Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa

Varadero, Cuba

Virgin rating

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

  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Snorkelling
  • Tennis
  • Windsurfing
  • Honeymoon
  • Wedding
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Games Room
  • Internet Access

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. IUnlimited local-brand drinks. 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

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. 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 with 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.

Click here for latest travel advice

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 (5657)
  • Very good (1880)
  • Average (626)
  • Poor (161)
  • Terrible (92)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing holiday

May 21, 2022 V4185MSangelaw Barnsley, United Kingdom

We’ve just returned following our 2nd visit to this amazing hotel After having to move our holiday for the 4th time due to the pandemic we eventually got to return to this exceptional hotel We decided to upgrade to Diamond club this visit as we were celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary whilst there , On our anniversary day our room was… Read more
We’ve just returned following our 2nd visit to this amazing hotel After having to move our holiday for the 4th time due to the pandemic we eventually got to return to this exceptional hotel We decided to upgrade to Diamond club this visit as we were celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary whilst there , On our anniversary day our room was decorated with petals and a bubble bath and champagne on ice on the evening when we returned to our room. We ate dinner at the Pearl restaurant that evening and they had made us a celebration cake. Although our room did not differ from the room we had on our 1st visit the other advantages there were other advantages of being in Diamond club. Our fridge in our room was well stocked with bottled water and soft drinks every day, I requested additional water which was also placed in our room everyday. We had a bottle or wine and rum also in our room.Pool towels also replaced every evening . We had the advantages of having our butler Alex and Pedro in the Diamond club book all the a-la-Carte restaurants several times during our entire 2 weeks there with a choice of sit-down times.We also attended a exclusive returning guests evening in the Caribbean restaurant as well as an exclusive Diamond club cocktail party and Welcome party 2 evenings with live music, food, raffle We also were able to go on a free catamaran trip to the island of Cayo Blanco , snorkelling in the ocean and dolphin experience Diamond club also has its own beach bar further up the beach where we spend an hour or so every afternoon gazing out at the beach and ocean with Roberto who was very attentive serving drinks after we walked a mile or so up the coastline and swimming in the clear warm sea The beach and sea are absolutely stunning and by far the best we’ve every seen , even in the Caribbean, with clear turquoise sea which is as warm as bath water and as still as a mill pond and beautiful white powder like sand The pool was amazing with plenty of sun loungers even later in the day so no need to rush to reserve a sun lounger and the pool bar offering respite from the blazing sun with Ari and a dark haired female staff member ( can’t remember her name) refilling our pool cups with drinks -top shelf liquors too We also had chance to see staff who we’d made friends with in 2020-particularly Roberto Carlos, Leonardo and Jennifer in Martini Mix lobby bar as well as other staff working at the Bistro, beach bar/restaurant and the a-la-Carte restaurants and gardeners who made beautiful flower arrangements and the dancing cleaning lady-again forgot her name All in all we had an amazing time and will definitely be returning The staff are all fantastic , friendly, attentive and a credit to the hotel Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A holiday to remember!

May 21, 2022 CRAFTYCAT Burntwood, United Kingdom

We stayed at the Royalton from the 5-19th May and from the moment we stepped across the threshold we were treated like friends. Check in was seamless, on arrival we were handed welcome cocktails while our details were being processed. We were introduced to our butler who gave us a brief tour of the resort on the way to our room. Our room was… Read more
We stayed at the Royalton from the 5-19th May and from the moment we stepped across the threshold we were treated like friends. Check in was seamless, on arrival we were handed welcome cocktails while our details were being processed. We were introduced to our butler who gave us a brief tour of the resort on the way to our room. Our room was spacious and clean, with a huge bathroom with plenty of hot water. The maids work very hard and the rooms are serviced daily with clean towels every day. You may come back from a hard day on the beach to a lovely towel decoration! The rooms are a little dated but absolutely fine. As I’m sure you will have read from other reviews there are 5 A la cart restaurants. Over our 2 weeks holiday we sampled everyone and enjoyed them all, it was a nice change to be waited upon. The buffet restaurant was also very good however the food became a little repetitive over the course of two weeks. There is no shortage of food even if they chefs have to be a little creative with their ingredients from time to time. The staff in all of the restaurants and bars are very attentive and soon recognised you and would greet you with your choice of drink. The gardens and beach were kept spotless even after the few storms we experienced the staff were out quickly clearing away any debris. Our only niggle was we struggled to get into the À la cart restaurants. There are 2 sittings - 6.30 and 8.30 and the Diamond Club can book in advance - as many times as they like - but it’s first come first serve for everyone else. No matter how early we got there we just couldn’t get in, which essentially means that if the Diamond club guests want, they can effectively book out these restaurants every night (which happened several times for us). We had a moan to the TUI rep and as luck would have it the general manager overheard us, and whilst he didn’t quite see the point I was making, he was very obliging and couldn’t do enough for us - because of his intervention, we were able to get reservations at the last two a la carte restaurants on our last couple of nights. If you need anything you just have to seek out your butler - we were being a bit too British and didn’t want to make a fuss. I wished we had spoken up earlier now (their office is next to the ice cream parlour for reference). We used US $ to tip and didn’t change any money into the local currency, however if you wish to change your money then seek out the life guards on the beach they will give you a very good rate - despite what others have said, tipping in US$ (and not coins in other currencies, or Cuban Pesos) is the much preferred option for the staff. Take plenty of sun cream and medication, especially antihistamines and mosquito repellent and bite creams. Don’t be fooled and think you won’t get bitten (because we don’t normally, but we’re attacked by the sand flies!) be prepared because you can’t buy these items easily in resort - there was some serious sharing of available preparations due to many people underestimating the issue of being bitten. This is not a 5 Star hotel by European standards but it’s a good 3 Star plus. A few people we would like to thank for making our holiday a memorable one; Jose Martin - general manager Yanenkis, Amanda, Hailina in the buffet Jenifer, Elenia, Giselle, Jordanis, Yordanis in lobby bar Daniel at Beach Bar Joal - at the beach Feel free to message me if I can answer any of your questions. 🌞😎 Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Awesome resort and customer service by Ali

May 21, 2022 Loves-thebeachinmx

We are owners of B307. Resort is always clean and beautiful. Food is great and reasonably priced. I recommend blackened fish tacos. The customer service goes beyond . My husband who was fully vaccinated recovered from Covid the week before we arrived. He still has some trouble taking deep breaths and we forgot his inhaler. I contacted Ali and… Read more
We are owners of B307. Resort is always clean and beautiful. Food is great and reasonably priced. I recommend blackened fish tacos. The customer service goes beyond . My husband who was fully vaccinated recovered from Covid the week before we arrived. He still has some trouble taking deep breaths and we forgot his inhaler. I contacted Ali and explained we needed an inhaler . She called a pharmacy in town got it brought to the front desk I had left the payment for the inhaler with Juan at the desk. It was delivered to resort in 2hours and Ali our concierge brought it personally up to my room. Ali also helped me make my Covid test appointment as I can’t get my email on phone. She used her own phone got my appointment then contacted testing site on premises and told them I needed a print out of result. All employees are very helpful. But Ali and Juan go the extra mile. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Superb staff in a traditional Cuban setting hotel on an amazing stretch of beach!!

May 19, 2022 sam003 Manchester

Lovely traditional style hotel with great amenities. All the staff are very helpful and friendly especially our butler the lovely Lliana , she was amazing. ! She got the gardner to cut off sone Alo Vera to help us with our bites and my prickly heat. She couldn’t do enough to help. Staff in all the restaurants and bars where excellent too . Rooms… Read more
Lovely traditional style hotel with great amenities. All the staff are very helpful and friendly especially our butler the lovely Lliana , she was amazing. ! She got the gardner to cut off sone Alo Vera to help us with our bites and my prickly heat. She couldn’t do enough to help. Staff in all the restaurants and bars where excellent too . Rooms are a bit dated but big, clean and have everything you need on them. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent choice, great value 👍

May 18, 2022 gTali Austria

There is rarely to find a Hotel with such a great beach, equipment's and entertainment facilities like Royalton Hicacos Varadero, Cuba 🇨🇺 All of things like foods, drinks, cocktails were delicious 🤗🤗 beach is a dream: beautiful, long and width white sandy beach!!:🏝🏝🏝🏖🏖🏖🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺 shallow, sinking beach, crystal-clear… Read more
There is rarely to find a Hotel with such a great beach, equipment's and entertainment facilities like Royalton Hicacos Varadero, Cuba 🇨🇺 All of things like foods, drinks, cocktails were delicious 🤗🤗 beach is a dream: beautiful, long and width white sandy beach!!:🏝🏝🏝🏖🏖🏖🇨🇺🇨🇺🇨🇺 shallow, sinking beach, crystal-clear water!!👍👍👍👍excelente view from the beach restaurant👍👍 The nightly entertainment shows are a great opportunity to ends your day with some cuban experience 😀 😄 There is a cigar lounge, for your fresh buyer cuban cigar to enjoy🇨🇺🇨🇺👍👍every night has life music at the martini bar, during a day there is a lot of food or drink terminal to fill up your water or rum content 😄😄🤣🤣 we are very thankful for all the members of Royalton stuff, we will be definitely back to re-enjoy this paradise 😀 😄😄👍👍👍🇨🇺🇨🇺🏝🏝🏖🏖 Read less