Quick answer: Sandals is the best overall choice for couples who want the most comprehensive all-inclusive package (premium drinks, up to 16 restaurants, included scuba diving and water sports) in Caribbean island destinations like Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Barbados. Secrets (Hyatt) is the best choice for couples who want a luxury all-inclusive in Mexico or the Dominican Republic at a slightly lower price point. Excellence is the best choice for couples who prioritize exceptional food quality and modern resort design, but are okay with fewer location options (Mexico and Dominican Republic only).
This is the comparison I make most often for clients at Pixie Vacations. All three brands deliver a premium adults-only all-inclusive experience, but they each have distinct strengths. The right choice depends on where you want to go, what matters most to you on vacation, and your budget.
Let me walk you through each brand head-to-head, category by category, so you can make a confident decision.
Brand Overview: The Three Contenders
Sandals Resorts
Owned by: Sandals Resorts International (family-owned since 1981)
Properties: 17 resorts across Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Curaçao, and Antigua
Target guest: Couples (adults only, 18+) — especially honeymooners and anniversary travelers
Brand promise: The most comprehensive all-inclusive in the Caribbean, with everything from premium drinks to scuba diving included
Sister brand: Beaches Resorts (family-friendly version)
Secrets Resorts & Spas (Hyatt)
Owned by: Hyatt Hotels Corporation (acquired from AMResorts)
Properties: 20+ resorts primarily in Mexico (Riviera Maya, Cancun, Los Cabos) and the Dominican Republic, with some Caribbean locations
Target guest: Couples and adults looking for an upscale, spa-focused all-inclusive
Brand promise: Unlimited luxury in a sleek, modern resort setting with emphasis on spa and wellness
Hyatt perks: Earn and redeem World of Hyatt points
Excellence Resorts
Owned by: The Excellence Group
Properties: 5 resorts — Excellence Playa Mujeres (Cancun), Excellence Riviera Cancun, Excellence El Carmen (DR), Excellence Oyster Bay (Jamaica), Finest Playa Mujeres (their top-tier brand)
Target guest: Couples and adults who prioritize food quality and modern design
Brand promise: Elevated all-inclusive with a focus on culinary excellence and contemporary aesthetics
The Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Sandals | Secrets (Hyatt) | Excellence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destinations | Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Curaçao, Antigua — widest Caribbean island selection | Mexico (Riviera Maya, Cancun, Los Cabos), Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica, St. Martin | Mexico (Cancun/Riviera Maya), Dominican Republic, Jamaica — limited selection |
| Restaurants per resort | 8-16 restaurants (largest variety of any all-inclusive brand) | 6-10 restaurants per resort | 6-10 restaurants per resort |
| Food quality | Very good — strong variety, some standout restaurants | Good — solid across the board | Excellent — widely considered the best food quality among all-inclusive brands |
| Drink quality (included) | Premium top-shelf brands included at all levels (Grey Goose, Appleton Estate, Robert Mondavi wines) | Standard brands at base level; premium requires Preferred Club upgrade | Good quality included; Excellence Club upgrade provides top-shelf |
| Room quality | Good to excellent — varies by resort. Newer resorts outstanding, older properties can feel dated | Consistently modern — Hyatt design standards keep rooms fresh | Excellent — consistently sleek, modern, well-appointed across all properties |
| Water sports (included) | Extensive — snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, Hobie Cats, AND PADI scuba diving at select resorts | Basic — some non-motorized; diving and most activities extra | Basic — non-motorized water sports; most activities additional cost |
| Butler service | Guild-trained butlers in butler suites | Preferred Club concierge — not true butler service | Excellence Club concierge team, not dedicated butlers |
| Airport transfers | Included in all bookings | Included at some resorts; extra at others | Available for a fee or included with Excellence Club |
| Spa | Red Lane Spa — good quality, treatments extra | Secrets Spa by Pevonia — spa is a major brand focus, hydrotherapy often included | Good spa facilities, treatments extra |
| Loyalty program | Sandals Select Rewards | World of Hyatt — earn and redeem points, huge advantage for Hyatt loyalists | Excellence loyalty program — solid but less valuable than Hyatt |
| Price (5 nights, 2 people) | $3,000 – $5,000 | $2,500 – $4,500 | $3,000 – $5,000 |
Check Sandals Availability & Prices »
Category-by-Category Winners
| If This Matters Most… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest restaurant variety | Sandals | Up to 16 restaurants per resort — nobody comes close |
| Best food quality | Excellence | Consistently the highest culinary standard in all-inclusive |
| Best included drinks | Sandals | Premium top-shelf at all room levels, no upgrade needed |
| Best water sports | Sandals | Included scuba diving is a massive differentiator |
| Most modern rooms | Excellence | Consistently sleek and contemporary across all properties |
| Best spa experience | Secrets | Spa is central to the brand; hydrotherapy included at many resorts |
| Best loyalty program | Secrets (Hyatt) | World of Hyatt points are incredibly valuable |
| Best value (price) | Secrets | Mexico properties offer competitive pricing for the quality |
| Caribbean island experience | Sandals | 7 Caribbean islands — Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Barbados, etc. |
| Butler service | Sandals | Only brand with true Guild-trained personal butlers |
| Best for honeymoons | Sandals | Romance-focused brand with honeymoon packages and butler service |
Which Brand Should You Choose? (Decision Framework)
Choose Sandals If…
You want a Caribbean island vacation (not Mexico). You love having tons of restaurant options and premium drinks without upgrades. You want included water sports (especially scuba diving). You value butler service as an available upgrade. You’re planning a honeymoon or romantic celebration. You like the idea of “Stay at One, Play at Two” (access to neighboring Sandals resorts). You want airport transfers included automatically.
Choose Secrets If…
You prefer Mexico or the Dominican Republic over Caribbean islands. You’re a Hyatt loyalist and want to earn/redeem World of Hyatt points. Spa and wellness are a major priority for your trip. You want competitive pricing for a luxury all-inclusive. You like consistently modern, large-scale resort properties. You want the option to visit nearby attractions (ruins, cenotes, adventure parks in the Riviera Maya).
Choose Excellence If…
Food quality is your #1 priority — Excellence is widely regarded as having the best dining in the all-inclusive world. You want sleek, modern accommodations across every room category. You prefer Cancun/Riviera Maya or Punta Cana as your destination. You value design and aesthetics in your resort experience. You don’t need included water sports or butler service — you’ll mostly be enjoying the pool, beach, restaurants, and spa.
Check Sandals Availability & Prices »
A Note on Mixing Brands Across Trips
Here’s something I tell clients at Pixie Vacations all the time: you don’t have to be loyal to one brand forever. Many of our repeat travelers do Sandals for their honeymoon (Caribbean island romance), then try a Secrets in Mexico for their anniversary (earn Hyatt points, great spa), and then come back to Sandals for a milestone celebration (butler service, familiar excellence).
The best brand for you depends on the specific trip you’re planning right now. That’s exactly the kind of conversation we have with clients every day — matching the right resort to the right occasion at the right price.
The Bottom Line
All three brands deliver excellent adults-only all-inclusive vacations, and you’d have a great time at any of them. Sandals wins on comprehensiveness (most restaurants, best included drinks, water sports, butler service) and Caribbean island options. Secrets wins on value, spa quality, and Hyatt loyalty benefits. Excellence wins on food quality and modern design. For honeymoons and romantic getaways specifically, Sandals edges ahead thanks to its romance-focused DNA and butler service — see our detailed best Sandals for honeymoons guide on Pixie Honeymoons.
Not Sure Which Brand Is Right for Your Trip?
Our team at Pixie Vacations books all three brands — Sandals, Secrets, and Excellence — and can give you honest, unbiased advice on which resort matches your travel style and budget. Planning is always free.
Get Your Free Quote | Call: 678-815-1584 | Email: info@pixievacations.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sandals or Secrets better for a honeymoon?
Sandals is generally the better honeymoon choice thanks to its romance-focused atmosphere, butler service option, Caribbean island settings, and honeymoon-specific perks (private beach dinners, breakfast in bed, special turndown service). Secrets is a strong alternative if you specifically want Mexico or the Dominican Republic for your honeymoon. For detailed honeymoon resort recommendations, visit Pixie Honeymoons.
Can you use Hyatt points at Secrets?
Yes. Since Hyatt acquired AMResorts, you can earn and redeem World of Hyatt points at Secrets resorts. Point redemptions vary by property and date, but this is a significant advantage for Hyatt loyalists — you can essentially get a luxury all-inclusive vacation using credit card points.
Is Excellence worth the premium over Secrets?
If food quality is your top priority, yes. Excellence consistently delivers a higher culinary standard than Secrets, with more creative menus and better execution. If you’re more focused on spa, loyalty points, or price, Secrets may be the better value.
Which brand is best for a short 3-4 night trip?
For a short trip, Sandals with butler service maximizes every moment (no time wasted on logistics). If you’re flying from the eastern US, Secrets in Cancun offers the shortest flight times to Mexico. For a quick Caribbean getaway, Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau is just a 2.5-hour flight from many East Coast cities.
Steve Griswold is a Sandals Certified Platinum Elite Advisor and the founder of Pixie Vacations. He has personally visited all 17 Sandals resorts, multiple Secrets and Excellence properties, and helps couples choose the right all-inclusive resort for their travel style and budget. Steve publishes in-depth resort comparisons on CaribbeanMag.com and resort video tours on YouTube at @GrizAllInclusive.
Related Reading
Is Sandals Worth It? Full Breakdown | Sandals Butler Service Guide | All 17 Sandals Resorts Ranked | Best Sandals for Honeymoons | Get a Free All-Inclusive Quote
