Sandals Royal Bahamian

Sandals Royal Bahamian was a really nice resort and one of the first things I appreciated was how easy it was to get there. Since the Bahamas are so close to the U.S., flights were very simple, and once you land, the resort is only about 15 minutes from the airport. Compared to the longer ride in Saint Vincent, this made the arrival experience so much easier and smoother. Once you get to the resort, you can tell it is laid out really well. It is easy to navigate, and most of the restaurants and main areas are grouped together in a way that makes everything feel convenient.

One fun dining feature at Sandals Royal Bahamian was the food trucks. They had a dessert truck and a coffee truck, and I absolutely loved the dessert truck. It had some amazing options, including a crepe bar, which was a really fun touch. They also had one of my favorite Sandals restaurants, Butch's, and once again it was amazing. The steaks were great, and the pork belly appetizer was one of the best things I had on the trip. They also had the usual Sandals dining options, including a sushi bar, but another major highlight was Gordon's on the Pier. The restaurant is literally out on the pier, which gives it a great atmosphere, and they had a chef's special swordfish steak that was delicious. I still ordered a regular steak too, but that is the beauty of an all-inclusive resort.

Another unique feature at Sandals Royal Bahamian is the private island. It is not overly fancy or over-the-top, but it is something special that makes this resort stand out since only a few Sandals resorts have private islands. The island has additional dining, including a simple lunch spot with some great burgers, its own pool, and even a quieter, more secluded feel. Most people may not realize this, but there is also a second dive shop on the back side of the island where you can do additional snorkeling. There is also a mini Red Lane Spa area where you can get massages on the island, which adds another unique touch.

The entertainment at this resort was also a lot of fun. Unlike Sandals Saint Vincent, where the resort felt much calmer and quieter, Sandals Royal Bahamian had a much more lively nightlife scene. The DJ was on the beach near the bar, and there was a big dance party that made the resort feel energetic and fun. I will say the two sides of the resort feel like complete opposites. The West Bay side is definitely the lively side, with music, water sports, the late-night bar, and more of that upbeat energy. The East Bay side felt much calmer, with fire pits, chairs, and a more relaxed atmosphere without the late-night bar or DJ.

The room towers are also very different in style. The East Bay rooms have been renovated and feel much more like the newer Sandals 2.0 room style, with a brighter look, modern design, and plenty of outlets. The West Bay rooms felt much older and more outdated, with darker wood, fewer outlets, and a style that was the complete opposite of East Bay. For me, that was probably the weakest part of the resort. Because of that, I would recommend booking East Bay over West Bay if the option is available. The extra cost is well worth it.

Overall, Sandals Royal Bahamian was an amazing resort and one I would definitely recommend to clients. It is easy to get to, easy to navigate, has great food, a fun private island, and a great mix of both lively and relaxed areas depending on what type of trip you are looking for.