Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle All-inclusive Resort

As someone who loves to travel and frequently shares recommendations with a large network of fellow travelers across the United States, I was excited to celebrate my 30th birthday with my wife at the newly opened Wyndham Grand Barbados Sand Castle Resort and Spa. We had several options in mind for this milestone trip, but ultimately chose Wyndham Grand for its name recognition, oceanfront promise, and the allure of a brand-new luxury property. Furthermore, My family are executive Wyndham Timeshare members, and this was not my first experience with the Wyndham brand. That’s why my expectations were high—based on past positive stays and Wyndham’s reputation for hospitality. At first, the stay felt like the start of a perfect Caribbean escape. The grand entrance is stunning, with views of the ocean that immediately set the mood for relaxation. We were warmly greeted with cool towels and rum punch, which felt like the kind of thoughtful touch you expect at a resort of this caliber. The check-in process was smooth, and I began to think we had made the right choice. The dining experiences were a mixed bag, however. The standout, without question, was The Grill, where MS. LYNETTE gave us impeccable service that truly made us feel like ROYALTY. She even surprised me with champagne and a cake in honor of my birthday—a gesture that made me feel valued and celebrated. The quality of both the food and the service here was closer to what I had hoped the entire resort would deliver. In stark contrast, the buffet experience was disappointing. My wife felt slighted by the dismissive attitude of the bartender—something that, unfortunately, wasn’t unique to us. During one of our excursions, we overheard other guests expressing nearly identical frustrations with the buffet staff and even the front desk. It became clear that this wasn’t an isolated issue but part of a broader inconsistency in service across the resort. Adding to the concern, I was surprised to find mold on the shower floors in a resort that only opened in 2024. That kind of neglect in a brand-new property immediately raises red flags about long-term maintenance and cleanliness standards. It made parts of our stay uncomfortable, and frankly, unacceptable for a resort positioned as “grand.” Perhaps what struck me most was the lack of connection between the resort and the local culture. During our stay, Barbados was gearing up for Carifesta, a major cultural event that celebrates the arts, music, and traditions of the region. We learned about this only through our driver, who was incredibly patient, informative, and passionate about sharing Barbados’ heritage. While I greatly appreciated him, I was disappointed that the resort itself offered no information, guidance, or acknowledgment of this significant event. For a “grand” resort, there was a noticeable disconnect between the guest experience and the vibrant culture happening just outside its doors. But The most troubling part of our stay came at checkout. Despite having no issues flagged at check-in, we were suddenly told that there was a “missing payment for arrival.” The staff’s tone and approach in delivering this news felt accusatory rather than solution-oriented. After an unprofessional back-and-forth, this delay ultimately caused us to miss our flight and stay an additional night in Barbados. When we requested a courtesy comp for the night, given the circumstances, we were flatly denied and as a result had to pay an additional $450 US for the extra night stay. That final experience cemented the feeling that the resort places little value on guest dignity, respect, or accountability. While the island of Barbados is beautiful and filled with warm, welcoming people, it’s unfortunate that the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sand Castle Resort does not reflect that same spirit. I left with the same sentiment I heard from other guests: we wouldn’t return—not because of Barbados, but because of how the resort’s staff and management culture made us feel. Read less