan?
Bajan is a local dialect of Barbados, iconic of its culture. Although most Barbadians speak it, the official language in the country is still English, so it isn't necessary to learn Bajan to communicate around the island.
However, if you are a curious traveller, knowing a phrase or two to impress the locals around you is always good to have in your back pocket.
The Atmosphere at Sandals Barbados
Sandals Barbados is a romantic oasis in one of the most beautiful Caribbean countries. With luxurious accommodations, restaurants with cuisines from different places of the world, and amenities that scream comfort, we know your vacation will be memorable for the rest of your life.
The open and illuminated hotel lobby will already be your first proof of that. Their design, from the rooms to the patios, reflects the tropical exoticness of Barbados. Romance and relaxation are two essential values and features you will be seeing in every tiny detail during your stay.
How Do People Rate the Service?
People who rate Sandals Barbados only have positive reviews. Most of the guests talk about the luxurious quality of their rooms and the many amenities that complement their experience.
Sandals Barbados has a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor, with almost 5000 reviews today. In their review, people mention the tranquillity of the atmosphere around them, with the pools, beach, and restaurants never being too crowded.
The safety regarding COVID is worth noting, as tourists felt highly safe when travelling to the hotel. There is also a lot of praise regarding the staff and their exceptional service and care for every need of the guests.
Hotel Amenities
Sandals Barbados has an extensive variety of amenities made available for their guests. There are so many possibilities of places to eat and things to do that we feel like you don't even need to leave the hotel to have an exceptional experience.
Restaurants
Sandals Barbados' restaurants receive worldwide praise for their international cuisine and variety of options for guests. There are 11 restaurants at the resort and another nine at Sandals Royal Barbados, just next door. This makes a total of 20 different restaurants for your to try!
The cuisines vary from modern Caribbean to classic Italian, sushi, Indian, and even a New York-style steakhouse. Each restaurant has its own chef, who works towards presenting authentic and delicious meals to guests. The environment and design of the restaurants reflect their cuisine and are all unique and creative.
Each experience at a different restaurant is a new wave of flavours and sensations. Try Schooners Seafood Grill for a fresh meal by the beach, and hit the Bombay Club for an Indian experience in the evening.
Spices, the Caribbean cuisine restaurant, serves traditional dishes from Barbados with a modern touch to them, and Kimonos serves some of the best oriental dishes on the whole island.
We know you will find the best restaurant for your taste at Sandals Barbados and even discover flavours that might become your next favourite.
Bars
Since the restaurants and food at Sandals Barbados are so refined and authentic, the bars meet those same standards.
You will find establishments like the Merry Monkey English Bar at the resort, an authentic gastro-pup experience. The decor of this establishment reflects the atmosphere of traditional English pubs, and the drinks do the job just as well.
Sandals Barbados has premium liquor options available and over 11 bars to enjoy your evening, including an over the water bar.
Most restaurants in the resort also have their drinks menu, built by professional bartenders and complementing the theme and cuisine of the restaurant. By the pool and the beach, you can try refreshing cocktails and always order a bottle of wine and rum at any moment!
Red Lane Spa
Sandals Barbados SPA is the mecca for relaxation and well-being. They offer luxurious treatments that engage all your senses and relax your body and mind.
Here they offer different styles of massages, from different packages of couples massages to deep-relief treatments, pre-maternal pampering, and Himalayan salt stone body therapy.
Maybe try a body or facial treatment. Exfoliate your body and treat it with a unique papaya and pineapple salt mousse. And how about getting a tropical glow facial and body treatment as well?
Manicures and pedicures are also available at the salon.
Sports and Recreation
Sandals Barbados also offers a vast array of sports and activities for their guests to try.
The fitness centre at the hotel is packed with modern equipment and fitness classes every day. You can opt to take private training sessions with personal trainers at the gym or check their schedules to see what group classes are offered.
Group classes include couple's stretching, tennis lessons, power walking, abs and buns workouts, water sports, and other activities for people at different training levels and ages.
Watersports
There are plenty of water activities for those guests who are more active and enjoy exercising under the sun. Waterskiing and waterboarding are part of the all-inclusive package, and here they can test their abilities to stay balanced over the board.
Bodyboarding, tubing, aqua trikes, and snorkelling are other examples of water activities included in the resort. There's a new way to enjoy the beach and the sun every day!
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is a must, where you'll explore the wildlife under the Caribbean sea. There is no better place to dive than in the Caribbean, with colourful reefs and many different and unique fish to see.
It is also included at the all-inclusive resort. At Sandals Barbados, trained and certified staff members will take you to the best diving spots around the island.
Day and Night Entertainment
No one knows how to party like in the Caribbean, and the entertainment at Sandals Barbados, which happens day and night, is the perfect illustration of that.
You can find many different bars with different themes and drinks to try at the resort. Also, many themed parties are happening all over the year. Just check which ones will be taking place during your stay.
At nighttime, the sun goes down, and the music turns up. Beach parties, discos, and acrobat and fire shows are some entertainment you'll find at Sandals Barbados nightlife.
Excursions
Aside from the hotel's amenities, Sandals Barbados also offers different excursions around the island of Barbados.
Harrison's Cave
Located in the centre of Barbados and composed of mesmerizing rock formations, Harrison's Cave is the only dive-in cave on this side of the island. Inside, there are cascades and streams of water that create a beautiful view for those who decide to enter.
After that, you can try a walk around nature just outside the cave, exploring the rich fauna and flora of the island. Also, there's the tram that can take you further into nature, where you'll be exposed to the true colours of Barbados.
The tour costs $82 per person, and the hotel takes care of everything, from transportation to entrance tickets to the guide who will be taking you down on this adventure.
Bathsheba
On the east coast of Barbados, Bathsheba is a beach where visitors can explore crystal-clear water and clean, white sand. The rock formations around it and the small fishing village nearby make this experience even more unique.
This is a hidden and well-kept secret of Barbados, where a few tourists come to explore deserted beaches and try rum at local shops and restaurants. It is an ideal one-day destination for those who want to escape the resort environment for a while.
Dover Beach
Dover beach, just like Sandals Barbados, is located close to the St. Lawrence Gap, making it an easy destination to get to. This beach is famous because of the many watersports, including jet-skiing, windsurfing, and boogie boarding.
It is a safe beach, with just enough water currents and a lifeguard watching over the ocean. By the beach, there are many shops to purchase food and drinks and clothes and swimming gear.
This beach is within walking distance from the hotel, but you can always request a transfer or a taxi at the reception.
Is the Sandals Barbados Kid-Friendly or Adults Only?
Sandals Barbados is an adults-only resort. The resort is designed for romance, where couples can go to escape from everything else. The environment of this resort is meant to be tranquil, romantic, and relaxing.
There are several family-oriented resorts nearby, so be sure to check out the neighbouring hotels if you're travelling with little ones.
Is It Safe to Travel off the Resort Alone?
Because of the number of tourists they receive yearly, Barbados is a safe country to travel alone to. The hotel, located on a popular spot of the island, is within walking distance from many of the country's famous beaches and commercial centres.
Since their first language is English, it is easy to communicate with locals and ask for information. However, it is always best to carry a hotel business card with you if you need further information or request a transfer to pick you up/drop you off at specific spots around the island.
Are There Extra Costs to be Aware Of?
At Sandals Barbados' all-inclusive resort, everything is included. However, a few on-site and off-site experiences might need an extra charge, like excursions outside the hotel and spa treatments, for example.
Purchases on the gift shop and restaurant bills are also charged separately. The resort accepts most major credit cards, as well as cash.
For further information on activities that may be charged separately, check with the hotel concierge upon arrival.
Best Time to Visit Sandals Barbados
Barbados is a tropical country right next to the equator. Because of that, the country experiences warm temperatures year-round.
The best time to visit the country is during the dry season, between December and April, when temperatures are around 30°C and the sun shines brightly every day. During other times of the year, it may rain a lot, which is not ideal for a beach vacation.
Overall Reviews
Sandals Barbados is one of the most exclusive and luxurious all-inclusive resorts in the country. The different amenities offered by the hotel, attentive staff, beautiful and comfortable rooms, and rich gastronomic offers are a few of the many reasons you should choose to stay in the resort during your vacation.
When leaving the hotel, every customer we see is happy and fulfilled with a relaxing and highly romantic vacation.
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DETAILS
Star rating
4.5
Is it kid-friendly?
No
Is it safe to travel off the resort alone?
Yes
Best time to visit
December - April
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