9 Things We Love About Sandals Royal Barbados

When it opened in December 2017, Sandals Royal Barbados became the gold standard for the beloved all-inclusive brand, with an emphasis on sophistication while still providing all the fun and excitement guests expect. Five years later, very little has changed in terms of the excellence guests have come to expect, and while Sandals has opened the doors on other thrilling properties, this one still delivers the best of its special Caribbean home.

Located on Barbados' southern coast, the resort boasts 338 showstopper suites, as well as 10 restaurants, a 15,000-sq. ft. spa, 34 pools (yes, 34!) and one stunning white-sand beach. It also remains a Sandals trendsetter, as it was the first to debut amenities a spectacular rooftop pool and even more restaurant concepts that leave guests fulfilled and eager to return.

Here are nine things we love about this all-inclusive resort experience in Barbados.

Why not hand over the work of organizing your holiday to a pro? Personalized butler service is included in top-level suites and takes the pampering to the next level. Your butler is on-call 24/7 to make your vacay dreams come true: from drawing a candlelit bath to unpacking your luggage to fetching homemade cookies. Lounging by the pool and forgot your book? Call the butler using the cell phone provided by the resort. Need to make dinner reservations? Pick up the phone. It's a luxury service that makes you feel like a celeb and lets you totally unwind.

The property offers many fabulous room options: from private villas with plunge pools to oceanfront Millionaire Butler one-bedroom suites to seaside swim-up suites. But for the ultimate indulgence, book a beachfront Skypool Butler Suite. Each opulent room boasts a plush king-sized bed, a living room with a dining table, a spa-like bathroom, a butler pantry, and an infinity pool on the terrace. As if that wasn't luxurious enough, guests also enjoy personal butler service, 24-hour room service, and VIP check-in.

The best part? Revel in ocean views from the deep soaker bathtub, day bed or infinity pool on the terrace. Sip on champagne while soaking in the pool and listening to crashing waves—it doesn't get much more romantic than that.

Hidden away on the rooftop of the Skygazer Building is a spectacular pool with a panoramic view of the beach and surf. It's the first rooftop pool for Sandals Resorts, and one of 34 pools located on the property. Get some rays from one of the sun loungers, take a refreshing dip, and grab a snapshot that'll make your friends back home green with envy.

There's also a French bistro and bar, perfect for a enjoying a glass of champagne at sunset or stargazing at night.

The property fronts Maxwell Beach, a stunning stretch of powdery white sand leading to water so translucent you can see your toes. There's an ample supply of canopies and beach loungers, which are complimentary on a first-come-first-served basis. However, if you have a butler, he or she will happily set up chairs and an umbrella in advance, as well as serve a gourmet lunch and a cooler full of your favorite drinks on the beach.

To spark a little l'amour, ask your butler or concierge to arrange a sunset dinner for two on the beach. Imagine dining by shimmering candlelight, while a white-gloved waiter serves a gourmet feast under the stars. It's truly magical.

Maxwell Beach is a certainly a showstopper, but the resort's massive glass-fronted infinity pool overlooking the ocean is irresistible. Spanning 8,293 square feet and holding 220,000 gallons of water, it is possibly the largest glass-fronted pool in the Eastern Caribbean. Basking in the balmy air, it feels blissful floating in the refreshing waters with a rum punch in hand. Afterwards, get a group selfie standing by the pool's glass front.

How could this resort be even better for couples on a honeymoon or special anniversary getaway? The addition of the South Seas Village, set against the beautiful beach. Simple touches like blackout shades and an in-room aromatherapy system guarantee a great night's sleep for anyone, but creative signature elements like the Sandals Tranquility Blissful Bed—a king-size bed spoiling guests with fine linens and a pillow menu—and bath amenities by the Red Lane Spa make this a romantic haven within a haven.

And we'd be foolish to ignore the Tranquility Soaking Tub for two, which is a perfect setting for enjoying a few drinks from the full in-room bar.

After a lazy day, strike out at Lover's Lanes, Sandals' first four-lane bowling alley for couples. ). In between games, snag a seat at the wraparound bar at Lover's Lane Craft Beer Bar (another Sandals first) to sample up to 19 different ales from around the world.

Ten restaurants offer diverse menus and settings, ranging from on-the-beach casual to swanky white-gloved service. What makes a Sandals stay so great is guests almost never have the same meal twice—unless, of course, they want to. When this property opened, it welcomed two new names to the brand: The American Tavern and Chi Asian Fusion. And while those concepts instantly became crowd favorites, there's always something newer on the horizon.

The most recent additions to the dining options are Heart and Sol and Greenhouse, with the former serving up healthy options from deli-style sandwiches to bowls, and the latter offering locally sourced ingredients in a rustic farm-to-table setting.

If you run out of places to dine, play, and swim at Royal Sandals Barbados, mosey over to the resort's older all-inclusive sibling, Sandals Barbados. Sandals' resort share program means you can use the other property's amenities during your stay, gratis. No need to arrange transportation—a five-minute stroll leads you the resort, where you can enjoy 11 additional dining options and three more pools.