Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Las Morlas Street, Km 15, Varadero 42200 Cuba
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4.5
#2 of 30 all-inclusives in VaraderoLocation
4.7
Cleanliness
4.6
Service
4.6
Value
4.3
Nestled on the white-sand shores of Varadero, Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa offers discerning travelers an unforgettable all-inclusive experience in Cuba. Combining the island's charming culture with exceptional service and incredible attention to detail, Royalton Hicacos is a cut above the rest with its all-inclusive resort facilities designed to create the perfect ambience for relaxation. ADULTS-ONLY LUXURY Valuable information: -The hotel is 220V type C (round 2 prong) connection so we recommend bringing a travel adapter. -A la cart restaurant system is first come, first serve.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Internet
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Free breakfast
Beach
Boating
Meeting rooms
Secured parking
Pool / beach towels
Adult pool
Outdoor pool
Yoga classes
Fitness / spa locker rooms
Fitness classes
Bar / lounge
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary welcome drink
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Diving
Snorkeling
Water sport equipment rentals
Aerobics
Billiards
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Table tennis
Nightclub / DJ
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Makeup services
Manicure
Massage
Neck massage
Pedicure
Salon
Waxing services
Adults only
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Convenience store
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Picnic area
Shops
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Butler service
Doorperson
Infirmary
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Private beach
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Cable / satellite TV
Extra long beds
Walk-in shower
Safe
Sofa
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Quiet
Languages Spoken
English, French, Russian, Spanish and 2 more
Location
Las Morlas Street, Km 15, Varadero 42200 Cuba
Getting there
Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport
20.4 mi•
See all flights
Rental Cars
16 Restaurants
within 5 miles
Reviews
4.5
10,564 reviews
Reviews Summary
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The Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa is celebrated for its lively atmosphere, with guests enjoying themed nights and live music, as well as the charming personal touches like towel art. While the value of the Diamond Club upgrade elicits mixed feelings, the hotel’s overall cleanliness and well-kept grounds receive high marks. The rooms, though spacious, have drawn some criticism for outdated decor and lighting.
The resort's amenities, including its stunning beach and multiple dining options, are generally applauded, albeit with a few noted limitations. Its picturesque beachfront location is a hit, but some guests point out inconsistent WIFI service. The staff's dedication to providing attentive service is frequently commended, although there have been occasional lapses noted in room and butler services.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Pristine
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Detailed Reviews
+1
First things you have to understand when visiting any Cuban hotel is this is a communist country with restrictions on goods. It isn’t like any other Caribbean country where USA has had an influence.
Yes the hotel is looking a little aged with towels and sheets with small holes or stains on them but they ensure everything is clean.
After speaking with the manager of the hotel, Jose Sanchez he informed us of the renovations and updates the hotel is shortly and (currently) going through.
The staff on reception are a little temperamental depending on how busy they are which I can only suggest a little more training for them.
We stayed again as a diamond guest, which is worth the extra in my opinion as now there is an office for booking restaurants and as a diamond guest your butlers do this on your behalf (with other benefits too). Our maid Yanet was perfect everything was cleaned to perfection and we had a different towel sculpture on the bed everyday and she even left us a gift half way through. Which was very touching.
The restaurants have lovely food and service the only one we felt a little rushed was in The pearl where we were in and out within 35 mins.
Buffet is always varied with different themes (Cuban night, seafood etc). However the best options are making your own pizza and pasta very fresh.
Special shout outs to Barbara in the buffet, a young chap whose name I have forgotten in the bar ((sorry) he loves football)). And last but not least Tammara in the Italian who has worked for the hotel for 17 years and goes above and beyond for you. She deserves an award.
The beach service is again temperamental we ended up fetching our drinks 90% of the time and now you are given them in single use plastic cups rather than a proper sized glass and isn’t great for the environment.
Feels cheapened.
You could always find a sun bed around the pool and on the beach didn’t go to any entertainment so can’t comment.
It’s not the worse and I’m sure it’s not the best.
Yes the hotel is looking a little aged with towels and sheets with small holes or stains on them but they ensure everything is clean.
After speaking with the manager of the hotel, Jose Sanchez he informed us of the renovations and updates the hotel is shortly and (currently) going through.
The staff on reception are a little temperamental depending on how busy they are which I can only suggest a little more training for them.
We stayed again as a diamond guest, which is worth the extra in my opinion as now there is an office for booking restaurants and as a diamond guest your butlers do this on your behalf (with other benefits too). Our maid Yanet was perfect everything was cleaned to perfection and we had a different towel sculpture on the bed everyday and she even left us a gift half way through. Which was very touching.
The restaurants have lovely food and service the only one we felt a little rushed was in The pearl where we were in and out within 35 mins.
Buffet is always varied with different themes (Cuban night, seafood etc). However the best options are making your own pizza and pasta very fresh.
Special shout outs to Barbara in the buffet, a young chap whose name I have forgotten in the bar ((sorry) he loves football)). And last but not least Tammara in the Italian who has worked for the hotel for 17 years and goes above and beyond for you. She deserves an award.
The beach service is again temperamental we ended up fetching our drinks 90% of the time and now you are given them in single use plastic cups rather than a proper sized glass and isn’t great for the environment.
Feels cheapened.
You could always find a sun bed around the pool and on the beach didn’t go to any entertainment so can’t comment.
It’s not the worse and I’m sure it’s not the best.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dtor_General, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Jan 2, 2020
Dear Cleo1972, We would like to thank you for the opportunity to host you at Royalton Hicacos. It is of great importance for us to hear the opinion from our guests in order to identify areas of improvement and continue enhancing your experience. We have shared all your concerns with the management, because what you describe is not what we are used to hear about our services. Please be sure that we will take necessary measures in order to keep the high quality and standard we have. One more time sorry for not exceeding your expectations. Warmest regards, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have visited this property 15 times since it opened in 2003 as "Sandals Royal Hicacos" (10 as a Sandals and 5 as the Royalton Hicacos). Of the 7 resorts that i've visited in Cuba, it is my favourite. All of the resort infrastructure is well kept and tastefully designed, be it the grounds, the amenities, or the rooms themselves. Accommodations range in height from one level to 3 levels and tastefully designed with white hand rails and pastel colours. The units are located intimately along mature, vegetation lined pathways. Common areas are rustically capped with beautiful thatched roofs. Despite the intimacy, in my 15 visits, noise has never been a problem. Being a 5-star, its food ranks with the best in similar Cuban resorts, bearing in mind that Cuban food is not particularly spicy and Cuba does have supply problems for food variety. Like all resort staff that I've encountered in Cuba, they are genuinely warm and personable. Entertainment is very good. The beach is superlative. If you're a tennis buff or just want to learn, they have 3 hard courts and a resident pro, Pedro, that can provide lessons or competition. This will remain one of my 'go to' resort for future trips.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dtor_General, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Feb 5, 2020
Receive a trendy regard from Royalton Hicacos, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us at our hotel. We are glad the product and services were to your fullest satisfaction. We are looking forward to the pleasure of welcoming you again in our Hotel and assure you that you will enjoy even superior services and facilities on your next visit. Kind regards, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Just returned from 10 AMAZING days at the Royalton Hicacos in Varadero. We had previously visited this resort 5 years ago, so we thought we knew what to expect. As much as it was amazing 5 years ago…our return trip was even better this time around. From Check In to Check out…we had no issues. The beach is great with lots of room with plenty of chairs, beds and palapas. We booked the Diamond Club which is a nice upgrade but not necessary to enjoy this resort to the max. The buffet service and food were top notch. We ate so well in the buffet that we did not go to all the a la carte restaurants. The 3 (Cuban, Seafood grill and International) we did try were very good. Note: Reservations for the a la carte restaurants are no longer made so everyone must show up at either 6 or 8 PM and be assigned a time to eat. This is a bit chaotic as everyone shows up at the same time, not knowing when they will be able to eat. I also had 2 massages at the spa which were very relaxing and well done.
A few names to mention of people working at the resort who made our trip so enjoyable and relaxing:
Buffet staff: Amazing service from Barbara, Tanya and Lizandra as well as Raul, Mayren and Pedro who made every meal enjoyable and welcomed us back each time with huge smiles as if we were long time friends.
Beach staff: Rene on the beach ensured that we had a great chair every day he was there. BJ (Beach bar) ensured that we had our 4:30 Cuba libre.
Lobby bar staff: Great service from Guillermo. Excellent and attentive waiter!
Suggestions to hotel:
Diamond club members should have pre-made reservation by the butlers, seeing that we do pay extra for this upgrade.
The butlers of the Diamond Club should be able to assist us in reserving the courtesy room as well as providing us with a later check out. This we had to do at the reception, which is not a problem, but it would be nice to only have to deal with the butlers.
A bathroom facility near the Diamond Club beach would be nice instead of running back to the room or the reception area.
A few names to mention of people working at the resort who made our trip so enjoyable and relaxing:
Buffet staff: Amazing service from Barbara, Tanya and Lizandra as well as Raul, Mayren and Pedro who made every meal enjoyable and welcomed us back each time with huge smiles as if we were long time friends.
Beach staff: Rene on the beach ensured that we had a great chair every day he was there. BJ (Beach bar) ensured that we had our 4:30 Cuba libre.
Lobby bar staff: Great service from Guillermo. Excellent and attentive waiter!
Suggestions to hotel:
Diamond club members should have pre-made reservation by the butlers, seeing that we do pay extra for this upgrade.
The butlers of the Diamond Club should be able to assist us in reserving the courtesy room as well as providing us with a later check out. This we had to do at the reception, which is not a problem, but it would be nice to only have to deal with the butlers.
A bathroom facility near the Diamond Club beach would be nice instead of running back to the room or the reception area.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dtor_General, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Feb 8, 2020
Dear Richard Mr R, Please receive warm greetings from all of our staff at Royalton Hicacos. Allow me to thank you for your kind review. This is highly important to us. I am happy to know you are satisfied with the fantastic service provided. Please know that our goal is to exceed your expectations by providing you an oustanding service and pleasing your needs by being very attentive towards them. On behalf of our team, we all look forward to welcome you, once again, to create more unforgettable experiences. Best Regards, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We booked Diamond Club...upon arrival we were greeted by our butler Osmany who was very kind to us and took us to a private area called Diamond Club Lounge, which is the reception for diamond customers. Then they offered us a welcome drink whike they checked us in. When we were already installed in our room,we took a light bath of hot water which came great to relax after the stress of the trip. The beach at this hotel is a dream,the Bali beds are perfect for lying down and having a good time while reading a book and enjoying a refreshing drink. We got a massage in the beach area with natural oils That smelled really good. On Wednesday the hotel offers a dinner for Diamond Club clients in the gardens,it is a good time to exchange with the heads of the areas,and make friends.The hotel food is very good,sometime we found that it was not very hot, i guess they have a problem keeping the food temperature, but we are really glad for the service of Yanira who was very kind to us. The second day i threw a coat,went to the reception and reported it,the next day delivered it to me, it is good to know that you can trust the staff that is always attentive.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dtor_General, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Feb 12, 2020
Receive a trendy regard from Royalton Hicacos, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us at our hotel. We are glad the product and services were to your fullest satisfaction. We are looking forward to the pleasure of welcoming you again in our Hotel and assure you that you will enjoy even superior services and facilities on your next visit. Kind regards, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel is big, big big and the "bungalows" are three story walk ups. Anyone with mobility problems might go elsewhere. Even the buffet is on the second floor but there is an elevator available to get to it. The rooms are spacious, clean and in good repair although there is no phone directory and no instructions on how to use the safe, though it is provided free of charge. A nice change is not having to make reservations to go to the specialty restaurants though there were line ups at some to get in. The buffet food was quite varied and should have something to satisfy any taste, it is clean and well prepared. The Beach Grill serves seafood in the evenings with one of their choices being grilled lobster, very good. All in all a good stay.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dtor_General, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Feb 1, 2020
Dear James C, Thank you very much for selecting Royalton Hicacos as host to your holidays. Thank you for sharing your recent experience. Please know that your great 4/5 circle review is greatly appreciated by all of us. Allow me to let you know that we work very hard in order to always exceed your expectations and I am truly happy to know that we have achieve this by providing you with attention to detail, unique service, and staff members that are truly dedicated to serving. Know that your high recommendations to other travelers are highly important to us and that it will always be a pleasure to welcome you. Yours sincerely, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
I would like to thank the staff first for making this trip the highlight of a pretty terrible year for most, the staff have gone above and beyond to make sure everybody has had the most Incredible time here, no request is too large and in particular Letitia (apologies if Misspelled) who checked in with us on a daily basis to make sure that we were having a good time ~ we have loved it so much we have stayed an ADDITIONAL WEEK!
The pool boasts an AMAZING pool bar and is a 2 min walk from the beach. It is aesthetically pleasing and you definitely feel like you are in the Caribbean from the minute you get here where you are presented with cocktails on arrival.
The buffet is what you would expect for an all inclusive resort with plenty of options. But if you don’t fancy the buffet there are a number of a la crate restaurants (I would have to recommend the Mexican and seafood restaurant on the beach.)
The rooms are large and clean with a 24hour butler service to provide you with anything you may need from food (midnight toasties are a firm fave for my family)
to a laundry service.
The main bar is also 24 hours.
I would highly suggest you bring cash whether that be sterling, Euros or CUC all of these currencies are accepted within the hotel at the gift shops, cigar bar and if you wish to book excursions etc. There is no ATM nearby but if you do forget cash you can go to the international bank about 15 minutes away and there are taxis available outside which will take payment after the trip and wait for you outside the bank.
They are Covid safe and are very attentive with hand sanitiser and all staff wear masks at all times.
The Royalton Hicacos should definitely be your next destination!!
The pool boasts an AMAZING pool bar and is a 2 min walk from the beach. It is aesthetically pleasing and you definitely feel like you are in the Caribbean from the minute you get here where you are presented with cocktails on arrival.
The buffet is what you would expect for an all inclusive resort with plenty of options. But if you don’t fancy the buffet there are a number of a la crate restaurants (I would have to recommend the Mexican and seafood restaurant on the beach.)
The rooms are large and clean with a 24hour butler service to provide you with anything you may need from food (midnight toasties are a firm fave for my family)
to a laundry service.
The main bar is also 24 hours.
I would highly suggest you bring cash whether that be sterling, Euros or CUC all of these currencies are accepted within the hotel at the gift shops, cigar bar and if you wish to book excursions etc. There is no ATM nearby but if you do forget cash you can go to the international bank about 15 minutes away and there are taxis available outside which will take payment after the trip and wait for you outside the bank.
They are Covid safe and are very attentive with hand sanitiser and all staff wear masks at all times.
The Royalton Hicacos should definitely be your next destination!!
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lorenzo Rubio, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Dec 30, 2020
Dear guest, Thank you very much for selecting Royalton Hicacos as host to your holidays. Thank you for sharing your recent experience. Please know that your great 5 circle review is greatly appreciated by all of us. Know that your high recommendations to other travelers are highly important to us and that it will always be a pleasure to welcome you. Yours sincerely, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We visited cuba for our honeymoon and by did we make the right choice.After 3 days in havana which was great we visited the royalton for 1 week.
Check in was quick straight to our rooms even since we were a bit early.
Rooms are clean and big but do need updating,we didnt mind this as we knew not to expect 5 star luxury.
Weather was excellent for the week got hotter and less clouds as the week progressed.
Hotel grounds kept clean and they were working on painting and updating it.
Pools spotless
Staff excellent
Drinks were very good not very consistant with the cocktails in main bar depended on what barman did the pina coladas mohitos beer was good.
Entertainment was good foam partys could have been better with better music and the crew not doing there own songs and dances leave the guests drink and enjoy the music and foam themselves.
Nightly entertainment was for the older crowd, the hotel guests where mainly over 50s which was good very quiet and peacefull.
Now the food is this hotel was great,the buffet and all the special restaurants served top notch food, we were so happy with this.The variety and range was the best we have ever had in an allinclusive resort and we have been all over the world in top hotels.Excellent job here keep it up.
Wifi is a small charge but it was good that we were off the phones quite a bit
Beach probly the best beach we have been very close with cancun only small problem was u had to get your own drinks no service on beach,we are in cuba so didnt really bother us.
The cuban people are so good and we will 100 percent visit again in the near future.
Thank you royalton hopefully we will see u in the near future
Check in was quick straight to our rooms even since we were a bit early.
Rooms are clean and big but do need updating,we didnt mind this as we knew not to expect 5 star luxury.
Weather was excellent for the week got hotter and less clouds as the week progressed.
Hotel grounds kept clean and they were working on painting and updating it.
Pools spotless
Staff excellent
Drinks were very good not very consistant with the cocktails in main bar depended on what barman did the pina coladas mohitos beer was good.
Entertainment was good foam partys could have been better with better music and the crew not doing there own songs and dances leave the guests drink and enjoy the music and foam themselves.
Nightly entertainment was for the older crowd, the hotel guests where mainly over 50s which was good very quiet and peacefull.
Now the food is this hotel was great,the buffet and all the special restaurants served top notch food, we were so happy with this.The variety and range was the best we have ever had in an allinclusive resort and we have been all over the world in top hotels.Excellent job here keep it up.
Wifi is a small charge but it was good that we were off the phones quite a bit
Beach probly the best beach we have been very close with cancun only small problem was u had to get your own drinks no service on beach,we are in cuba so didnt really bother us.
The cuban people are so good and we will 100 percent visit again in the near future.
Thank you royalton hopefully we will see u in the near future
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dtor_General, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Feb 19, 2020
Dear Keith1984veb, Thank you very much for selecting Royalton Hicacos as host to your holidays. Thank you for sharing your recent experience. Please know that your great 4/5 circle review is greatly appreciated by all of us. Allow me to let you know that we work very hard in order to always exceed your expectations and I am truly happy to know that we have achieve this by providing you with attention to detail, unique service, and staff members that are truly dedicated to serving. Know that your high recommendations to other travelers are highly important to us and that it will always be a pleasure to welcome you. Yours sincerely, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Prof.Dr.rer.nat. Franz Josef Gießibl wrote a review Jan 2021
Pentling, Germany7 contributions2 helpful votesThe Royalton Hicacos is in the middle of a tropical paradise. The hotel is arranged in a garden setting, consisting of a dozen or so wooden houses with no more than two stories. A room is actually more like a little condo with a large balcony, of course without a kitchen which would be useless as there are plenty of excellent restaurants on the premises to chose from. I put the desk outside on the balcony to be able to write under the sound of crashing waves and nightly chirping crickets. The beach is stunning with soft white sand and turquoise clean seas that invite you to take a dive or body surf. The cheerful Cuban staff is wonderful, always a smile on the face (this you can only see in there eyes, as all staff wears masks all the time in this COVID pandemic), radiating warmth, helpfulness and happiness. One power outlet was not functioning in my room - it was fixed within hours.
About 4h of wireless per day was included in my room price. It was not very reliable and usually the bandwidth was a bit low, but I viewed this partially as a blessing, as it is much nicer to surf the waves here than the internet. Also, it is possible that this is not the fault of the hotel but the telecom provider.
The hotel provides a wide selection of entertainment - Cuba dance show, singers etc. Veronica, the yoga teacher, stood out - she gave phantastic classes. I arrived Jan 12 2021 and plan to stay until the 29th. The number of guests has been decreasing as, e.g. the British had to leave early because of the complete lockdown at home.
About 4h of wireless per day was included in my room price. It was not very reliable and usually the bandwidth was a bit low, but I viewed this partially as a blessing, as it is much nicer to surf the waves here than the internet. Also, it is possible that this is not the fault of the hotel but the telecom provider.
The hotel provides a wide selection of entertainment - Cuba dance show, singers etc. Veronica, the yoga teacher, stood out - she gave phantastic classes. I arrived Jan 12 2021 and plan to stay until the 29th. The number of guests has been decreasing as, e.g. the British had to leave early because of the complete lockdown at home.
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Date of stay: January 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lorenzo Rubio, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Jan 19, 2021
Dear guest, Thank you very much for selecting Royalton Hicacos as host to your holidays. Thank you for sharing your recent experience. Please know that your great 5 circle review is greatly appreciated by all of us. Allow me to let you know that we work very hard in order to always exceed your expectations and I am truly happy to know that we have achieve this by providing you with attention to detail, unique service, and staff members that are truly dedicated to serving. Know that your high recommendations to other travelers are highly important to us and that it will always be a pleasure to welcome you. Yours sincerely, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband and I just returned from an amazingly relaxing one week stay at the Royalton in Varadero on Sunday. We could not have had a more wonderful time. Anyone who visits Cuba falls in love with the clear turquoise water and white sandy beaches, and this resort’s beach is additionally spacious and immaculate. I have a lot of shoulder tension and signed up for a massage on the beach while I was there, and was so impressed I returned 2 days later.
Other key aspects of any vacation are the food and service; and on both counts we were grateful to the kind and helpful resort staff who worked hard to serve us fresh and delicious food. They really went out of their way to offer us any little thing that we might want, and I was touched by both their attentiveness and kindness. On the food side, I am a vegetarian who typically enjoys eating a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, and I’m never sure when I travel what will be store for me, but the Royalton’s buffet always offered a variety of appealing hot and cold items, and when we ate at the a la carte restaurants the chefs made me a special plate of assorted grilled food that was delicious. My husband is not a vegetarian, and he was also very pleased with the menu, as witnessed by the couple of extra pounds he gained during our stay! We also quite enjoyed the variety of talented musicians that performed in the afternoons and evenings.
Accommodations wise, I loved our spacious room with its raised seating area and generous balcony.
Both my husband and I work long days, and like to be active and so for us a wellness vacation with both exercise and relaxation is ideal. We were delighted to see that the resort had a Canadian certified yoga instructor, Devon, who led us through a gentle hatha yoga every morning. An additional treat was that she ended her class sharing a few drops of essential oil – thank you!
My advice to travelers is to take the time to talk to the staff and Cubans you meet on excursions so you can learn a bit about Cuban culture and their way of life. You will see that they are a loyal, hard-working and family-oriented people. I feel very grateful for the time that I was able to spend in this beautiful country and at this lovely resort and was very sad to leave this lovely oasis.
Other key aspects of any vacation are the food and service; and on both counts we were grateful to the kind and helpful resort staff who worked hard to serve us fresh and delicious food. They really went out of their way to offer us any little thing that we might want, and I was touched by both their attentiveness and kindness. On the food side, I am a vegetarian who typically enjoys eating a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, and I’m never sure when I travel what will be store for me, but the Royalton’s buffet always offered a variety of appealing hot and cold items, and when we ate at the a la carte restaurants the chefs made me a special plate of assorted grilled food that was delicious. My husband is not a vegetarian, and he was also very pleased with the menu, as witnessed by the couple of extra pounds he gained during our stay! We also quite enjoyed the variety of talented musicians that performed in the afternoons and evenings.
Accommodations wise, I loved our spacious room with its raised seating area and generous balcony.
Both my husband and I work long days, and like to be active and so for us a wellness vacation with both exercise and relaxation is ideal. We were delighted to see that the resort had a Canadian certified yoga instructor, Devon, who led us through a gentle hatha yoga every morning. An additional treat was that she ended her class sharing a few drops of essential oil – thank you!
My advice to travelers is to take the time to talk to the staff and Cubans you meet on excursions so you can learn a bit about Cuban culture and their way of life. You will see that they are a loyal, hard-working and family-oriented people. I feel very grateful for the time that I was able to spend in this beautiful country and at this lovely resort and was very sad to leave this lovely oasis.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dtor_General, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Jan 8, 2020
Dear 193lesliee, Please receive warm greetings from all of our staff at Royalton Hicacos. Allow me to thank you for your kind review. This is highly important to us. I am happy to know you are satisfied with the fantastic service provided. Please know that our goal is to exceed your expectations by providing you an outstanding service and pleasing your needs by being very attentive towards them. On behalf of Royalton Hicacos, we all look forward to welcome you, once again, to create more unforgettable experiences. Best Regards, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Spend a week in Varadero at this all-inclusive adults only resort. Guests made up of many different nationalities. Great low-rise design and we found it immaculately clean with well maintained grounds and communal areas. The food is very good. Bedrooms/suites are a good size with towels changed every day, we were there for 8 nights and bedding was not changed, we would have liked the bedding changed perhaps twice in that time. Pool/beach towels provided and could be changed as many times as wanted. We think this is probably one of the better hotels on the Hicacos peninsular.
Above all the staff make it, all genuinely happy to be there, attentive and seemed like one big family....and totally engaged with the guests...especially the cleaner with the wicked sense of head-dress and rhythm.
Above all the staff make it, all genuinely happy to be there, attentive and seemed like one big family....and totally engaged with the guests...especially the cleaner with the wicked sense of head-dress and rhythm.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dtor_General, Director General at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Responded Mar 7, 2020
Dear 198harveyb, Thank you very much for selecting Royalton Hicacos as host to your holidays. Thank you for sharing your recent experience. Please know that your great 4/5 circle review is greatly appreciated by all of us. Allow me to let you know that we work very hard in order to always exceed your expectations and I am truly happy to know that we have achieve this by providing you with attention to detail, unique service, and staff members that are truly dedicated to serving. Know that your high recommendations to other travelers are highly important to us and that it will always be a pleasure to welcome you. Yours sincerely, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Update: the training we saw available in Veradero is with ACUC (there may also be others). ACUC is Canadian in origin and appears to be recognized all over the world. If you want PADI, you might have to do it in Cuba, but ask at your local PADI diving centre if PADI recognizes ACUC training and standards. If so, then it's not an issue.
Depends on where you are staying. From the Royalton Hicacos and booked with Sunwing, you are told to be in the lobby 4 hours before your flight time.
Wouldn’t we paid 220 each food is blend no gin vodka white wine and Havana 7 year old rum not even for diamond club no fridge moose head beer 70 f and they also put sandwiches in not working fridge go somewhere else
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"Bring bug spray and stuff to put on if you have been bitten...and lots of sunblock. "Read full review
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ALSO KNOWN AS
sandals royal hicacos varadero, sandals cuba, sandals royal hicacos resort spa, royal hicacos
LOCATION
CaribbeanCubaMatanzas ProvinceVaradero
NUMBER OF ROOMS
404
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingROYALTON HICACOS VARADERO RESORT & SPA - Updated 2024 Resort (All-Inclusive) Reviews (Cuba)
Frequently Asked Questions about Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa
Which popular attractions are close to Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa?
Nearby attractions include Varadero Beach (0.9 miles), Cueva de Ambrosio (0.3 miles), and Varahicacos Ecological Reserve (3.8 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa?
Top room amenities include a flat screen TV, a desk, and extra long beds.
What food & drink options are available at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa?
Conveniently located restaurants include Xanadu Restaurant, Restaurant La Arcada, and La Panchita.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness center, and fitness classes during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Russian.
Are there any historical sites close to Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Cueva de Ambrosio (0.3 miles).
Is Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.