The best part about the Royal Sands, even though it is an older resort, is the suite style rooms with kitchen and lock off. It is perfect for two couples traveling together giving space and also a common area. I imagine it would be good for kids as well in the murphy beds.
We've been coming to The Royal Sands for years using the all-inclusive package. The rooms are nice and all have balconies with views of the ocean. The place is always clean, the staff courteous and solicitous. The food at La Veranda buffet is very good and there are always many choices. A shout out to Javier Gomez for his special efforts to make us feel welcome. This year however there were a couple of issues that should be mentioned. First, is the sargassum problem on the beach. This issue has been well publicized and the Mexican government has tried various solutions but so far to no avail. This prickly, tangled seaweed is getting worse every year and this year it got so bad some days that no one could go in the ocean. It comes in waves so thick that it turns the turquoise waters dark greenish/black and is very unpleasant. The hotel had a machine rake sand over the seaweed that was deposited on the beach, so it would decompose, which is a good idea. But the machine can't go on the soft sand of the tidal zone, and each day at high tide, the seaweed in this zone was washed back into the ocean, to be redeposited the next tidal cycle. One idea the hotel should try is having some workers rake the sargassum during low tide, out of the tidal zone, so it doesn't wash back into the ocean. This would help a little. However, until the government finds a way to keep this stuff from reaching the shore, the great Cancun beach will become unusable more and more days. The second issue involves the all-inclusive dining options. One of the enticements of the all-inclusive package is the choice of several restaurants besides the La Veranda buffet. All-inclusive guests can call at 8 AM to reserve a spot at Conquistador, Captains Cove, Hacienda Sisal, and others, if they don't like a particular theme night at La Veranda. In prior years, including at full capacity before Covid, I'd call at 8 AM sharp, get an agent immediately, and reserve any restaurant I wanted. This year, I called at 8 AM and was put on hold for ten minutes, then told everything was booked. This happened day after day. I even tried going to the concierge at 8 AM to see if they had any better luck but they were put on hold too, then told everything was booked. I asked two concierges what was going on and they told me that Royal Resorts had a new rewards points program only for members, which allowed them to book up all the restaurants in advance, leaving nothing for the all-inclusive guests. If Royal Resorts wants to implement such a program, they are certainly within their rights to do so, especially since their time share members are their first priority. But they should let the all-inclusive guests know in advance that they will most likely be dining at La Veranda buffet every night, so as to avoid the frustration of not getting the promised dining choices. Hopefully by our next visit, these issues will be addressed.…
My husband and I went to Royal Sands with a large group. We left our two young children at home. This resort would be great for small children. The rooms are very accommodating and there are plenty of child friendly food options. However, I wish there had been a spot for adults only at night. The sports bar called last call at 10:30 and there were no other options as far as continuing the evening. Since we were child-free, we wished we had an option for more nightlife, such as a piano bar, dance club, or even just keeping the sports bar open later.
The Royal Sands was a nice place for families, although it is spread out over a large place. Our room was about as far away from the Main pool and restaurants as you could get. I don't think we got the room any cheaper than anyone else, but our room location left some to be desired. We also paid for the All-Inclusive (which is supposed to cover gratuities/tips), but it didn't seem to happen that way. Every time we ordered from the pool area (roving waiter) or at a restaurant, we had to surrender our room key to the waiter. After eating, we were given a bill, which had $0 on it, but also asked for a tip. The biggest problem is we always had to wait a fair amount of time for the room key. It seems like we should just be able to get up and leave when we are finished, but no, we had to ask for the room key back. Then we had to wait on it........ Otherwise, we enjoyed the resort and the food. The food was also much better if you just ordered off the menu rather than off the buffet.…
Everything was wonderful... EXCEPT, for trying to get dinner reservations as a renter! It was so bad... impossible to get anything other than a 9:30pm due to renters only being allowed to book same day. Shame on you, 3rd party bookings and renters are what are keeping your resort afloat... not your whiney members/owners! Your staff is the best thing you have going for your resort. The cleanliness was excellent as well. Allow renters equal opportunity to make reservations as members/owners! Pedro at the Phase 2 pool bar is awesome and top-notch As well as Eduardo in the Sidelines bar. Mario at the Veranda was the most awesome as well. Hang on to them !
Don't expect any help from concierge. All they want to do is push the time share presentation and new hotel. Went several times to make dinner reservations, and received no help - not even an attempt - after declining the presentation. Chloe and another guy (I didn't get his name) were the worst. Also, don't expect to get a chair on the beach or pool without physically sitting in it from 3am on. Many people were sleeping on the beach to save spots for their family. No thank you. Wait staff/servers are great as always, and happy to not have smokers anymore. The bedding is due for significant update/upgrade.
The minute we arrived we were treated like VIPs. The staff was polite and friendly, the grounds and accommodations were clean and beautiful and the food was great. Very relaxing atmosphere- perfect for families with older teens to young children and couples. Very safe! I highly recommend the Royal Sands!
This hotel has a beautiful view with a lot of fun activities included in the resort such as bingo, water aerobics, and beach volleyball. Make sure to say hi to the amazing workers there! You can find Emilio refereeing beach volleyball and Rodrigo instructing water aerobics. We had so much fun here and they both made the experience even better!
We've always enjoyed our stays at the Royal Sands but this was our first year taking advantage of the Kid's Club for our 4 year old. Not only do they offer a wide variety of daily drop-off activities and classes (slime making, tye die, cooking, bracelets, keychains, pirate hats and many more) by the hour from 9am-6pm, but the facility and staff are top notch. Our daughter loved the teachers and took to Zuri, in particular, who manages the Kid's Club and always had extra little surprises for the children, be it a new hair style or sweet treat they'd send home with the parents at pick up. Zuri, Cori and Jessi really take the time to get to know the families and knowing our daughter was safe, having a blast, making new friends and loving the teachers made all the difference in my husband and I having a true a chance to relax throughout the week (be it for an hour here or there or an extended morning or afternoon). Would highly recommend the Royal Sands for families with children that can take advantage of this great offering in the Kids Club for a memorable trip for everyone!…
I had an excellent time at the resort, all of the workers I met were amazing, as well as the service on the beach, in the buffet, and at the bars. Blu did a great job running the music/dance as well as volleyball. Karaoke night at the Sand Dollar was extremely fun!
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