Great Resort

Loved this resort. Food was plentiful and good. Our room was great, situated right by the pool. Our butler Rolando was awesome. He made himself available all day and would check to see how our day was going. Very professional with an amazing personality. He would make sure our dinner reservations were set and if we needed towels or anything regarding the room, he was on it. Would definitely love to have him as our butler again. What can you say about the beach. Incredible. Will definitely go bac [... read more]k.

Great resort

This was an amazing resort, grounds were clean rooms were clean all amenities were well kept and clean. We were able to visit other resorts as well and enjoy their amenities but to be honest ours was probably the best in terms of amenities. The food was delicious the 24-hour snack bar with room service was a good add-on I would highly recommend this to anyone who would be willing to take the 90-minute bus ride from the airport to this hotel.

Great resort

This was an amazing resort, grounds were clean rooms were clean all amenities were well kept and clean. We were able to visit other resorts as well and enjoy their amenities but to be honest ours was probably the best in terms of amenities. The food was delicious the 24-hour snack bar with room service was a good add-on I would highly recommend this to anyone who would be willing to take the 90-minute bus ride from the airport to this hotel.

Good for Cuba

Upon arrival, we were not assisted with our suitcases up the stairs, even though we had walking canes. Very disappointed.. Pool was so cold and did not even one person in the pool during the one week of our stay. I like the 24 hour snack/food availability . . I feel that breakfast could be extended to 11 am. I think dinner should start at 5:30 pm. I thought this vacation was a 6.8 out of 10.

Very Nice hotel and staff

It was a last-minute family trip, that we did enjoy, the facility was very clean. The food was good entertainment was much better than Mexico ones. Transport was punctual comfortable a little bit long from Royalton hotel to airport.

Lovely resort!

We very much enjoyed Royalton Cayo Santa Maria. It was our first time at this resort and we would return. As far as a Cuban resort goes, this is the best we have stayed at in Cuba, we've been to several others in Veradero, Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Coco. The pros: Beach is spectacular Service is fantastic, lovely people. Butlers are waiting for you and happy to assist. Food was above average for Cuban resorts, they have condiments, salt and use some garlic marinade at the beach th [... read more]at guests raved about. We always bring chips and snacks for the room, it makes all the difference. Rooms were quiet and AC worked well. We were on bottom floor building 10, totally fine, no bugs in the room. Would choose this location again, found it convenient. Resort wasn't at capacity, so getting beach and pool chairs never an issues. The resort is for people that want quiet, no loud thumping party music, music by the pool at reasonable level, music on the beach, for a few hours, not all day, and lots of 80s music when we were there. Seems they cater to their crowd, which is an older clientelle. They accept CAD happily. The cons: Smokers, they can't at home, so they do here and they have no regard for others in their vicinity. Lots of butts left in the sand on the beach too, just ignorant travellers. The travel time to get to the resort is about 1 hour 45 mins. It's a long bus ride. Take is as a tour and listen to the tour operator and it becomes quite a bit more interesting. We asked about a cab ride, it was $100 CAD or $80 USD, same amount of time, but they would get you out of the airport faster than the bus waiting for stragglers. There are no-see-ems, or sand flees or something, not mosquitos. I didn't see or feel bites, but I came home with a lot. Husband has none, so they have a blood type preference. We travelled for a quick weekend getaway, it was what we needed. We travel quite a bit, wouldn't stay in Cuba for a week, but for 3-4 days, it's a great refresher on a top beach in the world, doesn't get much better than that. I will comment on Diamond Club as we typically book this level if we can at other resorts. We didn't miss it here. The Diamond Club people used the regular side of the beach more than their dedicated section. Service seemed great with out it. We weren't there to drink, so didn't care whether we had top shelf liquor. No lines at check in to need any priority service. We liked our room location, but if a top floor is a preference, you may have a better shot at it with Diamond Club. Certainly they reserve those for returning guests. I did all the things to get a top floor and they said they were full, even though they weren't, so they do protect those rooms, which is good in a way. If you are planning a trip to Cuba, make sure you are able to accept the challenges their country faces, with a little understanding, you will appreciate what they are offering and have a great time.

Such a wonderful resort!

The grounds, room and service was amazing! We really enjoyed our stay! The people were so helpful! The entertainment was good as well! But the best of all was the beach! Amazing! The lobby bar was excellent. Definitely will return! We had so much fun!

2nd time visit

I loved everything the 1st time that is why we returned.The rooms, pools and beach are great.The staff are really friendly especially the entertainment team and the butlers, very helpful.I would prefer it not to have Diamond Club,it is not needed and only makes returnees annoyed.There are only 122 rooms , I think larger hotels need a special club but not here. We may return, not sure.

Disappointed

The hotel was nice unfortunately it has changed dramatically since my visit in 2020. The resort is to small and limited restaurants to incorporate a diamond club. We never had our mini fridge restocked after asking several times. Also wrote a bote and placed it in the fridge. We never had our pool towels changed and a limit on bath towels. We had issues with our safe also had a leak in our ceiling. We also asked to have our rooms beside each other before we arrived and were placed in separate bu [... read more]ildings. all the food had changed since 2020 and very repetitive. I know Cuba is known to have limited food but unless you were diamond club it seemed very limited for a five star hotel. Also seen favouritism amongst different people. Had to ask for everything nothing was offered. In the past everything was explained and clear as to what was included with our stay. This time it took two days of complaining to our butlers to get anything we wanted or needed. When I spoke to different people about the drastic change in the service since 2020 I was told the hotel was under new management. We had six in our party and we made the best of it. The beautiful beach and hard working staff did their best to make our stay a memorable one. I feel bad that I highly recommended this resort to my family because of My past experience only to be sadly disappointed.

Wonderful staff and location

Beautiful resort. Grounds are lovely and well maintained. The size of the resort is great if you like small and short walks between amenities. It was quiet which was also our preference. The rooms are very nice and well looked after. Our room cleaner was amazing. Also, our butlers Javier and Maria were exceptional. Genuinely caring and helpful. Most of the staff were fantastic. The beach is absolutely spectacular. You cannot beat it. There were always plenty of chairs and help to get a spot/set  [... read more]it up. Massages on the beach were a treat! This resort would be perfection if not for the food. We had higher hopes for the Royalton. The food was not only often inedible but we got very sick on our return. I hope that this can be rectified - we would go back time and time again if we had more confidence in the food. Thank you to the engaged and helpful staff who made this beautiful resort a welcome and enjoyable stay.

Terrible resort

There was hardly any fruit to eat. No lettuce or salad or any food for a vegan other than beans. 2 of the workers brought me fruit from their home town yet the resort had only papayas and once gave me a tiny plate of mangoes and underripe watermelon. Star fruit and Guava were very bitter. Orange juice tasted like powdered Tang with sugar and water…there were no smoothies or fresh juices available. Butler upgraded us to a diamond member for free which made absolutely no difference other than bein [... read more]g able to use the beach restaurant for breakfast and lunch and sitting on the right side of the beach. Maids could not provide clean towels, hand towels,floor mats or beach towels when requested as they said there was a shortage. Room service brought coffee in small plastic cups and said there was a mug shortage. The 24 hour restaurant ran out of fries and pizzas on a daily basis and seldom had any ketchup. Enclosed Restaurants were infested with flies all over the food and buffets. The mosquitos were really bad that my group bought some repellent at the market which was very expensive. The beach was awesome and the beds were comfortable and the sheets were changed daily. Expect to have a few large cockroaches sneak into the room along with geckos. The adjoining rooms can get very noisy depending on who your neighbours are. Entertainment was a hit and miss every evening although my 88 year old mother enjoyed watching them. The modelling show at the beginning of each show was to sell beach coverups which are more than half the price at the local market. The staff were all friendly and tried to help whenever they could but their hands were tied from shortages or late shipments….we weren’t sure of how or why there were no towels, or food shortages and mug shortages.

Beautiful but requires to go back to original state

The Royalton Cayo Santa Maria is in same state as previous years except the Company has introduced their Diamond club level. Resort is too small for this and it has changed what once was! Sadly will not return!

No Return

14x to Cuba coackroach infested rooms lobby. Room change second floor storm came door unlocked wind blew all bugs in room works on bed. Pillow had works during the night still. Very unsettling. Food repeat everyday night. Stale bread buns.

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba – A Sunny Slice of Paradise

Travel Dates: May 17–24, 2025 Travelers: My husband and I “They say laughter is the best medicine—unless you’re at an all-inclusive, then it’s probably the piña coladas.” Resort Overview Royalton Cayo Santa Maria is a spacious, beautifully maintained resort with plenty of room to roam. From lush grounds to a beachside bar and a 24-hour snack shack, there’s no shortage of places to explore—or eat! Food & Drink • Buffet & À la Carte: Great variety—fish, chicken, lobster, meats, fresh v [... read more]eggies, fruit, yogurt, and juices. Presentation was top-notch. Hats off to the chefs! • Snack Bar: Open 24/7 with pizza, burgers, fries, hot dogs, and other quick bites. Perfect for a midday nibble or late-night craving. • Bars: Fully stocked with a wide selection of alcohol. No shortages here—cheers to that! Accommodations • Spacious ocean-view room with bathrobes and slippers—a classy touch! • Everything functioned well, though some furnishings could use a refresh. • Two large pools with bars, loungers, and cabanas made for perfect lazy afternoons. Beach & Activities • The beach is stunning—wide, clean, and perfect for sunbathing. • Daily activities included stretching, games, and surprise snacks like mini sandwiches and fruit salad served in spoons. A delightful way to stay energized! • Animator shout-outs: o Blanca – You rocked that dance party! o Yadian (hope we spelled that right!), Meliza, and Karelys and one more guy whose name we didn’t capture (sorry!) – Your energy could wake the dead. Seriously, you all were amazing! ? Diamond Club Perks As Diamond Club members, we were treated to butler service — and it was fantastic. • Javier – You’re basically a vacation ninja. One moment we’re wondering where to find something, and poof!—there you are, smiling, cracking a joke, and making it happen like magic. Your cheerful energy and sixth sense for guest needs made us feel like royalty (but with better cocktails!). • Maria Rosa – Thank you for your kindness, patience, and always being ready with a helpful answer and a warm smile. You made everything smoother and more enjoyable. Together, you two turned great service into something truly memorable. We felt so well cared for—and genuinely appreciated. Service - That Sparkled (and Folded!) Room service was prompt, courteous, and always on point—but one star shone extra bright: • Hayulis – You’re not just a housekeeping pro, you’re a towel origami artist! The adorable towel creatures you left in our room were so good, they practically needed their own Instagram account. (Seriously, one of them got more likes than my beach selfie. Rude, but fair.) • Staff across the resort were friendly and professional., and always ready with a smile. It felt like everyone was on a mission to make our stay unforgettable… and they succeeded! Final Thoughts This was our second stay at Royalton Cayo Santa Maria, and it won’t be our last. Despite Cuba’s economic challenges, the resort delivers a high-quality experience with charm, efficiency, and heart. Highly recommended for anyone looking to unwind, indulge, and maybe dance a little on the beach.

Beautiful resort

The resort is quite small which I like it. The services from butler’s, restaurants, bars, room attendants and beach personnel are amazing. They will do as much as they can to provide you and exceptional service.

Nice Time

The Royalton was a nice resort to spend our time. The beach other than Royalton patrons was very quiet and empty. It seemed the other resorts had much less travellers. The food was fine and they made extra effort on our last night which was greatly appreciated. Staff was friendly and accommodating with all request, except one. Beach was beautiful the water was very wavy as the winds were strong for the entire week we were there 20 plus kph. The attached market connecting to memories was  [... read more]almost deserted everyday due to the lack of visitors. I was disappointed given my late flight at 4:50pm that they didn't accommodate for my request for a later check out. Currently having a medical issue to manage, resting is very important and this request was denied and absolutely no extension was provided. This made my trip home more difficult. Given that i came on a late checkin past 9pm and cleaning staff work until 5pm. This didn't see reasonable to me. The night entertainment was typical of resorts with one night being much better than the others. The resorts needs some upkeep especially bathrooms near the quiet pool. Overall we had a lovely time.

Beautiful

From our arrival to departure- exceptional! The staff…all of them are so friendly and helpful. The resort is beautiful, the rooms are in good shape, the pools are beautiful, the beach is stunning. The food was good but the menu was repetitious. I highly recommend this resort. The nightly entertainment was the best ive seen at any resort. Everything was wonderful.

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria

Hotel was beautiful and grounds well kept. Staff very friendly and helpful. Food was good and had a variety. Beach beautiful and lots of chairs available. Breakfast by the beach with diamond club was great, saw a dolphin

Enjoyable visit.

Friendly greeting upon arrival with a welcome drink. Our assigned butler took us on a tour and then to our room. The staff and the beach are what makes this resort. The food was decent for Cuba but very repetitious. There are no menus since they don’t know what they will have available for that day. The waitress tells you upon sitting what is available. Always eggs and bacon available although the bacon was rationed. Absolutely no jam or peanut butter. The best evening show was on Sunday  [... read more]evening with a Michael Jackson impersonator. Poolside entertainment started shortly after 3:30 and was entertaining but nothing special. Bring lots of donations for the staff i.e. clothes, shoes, toys, Tylenol, toothpaste, etc. Believe me, it’s so appreciated. They get to keep material things but all tips are shared. The entertainment staff were very warm and friendly, Yadian and Karley are the best!

Nice room but…

My first room was incredibly musty/mouldy! So bad it was hard to breathe. We were able to change our room and it was much better, but still musty. My friends changed their rooms because the air conditioning was not working well, and it was constantly 25 degrees. Too warm. Their second room was perfect. No mould, and good air. Ask for room 806! Mine was 805, and it was still musty. I had to wash my clothes twice when I came home to get rid of the smell. However, I have to say, the resort was [... read more] beautiful, and the beach was gorgeous! The staff were more than pleasant and eager to help! They made it worth the stress when things were not comfortable. 24 hour room service was a plus for sure! Tip these wonderful people at least $1-5 USD per room service delivery. They need it and appreciate it. I also brought clothes to give the maid staff, that I no longer wanted, and they were delighted to have something new and different because they do not have much choice or money to buy new clothes. The food was very good! I loved all my meals, and cannot complain about it. They made a big effort to make meals special in the dining rooms, and that was not unnoticed! Thank you Royalton for the service and effort you put out there. You certainly aim to please and rectify any concerns of your guests! I will return!