7 things to know before booking a stay at the Royalton Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort & Casino
The Royalton Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort & Casino is an Autograph Collection property in the Dominican Republic. As one of five all-inclusive Marriott options there, including the nearby TPG-reviewed Royalton Chic, is the Royalton Punta Cana the best choice for your next stay?
It's a massive property for the whole family with plenty of activities, action and dining options. Here are seven things you should know before booking a stay.
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Cost
Room rates for a double room range from $195 to $300 per night, putting it at the lower end of the area's all-inclusive options. You get a lot for your money with accommodation, some activities, entertainment and food and drinks, including basic wines, beer, and cocktails, all included.
The property participates in Marriott Bonvoy, though my Gold Elite status was not acknowledged. With Bonvoy's recent switch to dynamic pricing, you can expect to pay between 50,000 and 62,000 points per night.
The resort also houses the Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana, an adults-only section of the main resort, as well as the Diamond Club, which promises a higher standard of accommodation and facilities. Both options are more expensive than the standard Royalton Punta Cana and according to fellow guests, it's not worth the premium. While there were plenty of upsell opportunities for special private dining options, local tours and romantic beach experiences, I did not opt for these and did not feel I was missing out on anything.
Pros
- Guests can visit a brilliant water park at the sister property Royalton Splash next door.
- The resort's beach featured the beautiful, soft white sand and clear blue water the Caribbean is world-famous for.
- An enormous and surprisingly high-quality breakfast buffet with a vast range of local and international cuisine.
- Room service was quick and easy to order through the in-room television.
Cons
- Waves of guests constantly coming and going did not make for a relaxing atmosphere.
- Having multiple different resorts in one space meant confusing access rules and exclusions.
- It was frustratingly impossible to secure a booking at the recommended teppanyaki restaurant.
- The COVID-19 testing system to return to the United States was painfully inefficient and wasted plenty of valuable vacation time.
- Possibly the worst Italian meal I have ever eaten in all my travels.
Vibe: Everyone welcome
It was a party for young and old at Royalton Punta Cana with plenty of action for every demographic. Children enjoyed splashing around the numerous swimming pools, while adults on spring break popped bottles and blasted music in private cabanas on the crowded beach. With activities ranging from morning aqua aerobics to evening line dancing and even fire-breathing, all set to electronic music, this is not a property to lose yourself in a book.
The poolside bars were packed from the moment they opened at 10 a.m. each day. Shockingly, there were no issues, considering the organized chaos, between partying adults and playful children — just everyone having a good time in the sunshine.
A white party for all guests right on the beach was a fun way to bring everyone together and celebrate some local culture that was otherwise in short supply.
Room
Despite glossy website images suggesting luxurious and modern accommodations, my room was comfortable but tired and scuffed. There was virtually no local flair in the design; I could have been at an airport hotel in Florida and I doubt I would have noticed the difference.
The room featured an open terrace facing the back of the property. It didn't have much privacy, though the lack of view meant it was quiet and peaceful — a nice respite from the constant chaos of the common areas in the resort.
The only all-inclusive feature of the room was a sparsely filled, complimentary minibar with some local beers and sodas. The fridge was not cold so it was better to grab a beer at one of the resort's bars, which defeated the purpose of the in-room amenity. The 24-hour room service menu was easy to order through the television and arrived with a smile 20 minutes later.
Dining and drinking
There were so many dining and drinking options at a property this size that I didn't manage to visit all of them during my two-night stay.
The resort's main Gourmet Marche breakfast buffet was excellent, offering a massive range of Dominican and international options from never-ending food stations. I am wary of the quality of mass-produced food like this but everything I ate was great. I especially enjoyed the live cooking stations serving brightly colored Mexican breakfast tostadas that tasted as good as they looked.
It was always easy to get a drink from the various bars dotting the property, especially when I moved away from the busy main pool bar. The quieter, open-air bar near the Jade Asian restaurant served cocktails within two minutes of ordering; the frozen daiquiri with Brugal brand rum was high on sweetness and low on presentation but otherwise decent, and I was impressed by the Jose Cuervo margarita.
At check-in, I was encouraged to try the resort's Zen teppanyaki restaurant but found it near impossible to book, as the booking desk closed just as check-in started and the restaurant was fully booked when I returned as the desk opened the following morning. I wish the check-in agent had been honest about the likelihood of securing a booking as it would have saved me a lot of time.
Dinner at the resort's Grazie Italian Trattoria was a disaster from start to finish. I laughed out loud when my Caprese salad appetizer was brought to the table. This iconic Italian dish appeared to have been reimagined by a child, for a child. The lasagne entree that followed had cold, burnt edges with an uneven temperature filling suggesting it had been thrown in a microwave on the way to the table.
Dinner at Hunter Steakhouse the next evening was a much more satisfactory affair, with a generously sized, evenly cooked mixed grill of chicken, sausage, steak and ribs, served with creamed spinach and hot and crispy fries.
The next day my room service club sandwich and fruit salad were also decent and ordered with ease through my television.
Activities
There's a small casino on-site beneath reception offering a handful of gaudy slot machines and poker tables — but don't expect any James Bond-style glamor.
There were enough lounge chairs surrounding the multiple pools that you don't need to be up at the crack of dawn to claim one. However, there were simply too many chaotically arranged beds and cabanas in the relatively small beach for the area to be relaxing.
Guests can enjoy a good-quality gym on the property to work off all those buffet meals and cocktails, and there are plenty of retail outlets selling resort attire, duty-free spirits and cigars.
My favorite part of the entire stay was the Royalton Splash waterpark next door that guests from Royalton Punta Cana can enjoy. It's an easy five-minute walk from the Royalton Punta Cana lobby or a shuttle is available if you don't fancy walking. I love a good water park and this was small but very fun, with no queues for any rides. Alcohol is not served at the waterpark, which may be why it was such a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.
One particular pain point was the antigen testing process to return to the United States. I waited for 45 minutes just to make an appointment for a test — time wasted that could have been spent by the pool or the beach. The test itself only required about 20 minutes of my time, but I wish I had brought a test I could do by video instead of wasting so much time with the resort's process.
Recommendation
It's a party for the whole family at the enormous Royalton Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort & Casino with plenty of action from dawn until well after dark. You do get a lot for your money here, especially if you're not fussy about consistently high-quality food or efficient service.
For me, the lack of relaxation and difficulty escaping the "always-on" energy was certainly not my cup of tea and I would rather find somewhere smaller, more authentic, and more relaxing for my next beach holiday. However, if you're looking for non-stop entertainment and don't mind sacrificing relaxation and luxury, it's a good value all-inclusive option in the Caribbean.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.