Royalton Hicacos - Adults Only - All Inclusive

“Best beach vacation I have ever been on!!”

This has been the BEST beach vacation I have ever been on. The beach was stunning, the staff were fantastic, the entertainment was top notch and the food was great! I would 100% recommend this resort and I am looking forward to coming back. I would suggest upgrading to the diamond club to anyone wh… more

This has been the BEST beach vacation I have ever been on. The beach was stunning, the staff were fantastic, the entertainment was top notch and the food was great! I would 100% recommend this resort and I am looking forward to coming back. I would suggest upgrading to the diamond club to anyone who is interested in this resort. It wasn’t much more and it gives you a lot more perks such as room service, butler service, special restaurants, and an additional beach bar. Xavier was amazing with engaging with the guests and organizing fun activities. Once again, I can’t say enough good things about my experience to Cuba.

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“Incredible Cuba Vacation”

We stayed at the Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa from February 21-28, 2025. We travel to Cuba yearly for winter vacations but this was our first visit to this resort- but it will definitely not be our last. The staff were incredible. They were always smiling and every single one of them greeted you… more

We stayed at the Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa from February 21-28, 2025. We travel to Cuba yearly for winter vacations but this was our first visit to this resort- but it will definitely not be our last. The staff were incredible. They were always smiling and every single one of them greeted you with a smile and Hola when meeting or walking by you. We reserved diamond club (extra service and perks) and upgraded to the superior suites for our stay. Our room was in the 600 block and newly renovated and quite lovely. The bed was comfortable (although quite high - I’m short so I had to do a little leap to get up lol). Safe worked with no issues, AC and fridge were ice cold, the room darkening curtains were great. Separate shower and tub with hot water every day. The food at the buffet was definitely better than the average Cuba resort with delicious pastas at the pasta bar, crepe station, meat grilling station, the bread/rolls were to die for. We enjoyed two a la cartes while there (Italian and TexMex). The Italian was just ok but the Tex Mex was delish. We ate breakfast every day in the Diamond Club restaurant (Italian a la carte at night) and were never disappointed. Our eggs were always cooked to our liking and the chocolate crepes were out of this world. No matter what restaurant we ate at, the service was spectacular - we never had an empty water or wine glass, the servers were constantly keeping an eye out and making sure we had what we wanted, Alexandra at the buffet in the diamond club section went above and beyond and there was also a gentleman waiter who worked in the mornings and lunch in the buffet )diamond club section) was just as good but regrettable I didn’t get his name, I do want to give more special shout outs to some of the staff that made our stay that much more memorable; Raul and Abel (Bellmen) were so sweet- always smiling and laughing Our concierges Nelly and Eileen were fantastic. Nelly went above and beyond to help us out with booking a la cartes, booking our taxi in a classic convertible and checking in with us every day to make sure we were having a good time. She is a jewel! The bartenders at the pool bar (Eileen, Maria and the tall gentleman (I forgot his name) were so fun and made the yummiest martinis and pina coladas Lazaro at the Cigar Lounge was amazing, he was very knowledgeable and helpful with picking out the best cigars and made the best espresso I’ve ever had, if you’re a cigar aficionado- he’s your guy! Make sure to check out the ice cream parlour for delicious homemade ice cream, waffle cones and cookies The beach was beautiful and clean as was the pool and the rest of the resort. We have very very few complaints that are not even worth mentioning as we know that Cuba as a whole is struggling but the staff here go above and beyond to minimize any impact to the guests. We are already planning our next trip back here

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“Royalton Hicacos gave us plenty of reasons to smile!”

We just got back from an amazing trip to Varadero, Cuba, and our stay at the Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa was truly memorable. Let us tell you – this place is a delightful blend of warm, attentive service, breathtaking surroundings, and charming quirks that only add to the overall adventure. The … more

We just got back from an amazing trip to Varadero, Cuba, and our stay at the Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa was truly memorable. Let us tell you – this place is a delightful blend of warm, attentive service, breathtaking surroundings, and charming quirks that only add to the overall adventure. The Hotel: The resort isn’t modern per se, but it has a very comfortable, intimate feel – nothing too sprawling, as everything is only three stories tall. There’s a cozy charm to the property, even though we noticed a few spots that could use a little repair or fresh paint. Our room was spotless, free of any bugs (which is always a win!), and came with a working AC, a fridge stocked with water and two beers a day, and plenty of hot water. Just a heads-up: if you’re planning on showering during dinner time, the water pressure might drop a bit when everyone’s hopping in. Staff Vibes: The staff here are something else – they genuinely go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Every time we passed by, someone would ask if everything was okay or if we needed anything. A standout was Adelaine at the ice cream shop; she made a real connection with our family. Check-in was lightning fast too, even though our Sunwing flight was delayed. It’s clear they do the best they can with what they have, and that warmth really makes your stay special. Food & Dining: There’s plenty of food here. The buffet offers an ample selection for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – you’re never left hungry, though if you’re used to a lot of variety, you might find the menu a bit repetitive. The a la carte options get busy (think 6pm and 8pm sittings), and the presentation is a notch above the buffet fare. The bistro served decent burgers and fries (though the condiments were in short supply), and the beach bar provided a quick, convenient alternative if you didn’t want to sit through buffet lines. Bar Scene: Drinks were good and mostly local brands – fancy enough for a vacation vibe, though we did notice they use small disposable plastic cups for takeout drinks. They’re serviceable but feel a bit wasteful, so consider bringing a re-usable cup. The bartenders were friendly, and overall, the wine at dinner was enjoyable. The beach bar occasionally ran out of some alcohol, but switching drinks wasn’t a problem. Pool & Relaxation: The pool area was clean and never too crowded. There were plenty of chairs available (though by 9am most were “reserved” with towels left out – a little quirk that could use some better management). The music and activities around the pool struck the right balance – fun, yet still relaxing enough for us to unwind. The Beach: Oh, the beach! Varadero Beach is absolutely gorgeous – clear water, soft white sand, and hardly any debris washing ashore. There’s no need for special beach shoes, and you can easily walk for kilometers along the nearly 20 km stretch of coastline. For a fun twist, we took a free ride on a hobie cat with a friendly guide, which was definitely worth it if you want to mix up your day. Exciting Activities: One of the highlights was the Jeep Safari tour we booked through Sunwing. We ended up in a Suzuki Jeep (it was in great shape), and the guides were professional and super friendly. We drove for more hours than we expected, but the stops made the journey delightful – from a cool cave swim (though it got a bit crowded, so a little patience is key) to a snorkeling spot teeming with fish. There was even a stop at a farm for lunch where you could ride a horse or even a bull! We also took a quick bus ride into Varadero for just $5 USD per person, which was good for the whole day – just be sure to hold on to the little ticket they give you. And if your feet need a break, a rented horse and buggy for an hour (around $10 USD per person) was an absolute treat in the heat. A word of caution: if a driver tells you he knows the best spots for the cheapest rum and cigars, be careful. He might take you to a private house—likely a friend's—where the goods look genuine but are probably sourced unofficially from the black market. Helpful Tips: Tipping seems to be the norm: about $1 USD every few drinks and $5 USD per day for the room worked well. Bring foreign cash in larger denominations – they often need to exchange those $1 bills for bigger ones. We even ended up leaving our portable USB battery chargers with one of the staff because the power outages in Cuba right now were so bad. All in all, Royalton Hicacos gave us plenty of reasons to smile. It wasn’t perfect—but when you’re in Cuba, a few quirks only add to the authentic experience. We’d definitely go back for the friendly staff, the amazing beach, and those unforgettable Jeep Safari adventures. Varadero, you were a dream!

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“Yet another great stay.”

Another great stay and already booked for May. The resort is beautifully laid out and the staff, as always, were amazing. Shout out to Regitta and Omar in the Buffet, Marian our butler and Yuniel in the 24 hour Bistro. Also a shout out to Brenda our Sunwing rep, who was extremely busy with all the… more

Another great stay and already booked for May. The resort is beautifully laid out and the staff, as always, were amazing. Shout out to Regitta and Omar in the Buffet, Marian our butler and Yuniel in the 24 hour Bistro. Also a shout out to Brenda our Sunwing rep, who was extremely busy with all the flight delays, and trying to get everyone accommodated for additional night(s). There were a few shortages, no eggs for breakfast one day, and a shortage of butter at lunch time in the buffet every day, even although there was plenty at breakfast. But in the big picture it was a minor inconvenience.

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