Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Fair resort for what we paid
The hotel was clean , a bit run down, some renos required. Buffet was ok, a la carte restaurants much better . Pushy salespeople trying to sell timeshares . Very frustrating! Diamond club members favoured over non- diamond club regarding the app to book restaurants. Karina was very helpful . Give her a raise. More work required to clean seaweed on the beach .
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Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Needs facelift and less harassments
Resort grounds clean/ nice. Pools need staff cleaning cups /food inside. Beach needs cleaning. Terrible seaweed issue not dealt with every day. Watch out for some guest services personnel. Yaqui - very bad harassment on time sharing selling service. The only person we loved and appreciated was Carina. Amazing and caring Carina who helped us book restaurants. The App they provided only gave us a 9 pm dinner time line. I have been to several Royalton resorts and this one needs a facelift. [... read more]Everything including building falling apart.
This specific Royalton favours Diamond Club and others are treated differently.
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Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Highly Recommended, Beautiful Resort and even more Beautiful People!
Great rooms, excellent food, amazing service.
Beautiful beach with lots of available cabanas and chairs. Sand is immaculate, service is truly spectacular.
Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting a romantic getaway as this is an adults only resort.
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BORA -
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Mystique Habana by Royalton: AMAZING LOCATION !!
The hotel is in a very central location. It's completely new and clean. The rooms are quite large, the beds are spacious,The internet does not work very well, there are disconnections. It's only a 5-minute walk to central park and only a 10-15-minute walk to all the squares. If I ever come to Cuba again, I would definitely stay at the same hotel. I recommend it to everyone.
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JMW1 -
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Royalton Cayo Santa Maria: 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!
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Mary -
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Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa: Royalton riviera cancun
Everything was great, the room, staff, service.
Perhaps they could have a smoking section by the pools.
You could smell the smoke from a few guests smoking by the pool.
I would go again if there is very little or no seaweed. We like swimming in the ocean and we were not able to this time. The water was brown.
The pools were great,and we enjoyed them.
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Private -
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Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Great resort!
I really don't have a high expectations when it comes to the resort. The room is up to my likings, it was clean and nicely done. The washroom is clean, which is so important. There are couple of observations in this resort that I believe needed attention and improvement: A) There was a foul smell by the pool. At one point we thought it was the sewers. B) Too many birds by the dining area.These birds would fly, land on to the food and feed on the foods, which is unsanitary. The staff should pay a[... read more]ttention and be vigilant on keeping the area/food clean at all times. C) The tour to Havana was too pricey, not worth the trip. The lunch provided was not appetizing. The tour should have included the visit to the local vendors, where tourist could bargain some Cuban souvenirs like arts etc.
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Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters: Beautiful resort
The rooms were bright, clean and perfect space
Grounds were well kept, very very friendly staff....restaurants were fabulous!!! Would 100% come back....
Love the access to the Royalton side, nice size of resort as not too big or small
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Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters: Paradise in Jamaica!
We had an amazing vacation at the Hideaway Blue Waters! The food, drinks, employees, amenities were all FANTASTIC! We will definitely be back. This resort is perfection!
The employees are friendly and go above and beyond to take care of your needs to ensure the best experience.
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Ximena -
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Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters: Amazing Vacation!
This resort was the perfect place for our vacation. The resort itself is beautiful and was kept in pristine condition. The staff was amazing, accommodating and just wonderful people. The restaurants were all beautiful and had an exellent variety of food options. We will definitely be back!
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Becky -
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Royalton Negril Resort And Spa: Wonderful loved every moment!
Just got back from the Royalton Negril. Went with a gf and we just loved every minute of our stay and would go back in a heart beat. Would definitely recommend this resort. Had a long beautiful beach for walking. If you walk down he beach about 15 minutes there are local vendors selling tourist things to buy which is fun! We had Diamond Club and really enjoyed this feature. I read reviews where people said this wasn't worth it. We found it quite a nice treat and our butlers O'Shain and Daron wen[... read more]t above and beyond. We had tons of beach towels placed in our room every evening, bottles of Prosecco, ice, meals brought to our lounge chairs, made dinner reservations for us...was a real treat! Wouldn't normally get or need something like this but our travel agent recommended it and it wasn't that much more and it was extremely nice to have (a great splurge and treat). We really enjoyed the Diamond Club pool, swim up bar and beach bar/restaurant. That is a really nice added bonus of DC. The additional pool and beach area and nice and quiet, provides an extra change of scenery than just access to the main pool. We loved sitting in this area during noon or later as the main pool like any resort gets loud and busy. Never had to worry about not enough beach chairs there is tons on the beach so don't need to save chairs. The main pool people did this.The beach is stunning. TONS of snorkelling. Was so happy about this!
We really enjoyed all the restaurants. Great food! The buffet for lunch and dinner was ok. But the jerk hut and having the food truck are nice lunch options. Another perk of DC was the a la carte breakfast. We did this quite often and really loved it. Our server Do'Shane was so friendly and welcoming as was all the staff, a very welcoming and fun vibe! Breakfast was superb in the a la carte if you are DC (Diamond Club) and the buffet room. Great dinner options loved the Zen restaurant and the steakhouse. Enjoyed all our meals!
Our Diamond Club room in building 5 was incredible. We had two balconies with a hot tub. We loved everything about our room and was one of the nicest rooms I have seen. The lobby of this hotel is gorgeous with so much seating available to enjoy a sunset in the evening. A shout out to Megon at the lobby bar she was fantastic! This resort also has a beautiful gift shop one of the nicest I've seen in the Caribbean. We enjoyed the nighty entertainment after dinner.
I only have two small concerns, the Italian restaurant took a very long time to get our food so was a bit disappointed here and the pool hours are strict from 9-6. I love to have a morning swim around 7-8:30 am and have never been told I cannot swim in the pool in the morning so this was a bit hard for me. I am a morning person and love to relish in a morning dip before breakfast. They have lifeguards on duty starting at 9am which is great for safety but I would like the option to swim unattended before 9am. I could see if they were cleaning the pool at 7 or 8 am but this was not the case. Even then I have enjoyed a morning swim while staff vacuum the pool in the morning at other places. Last, it is quite a long shuttle ride (1.5-2 hours) so be prepared but once you get there it is so worth it!
I would recommend this resort for so many reasons. Was extremely happy and am looking forward to trying more Royalton resorts. The staff, grounds/pools and restaurants were all amazing. Had a wonderful holiday! Will be back!
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Donna Locke -
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Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa: Disappointed
Once we finally got into our room we asked 4 times for extra bedding. The day I took it of a housekeeping cart. The resort shows no compassion with anybody with a non-visible disability! My six year-old autistic, grandson lost his bracelet We searched for it with no success. Explained the situation and we’re still required to pay $150 US replacement.
Just came back from a 7 day stay and as a first timer in the DR, I was pleasantly surprised after hearing lots of mixed to negative reviews of this resort. This resort had it all. The grounds were well kept, staff was friendly and helpful and spent lots of time in the beautiful pool with a swim-up bar. Entertainment was fantastic, we enjoyed the Michael Jackson show, the magic show and the circus. The resort is very family friendly but also catered to all ages, so couples and singles can also ha[... read more]ve a great time as well, no matter the age. As a guest at Splash, you have access to the other resort which we also spent lots of time at. Food at buffet was ok; we got pretty tired of it by the 3rd or 4th day but that's typical from any resort from what I hear. I highly recommend the Mexican and Italian a la carte restaurants. The beach had lots of sargassum despite the hotel's best efforts to keep it off the shore and on the beach. But it also depends on the day as when we went before a few days earlier to check it out, it seemed to be okay. The water park is small and is geared towards kids but there's about 4-5 slides that are meant for all ages. Overall, we would definitely come back after trying a few other resorts!
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Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Nice resort
Overall, I enjoyed my stay at the Royal Hikakus Hotel. Of course, it’s a bit different from Blau Varadero. Blau Varadero has more activities and a tall central building where you can see everyone, which gives it a more social and lively atmosphere.
At Royal Hikakus, the layout is different—the cottages are spread out across the property, so there’s a bit more walking involved. The food was excellent, and I really appreciated the 24/7 coffee service—that was a great touch.
At first, we were[... read more] given a room that we didn’t like. It was quite dirty, with stains all over the walls, and the TV wasn’t working, so they had to replace it. Eventually, they moved us to a better room with a nice view of the pool, which we liked much more.
The shows at the hotel were okay, but they were mostly the same each night and focused mainly on singing. It would have been nice to see more variety in the entertainment.
As for the services, compared to Blau Varadero, Royal Hikakus doesn’t have a sauna, and the massage services are paid, which was a bit disappointing.
But overall, it was a good stay, and we appreciated the improvements after the room change.
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Atul -
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Royalton Negril Resort And Spa: Great food and beach, but average customer service
The resort is great. Food was outstanding. If you are not a stickler for customer service, totally recommend the resort. The customer service overall was average, but the service at the bar on the pool was bad.
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Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters: Amazing Resort!!
We were so pleasantly surprised by this resort. From the moment we arrived until the time we left, the employees made sure to remember our names. The rooms, while small, were immaculate and up-to-date. The pools were clean and inviting as was the beach. The food was top notch! They went over and above to customize your orders if you wished to add or change something.
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Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Nice Resort for Family Vacation
We just returned from a 7-night stay at the Royalton Bavaro, traveling as a family of four with two teenage boys. Overall, we had a great vacation and appreciated many aspects of the resort.
Room
We stayed in a Presidential Suite, which offered ample space for our family. The current layout works, but could be improved with a larger or dual pullout in the living area—as sharing the bedroom with a teenager wasn’t ideal.
Upon arrival, there was a small ceiling leak, but maintenance responde[... read more]d promptly and resolved it without issue.
The room was consistently clean, with daily housekeeping service.
Mini-bars were stocked on day one, though they weren’t refilled daily as expected.
Hot water was plentiful—just a quick note that you’ll need to turn the handle opposite to what you might be used to and let it run a bit.
We were in Building 15, which provided an amazing view of the ocean and pools. Buildings farther back may not offer the same tropical feel.
The balcony was spacious, with lovely morning shade. Comfier seating or a lounger would have made it even more relaxing.
Resort
The resort is large and beautifully spread out, with nearly a kilometer between the lobby and the beach. We enjoyed the walking, which helped spread out the activity and gave us a chance to get our steps in. If walking isn't your thing, this may be a consideration.
The lazy river was a standout—about 25 minutes per loop through shaded areas and water features, finishing at the swim-up bar. Tubes aren’t provided, so bringing your own (as we did) is a great tip—just keep an eye on them.
The Royalton pool was peaceful and a great place to unwind with a book, while the swim-up bar pool offered more energy and resort-led activities.
Mini golf was a fun touch, though with only three putters, it’s a one-group-at-a-time experience.
The fitness center was well-equipped and never too busy—treadmills, ellipticals, weights, and machines met our needs nicely.
We also enjoyed tennis and pickleball, a nice break from water-based activities. Equipment is available in the fitness center.
One challenge we faced was pool chair reservations. Like many resorts, early morning towel placement is the norm. Unfortunately, we experienced a few instances where others moved our umbrellas or even took our towels and bags. One day, some of our tubes went missing while we were at breakfast. This was more a reflection on fellow guests than the resort itself, but it did impact our experience.
Restaurants, Food & Beverages
Booking a la carte restaurants can be frustrating, as others have noted. Despite early-morning efforts through the app, we couldn’t get into the steakhouse without assistance from a helpful staff member. That said:
The Japanese and Italian restaurants were excellent, and we had no issues booking them.
The steakhouse lived up to its reputation—it was a hit with the whole family.
We appreciated the Sports Bar as a casual and lively alternative, especially while watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Brazilian restaurant wasn’t open for dinner during our stay, but we enjoyed a tasty lunch there.
The oceanside restaurant was only open briefly, though it would have been nice to have more access.
The main buffet was our go-to for breakfast—plenty of variety, and the omelette station was a highlight.
Drinks were great throughout the week—quick service and generous pours.
The coffee shop was a surprise favorite, perfect for both morning coffee and afternoon ice cream.
Beach
The beach itself is beautiful, with soft white sand and striking blue water. Unfortunately, seaweed was an issue during our visit, limiting our time there. Still, we could see its potential and hope to return when conditions are better.
Entertainment
The nightly shows were typical of tropical resorts. We especially enjoyed the Michael Jackson, Adele, and Queen tributes. Some of the others weren’t our style, but the variety was good.
Other Notes
While we understand the need for sales, the constant upselling of excursions and memberships became tiresome. We would have preferred a more relaxed approach, where we could seek out information on our own.
Similarly, the vendor stalls near the pools and main walkway were persistent and a bit uncomfortable at times.
It’s worth noting that access to the Royalton Splash waterpark is no longer included—there’s now a $35/person fee, or you can attend a vacation club presentation for free passes.
Overall
While we experienced a few frustrations, this is truly a beautiful resort with lots to offer. Our family particularly enjoyed the lazy river, the gorgeous views from our suite, and the delicious food throughout the week. With a few minor adjustments, this could easily be a near-perfect vacation destination.
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Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: DONT GO HERE IF YOUR KIDS HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS! We will never return
My son has special needs and we asked by email 3 times, as well as calling the hotel direct to have side by side room. When we arrived to hotel, we did not have rooms anywhere close to each other (we had swim out but where not even in the same pool. After almost 1.5 hour at the desk they got us in the same swim out section but not side by side. Next day the kids checked out of there room 10am and were told 5pm room would ready. We went to front desk at 5 and were told to leave - not ready. [... read more]We wanted to get ready for dinner reservation but 4 people in one room was difficult. We didn’t get access to the room until 6:30. We wasted a day basically with all the headaches trying to get side by side rooms. The hotel staff do no care about the safety and well being of my autistic son. IF YOU HABE A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD DO KOT GO TO ROYALTON HOTELS AS STAFF HAVE NO WILLINGNESS TO ACCOMMODATE.
Aside from that, the swim out pool water level was very low and no jets on to circulate water. Pool was filled with leaves, bugs, cigarette bits and even 2 bloody bandaids. Disgusting! We found and killed 2 cockroaches. The ceiling in the shower was damaged and a section was falling down on us while we showered!
They closed the Rio restaurant (one of the main reasons we went there) leaving only 3 restaurants. The reservation system for restaurants doesn’t work so it was a battle everyday to not get stuck ongoing to buffet.
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Eduardo -
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Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Easily the Worst Resort Experience We’ve Had in the Dominican Republic
This was our fifth time visiting the Dominican Republic and without question, Royalton Bavaro was the worst experience we’ve had. And that includes other five-star resorts. Honestly, it didn’t even feel like a four star
Check-in was a disaster. We arrived around noon, tired from travel, and the lobby was pretty empty. Still, check-in dragged for what felt like forever. They told us our room wouldn’t be ready until 3pm (fine), but when we returned at 3pm, we were told it still wasn’t ready hou[... read more]sekeeping was running behind. We finally got into our room an hour later. That’s four hours of waiting around just to start our vacation.
The resort is painfully understaffed. You could feel it everywhere. from slow service at the front desk to the chaos at the restaurants. We booked dinners through their buggy app (which glitched constantly), only to show up and find out the restaurant was closed. That happened twice. Once through the app, once after speaking to someone in person at guest services. Communication between staff is clearly broken.
Restaurants were slow. Even when we managed to book, we waited forever for food. It wasn’t just us people were visibly frustrated and some walked out. Again, not enough staff.
Even one of the employees, when I asked about why I’d been sent to a closed restaurant, acknowledged how badly the place is being managed.
No hairdryers. Seriously. Traveling with my wife and kid, both of whom have curly hair, a hairdryer isn’t optional it’s necessary. There was none in the room. We asked for one every single day of our 7-day stay. It never came. Not once. We weren’t the only ones either other guests were complaining too. This is basic, and it’s just not acceptable at a hotel claiming to be five stars.
Lost bracelet fee was salt in the wound. They warn you upfront that lost bracelets cost $150. Unfortunately, our kid lost hers. After everything we experienced, I hoped they’d show a little grace. I explained the situation to management no flexibility, no empathy. I had to pay $150 just to check out.
Look, I don’t usually write reviews like this. And we chose this resort because friends recommended it based on how it used to be. Clearly, something has changed. And not for the better.
Would I return? No. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not.
There are so many better places in the DR. Do yourself a favor skip this one.
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Savvy24 -
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Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Quick getaway
Booked a last minute trip to escape our weather at home. Blessed with great weather, friendly people and surprisingly good food and drinks , the beach was amazing. Hoping to return in the near future