Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Disappointing Stay at Royalton Bavaro: Poor Service and Unmet Expectation

I recently stayed at the Royalton Bavaro, and unfortunately, my experience was far from what I expected, especially considering the high price I paid. I arrived at the hotel at 5:00 pm, expecting a smooth check-in process, but instead, I was made to wait over an hour because my room wasn’t ready. This was incredibly frustrating, especially since the hotel’s check-out time is 12:00 pm, and yet they couldn’t manage to prepare the room on time. The service throughout my stay was disappointing. I  [... read more]had to call multiple times for basic requests, and even then, the response was slow and sometimes incomplete. The room service was a major letdown. It was inconsistent, with items missing or delayed, and when they did arrive, it wasn’t up to the standard I expected from a resort of this caliber. Even more frustrating was the state of the room itself – it wasn’t cleaned properly. The floors were dirty, towels were missing, and the overall cleanliness left much to be desired. Overall, I had high expectations given the price, but the experience fell far short of what I hoped for. Poor service, lack of cleanliness, and long waits made my stay stressful rather than enjoyable. I would not recommend the Royalton Bavaro based on my experience.

Royalton Hideaway Saint Lucia: Letter that has been sent to Royalton. Barely worth 3 stars let alone 5

Dear Royalton St. Lucia Management, I recently stayed at your resort, and while I greatly appreciated the warm and friendly demeanor of your staff, my experience was overshadowed by significant operational shortcomings that severely impacted our vacation. Given the premium cost of this trip, I believe it is fair to request compensation for the loss of use of our room and the many inconveniences we endured. Key Issues Encountered Prolonged Room Access Issues For over a day and a half, we were [... read more] unable to lock or unlock our room safely without locking ourselves out entirely. This was a major inconvenience and forced us to leave the room unlocked after cramming as many valuables as possible into the safe, just so we could enjoy some time outdoors. This unacceptable situation compromised both our security and peace of mind. Housekeeping Challenges Upon check-in, the room was inadequately stocked, containing only two face cloths and a floor mat. We discovered this on our first morning and called housekeeping. Over two hours later, with no response, I located a cleaner in the hallway, who was shocked at the oversight and kindly provided us with two towels. Additionally, there were no beach towels available on multiple occasions. This appeared to be exacerbated by guests using them to reserve chairs, a practice that was not managed effectively by staff. Food and Beverage Service The inefficiency of the food truck was astounding. It seemed overwhelmed despite relatively moderate demand, due largely to poor organization and undertrained staff. A streamlined system could resolve these issues, as the food itself was fine but not worth the excessive wait. Room service failed to deliver drinks we ordered, which was another frustrating lapse in service. Facilities Issues The Italian restaurant lacked basic hand-drying options in the bathroom (no paper towels or dryers), which detracted from an otherwise enjoyable dining experience. A broken ATM left guests stranded without access to cash, with no alternatives available at the front desk. Impact on Our Stay The most significant impact was the room access issue. The inability to secure our room or easily access it for over 36 hours created unnecessary stress, disrupted our plans, and diminished our enjoyment of the trip. This was compounded by delays in service and inadequate amenities, leaving us with the impression that the resort was unprepared to meet the standards expected at this price point. Request for Compensation Given the disruption and the inability to fully enjoy the core aspect of our stay—our room—I kindly request compensation for this loss. While I appreciate the friendliness of your staff, the numerous operational flaws detracted significantly from the experience and failed to align with the premium cost of the trip. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as the Royalton St. Lucia has immense potential to offer an exceptional guest experience. With improved training, operational planning, and guest support, future stays could be far more enjoyable. I look forward to hearing from you regarding this matter. Please feel free to reach out if you require further details about our experience. Sincerely,

Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun: Great Swimout Room, Hit-or-Miss Service, and Room for Improvement

We recently stayed at Royalton Splash Cancun and had a mix of enjoyable moments and frustrating experiences that are worth sharing. While we had a good time overall, several areas could benefit from better management to create a smoother, more relaxing vacation for guests. Arrival and Check-In Our vacation got off to a rocky start with a long, drawn-out check-in process. We arrived early (just before 11:00 a.m.), knowing rooms wouldn’t be ready until 3:00 p.m. However, we spent nearly an h [... read more]our waiting in line before being handed a pager and told it would be about 20 minutes. Instead of going for a swim, we decided to relax with a drink. By the time we checked on our room status after an hour, we were informed it could be several more hours. At 3:00 p.m., pre-check-in guests were still waiting, but staff served new arrivals instead of directing them to the proper line. This created chaos, confusion, and unnecessary delays. Adding to the frustration, we were approached by a third-party representative selling timeshares, posing as resort staff. We spoke with many other guests who shared similar frustrations, particularly with the disorganized check-in process. This appears to be a common pain point that needs serious attention. Room, Swimout Convenience, and Housekeeping Our swimout room was a definite highlight. Being able to take a quick dip before heading to the main pools or enjoy a peaceful swim before bed was fantastic. The private, easy water access gave our stay a luxurious feel. We even received bar service at the swimout, although it was infrequent and a bit inconvenient—but a nice bonus nonetheless. When it came to maid service, we noticed some inconsistencies: Housekeeping showed up at different times each day, making it hard to plan around. Sheets were never changed during our stay. While we could have requested this, we were curious to see if it would happen without prompting—it didn’t. No towel art was provided, a small touch we’ve enjoyed at other resorts. This simple addition could have earned higher tips and added charm to the experience. Pool and Chair Situation If you plan to spend your days by the pool, be prepared to get up early. Pool chairs were nearly impossible to find unless you claimed them by 6:00 or 7:00 a.m.—and even that didn’t guarantee your spot. We witnessed several instances of chair stealing, where guests moved or took chairs already reserved, leading to tense exchanges. A towel card system would make this experience far more enjoyable by reducing hoarding. We were guilty of the current system’s flaws, often using six towels for our family of three, including those in our swimout room. Dining and Food Quality Dining was a mixed bag. The Rio Brazilian Restaurant stood out as the best experience, with great food, attentive service, and a delightful atmosphere. Unfortunately, the buffet and other à la cartes didn’t measure up. Temperature Issues: Hot food was often lukewarm, and cold dishes weren’t chilled properly. Basic Flavors: The seasoning and variety felt underwhelming compared to other resorts. While we didn’t experience any foodborne illness, we spoke with several guests who had gotten sick. It’s clear that food handling and temperature control are areas that need serious improvement. Bar Service While friendly and efficient in terms of speed, bar service was inconsistent with drink accuracy. On multiple occasions, drinks came out completely different than what was ordered—a Bahama Mama could be something mango-flavored, or a strawberry daiquiri would appear instead. More attention to order-taking would go a long way in improving the bar experience. Overall Impression The resort offers beautiful amenities and fun opportunities, but management could do more to address operational inefficiencies. From a more structured pool chair system to improved food, drink quality control, and housekeeping routines, there are clear ways to elevate the guest experience. Despite the hiccups, we enjoyed the time spent relaxing in our swimout room and by the pool—just be prepared for some patience-testing moments. Would we return? Possibly, if some of these improvements are made. For now, we recommend going in with tempered expectations, a strategy for navigating the resort’s quirks, and a bit of luck avoiding any food-related issues.

Royalton CHIC Punta Cana: NOT A FIVE STAR RESORT ANYMORE

This was my first time at chic in punta cana but my friends I was with had been there 8 years before and said it was great, but they were disappointed this time things have changed drastically, my room was terrible from the beginning, my fan didn’t work half the switches didn’t work I had no lights around the room no lights under the bed the side pull out lights by the bed I pulled it out and the whole thing came out of the wall ,safe wasn’t working ,lights in the closet stayed on all the time t [... read more]he sensors were broken the air conditioning would shut off in the middle of the night while I’m in the room when I’m at the beach all day it stays on I asked for someone 4 times by the time they came to fix the fan they got it working so slow it didn’t make wind they came near the last day to ask how everything was , I gave him my laundry list of issues but it was too late to change rooms plus my friends were next door my key pad wasn’t working my door was unlocked and I didn’t know, I found the resort run down paint peeling off the ceiling on the patio flakes of paint all over my clothes drying out on the chair , almost every table in the buffet was wobbly, there was a shortage of beach lounges people stealing them for the pool and vice versa , people holding their spot at the beach all day and not showing up because they are at the pool and other people are looking for a spot and can’t find one , as for the food , the snack bar seemed ok but the hamburgers were so greasy the meat quality was lowest couldn’t eat it at all the buffet had all kinds of food so much it made me lose my appetite, the one night they had a special dinner for repeat guests and none of us got an invite as we were just in Jamaica 3 weeks earlier at the hideaway my friends were going to that tandoori restaurant and I was going to the buffet to find out it’s closed because of the special dinner that I wasn’t invited to so I ended up eating pringles and a chocolate bar for dinner, the staff was excellent the entertainment was ok , I would not recommend this place for the money

Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Good resort

The resort is nice a little big food is decent not the best make sure to get the pizza for lunch from Italian restaurant. Great service when you tip. Rooms are clean, beach is amazing can’t go wrong with this resort.great for the kids. Monique Kwiran was a pleasure to book with made it very easy. We as a larger group.

Royalton CHIC Punta Cana: Didn’t meet our expectations

Honest review for my recent stay at the Royalton CHIC Punta Cana, advertised as a 5-star resort, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations Room Issues: On our first night, we found a cockroach in our room, which was a major turnoff & the room smelt mould Food: The food is mediocre at best—not what you’d expect from a 5-star resort. It’s bland and just enough to get by, but certainly not a culinary experience. Beach: The beach was another letdown. It’s located on the Atlantic Ocean, [... read more] not the Caribbean, so the waves are rough, making swimming more like a game of survival. I wish travel agents made this clearer when booking. Additionally, there weren’t nearly enough chairs, and finding a spot was a struggle. Staff: The one saving grace of the resort is the staff—they’re super friendly and hardworking, but that alone doesn’t make up for the other shortcomings. Overall, this resort is not deserving of a 5-star rating. It was a disappointing experience, and I wouldn’t return or recommend it.

Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun: Nice resort

The resort was well laid out. Easy access to all bars and restaurants. We had Diamond club which gave us access to better rooms and restaurants. Room service was great. Pools were great if you could get chairs. Down at 6:30 am to secure chairs. Our butlers were non existent. We booked our own restaurants. Needed to call down to housekeeping to clean our rooms twice as they were not cleaned by 5:00 pm.

Royalton Splash Punta Cana: Perfect family resort

The Royalton splash Punta Cana was the perfect family getaway. The waterpark is great for kids of all ages, the food had a great variety and tasted great and they are very accommodating to allergies. The rooms are nice and well maintained, and all the staff is super hospitable.

Royalton Hideaway Riviera Cancun: Horrible Resort

Dirty rooms Out dated Sub par food Loud Obnoxious guest Rude pool staff Horrible experience. Never will return to a Royalton ever! This is a 2 star resort at best... the reviews and website is total lies.

Royalton CHIC Cancun: Great Party Resort!

Our stay at Royalton CHIC Cancun was a mix of highs and lows. The resort has a lively, party-oriented vibe, which is great if that’s what you’re looking for. The food was okay—not exceptional, but it did the job. One frustration was with the restaurants. While they weren’t particularly busy, it was still surprisingly hard to get reservations, which felt unnecessary and a bit disorganized. On a positive note, the Diamond Club butler service was excellent and really enhanced our experience.  [... read more]However, some of the details and inclusions of the service were a bit unclear, which led to some confusion. If you’re after a vibrant party resort and can take advantage of the Diamond Club perks, Royalton CHIC Cancun is worth considering. Just be prepared for some minor hiccups with dining and service clarity

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: Amazing experience!

The grounds were beautiful, the employees treat you like royalty. Highly recommend Royalton Hicacos! The beach bar makes the best drinks! Gladys was an especially special part of our trip. Her demeanour is so welcoming and warm.

Royalton CHIC Punta Cana: Incredible adult only resort

This resort is a must go to. The various spaces (pools, lounge area, lobby, shops restaurants, Spa etc.) are very clean so are the rooms. The food is good. The schedule of activities is posted and there is something for everyone. The entertainment is above average and very well organized. Easy access to the beach. The staff is professional and very pleasant. Without hesitation, a must do.

Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: NOT GREAT

NOT enough things to do and every where you go on the site you are being harassed. FOOD tasteless ,tables not cleaned, servers not polite , never asked if you need anything like a fork or glass ALWAYS had to ask and ask and ask and most of the time when asked to bring something they never did LOL. ALWAYS sat at a dirty table that you had to go find someone to clean it . Shows at night boring . The bars the drinks were deluded a lot . Spoke to a lot of visitors and all said the same thin [... read more]g. would we come back LOL

Royalton Hideaway Riviera Cancun: Wonderful holiday

A very nice laid out resort. You certainly get your steps in if you're in the Hideaway section which isn't a bad thing. Restaurants were different levels of good with Dorado and armadillo being my favorites. Also Dorado had the best wait staff- special mention of Emmanuel and Henry. Having a butler was a new experience and I have to say that Alfredo and Sarah made my experience truly exceptional- gracias!

Royalton CHIC Punta Cana: Still a great vacation but resort is aging

We had a great time, staff was fantastic. Food and cleanliness have declined since our last trip here. Still good but not great. The resort is aging and needs an overhaul. A great time with staff and new and old friends. Weather and beach are always stellar. Tip: ocean front rooms in building 1 a must.

Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Shuttle drivers were excellent

Buffet dining room staff were not the friendliest . It took forever to get a glass of wine (over 20 minutes . The dining room often ran out of cutlery and food was cold especially at breakfast Rooms were ok Pool temperature was perfect Only tried one a la carte meal…we were not impressed at all

Royalton Hideaway Riviera Cancun: Such a Disappointment!

If you’re looking for a loud, party/ spring break type of resort and experience well then this is for you! But as for an adults only resort it falls short on every level. Starting with checkin - it took 3 staff to ‘greet’ us and lead us to the lounge where the hideaway section checks in.. then before you’re directed to your room , you’re asked to sit and listen to a sales pitch to become a Royalton member and receive a free massage ( after a 90 minute breakfast ) … very pushy sales people in s [... read more]everal key , high traffic areas of the resort. The room was clean and the beds are very comfortable, but the room lacked pretty much all the amenities that they advertise . ( Safe, blow dryer, robes, coffee) they did however bring once requested .. There is only one small coffee bar in the entire resort and is lined up every morning . They could use several coffee urn stations throughout . It’s a large resort . There aren’t enough lounges by the pool , but the perimeter is lined with ‘Bali Beds’ or palapas , but these are reservation only starting at $180.00 US per day. Consequently, for the most part, they were empty all week. The pool itself is small, as is the area around the adults only pool, and it is the loudest pool on the entire large property. It is confined between the buildings and there is limited sun during the day. It’s also extremely loud with a party atmosphere, including exercise classes, dance classes, all day, long with predominantly techno music playing quite loud. It’s also the first resort we’ve been to where the pool water is cloudy. They don’t use the towel Card process as most resorts do and the result is towels left everywhere . Within the last eight months, there have been many changes made to this resort, that the staff are not completely in agreement with. First of all you need to download the Royalton app if you want to have any information on the resort and you must have the app to make reservations for any à la carte restaurants, but can only make them for three days at a time. There is only one adults only restaurant and that is above the adults only pool that I just mentioned. The app is not very user-friendly and if you go to a concierge and ask for any information, they just direct you to the app without actually giving you any information or help, even though they themselves say that the app has many issues that they are trying to work out. The food at this resort was tasty enough in the à la carte restaurants, and the buffet, but found that the food was all lukewarm and sometimes even cold, which was another disappointment. It was a common complaint . The drinks were also not what you would expect from a 5 star resort . We will never be back , and if you’re considering this resort , it is far from a 5 star and don’t waste your money on the adults only Hideaway section as there is virtually no benefit other than the use of the noisiest pool at the resort .

Royalton Antigua Resort and Spa: Amazing Stay

From the time we arrived, the staff was wonderful and willing to help any way they could. Even allowing me to use their personal cell phone to book a rental vehicle. The resort was clean and well maintained. The buffet had a great selection for all meals with an amazing dessert area. I tried all the restaurants and they were equally amazing if not better. I loved the cafe shop which I visited daily and some times twice for a pick me up and the treats they had and daily gelato. The nightly entert [... read more]ainment got better every day. The beach area never seemed crowded with space available regardless of what time I arrived. I was a diamond club member and my butlers, Kai and Brandon were incredible. Both made my trip relaxing and enjoyable. For those travelling with young children or teenagers, there were areas for them to enjoy their vacation as well. I will be back there soon as it will be my place to go.

Royalton CHIC Antigua: Wonderful place

This resort was beautiful, up to date and classy. The staff at this resort is amazing an very friendly. The music was great and the guests were so friendly and fun. Everyone seemed to be relaxed and enjoying themselves. The food is just ok, not very much options. I wouldn't say the food was terrible but not great. Pretty close to night clubs n the downtown core. Pool entertainment was fun and the beach was nice too. Place is very clean n pretty and not overly crowded. I will definitel [... read more]y recommend this place and resort n most likely will return back for another vacation at this spot again. Great job!

Royalton Antigua Resort and Spa: Beautiful beach

The resort was beautiful, clean and the beach was perfect! The staff walked off and strike one day while we were there. The staff were not happy and did not want to talk to people staying there. Often we had to get our own cutlery, water and rarely were offered coffee in the morning. The staff have an impact on your overall stay and since none were happy it had a negative impact. The weather was perfect.