Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa

Varadero, Cuba

FAVOURITES HOTEL
These hotels provide exceptionally good value, are in great locations and offer exclusive benefits to Virgin Holidays’ customers.
Buffet Restaurant
Piano Bar Las Nubes
Gran Plaza Hicacos
Presidential Suite
Presidential Suite
Lobby Bar
Dips Pool Bar
Royal Suite
Buffet Restaurant
Piano Bar Las Nubes
Gran Plaza Hicacos
Presidential Suite
Presidential Suite
Lobby Bar
Dips Pool Bar
Royal Suite

The hotel

Only opening its doors to adult guests, this exclusive oceanfront retreat has maximised on its tropical island setting. And that’s not just down to its boast-worthy spot on Varadero’s finest white sands, which come scattered with palapa parasols and backed by lush gardens. Its lagoon pools have been designed to meander around the resort, only interrupted by thatch-roofed structures, little caves for private swims or sunbathing, water features, and bridges – all adding to the natural tropical vibe. Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa doesn’t just feature the expected (think à la carte dining, non-motorised water sports and entertainment), it also throws in treats like snacks from pizza to pastries, a gelato station, a cool jazz bar and night club and sports like tennis and squash.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Windsurfing
  • Sailing
  • Tennis
  • Restaurant
  • Kayaking
  • Snorkelling
  • Wedding
  • Games Room
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym

Where is it

On a wide stretch of beautiful Varadero Beach, perfect for sunsets. Transfer time from Havana Airport: 3 hours.

Hotel information

404 rooms including 401 Junior Suites, 1 Presidential Suite and 2 Royal Suites. Suites all have 1 king-size bed, balcony/patio, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, satellite TV, mini-fridge, safe, amenity kit, iron and board, full-size bath, beach towels, bathrobes and hairdryer. Junior Suites have a balcony or patio and 1 king-size bed sleeping maximum 2 adults.

All Inclusive of: breakfast, lunch and dinner, unlimited local-brand drinks, a huge range of sports facilities and entertainment. Guests are entitled to one visit per week to each of the à la carte restaurants.

Junior Suites Diamond Club are as per Junior Suites, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Royal Suites feature a more luxurious bedroom sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Presidential Suites have two separate bedrooms sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Diamond Club Benefits are available in the Junior Suite Diamond Club, Royal Suites or Presidential Suites and include:

  • Exclusive Diamond Club Lounge access (selected premium drinks menu available)
  • Preferred room locations
  • Butler service
  • Daily à la carte breakfast service and special lunch in one à la carte restaurant
  • Exclusive bar and beach area with waiter service
  • Personalised check-in and check-out
  • Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
  • Evening hors d'oeuvres and afternoon snacks, including decadent desserts, in the lounge
  • Upgraded room service menu
  • Pillow menu
  • Luxury amenities in-room
  • Mini-bar (replenished daily)
  • Robes and slippers in-room
  • Diving Plustour (subject to availability)
  • Snorkeling in Cayo Piedra (subject to availability)
  • 15% discount on International Scuba Diving courses

  • Honeymooners: receive express check-in, welcome cocktail, small bottle of sparkling wine in the room on arrival, housekeeping (between 11.00am–3.00pm), honeymoon coordinator, a romantic dinner (booking required), 10% discount on SPA services.

    A marriage certificate with a minimum validity of 6 months must be presented.

  • Free Weddings: conditions apply. More information can be found here

  • Early booking bonus: book by 31 Oct '19 to receive 10% off the accommodation cost for travel between 1 Jan–30 Apr '20. 

     

  • Early booking bonus: book by 30 Apr '20 to receive 15% off the accommodation cost for travel between 1 May–31 Dec '20. 

    Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable. 

     

  • 2020 honeymoon offer: honeymooners receive express check-in, welcome cocktail, small bottle of sparkling wine in the room on arrival, housekeeping (between 11:00am-3:00pm), a romantic dinner (booking required) and 10% discount on spa services.

    A marriage certificate with a minimum validity of 6 months must be presented.

Why is this a Virgin Holidays Favourite?

Fantastic beachfront location on the powder-soft sands of Varadero

Relaxing and romantic resort with a good choice of bars and restaurants

Upgrade to the Diamond Club for butler service, unlimited dining options and exclusive benefits

Exclusive Virgin Holidays benefits (applicable to 2019 departures only):

  • Fruit platter in-room upon arrival
  • Bottle of rum on arrival
    • Please note: to be eligible for favourites benefits, a minimum of 10 nights stay is required.

5 dining options: Gourmet Marche (buffet, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner), El Caribe (traditional Caribbean, open for à la carte dinner), The Pearl (International and seafood, open for à la carte dinner), Grill Beach Club Restaurant (grill and seafood, open for à la carte dinner) and Café Bistrot (grill selection, pizzas and 24-hour snacks). Lobby bar, Dips pool bar, Scoops ice cream and Jazz bar.

Daily and nightly entertainment, weekly manager's cocktail party, nightclub until 2:00am, fashion shows, dance and Spanish lessons. Resident band and piano players. Outdoor theatre and nightclub.

3 swimming pools, 4 whirlpools. The Royal Spa*. Fitness centre (air-conditioned) with weight training and exercise equipment, steam room and sauna. 3 floodlit tennis courts, table tennis, squash, pool table, lawn chess and games room. Paddle boats, sailboats, kayaks, windsurfing and snorkelling.

WiFi access* in designated areas of the resort. Beauty salon*.

Good general access for guests who are able to walk short distances and can manage up to six steps. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

3 nights.

* Denotes local charge.

Dress code: smart casual for dinner – trousers and collared shirts for gentlemen.

Please note: this hotel is an adults-only property for guests over the age of 18.

 

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (3965)
  • Very good (1607)
  • Average (489)
  • Poor (117)
  • Terrible (50)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating M

May 17, 2019 Mijaro11 Montreal, Canada

Excellent service!! Great location , just near the dolphinarium . Very quick service and excellent staff . Very clean and a great entertainment program. I highly recommend it as i didn’t find any negative remarks. (Ask for Jorje as your butler! He is the best)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating 4 STAR AT BEST

May 16, 2019 Rick P

Beach - beautiful Rooms - clean but dated Food - Italian, International and Seafood pretty good, buffet not so good, too many flies! Flies on the tables, on the food, constantly crawling over everything while trying to eat. Avoid the buffet! They could do a better job controlling the flies Staff - they make the resort, excellent staff, from the… Read more
Beach - beautiful Rooms - clean but dated Food - Italian, International and Seafood pretty good, buffet not so good, too many flies! Flies on the tables, on the food, constantly crawling over everything while trying to eat. Avoid the buffet! They could do a better job controlling the flies Staff - they make the resort, excellent staff, from the Butler Angel to the beach to the gardeners, hats off to you all Diamond Club - total waste of money! Upgraded to get premium alcohol but soon found out that it was only available in about 3 locations and everyone had access, despite paying extra for Diamond Club upgrade. Save your money and you’ll get the same booze ALL IN ALL IT’S CUBA. THE FOOD IS WHAT IT IS, THE WEATHER IS TROPICAL, THE WATER IS WET AND SAND GETS BETWEEN YOUR TOES. BUT THE DAM FLIES! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing

May 16, 2019 rachaell1971 Loughborough, United Kingdom

We stayed for two weeks end of March into April . Fabulous hotel really good choice of restaurants and facilities. Plenty of space at the pools and beach. Rooms are a bit dated but still comfortable. Staff very friendly only down was the shops which I believe are ran by an outside company. The staff we found especially in the grocery store really… Read more
We stayed for two weeks end of March into April . Fabulous hotel really good choice of restaurants and facilities. Plenty of space at the pools and beach. Rooms are a bit dated but still comfortable. Staff very friendly only down was the shops which I believe are ran by an outside company. The staff we found especially in the grocery store really rude no acknowledgement and once we were dismissed out the shop as they were counting stock but had open on the door. When all other staff were 100% this was highlighted with these staff members. I would recommend booking the airport vip lounge on your return with the rep. Getting to the airport so early as least it’s not crowded and hot. We had an amazing holiday and will return Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great vacation!

May 16, 2019 780lesliew Toronto, Canada

We loved this resort, it’s a small resort which we favour. The grounds are beautiful, maintenance staff and gardiner’s are constantly cleaning and pruning. The pool is shallow and as it was May it was quite warm, we never had an issue finding a couple of loungers although umbrellas were a little sparse. The beach staff were fantastic, they set… Read more
We loved this resort, it’s a small resort which we favour. The grounds are beautiful, maintenance staff and gardiner’s are constantly cleaning and pruning. The pool is shallow and as it was May it was quite warm, we never had an issue finding a couple of loungers although umbrellas were a little sparse. The beach staff were fantastic, they set up your loungers and umbrellas in your ideal spot on this fabulous white sand beach. The animation team were excellent, not too overbearing like at some resorts. The entertainment at this resort was absolutely top notch, from the musicians at the lobby bar and every restaurant to the evening shows, all brilliant. The buffet was pretty standard. Seafood restaurant and Italian were really good. We weren’t impressed with the international restaurant and although we got a reservation at the Caribbean restaurant my husband didn’t take long pants so we couldn’t get in. The manager asked us where we would like to eat instead and personally took us to the Italian. If you are interested in taking a tour then your butler can help you. After talking to other guests we realised that we could’ve negotiated a better deal. Our tour guide arranged lunch for us however it was quite expensive $50cuc for 2 of us. The lunch was fine but we would’ve preferred to have grabbed something in old Havana instead. Unfortunately the resort uses plastic cups, they’re really small and obviously wasteful. Take your own travel mug it’s much better. The Royalton staff were superb, thank you for a great vacation! We will be back! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fantastic! Our second time at the resort - confirmed why we went back again!!!

May 15, 2019 Nancy W St. John's, Canada

My husband and I just returned from a week vacation at the Royalton for the second time!! Before I say more, know that we are particular and very fussy people and cleanliness is very important to us. This place is beautiful! The check-in was easy peasy. We were treated to a glass of champagne from the get go....and sweet Marcelo greeted us again… Read more
My husband and I just returned from a week vacation at the Royalton for the second time!! Before I say more, know that we are particular and very fussy people and cleanliness is very important to us. This place is beautiful! The check-in was easy peasy. We were treated to a glass of champagne from the get go....and sweet Marcelo greeted us again as he did 5 years ago. The beach is pristine....no rocks, raked every night and the ocean is a dream. You can walk the beach for quite a distance and it's the most beautiful I've seen - and I've seen many in my lifetime!!! We didn't have a problem getting a lounger at any time. Our room was very clean and the king size bed was VERY comfortable. The cleaners work very hard - thank you Mayelin. The food was good - keeping in mind I'm picky, but was able to get more than plenty at the buffet to satisfy my appetite. They treated the returning guests to a special supper at The Caribe - AMAZING meal and experience! We didn't like the Italian restaurant but we didn't mind that because the buffet was fantastic! I could go on and on but you'd be bored more than you are right now! lol......we made many connections with the employees at the resort - too many to mention...the bars were fantastic!!!!... LOVE the ice-cream shop!....I can assure you if you book a holiday at the Royalton Hicacos you WON'T be disappointed. These people aim to please, are very kind and are constantly improving this resort. We noticed many improvements since the last time we visited - and we loved it back then!!!... they work tirelessly in the heat to paint, repair and upgrade. It was a noticeable difference since our first visit. We can't wait to go back - it's worth every dollar and more!!!!!! Read less