To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of all-inclusive resorts. So when our UK-based travel agent, who helped us plan our weddingmoon in Cuba, suggested that we spend a week at a beach resort in Varadero, I wanted to reply with a big fat ‘no’.  

However, before I could voice my apprehension about being stuck in an all-inclusive resort with drunk holidaymakers and screaming children, Douglas turned to me with a beam on his face and said:

“Can you imagine that? A week of just sitting on the beach, doing absolutely nothing.”  

After learning that staying at a resort would be the easiest way for us to get married in Cuba, I decided to suck it up and do something very touristy for once.

I started to feel better about my decision once I found out that we would be staying at an adults-only resort.

We arrived at the Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa on a humid December night, and by morning I’d already fallen in love with the place.

Our days at the resort were mostly spent watching stunning sunsets on the beach, gorging on delicious food, drinking cocktails in the cool shade, and absorbing beautiful Cuban music.

I have decided to write this Royalton Hicacos review for two main reasons:  

1. We truly loved the resort and I’d like to share with you some of the amazing things about the place.  

2. I want to show you that even adventurous travellers can enjoy a few days at an all-inclusive resort.  

So, let’s get started!

What we loved about the Royalton Hicacos

The Rooms

This was the first time that Douglas and I stayed at a luxury resort, and we weren’t expecting to have a room that is bigger than our Edinburgh flat.

Our Royalton Hicacos junior suite was complete with a wee living room and a large balcony. We were also delighted to find a huge bath and a bed that could sleep four people.

Our fridge was stocked with local soft drinks and beer, and it was re-stocked daily – as was our supply of coffee.

Moreover, the room was always cool and we never found it too hot or too cold.  

The rooms at the Royalton Hicacos are located in quiet areas, most of them overlooking the resort’s gardens. It didn’t feel like we were at a hotel – in fact, our room was more like a small flat by the sea.  

The Food

We also didn’t expect to find such a wide variety of food at the buffet restaurant. We were spoilt, truly spoilt.

While I don’t normally have anything for breakfast, it was difficult to resist the delicious selection of salads, cheese, and cakes.

At lunchtime and dinner, we helped ourselves to dishes laden with meat, seafood, rice, and fresh vegetables – and more cakes. We also got to try different local fruits and fresh juices.

The resort also has a few a la carte restaurants. We dined at the Beach Grill on our wedding night, where I enjoyed a fresh lobster while listening to the sound of waves and some lovely live music.

The Staff  

I cannot speak highly enough of the staff at the Royalton Hicacos. They took great care of us throughout our stay, and the wedding organiser helped us make our special day a dream come true.

Our butlers greeted us every day to make sure everything was okay, and the waiters at the buffet restaurant were always up for a chat.

The barmen at the lobby bar served me piña coladas with a lovely smile, and the maid surprised us with a spotless room and cute towel animals every single day.  

On our third day at the resort we had a quick meeting with the front desk manager. The resort takes customer feedback very seriously, and the manager tries to meet with all guests at the resort.

The Resort Grounds

The resort is spread out along the beach and is located in a beautiful green area. You can access the beach through a path among the trees. There’s also a palm garden where you can enjoy a quiet stroll.  

The main pool is just behind the lobby bar and the buffet restaurant, and there’s a smaller pool situated in a quieter area closer to the rooms.

There are also some shops in the resort, including a pharmacy and a few souvenir shops, so you won’t need to go into town to buy things like mosquito spray and beachwear.

Pairing relaxation with adventure

While we spent most of our days at the Royalton Hicacos just reading and sunbathing on the beach (and stuffing our bellies with food), we also ventured out of the resort to explore the local area.

The resort is located quite close to the Varahicacos Ecological Reserve, which is home to some interesting natural wonders, including Cueva de Ambrosio: a historic cave with ancient pictographs and hundreds of bats.

Cueva de Ambrosio is just a 15-minute walk from the Royalton. Entrance fee is 5 CUC and you get a guided tour.

If the ticket kiosk is open but there’s no one there, just walk into the cave and yell ‘hello’. There’s only one guide, so if he’s not at the kiosk you’ll probably find him showing tourists around the cave.  

If you’re not comfortable being around bats, then you might want to skip Cueva de Ambrosio and head straight to the Muslims Trail which is located further up the road.  

The Muslims Trail in the Varahicacos Ecological Reserve is the best site for viewing local flora and wildlife. The trail also takes you to a cave containing human remains that are over 2,500 years old.

If you’re lucky, you might also be able to spot freshwater crabs and iguanas.

Admission fee is 5 CUC and you get a wee paper with information about the various stops along the trail.

If you’re thinking of visiting Cueva de Ambrosio and the Muslims Trail on the same day, I suggest leaving the resort around 10 or 11 so that you’re back in time for lunch at the buffet restaurant (lunch service ends at 3pm).

However, you can always grab a bite to eat from the resort’s 24-hour bistro.

My tips for staying at the Royalton Hicacos

We visited Cuba in December and the weather was perfect. It wasn’t too hot and there was often a nice breeze during the day.

We did get a couple of rainy and windy days while we were at the resort, but you can still enjoy a nice walk on the beach if the sea is too rough for a swim.  

Make sure you get to watch the sunset on the beach. If you’re there in December, head to the beach around 5pm.

Also, use a mosquito spray, especially when you’re outside at dawn and sunset. If you’re visiting the Ecological Reserve, take it with you – I got quite a few mosquito bites when we were there.

You can buy mosquito spray from the pharmacy at the resort.

Another thing about staying at Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa: there’s no need to buy an adapter if you forget to pack one – just ask for one at the reception desk.  

And finally, the resort has wifi. However, you’ll need to buy internet cards and pay per hour (this is how wifi works in Cuba). You can purchase these cards from the hotel

The Royalton Hicacos wifi is quite is good – we didn’t have any connectivity problems during our stay.

Looking for more Royalton Hicacos Reviews?

Learn more about staying at the Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa in Varadero.