Royalton is one of the names we recommend most often for an all-inclusive down south, whether in Mexico, Punta Cana or the smaller Caribbean islands. The group, known until 2025 as Blue Diamond Resorts, now has about twenty hotels, and its Royalton resorts are part of Marriott's Autograph Collection. Here is what I explain to my clients before they book.
All-In Luxury: rooms designed for comfort, and the service
Royalton calls its formula All-In Luxury®, and it comes down to three things. The first is the rooms: contemporary suites, often spacious (a junior suite measures 42 to 56 m² depending on the hotel, 52 m² at Royalton Riviera Cancun), with the DreamBed, the chain's signature bed, a rain shower, Wi-Fi throughout and 24-hour room service. Depending on the category, you add a whirlpool tub or direct pool access from the terrace.
The second is a generous all-inclusive formula: well-known liquor brands, à la carte restaurants included, reservations through the app, and gratuities included at several hotels.
The third is the service, warm and often attentive: in travellers' reviews, staff members are named and thanked again and again, and the Diamond Club butler wins almost everyone over. It remains a little uneven from one hotel to another, as in every large chain. What stands out most is the feeling that every detail was designed with the guest in mind: how the spaces are laid out, the services you can request with a simple message, the small touches that make the stay easier. It is that consistency, more than the number of inclusions, that sets Royalton apart.
A tip: when you arrive, you may be offered a vacation club presentation. It is optional, and you can politely decline.
Do you eat well at Royalton?
Yes, with one caveat. The larger Royalton resorts have 9 to 11 restaurants, and you can completely change the mood from one night to the next: the Grazie trattoria, Hunter Steakhouse, teppanyaki at Zen, where the chef cooks in front of you, an Indian or Mexican restaurant depending on the hotel, not to mention Gourmet Marché, the buffet, which is very handy with children. Almost everything is included; only the C/X chef's table, a seven-course dinner, is extra.
The caveat: quality varies from one restaurant to another, and from one hotel to another. Some restaurants win everyone over, others are simply decent, and in high season the most popular tables fill up fast. My advice: book your à la carte dinners as soon as you arrive, through the app. You eat well at Royalton, often very well, but it isn't fine dining at every meal.
CHIC, Hideaway, Splash: a Royalton for every traveller
Not all Royalton resorts are alike, and that is by design. Royalton CHIC, adults only, is the group's social address: DJs, themed nights, pool parties. You'll find it in Punta Cana, Cancún and Antigua. It's the right choice for a trip with friends, a bachelor or bachelorette party, or a couple who wants some energy.
Royalton Hideaway is the opposite: an adults-only section within a Royalton, with its own pools, beach and restaurants, quieter and more intimate. The bonus: you keep access to the whole neighbouring Royalton. It's perfect for a honeymoon or a couple who wants to rest, in Punta Cana, Riviera Cancun, Jamaica or Saint Lucia.
Finally, Royalton Splash refers to two family hotels in Punta Cana and Riviera Cancun, built around a large water park (14 slides in Riviera Cancun). For a family with kids who never want to get out of the water, it's hard to beat.
The Diamond Club: is it worth it?
The Diamond Club is more than a room category: it's another way to experience your stay. You get a butler you can reach by message, check-in at a private lounge, a lounge with bites and premium drinks, a reserved pool and beach section with service at your lounger, a better-stocked minibar, and above all priority restaurant reservations. Some perks vary from one hotel to another.
It's worth it if you travel in high season, especially with family: getting a table at a reasonable hour for the kids changes the week. The same goes if you want a quieter pool or simply want someone to handle the details. It's less worthwhile if you go on excursions every day: the room often isn't any bigger, you're mostly paying for the service. The supplement varies by hotel and season; we always compare both prices at the time of booking.
Torn between a Royalton, a CHIC or a Hideaway? Tell me who you're travelling with and what you expect from your week, and I'll tell you which one to choose.
