TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

We just got back from our getaway to Sandals Royal Bahamian and thoroughly enjoyed it. This was our second Sandal’s trip, the other being in Ochi, Jamaica, and this was significantly better. Huge shout out to our butlers, Waldens and Samson who were just terrific and helped make our trip unforgettable. The private island is a must do for anyone who is visiting. Beautiful beaches and crystal clear water made you almost forget about the hot Caribbean sun. Overall, the food, drinks and service were phenomenal. The lamb shank at La Plume was incredible, the best meal of the trip and highly recommended. A couple of reasons why I couldn’t give a full 5 star review. One, we noticed as the trip went on how wet/damp our room was. There was a lot of moisture in the air. You could smell it when you walked in, and when we brought out previously dry clothes in from outside, they were wet again the next morning - not great. Also, the resort lost power for about half the day on the last day of our trip. Numerous restaurants were not operating, those that were didn’t have AC and fought constant electric issues, and there was no WiFi or cable service. That being said, kudos to the sandals staff for working their tails off through it and keeping things running as smoothly as possible given the circumstances. Lastly, we were very excited to try Butch’s as we heard wonderful things. We did go on the night there were power outages so that may have contributed, but the meal was largely disappointing. I got a T Bone steak and I can say without exaggeration it was one of the worst pieces of beef I’ve ever eaten, just very disappointing. Otherwise, a great stay. Would defiantly go again, but probably would stay on the East Bay side and for sure would pay extra for the butler service again.

After more than 22 years of vacationing with Sandals, I realized it was finally time to write a review. Like many people, I often return home from vacation and quickly get pulled back into work and everyday life. While I've enjoyed countless wonderful stays at Sandals resorts over the years, this trip felt particularly special and deserves recognition. My husband and I stayed at Sandals Royal Bahamian from June 9–17, 2026, celebrating our 22nd wedding anniversary. We are Diamond-level Sandals guests and have been vacationing with Sandals since our honeymoon in 2004, typically traveling annually—and sometimes twice a year. We have stayed at or visited nearly every Sandals resort, with only St. Vincent still ahead of us next year. We generally book Butler Elite accommodation, so we have experienced Sandals at many different resorts and service levels. This vacation came at exactly the right time. It had been a challenging year for both of us from a health perspective, and we had considered postponing the trip. Looking back, we're incredibly grateful that we didn't. We found the relaxation, pampering, and care we needed and returned home refreshed and recharged. Exceptional Care for Dietary Needs My biggest concern before arriving was food. Due to health issues, my dietary requirements have become quite complex, and I honestly worried that dining would be stressful and limiting. I couldn't have been more wrong. Prior to arrival, I submitted a detailed Butler Preference Form outlining my dietary restrictions. On our first day, I met with the Culinary Concierge and Executive Chef, Robson Moyo. We reviewed menus, ingredients, cooking methods, and my specific needs in great detail. There were a few learning curves during the first couple of days, but with the support of Chef Moyo, our butlers, and the Butler Manager, everything quickly fell into place. Chef Moyo personally checked in with me before nearly every dinner and many breakfasts and lunches as well. He customized meals specifically for me and consistently found creative ways to accommodate my restrictions without sacrificing flavor or presentation. What could have been a difficult dining experience became one of the highlights of the trip. Instead of feeling limited, I felt cared for. Instead of feeling deprived, I felt special. This was also my first Sandals vacation where I couldn't enjoy alcohol or sugar-added juices. Once again, the team stepped in. My butlers tracked down fresh coconuts and guava juice so I could still enjoy special tropical beverages throughout the week. The level of attention and personalization was truly above and beyond, and I remain incredibly grateful. Dining Because many of my meals were specially prepared, it's difficult for me to review the restaurants in the traditional sense. However, I can confidently say that the culinary team worked tirelessly to ensure every meal was enjoyable. One standout was Tesoro. The antipasto bar was exceptional, featuring beautifully prepared roasted vegetables, olives, and herb-infused olive oils. I found many options that fit my dietary needs, and Chef Moyo even surprised me with a beautifully prepared Branzino that was delicious. For anyone considering Sandals with food allergies, sensitivities, or dietary restrictions, my advice is simple: speak with the chef. Sandals genuinely wants guests to enjoy their vacation, and the culinary team will work hard to accommodate your needs. We also took advantage of the "Dine Around" program. (available to Diamond and above and certain Butler level room categories) We visited Sapodilla in Nassau. The experience was outstanding. The chef easily accommodated my dietary requirements, and the locally inspired cuisine was simple, fresh, and delicious. The luxurious Rolls-Royce transportation was an added bonus that made the evening feel even more special. Pools, Beaches, and Relaxation One of the strengths of Sandals Royal Bahamian is the variety of experiences available throughout the property. Guests can choose between the lively party pool, a quieter main pool, a secluded hidden pool that many people seemed to overlook, and the pool on the private offshore island. There are also beautiful beach areas both on the main resort and the island. For us, the island was paradise. We were seeking rest and relaxation, and the island delivered exactly that. Several days were spent floating in the crystal-clear water, lounging beneath a cabana, and simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The party pool certainly delivered energy, music, and games throughout the day. While that atmosphere wasn't our personal preference, it was clearly popular with many guests. We generally preferred either the island or the quieter pools on the main resort. A frequently discussed topic in reviews is pool chair availability. Since we had butler service, our chairs were reserved each morning on the main resort. However, even with the resort fully occupied, I noticed available seating throughout the property. While guests may not always find chairs in the most desirable locations, there appeared to be plenty of places to relax if you were willing to explore the various pools and beach areas. Entertainment and Activities Entertainment was available throughout the day and evening. I'm naturally an early-to-bed, early-to-rise person, so I didn't experience everything the resort offered, but we especially enjoyed seeing the Junkanoo performers, the live music, and the fire show in Coconut Grove. The piano bar provided a wonderful atmosphere in the evenings, and we also enjoyed spending time in the billiards and game room. We would end our night sometimes listening to the music from our balcony that faced the Coconut Grove. Fitness Center and Spa The fitness center was well-maintained and offered beautiful views that made working out on vacation a little easier. While not a large gym, it had enough equipment for a solid workout. A couple of treadmills were out of service during our stay, which encouraged me to try other equipment—including a stair climber that definitely reminded me I was on vacation! The fitness center is part of the Red Lane Spa, and we enjoyed relaxing pedicures during our stay. I learned that the spa services are spread throughout the resort, with locations near the quiet pool, on the island, and just outside the resort gates. Personally, I prefer larger destination spas with hydrotherapy areas, steam rooms, plunge pools, and relaxation lounges, so this was one area that fell slightly short of my expectations. Fortunately, the beauty and tranquility of the island more than compensated. People Make the Difference What truly elevates Sandals Royal Bahamian is its staff. Every employee we encountered was warm, friendly, and genuinely eager to help. While I am terrible at remembering names, several individuals made a lasting impression. Our butler team, Arshad, Eric, and Cedric—was outstanding, with Arshad shining as the star! They went above and beyond to make our anniversary unforgettable. From beautifully decorated pool chairs and special dinner table arrangements to an over-the-top room celebration complete with an impressive light display, they created countless memorable moments throughout the week. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a beautiful floral arrangement in our suite—a thoughtful touch we hadn't experienced since a stay at Royal Plantation in Jamaica. It was also a pleasure to reconnect with Stephen Clarke, whom we had previously met at Sandals Exuma. Seeing a familiar face made us feel immediately welcomed, and he treated us with extraordinary kindness throughout our stay. Most importantly, Chef Robson Moyo deserves special recognition. His personal attention, compassion, and commitment to ensuring I could enjoy every meal transformed this vacation from simply enjoyable into truly exceptional. Final Thoughts My husband and I are entering a new chapter of life as retirement approaches, and our future travel plans will likely take us to destinations all over the world. While we may not visit Sandals as frequently as we once did, Sandals will always remain part of our travel story. Sandals Royal Bahamian exceeded our expectations during a time when we needed a restorative getaway more than ever. The beautiful setting, outstanding staff, thoughtful service, and genuine care we experienced made this anniversary trip unforgettable. Without hesitation, we would return to this resort again. In fact, it has earned a place among our favorite Sandals resorts and one of our most memorable vacations overall.

We have just returned from a wonderful holiday at Sandals Royal Bahamian. Upon arrival we were introduced to one of our butlers Dylan who greeted us with his signature phrase, “Do you need anything? Talk to me”. The following day, our other butler were Kimerly introduced himself and shared the same approach to service. Both Dylan and Kimerly were incredibly warm, friendly and approachable, making us feel from the very beginning that nothing was too much trouble. My wife was celebrating a milestone birthday during our stay and we can honestly say that every member of staff made my wife feel truly special from the moment we arrived until the day we left. What stood out most was the consistent attention to detail from Dylan and Kimberly. During every conversation they seemed to effortlessly make a mental note of our likes, preferences and needs. Drinks and lunch would appear just when we wanted them. It genuinely felt as though they were telepathic. Their care, thoughtfulness and exceptional service made our holiday even more memorable and we are truly grateful for the experience they provided. They are an absolute credit to the Sandals brand. There are also a few other people who deserve a special mention. Nasha, who danced with my wife on her birthday and made her feel like she was 21 again! It was a fun and memorable moment. Tevin, in the pool bar, is truly remarkable. How he remembers what everyone is drinking is beyond us but my wife only need to make eye contact with him and a drink would be instantly on its way. We had breakfast at Tesoro a few times and we were always warmly greeted by Kendricka. She completely blew us away by greeting us by name, such a lovely and personal touch. We also had dinner at Butch’s on at least 3 occasions where we were always greeted warmly by Francesco even when he wasn’t our server. The whole staff on duty on the evening of my wife’s birthday made her feel special and their rendition of Happy Birthday was memorable. We have to mention Preston as his smile would brighten up every day. The entertainment team worked incredibly hard each day to keep the guests entertained and engaged. There were some occasions when the crowd seemed particularly difficult to motivate but they remained upbeat, energetic and professional. Have to mention Kemo for a special mention. Finally a big thank you to Keyno who indulged us when we asked for pictures with the Rolls Royce. We can honestly say that every member of staff we encountered were friendly.and a credit to Sandals. We would have no hesitation in recommending this resort for both its facilities but mostly for the wonderful staff.

I just returned two weeks ago from a very memorable stay at the Sandals Royal Bahamian. My stay was that of dreams due in part to the numerous restaurant choices and resort activities. The thing that impressed me the most however was how cordial and accommodating the entire staff was! There were a few staff members in particular that I had personal interactions with that went above and beyond beginning with Daniel who was our waiter who serviced us at our private dinner on the beach, Alesha who was our concierge at the West Bay Tower, Kirk and Akeem in the welcome center and the entertainment team of Devon, Malia, Keon and Kirk for the incredible vibes at Coconut Grove, karaoke and the piano bar. Thank you all immensely.

We recently came back from a 10 day holiday here, and had a wonderful time. Couldn't fault anything unless we were really picky. My wife and I came here for our 25th wedding anniversary 28 years ago! There was only the East building then, quite a few changes since then..! We didn't have a problem booking restaurants, we thought the food was really good. Gordons on the pier, and Butch's were our favourite, La Plume was really nice too. We had lunch in Calico Cafe most days, really good menu there, the ribs were amazing. Breakfast in Kanoo's was great too, if there was anything not on display then the girls would get it for you, it was no trouble for them at all. We didn't have a butler, really didn't want one, from what we saw they were too full on, but everyone's different. The staff were amazing, they really did go the extra mile, nothing was too much trouble for them. Susan in Calico's was marvellous, Malika, Takeitha, and Jhania in reception were brilliant too, Daniel and Kevin were so good as well, I can't remember anyone else's name (an age thing) We didn't have problems getting sun beds, I'm an early riser anyway, but there were beds till around 8 ish but the butlers were reserving beds from 5am, especially around the busy west pool, and if you wanted a sun bed under a thatched umbrella on the beach, you had to be up at 4.30 to beat the butlers to get one. It wasn't a problem for us as we prefer the pool. Around the pool a lot of people got up and left towels on the beds leaving people no indication as to whether those beds were free, which was quite selfish. We went four of us as a family, we requested room close together, which we got. It was my birthday the day we arrived, and found a birthday card, a lovely bunch of flowers, and a bottle of wine in an ice bucket, which was a really nice touch. One day we caught the bus into Nassau, quite easy to get one there and back $1.5 US dollars per person each way, it was busy with all the big cruise ships, but still a really good day out. Overall we had an amazing time, and loved every minute, I can't rate this hotel out highly enough.