Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana offered a different experience from what we have encountered in the past. As an agency that primarily represents and sells Sandals Resorts, we wanted to explore a new brand, a new destination, and a completely different resort experience. The airport was easy to navigate and the transfer to the resort took only about 20 to 25 minutes. However, we had to arrange our own transportation, and our driver did not speak English, which made the arrival experience less convenient than expected.

The resort itself is beautiful, well maintained, and thoughtfully designed, with multiple pools, distinct areas to relax, and a wide variety of dining options. The overall look and atmosphere of the property were impressive. What stood out most, however, was the hospitality of the staff. Everyone was warm, friendly, and eager to engage, regularly greeting us with a smile, joining in our videos, and taking the time to speak with us throughout our stay. Their enthusiasm and genuine hospitality made a lasting impression and played a major role in the overall experience.

On the other hand, the language barrier was one of the biggest challenges we experienced during our stay. Many staff members spoke limited English or did not speak English at all, which occasionally created confusion and caused some friction. One evening I received the wrong dinner because the server did not fully understand my order. During our private beach dinner, the waiter reviewed the menu with us, but we were unable to understand most of what he was saying, so we simply agreed and accepted what was served. At several points throughout the stay, we had to rely on a translation app to communicate with bartenders or waitstaff. For travelers who do not speak Spanish, this is something important to consider.

It is also important to understand that while Secrets Royal Beach is an all-inclusive resort, it is not a tip-free resort. This is not necessarily a negative, but it is a different service model from what we are accustomed to at Sandals. At times, staff members appeared to wait for a tip after completing a service, including bell staff after delivering luggage and some waiters or bartenders after bringing drinks. Guests should plan to carry cash and budget for tipping throughout their stay.

The all-inclusive experience also felt more focused on standard food and beverages than on including every activity or upgrade offered on the property. Water sports required an additional fee, certain cabanas had to be reserved at an extra cost, and premium bottled wines were not included. During our first dinner, we were initially presented with a wine list that displayed only bottles available for purchase rather than the wines included with the meal. There were several opportunities throughout the resort to spend additional money, which made the overall all-inclusive model feel noticeably different from the more comprehensive experience we have enjoyed at other resorts.

We also found the food to be underwhelming. Nothing we ate was bad, and we were able to eat every meal without any major issues, but the dining experience did not feel especially memorable or elevated. Much of the food was comparable to what we could find at home rather than something unique or exceptional. We never had to send anything back, and we did not experience any illness, but the food was simply not one of the highlights of the stay.

The rooms were another area where we had a mixed experience. The updated design was well done, modern, and well maintained, and the bed was one of the most comfortable we have experienced at an all-inclusive resort. Our room also included access to a shared private pool, and we loved the overall layout and comfort of the space. However, the tile flooring became extremely slippery when wet, making it difficult to move around the room safely if we were at all wet. I fell during our stay after getting out of the shower because of how slick the floor was. The resort even has warning signs near the entrances to the hotel buildings advising guests not to enter while wet because of the risk of slipping. This is an important consideration for travelers with mobility limitations, balance concerns, or difficulty walking.

That said, the resort truly excelled in several other areas. The design and layout were amazing, and the number and variety of pools were outstanding. The pools were fun, full of energy, and many were deeper than what is commonly found at other resorts. They were the best pools we have experienced at an all-inclusive resort. The entertainment was also impressive, with a different live performance every night, daytime activities, a casino, and a nightclub. From an entertainment and atmosphere standpoint, Secrets Royal Beach offered plenty to do and created a lively, enjoyable resort experience.

Overall, the property was beautiful, the staff was welcoming, the rooms were comfortable, and the entertainment and pools were major highlights. However, the language barrier, additional costs, tipping expectations, slippery flooring, and underwhelming food are all important factors travelers should consider when deciding whether this resort is the right fit for them.