Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa
Adults-only resort in Varadero. Romantic, Quiet.
Atmosphere
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(26 discussions)
Royalton Hicacos sits at the top of Varadero's all-inclusive market alongside Iberostar Selection Varadero, and for travelers committed to Cuba, it's one of the two most defensible choices. The swim-out rooms directly connected to the main pool are a specific feature that draws guests who've scoured reviews looking for that setup - apparently rare among Cuban resorts. Golf is included, service is praised, and the resort's premium positioning filters out some of the budget traveler overcrowding that affects cheaper Cuban properties.
The value calculation is the honest challenge. travelers guests who visited in 2021 had an amazing time and planned to return, but noted that by the following year, the Royalton's price had risen to nearly match Mexico and Dominican alternatives. At comparable pricing, Mexican AI properties offer meaningfully better food, more activity variety, and less supply-chain unpredictability. The case for Royalton Hicacos is strongest when Cuba holds a special appeal - whether political curiosity, value from Canadian flights, or genuine affection for Cuban culture.
The beach is Varadero's famous stretch and the resort maximizes access to it. The 2021 guest experience of being 'treated like gold' by staff who earn modest salaries and genuinely appreciate well-mannered guests is a real part of the Cuban resort experience that disappears at impersonal Mexican mega-resorts. If you want to give Cuba another chance after the pandemic shortages and are willing to bring snacks and manage food expectations, Royalton Hicacos is the right choice for an adults-only Varadero stay.
Pros
- +Adults-only resort on Varadero's famous 20km white sand beach - one of the best all-inclusive experiences Cuba offers
- +Swim-out rooms that connect directly to the main pool - specifically noted as a rare and highly-desired feature in a Cuban context
- +Golf included in the stay - the course access is built into the room rate, a meaningful inclusion that few Caribbean resorts match
- +Ranked #2 of 27 Varadero all-inclusives on TripAdvisor and 88.5 aggregated rating - consistently well-regarded by guests
- +More expensive than competitors, which filters the clientele and reduces the overcrowding common to lower-tier Cuban properties
- +Staff treated guests 'like gold' - service quality praised in one detailed 2021 trip report even during Cuba's difficult supply period
- +Entertainment and nightlife described as better than many Cuban properties - lively enough to hold your attention post-dinner
- +Varadero beach itself is the primary draw and this resort puts you directly on it with full all-inclusive amenity access
Cons
- −Cuba's supply chain issues affect Royalton like all resorts - food variety and alcohol availability depend heavily on current conditions
- −Pricing has become nearly equivalent to Mexican or Dominican options - one guest notes the Royalton is '40-50% more expensive' than other Varadero options, making the Cuban value proposition weaker
- −Food quality in Cuba broadly lags Mexico and DR - even the Royalton's kitchen standards are limited by what ingredients are available
- −Limited off-resort activities compared to Mexico's cenotes, ruins, and cultural sites
- −Previously the Sandals Varadero before rebrand - some nostalgia from past guests but the property has evolved beyond that iteration
- −Only 26 travelers mentions makes current condition data thin - hard to know today's state from user-generated content
- −Golf cart rentals are additional cost despite golf access being included - an unexpected extra expense
- −Varadero's limited off-resort town limits evening exploration compared to Cancun or Playa del Carmen
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“Great resort, would absolutely come back We had a lot of fun here and the people were genuinely lovely. Special shoutout to the Nutella ice cream, which I’m still thinking about, and to the resident cats who stole my heart everyday. The Tex-Mex soup...”
“Despite two days of rain, we had an excellent stay at the Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa. The resort is wonderful with lots of trees, gardens and waterways. The beach is beautiful with lots of Palapas. The swimming Pool is great. As for food, we had e...”
“The Royalton Hicacos is a really lovely spot for a sunny vacation. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and just steps away from the white sand beach. There are a lot of activities going on every day, including dance lessons, Spanish classes, water...”