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Royal Sands - Resort & SPA

Cancun, Mexico

4.5(5,357 reviews)

FamilyHoliday Inn Club Vacations

The Royal Sands stands out in Cancun's all-inclusive market because the rooms are real suites. Junior suites run 429 sq ft, one-bedroom suites 945 sq ft and two-bedroom master suites 1,373 sq ft, and that biggest layout sleeps six adults across a king, two doubles and two Murphy beds. That is very hard to find at an all-inclusive in the Hotel Zone, which is why the resort comes up again and again when families ask about multi-generation or two-family trips. Holiday Inn Club Vacations, an IHG partner, bought it from Royal Resorts in a deal announced in May 2023, and it now trades as The Royal Sands by Holiday Inn Club Vacations.

Traveler Insights

Pros

+All-suites property at Km 13.5 in Cancun's Hotel Zone, so every room is a genuine suite with living space, from 429 sq ft junior suites up to 1,373 sq ft two-bedroom master suites
+Two-bedroom master suites sleep six adults properly: a king in the main bedroom, two doubles in the second, and two Murphy beds in the living room, so nobody ends up on a rollaway
+Vacation-club buildout means kitchen space in the bigger suites and a Royal Market on site for groceries, which families with picky eaters or dietary needs lean on
+A brand-new Aqua Park with slides, water chutes, splash buckets and a separate kiddie zone, plus a Snack Shack for burgers and hot dogs by the slides
+More dining than the old reputation suggests: Hacienda Sisal (Mexican), La Veranda (international), Veranda del Mar (seafood), Club Bistro, Bartolo's Pizza, Miamare, Char Hut and Royal Roast Coffee, with Sidelines Sports Bar and 24-hour room service on top
+Walkable to Luxury Avenue in about five minutes, with La Isla Shopping Mall and the El Rey ruins a short drive away, which makes off-resort evenings easy
+Kids club, family activities and two sun-deck whirlpools by the beach entrance (one for adults, one for families) keep both generations happy
+Taxes and gratuities are built into the all-inclusive rate, and repeat guests on traveler forums keep naming the pool bar and front desk staff

Cons

−The Hotel Zone beach faces the open Caribbean, so waves and currents are common and red flags fly often, especially in winter
−This is a Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort first, so owners and members fill much of it and expect timeshare presentations to come up during a stay
−Guests staying over a Saturday night may be asked to change units, according to the resort's own policy, which is a hassle mid-trip
−Kids are only priced as kids from 4 to 12; everyone 13 and older pays the adult all-inclusive charge, which adds up fast for families with teens
−Evening shows at the Gran Salon are modest; families who want big nightly production or a busy party scene find more at mega-resorts like Moon Palace
−No source confirms the pools are heated, so winter travelers should not count on warm water
−Minimum check-in age is 25 and the resort holds a $500 refundable deposit per stay at check-in

Day to day, the resort is busier than its quiet reputation. The new Aqua Park has slides, water chutes and splash buckets with a separate area for little kids, and there are infinity-edge pools, beachside whirlpools, a kids club, tennis, a gym and a spa. Dining is all on property: Hacienda Sisal for Mexican, La Veranda for international dishes, Veranda del Mar for seafood, Club Bistro, Bartolo's Pizza, Miamare, Char Hut for snacks and Royal Roast Coffee for pastries, plus Sidelines Sports Bar with billiards and 24-hour room service. The all-inclusive plan bundles meals, drinks, taxes and tips.

Where The Royal Sands falls short is the beach and the nightlife. The Hotel Zone faces east into the open Caribbean, so swimming days come and go with the flags, and evening entertainment is low-key. It suits families who want space, a central Hotel Zone address within walking distance of Luxury Avenue, and an easy base for Isla Mujeres ferries, Chichen Itza day trips and dinners on Blvd Kukulcan. Families with teens should price carefully because guests 13 and up pay the adult rate, and anyone who wants a calmer swimming beach or a full nightly show lineup will do better in Playa Mujeres or the Riviera Maya.

Common Questions

Are the two-bedroom suites really set up for six people?

Yes. The Deluxe Two Bedroom Master Suite is 1,373 sq ft with a king bed, two double beds and two Murphy beds, and the resort lists it for six adults. One-bedroom suites (945 sq ft) sleep four with a king and two Murphy beds, and junior suites (429 sq ft) take two adults in two doubles. Extra beds are not available, so pick the suite that fits your headcount.

Who owns The Royal Sands now, and do I need to be a member to book?

Holiday Inn Club Vacations bought The Royal Sands, The Royal Cancun, The Royal Haciendas and Grand Residences from Royal Resorts in a deal announced in May 2023, and the resort is now branded The Royal Sands by Holiday Inn Club Vacations. You do not need to be an owner: anyone can book the all-inclusive plan through Royal Reservations or IHG. Many guests are members, though, so expect a sales pitch to come up.

Is the beach at The Royal Sands swimmable?

Sometimes. The Hotel Zone beach faces the open Caribbean and often has waves and strong currents, with red flags common in winter. Guests describe the sea as beautiful to watch but not always safe to swim, so most families spend more time in the pools and Aqua Park. For calmer water, Playa Mujeres or Isla Mujeres beaches are the usual fix.

What does the all-inclusive plan cover?

The resort says the rate covers your suite, daily cleaning, on-site food and drinks, gym access, taxes and tips. Dining runs across Hacienda Sisal, La Veranda, Veranda del Mar, Club Bistro, Bartolo's Pizza, Miamare, Char Hut, Royal Roast Coffee, Sidelines Sports Bar and 24-hour room service. Spa treatments and off-site tours cost extra, and a state environmental tax is paid in pesos at check-in, higher for two-bedroom suites.

How does it compare to Finest Playa Mujeres for large families?

Both come up in the same conversations for families who need big rooms. Finest Playa Mujeres has the calmer beach and bigger resort facilities but sits well north of Cancun's center. The Royal Sands wins on location, with shops and restaurants a short walk or cab away, and on the two-bedroom-plus-Murphy-bed layout.

Are there any policies families get caught out by?

A few. Kids are priced as kids only from 4 to 12, and anyone 13 or older pays the adult all-inclusive charge. The person checking in must be at least 25, the resort holds a $500 refundable deposit per stay, and guests staying over a Saturday night may be moved to a different unit.

What's nearby

Ferry to Isla Mujeres
30 min drive · 10 mi
Playa Delfines
7 min drive · 3.7 mi
Isla Contoy day trip
30 min drive · 10 mi
Playa Tortugas
14 min drive · 4.8 mi
Museo Maya de Cancún
5 min drive · 1.9 mi
El Meco Ruins
30 min drive · 12 mi

More things to do (24)

Catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres · excursion14 min drive · 4.8 mi
Downtown Cancún (Parque Las Palapas) · town25 min drive · 9.1 mi
Xoxi Cancún · adventure park25 min drive · 13 mi
Whale shark swim (June to September) · excursion30 min drive · 10 mi
Playa Las Perlas · beach20 min drive · 7.1 mi
Garrafón Park day trip (Isla Mujeres) · excursion20 min drive · 5.7 mi
Croco Cun Zoo · wildlife35 min drive · 21 mi
Playa Caracol · beach11 min drive · 3.2 mi
Riviera Cancún Golf · golf20 min drive · 9.3 mi
Playa Ballenas · beach3 min drive · 0.8 mi
Iberostar Cancún Golf Club · golf8 min drive · 3.0 mi
Playa Coral · beach14 min drive · 7.3 mi
Puerto Cancún Golf Course · golf25 min drive · 9.1 mi
Puerto Morelos reef snorkel trip · excursion40 min drive · 24 mi
Playa San Miguelito · beach9 min walk · 0.4 mi
Playa Marlín · beach11 min walk · 0.6 mi
Yamil Lu'um · ruins5 min drive · 1.1 mi
El Rey Ruins · ruins6 min drive · 2.9 mi
Playa Delfines Lookout · viewpoint7 min drive · 3.7 mi
Iberostar Golf Club Cancún · golf8 min drive · 3.0 mi
Playa Chac Mool · beach9 min drive · 2.5 mi
Playa Gaviota Azul · beach9 min drive · 2.9 mi
Playa Langosta · beach20 min drive · 5.7 mi
Torre Escénica de Cancún · viewpoint20 min drive · 6.1 mi

Amenities

Waterpark

Fishing

Babysitting

Diving

Tennis

Kids Club

Swim-Up Bar

Snorkeling

Show 6 more amenities

Free Wi-Fi

Nightly Entertainment

Buffet Dining

Spa

Gym

Beach

Style & Rooms

Atmosphere

Centrally LocatedFamily

Room upgrades

2 Bedroom SuitesBeachfront RoomsFamily Suite

Seaweed & sargassum

Cancun gets sargassum, typically worst May through August.See the month-by-month guide →

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Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 5,357 reviews

Stephanie F.

a week ago

“I wanted to shoutout Royal Sands for an incredible wedding week we had!!! They absolutely smashed it out of the park and really went above and beyond! I cannot recommend them enough for your special day, they really know how to make your day carefree...”

Tony M.

a month ago

“This was our third visit to this resort, and we can’t recommend it enough, especially for families! The ocean views are breathtaking and the grounds are incredibly well-maintained. There are tons of activities to keep everyone busy, and the SPA servi...”

Terry M.

a month ago

“Girls' Trip ... we had a great time! Got some rest and relaxation that we needed. The beach views are breathtaking. We did venture out a little bit. The continental menu at La Veranda (by the pool) for the breakfast and lunch buffets was very appetiz...”