Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Thanks to a 2015 renovation, this Secrets outpost has a fresh and attractive look that makes a great first impression. The grounds are what you’d expect from an oceanfront resort: lush and full of palm trees and blossoming flowers. One of its three pools ambles through the grounds like a lazy river, and wooden bridges pass over its azure blue water. And that's to say nothing of the beautiful -- if admittedly busy -- beach that sits next to the property. However, there are some trade-offs for this prime real estate. Notably, many of the resort's amenities -- including the spa, casino, and meeting space -- are at the kid-friendly Now Larimar Punta Cana next door. And given that most guests choose this Secrets for its adults-only policies, heading to the Now Larimar family-friendly resort can be a significant drawback.
For those who choose to stay on the resort's grounds, mornings at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana are quiet and relaxed -- except at the beach, where the music from the bar can be loud. As the day goes on, it gets rowdy with poolside drinking competitions and blaring music. Guests pack the big pool, and lounge chair shortages can be an issue as guests throw towels down in the early mornings and return later to claim their spot. Visitors here are mostly 30 and older, hailing from the United States and Canada. In any case, travelers seeking some peace and quiet should look elsewhere.
The hotel’s 464 rooms -- all of which are junior suites and one-bedroom suites -- are spread over several buildings set in two rows perpendicular to the beach, with the gardens and the lazy river-style pool between them. Interiors are airy and beachy, with wicker furniture, colorful throw pillows, and lots of big ornaments made of stone or natural fibers. The design isn’t sleek, but spaces are neat and pleasant and have big windows overlooking the lush gardens.
Travelers trying to decide between Secrets Royal Beach vs Secrets Cap Cana may want to know that both resorts are adults-only and offer virtually the same food. However, there are a few differences worth bearing in mind before booking. Rooms at Cap Cana are newer and slightly more elegant, with nicer bathrooms, some of which have glass shower walls overlooking the bedroom. Cap Cana’s spa is on-site, while guests staying at Royal Beach will have to go over to next-door sister property Now Larimar. The beach is also quite different in both properties – while it is mostly quiet at Secrets Cap Cana, it’s loud and busy at Secrets Royal Beach. Location-wise, Secrets Royal Beach is closer to shops and restaurants but farther away from the airport.

Secrets Royal Beach is located on Bavaro Beach, one of Punta Cana’s most popular (and touristy) beaches. It’s a long, wide beach and perfect for a run or romantic evening stroll, though the daytime hours are busy. While the resort's setting feels slightly remote, it's still walkable or a short drive to nearby amenities. Multiple shops and restaurants serving Italian, burgers, Dominican, and international cuisines are within a 15-minute walk, while golf, shopping, and a pharmacy are all within a five- to 10-minute drive. Coco Bongo, the famed nightclub with Las Vegas-style entertainment, is 15 minutes away by car. An adventure park with mountain bike trails, zip lines, Zorbing, and a paintball field is a 20-minute drive from the resort. Isla Saona, a gorgeous beach-rimmed island teeming with starfish, requires an hour drive plus a half-hour boat ride to reach. While the resort is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s UNESCO-listed capital, Secrets Royal Beach isn’t far from the airport – the drive takes about 25 minutes.

By all-inclusive standards in resort-packed Punta Cana, the Secrets Royal Beach has fresh and attractive rooms, even if they aren't entirely exciting. Starting at 570 square feet, all are spacious, and include details such as gray walls, textured headboards, separate seating areas, and pops of mauve and brown. The subtle ocean-inspired art on the walls pulls the look together in a beachy, if restrained, way. King or double beds are available, with white-on-white comforters and lacy bed runners. The private balconies or terraces with garden, pool, ocean, or partial ocean views are a highlight, and the outdoor hot tubs available in all room types are a nice bonus. However, it is worth keeping in mind that some balconies overlook the kid-filled pools at the neighboring resort. Garden Terrace units are exactly the same as the entry-level Junior Suite Tropical View but are located on the ground floor, offering easier access to the pools.
All rooms feature flat-screen TVs with cable channels, DVD players, Bluetooth-enabled iPod docks, coffeemakers with free coffee, and minibars stocked with beer, soda, juice, and water. The minibars are filled once daily and are included in rates. Air-conditioning is provided and Wi-Fi is free -- though some guests have complained that it can be spotty in some areas of the resort. Decent-sized closets hold safes, irons, ironing boards, and umbrellas. Bathrooms have multi-toned marble floors, marble vanities with dual sinks, and glass-walled stand-up showers. All bathrooms include scales, hairdryers, and illuminated magnifying mirrors as well. The toiletry list is comprehensive and includes shampoo, body wash, bar soap, shaving kits, vanity kits, sewing kits, shoe polish sponges, shower caps, combs, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.
Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana Preferred Club rooms are a tad bigger and come with a few nice extras, including upgraded toiletries, minibars, and room service menus -- aside from a number of perks such as access to a private pool, lounge, and beach area; personalized check-in, and daily a la carte breakfast. Preferred Club rooms are standard units in privileged locations within the resort, plus Junior Suite Private Pool units and one-bedroom Master Suites, the latter of which add a separate living area with a sofa bed and a dining table.

Secrets Royal Beach Club Punta Cana offers five dining options, ranging from a varied buffet to Asian and a wine cellar for private dining. While the buffet restaurant is good and varied, the rest of the options get mixed reviews. La Riviera is the hotel’s main restaurant, offering a varied buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual space with beach views and both indoor and outdoor seating. The rest of the on-site dining options are a la carte and open for dinner only. They include an Asian restaurant with a teppanyaki table, a formal seafood eatery, an Italian trattoria, and a casual grill that also offers breakfast and lunch exclusively for Preferred Club guests. Reservations are only required at the teppanyaki table at Himitsu, the Asian eatery. While the no-reservations policy sounds nice in theory, it means that wait times can be long in peak season.
Multiple bars are found throughout the property, including a beach club, a lobby lounge, and a swim-up bar in the pool. Dining and drinking at the neighboring Now Larimar resort are included in Secrets' rates.

The Secrets Royal Beach Unlimited Luxury package is the resort’s standard all-inclusive rate here. It includes not only all buffet meals and domestic liquor brands but also unlimited a la carte dinners, international top-shelf liquor, natural fruit juices, and 24-hour room service. Pool and beach wait service, parking, and property-wide Wi-Fi are also included. In-room minibars are stocked daily with sodas, water, and beer free of charge. Additionally, the all-inclusive package gives guests free access to all on-site activities, as well as non-motorized water sports and themed parties.
Upgraded Preferred Club packages include extras such as private check-in, a member's only lounge and restaurant, upgraded minibars, toiletries and room-service menus, and free daily newspapers delivered to the room on request. Preferred Club guests also get exclusive access to a pool and a separate section on the beach, both with bar service. Guest who upgrade can also choose between three options for breakfast: a varied buffet with the rest of the guests; a lighter continental spread in the Preferred Club Lounge (which also serves hors d’oeuvres and drinks throughout the day), or a la carte dishes at Seaside Grill.

Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana shares most of its amenities with Now Larimar, its family-friendly sister property next door. That can be a bit of inconvenience, though the property still has a solid number of adults-only facilities on-site. Secrets' beach is long, wide, and absolutely stunning. The soft sand is dotted by lounge chairs and thatched umbrellas, and it has a beach volleyball court and a beachfront ping-pong table. Food and drink service is available and included in rates. Free non-motorized water sports include stand-up paddleboards, wind-surfing boards, kayaks, and Hobie Cats. Kite-boarding equipment and lessons are available for a fee. Secrets offers free snorkeling equipment and free introductory scuba classes in the pool.
Secrets’ three pools include an ambling lazy river-style waterway, an activity pool, and a swish Preferred Club pool with hammocks and lots of lounge chairs. The latter is only available for Preferred Club guests, keeping it a bit more peaceful. The activity pool can get crowded and the blaring beats on offer all day long might be too much for some guests. Additionally, the ease of bar access at the main pools mean that things are boozy as the day progresses. Guests may also have to fight for lounge chairs..
Other amenities at Now Larimar include a spa with an outdoor hydrotherapy circuit and a salon, multiple pools, a business center, and 9,000 square feet of event space. Unfortunately, this means guests staying at Secrets Royal Beach have to contend with that property's family-friendly vibe (read: kids). Now Larimar also has a gym, basketball court, and multiple tennis courts.

The Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is part of the Punta Cana Promise, which is an initiative put forward by a number of international hotel groups that aims to offer a high degree of safety to all guests during their stay. Some of its safety measures include 24-hour security and medical assistance; food and drinks purchased from reputable partners and checked before being served, and background checks of all employees. The safety promise also includes excursions booked at the hotel, which are guaranteed to be provided by a licensed, insured and reputable third-party company.