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The Royal Sands All Suites Resort & Spa 1
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Royal Sands - Resort & SPA

Cancun, Mexico
4.5(5,357 reviews)
Family

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Royal Sands - Resort & SPA is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico with 340 rooms. Amenities include Babysitting, Beach, Buffet Dining, Diving and Fishing. Travelers rate it 4.5/5 across 5,357 Google reviews.

Price Range
$$$
Rooms
340
Brand
Royal Resorts

Atmosphere

Centrally LocatedFamily

Room Upgrades

2 Bedroom SuitesBeachfront RoomsFamily Suite

Amenities

Babysitting
Beach
Buffet Dining
Diving
Fishing
Free Wi-Fi
Gym
Heated Swimming Pool
Kids Club
Snorkeling
Swim-Up Bar
Tennis
Waterpark
Family Vacation

Quick answers

Is Royal Sands - Resort & SPA adults only?
No — Royal Sands - Resort & SPA is a family-friendly resort that accepts children of all ages.
Where is Royal Sands - Resort & SPA?
Royal Sands - Resort & SPA is in Cancun, Mexico. Its address is Blvd. Kukulcan Km 13.5, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico.
How many rooms does Royal Sands - Resort & SPA have?
Royal Sands - Resort & SPA has 340 rooms.
Is Royal Sands - Resort & SPA all-inclusive?
Yes — Royal Sands - Resort & SPA is an all-inclusive resort, so meals, drinks and most on-site activities are covered by the rate.

Traveler Insights(35 discussions)

The Royal Sands stands out in Cancun's AI market for one primary reason: the room quality is extraordinary for the category. As an all-suites property, every guest room is a genuine suite with living space - and the two-bedroom master configuration that accommodates families of six in comfort is essentially impossible to find at comparable prices elsewhere in Cancun. Multiple travelers travel veterans list it specifically when families ask about connecting rooms or multi-family group trips. The Murphy beds in the living room of two-bedroom units means the room absorbs six people without anyone sleeping on a cot.

The REFINE AI package adds cross-resort dining access at Royal Cancun and sister properties, which addresses the limited on-property restaurant variety. The heated pool is a genuine seasonal advantage for winter travelers. The location in the Hotel Zone puts you near Cancun's best shopping and a manageable taxi ride from popular restaurants and evening options on Blvd Kukulcan.


Where Royal Sands falls short is in resort entertainment and beach swimming quality. Cancun's Hotel Zone beaches face east into the open Caribbean and regularly fly red flags for current or rough conditions. The water park is small. Evening programming doesn't compete with Barcelo Maya or Moon Palace. For families who plan to use the resort as a base for Chichen Itza day trips, Isla Mujeres ferry rides, and downtown Cancun evenings - with the suite providing comfortable multi-generation accommodation - Royal Sands is an excellent choice. For families who want to stay on-property and want water park and entertainment to keep everyone busy, the Riviera Maya properties deliver more.

Pros

  • +All-suites property in Cancun's Hotel Zone - every room is a genuine suite with living space, not a rebranded standard room
  • +Two-bedroom master suites accommodate families of up to 6 - one king in the primary bedroom, two doubles in second bedroom, plus Murphy beds in living room
  • +Heated pool makes it viable for winter and shoulder-season travel when ocean temperatures can feel cold
  • +REFINE all-inclusive package allows access to sister properties Royal Cancun and other Royal Resorts properties for dining and amenity variety
  • +Excellent location in Cancun's Hotel Zone with easy access to shopping, nightlife, and activities off-resort
  • +Timeshare-quality room buildout at AI pricing - described as a resort where rooms genuinely impress
  • +Kid's club and small water park on-site - appropriate for families with school-age children looking for structured activities
  • +Consistently recommended as a top family AI in Cancun by both repeat guests and travel agents who know the market

Cons

  • Beach quality in Cancun's Hotel Zone is inconsistent - the eastern-facing ocean has currents and is sometimes red-flagged for swimming
  • Not a party resort or entertainment powerhouse - quiet evenings and limited nightlife entertainment compared to larger Cancun properties
  • Primarily a timeshare property selling REFINE packages to non-owners - the AI package is the non-member option, not the native resort model
  • Small water park is modest by Riviera Maya standards - doesn't compare to Grand Palladium or Barcelo Maya infrastructure
  • Limited restaurant variety at the property itself - the cross-resort dining access helps but requires transfers to sister properties
  • Not on Cancun's best beaches for swimming - Hotel Zone beaches with eastern exposure can be rough
  • Higher price per night than comparable Riviera Maya family properties with more amenities
  • Entertainment and shows are underwhelming for evening programming

Common Questions

Are the two-bedroom suites genuinely configured for six people?
Yes - one king bed in the primary bedroom, two double beds in the second bedroom, and Murphy beds in the living room give legitimate sleeping capacity for six. This configuration is extremely rare among Cancun all-inclusives and is the main reason families with children specifically seek out Royal Sands. The suites are built to timeshare quality standards, meaning more living space and kitchen features than typical hotel rooms.
What is the REFINE all-inclusive package and is it different from being a timeshare member?
REFINE is the all-inclusive package sold to non-timeshare members. It includes meals, drinks, and the kids club at Royal Sands, plus access to sister properties (primarily Royal Cancun) for dining variety. Timeshare owners use a different booking and amenity system. Most AI guests are REFINE package holders, and this works well for the vacation itself - the main limitation is that you're accessing a property primarily designed for owners.
Is the beach at Royal Sands swimmable?
Variable. Cancun's Hotel Zone beaches face east into the Caribbean and can have significant waves and currents, with red flag conditions particularly common during winter months. The pool is the primary aquatic experience for many guests. If ocean swimming is essential to your vacation, the Riviera Maya beaches (which face northeast and are generally calmer) or the Playa del Carmen area are better options.
How does it compare to Finest Playa Mujeres for large families?
Both come up in the same threads for families needing multi-occupancy rooms. Finest Playa Mujeres is consistently rated higher overall (its family suites are exceptional) but is further north of Cancun's center. Royal Sands is in the Hotel Zone with better proximity to Cancun's attractions. Finest offers better resort amenities and entertainment; Royal Sands offers better location access and the two-bedroom-plus-Murphy suite configuration.
What makes Royal Sands better than Moon Palace for groups?
Royal Sands is smaller and more manageable, which reduces the 'lost on a mega-resort' feeling that Moon Palace's enormous scale creates. The two-bedroom suite configuration specifically serves multi-family groups better than Moon Palace's standard room layout. Moon Palace has a better beach environment and more on-property activities, but for a group trip where room comfort and proximity to Hotel Zone attractions matter, Royal Sands is a reasonable alternative.

Google Rating

4.5(5,357 Google reviews)

Google 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...