Royalton Luxury Resort Punta Cana Latina Mom Honest Review: Ideal for Bilingual Spanish Families

If you've never experienced an all-inclusive luxury family resort in the Caribbean, like me prior to this trip, you'll definitely want to read this review.  Imagine stepping into a world of luxury, surrounded by beaches just a few steps away, and filled with family friendly amenities, all while embracing a bilingual experience full of culture, ideal for Spanish speaking families.  

(photo courtesy of RoyaltonResorts.com)

In this comprehensive review of the Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino, not to be confused with the Royalton Bavaro Punta Cana Resort & Casino,  I'll share my Hispanic family's personal experience, from booking, accommodations, amenities, food, service, and insider tips.  I'll give you my favorite aspects of the resort as well as the not so favorite, and just for the record, this is truly my honest review as I was not paid or compensated in any way for this vacation.  ¿Así que, listos?  Bueno, ¡vámonos para Punta Cana, República Dominicana!

  

(From left to right: Me, Janny Perez, my mami, and my daughter. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Located on the island's eastern tip, Punta Cana is a world renowned resort town full of beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, and luxury resorts.  The Royalton Punta Cana is located on the eastern part of the island, about 25 minutes north of the airport.

As our local driver informed us, Punta Cana's tourism has almost doubled since the pandemic, and will be home to a future Disney theme park or resort that is currently being developed.  I don't know how much truth there is to this, but it will become an even more family-friendly destination if that's the case.  I know that in 2023, Katmandu Park, a family friendly-theme park opened it's doors and in 2024 it closed.   Having a Disney theme park would make perfect sense, given the lack of current competition.  If this development becomes a reality, this would make the theme park or resort the first in Latin America, a huge draw for Latinos and Disney lovers around the world.

For us, this trip was a wonderful way for my daughter to be immersed in Spanish and practice her español in a fun environment.  As a Latina mom and bilingual parenting mentor, raising a multilingual and multicultural (Bulgarian, English, and Spanish) daughter, it is crucial for her to be exposed to both Bulgarian and Spanish in ways that strengthen and positively reinforce her language connections.  Since we live in the US, sometimes having that consistent exposure can be challenging, especially when your extended family lives far away.  That is when I look for opportunities to get away with those Spanish speaking relatives, in this case, my elderly mami and my hermana so that mija can continue to nurture her bilingual journey.

(My family during Noche Dominicana at The Royalton Punta Cana © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Planning Your Trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 

I'll be honest and tell you that Punta Cana was not on my list of family destinations.  I'd always thought of it as a more adult destination with my nearest kid-free girlfriends having getaways there.  Instead, I wanted to go to San Andres, Colombia, a place I've never been to but that would offer my daughter another way to experience Spanish and her heritage culture.  That being said, when I saw how expensive our vacation would be, I shifted focus to other locations including Punta Cana. 

(© Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

After extensive You Tube and online research I narrowed it down and selected the Royalton Punta Cana, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino.  Here's why:

• It has many amenities suitable for both my elderly mom and my 9-year-old daughter.

• It would give me my first "all-inclusive" experience.

• It includes access to the adjacent Royalton Splash resort, which features a waterpark and is available for free for Royalton guests.

• It's located on the beach.

• It was considerably less expensive than many other resorts (I'll explain why in a bit).

Booking Your Stay at The Royalton Punta Cana

When it comes to booking your stay at The Royalton Punta Cana you have a few options.  You can book directly with the hotel online but you have to be prepared to pay everything in full, something that I wasn't ready to do in January for a vacation in July.  You can also book through expedia or hotels.com.  Sometimes they allow you to "book now and pay later," however for this particular resort it didn't allow me to do so.   

Therefore, I ended up choosing United Vacations as it allowed me to make the reservation in January and not be charged until July.  It also allowed me to cancel up to a week before travel.  Please read the fine print as every hotel and vacation package may not offer these terms. In addition, United gave me miles for this trip, so for me, it was a no-brainer.  How much was our stay?  We booked a luxury room for a family of 4 for just under $2400 (including all taxes) for 5 days, 4 nights or $150 a night per person including room and all you can eat and drink.

Booking Your Flight to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

When it comes to booking your airfare, depending on where you live and time of year it can get costly.  A 4 hour flight from NYC will average about $500 during the summer, a 9 hour flight with 1 stop from Los Angeles will average about $700, and about $300 from Miami, which is where we flew from.  New York, New Jersey, Miami, Atlanta, and Charlotte are some of the cities that offer direct flights.  Here's an insider tip, generally, you can book cheaper airfare if you travel on a Tuesday and return on a Saturday, which is what we did. 

We booked Frontier Airlines.  It was the most economical airline from Miami, FL. BUT we purchased the premium bundle which included up front seating, a personal item and carry-on roller suitcase for $389 per person.  Frontier has a lot of added fees so just because you find a cheap flight doesn't mean it'll stay that way when you include everything else.  Do your homework, but when you are traveling with an almost 80-year-old mom, you have to make it easy for them and you, and that may mean paying a little extra!

Booking Your Transportation From the Airport to the Resort and Back

I wanted to make sure that when we arrived in the Dominican Republic we weren't swarmed with cab drivers wanting to charge a premium for driving us to our resort.  Having lived in Medellin, Colombia, I am far too familiar with the tactics some drivers use to overcharge tourists.  Therefore, after much research, I decided upon Dominican Airport Transfers or DAT, a taxi service in Punta Cana that offers private services. 

(photo courtesy of dominicanairporttransfers.com)

Upon arrival as you exit the airport, look for the DAT sign where you will find a driver with your name on it.  Since my mom was in a wheelchair, the wheelchair attendant took us straight to their meeting point.  We paid $72 for roundtrip service and peace of mind.  They emailed me with specific instructions, a video to know what to look for, and even messaged me via What's App.   One thing to note is that when booking, The Royalton does not show up as a resort so you have to select The Royalton Splash, which is essentially the same complex, but the neighbor resort.  Make sure to tell the driver to drop you off at the Royalton and confirm your return so you don't experience problems.

What to Pack for A Punta Cana Trip With Kids and the Elderly

 

If you're staying at an all-inclusive resort like the Royalton Punta Cana, for a 5-day 4-night stay, here's what I recommend packing:

Sundresses:  Pack a few for yourself, your daughters, and your elderly mom.  They are perfect for the warm weather, are easy to get in and out of, and can be dressed up or down.  I bought this sundresswhich I loved and wore it to dinner.

Dressier Outfits:  Some restaurants have dress codes, so pack a couple of nicer outfits for dining out.  Tell the gentlemen they'll need a couple of nice options too.

Cover-ups:  These are essential for moving between the beach, the pool, and your room.  I made the mistake of only taking one and I ended up using one of the mesh sundresses as a cover up.  I bought this green one (pictured below) for my daughter and she loved it as it dried up very quickly.

(My daughter and I in front of The Royalton Pool Punta Cana © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Shorts and T-shirts:  These are mostly for daytime activities where you don't plan on being around the water like excursions or simply hanging out.

Bathing Suits:  Bring 2-3 options so you always have a dry one ready.  I bought this bathing dress for myself and I absolutely loved it, great if you feel a bit modest.

 

(Me, Janny Perez showing off my Amazon bathing dress at The Royalton Splash Waterpark © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Gym Clothes:  If you plan on working out, don't forget to pack your gear.  With all the yummy eating, believe me, you'll feel a little less guilty indulging.

Footwear:  Sandals and flip flops are perfect for beach or poolside, same applies to the kids and the elderly.  You'll want to pack the sneakers for the gym or outdoor excursions for everyone too..

Minimal Jewelry:  Keep it simple to avoid losing valuable items.  Maybe a couple of nice earrings for dinner and a necklace or two.

Hats:  When the sun is bright in Punta Cana it can sting.  Bring a wide brimmed hat like mine or a baseball cap.  Don't forget to pack some for the kids.

(Me in front of the wave pool at The Royalton Splash Waterpark © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Sunglasses:  You'll want to protect your eyes from the sun.  If you want to make a fashion statement you can opt for this cat eye option, another fave of mine.  Don't forget the kids or your elderly.

Sunscreen:  You'll definitely want to pack sunscreen unless you want to fork over $20-$30 for a 3oz bottle.  My favorite sunscreen is Think Kids or Think Baby.  Since my daughter and I both have skin sensitivities, this one is top choice.

Bug Spray:  If you have "sangre dulce" like me and bugs love you, you know you can't leave the house during the summer without bug spray.  I've tried many natural bug sprays and the only one far far that has worked for me is the Babyganics Insect Spray. 

 

 

Snacks:  At an all-inclusive resort like The Royalton Punta Cana, you won't be hungry, that being said, having snacks when you're traveling with young kids, the elderly, and people with food sensitivities like me, you'll want to have handy options like Simple Mills Crackers, Made Good Granola Minis, or Skinny Pop, all that travel well.

Medicines:  Pack all your regular medications and additionally I recommend any allergy medication, bug ointment, bandaids, antacids or heartburn medicine, anti-diarrhea medication, and headache medicine, especially if you end having one too many margaritas or piña coladas throughout the day.

Small Purse:  For carrying essentials like phone, money, and bug spray, or when you don't need to carry a big purse and if you need a good travel wallet that will fit your passport, this is my top choice!  I've bought it in 3 different colors.

Backpack or Beach Bag:  Very useful for day trips or just hanging out by the beach or pool.  Make sure they pack flat so they don't take up too much space in your luggage.  I took a leopard print tote just like this one below.  You'll toss in your sunscreen, books, snacks, phone, wallet or coin bag, mini speaker (yes I took one), beach toys, etc.  You get the idea.

 

 

Beach Toys:  Although my daughter didn't want to take any, I had this set of beach toys in my shopping cart because it collapses!  The little ones will love you for it.

Playing Cards or Small Travel Game:  This is a great option especially if it rains.  We got lucky and only experienced rain for about a couple hours during the 5 days we were there.  What did we do?  We played Uno.

Wheelchair:  If you have an elderly parent or someone in your family that can't walk a lot, I recommend that you travel with a wheelchair.  It will save you money on having to rent one like we did.  The resort is big and according the welcome receptionist, "not that big actually."  We ended up renting one for 5 days for $120 or $24 a day.  It was an unexpected expense.

Cash:  If you don't plan on leaving the resort you won't need to exchange money as US dollars are accepted everywhere.  We were smart in taking lots of single dollars and small bills as we used these for tipping.  Not everyone tips and you aren't expected to tip at an all-inclusive resort or at every encounter.  However, if someone goes above and provides exceptional service, a tip goes a long way.  You will notice even more exceptional service as they demonstrate their gratitude.  We tipped anywhere from $2 to $30 for servers, bartenders, housekeepers, bellhops, spa employees, and drivers. During our 5-day, 4-night stay, we spent about $150 in tips for a family of 4.  This was our way of helping our fellow Latinos.

What to Leave Behind for A Punta Cana Trip With Kids and the Elderly

Laptop: Although Wifi was exceptional at the resort, I left behind my laptop and glad I did as I didn't really work or write at all.  I did pack a tablet that I was to share with my daughter and she barely used it too as our days were filled with activities at the resort (more on that in a bit).

Valuables: The resort room had a small safe where we kept our valuables but packing expensive jewelry or anything of high value to me is not worth losing as you get very easily distracted with all the activities going on and you may simply forget something behind rather than have it stolen.  Fare on the safer side.

Towels:  The resort provides its own beach towels a plenty so packing them will just take up unnecessary luggage room.

What to Expect When Arriving at the Airport and Punta Cana

If you are departing from the US, note that you will need to fill out an immigration form online prior to departing the US.  This took way longer than I expected as you have to fill out the form for each traveler.  Make sure to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours ahead, we arrived at the airport with 2.5 hours and it was close.  Also, make sure your passport is valid at least 6 months after your arrival to the Dominican Republic or they may deny you entry.   More than 100 countries can enter the Dominican Republic without a Visa for less than 30 days including most European, most North, Central, and South American countries, however check with your country's Dominican consulate or Foreign Affairs agency to verify.

(The outside of the Punta Cana International Airport for Taxi service © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Once you arrive in the Dominican Republic you will go through the customs and immigration process as well as get your bags if you checked them.  Upon exit you will see tons of taxi drivers and services offering you rides.  If you booked a private service like we did, simply find the company you booked with and you'll be on your way.  Our ride was about 25 minutes from the airport to the resort.

My First Impression of The Royalton Punta Cana Resort

(The area before the main lobby at The Royalton Punta Cana © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

I'll be completely honest: my first impression upon arriving at the resort was one of doubt.  The hotel didn't look quite as luxurious on the outside as it did in pictures and that was mainly due to the renovations that were happening.  This likely explains the reduced cost in comparison to other resorts, but after entering the main check in area and staring out into a lovely resort with pools and turquoise waters on the horizon, my doubt disappeared and I knew I had made a good choice.

(The lobby area of The Royalton with full bar, stunning view of the resort, and seating area. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Check In Process at The Royalton Punta Cana

The check in process was pretty easy.  We arrived at the hotel around 11am and were told our room wouldn't be ready until 3:00pm.  This seemed like a long time to wait for a room.  Our welcome attendant did all the paperwork, charged my card for the stay since it hadn't been charged prior, and put a $200 hold for incidentals.  He told us that even though our room wasn't ready, we could start to enjoy all the amenities including lunch at the buffet. 

(The check-in area at the main lobby of The Royalton Punta Cana. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

I made a special request for my mom for a first floor room and he assured me he would do everything in his power to accommodate us.  At this point, looking at how vast the property was, I decided to ask if I could borrow or rent a wheelchair for my mom.  Fortunately, they worked with a local company that could rent us one and they promised to deliver the wheelchair by 4pm.  We had lunch and made our way to the check-in area at 2:30pm where we were given bracelets and access to our room.  One thing to note is that if you book a Diamond Club room you will receive additional benefits not included in the regular Luxury Room including personalized check-in and check-out.   

Our Luxury Room at The Royalton Punta Cana

 

(Image of a luxury room at The Royalton Punta Cana, almost identical to ours. photo courtesy royaltonresorts.com)

Our luxury room located in Building 1, floor 1, included 2 queen size beds, 1 small dining table, 1 side table, a cabinet for storage, 1 fully stocked mini fridge (free of any additional charge), a small safe, a closet, very nice hair dryer, steamer, and iron, a vanity, separate toilet and shower, and an outdoor patio with seating and table, and a drying rack perfect for drying those bathing suits.  Additionally, there were USB charging areas and outlet charging areas, a coffee maker, and medium size flat screen TV where you can access many different cable channels, order room service at no additional charge, and see all the activities available that day at the resort.  The room was well kept, clean, spacious, and enough for our getaway.

Get Yourself Acquainted First to Maximize Your Stay at The Royalton Punta Cana

The first thing you should do is download the Royalton Resorts App on your phone.  This app is incredibly useful for navigating the resort and planning your activities.  It provides information regarding restaurants, menus, daily fitness and children activities, and social events.  You can also use it to book and massages or dining experiences.  If you book at The Royalton, you will have access to all the restaurants and amenities at it's neighboring resort, The Royalton Splash, an added perk.

(The Royalton Resorts App interface)

Each building has a representative who functions like a concierge.  Take advantage as they can help you book restaurants that may seem fully booked, excursions, and yes, even a tour of their Prime Club membership, not quite a time share.  While it's not quite a timeshare presentation, it does have a sales presentation. We went to one and I'll share all the details with you! 

Dining and Drinking Experience at The Royalton Punta Cana

If you're a foodie, you'll love the many dining options at The Royalton Punta Cana.  You'll also have access to the restaurants at The Royalton Splash.  All the restaurants require reservations except for the 2 buffet restaurants: Gourmet Marché at Royalton and Selections at the Royalton Splash.  There are also exclusive restaurants for Diamond Club and Hideaway guests with Hideaway being the adults-only section of the resort.

(My family having dinner outside at Hunter's Steakhouse at The Royalton Punta Cana. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

The restaurants at The Royalton include: Grazie Italian Trattoria, Jade for Asian cuisine, Zen Teppanyaki for Asian cuisine, Hunters Steakhouse, and Dorado for seafood.  Although the app lists Hunters as a Hideaway-exclusive restaurant, we dined there twice, with the help of our building's concierge, and it was absolutely delicious!  One recommendation is to eat outside or away from the grill as the smoke from the grilling at the restaurant can get intense. 

(My sister having a delicious ribeye steak inside Hunter's Steakhouse at Royalton Punta Cana. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Additionally, there is Scoops Gelato and Caffe Lounge, where we enjoyed our morning cafecitos and a variety of gelatos and desserts.  It's also a great option if you want a light sandwich you can take to the beach or poolside.

The Royalton Splash features Mexican Cantina, Bella Cucina, and Under the Sea for International cuisine.   It also has Beans Cafe, an ice cream and coffee bar.  We dined at Selections, their buffet restaurant, on a day when we went to this resort's waterpark, but it was subpar compared the buffet at The Royalton, Gourmet Marche, which I have to highlight.  This coming from someone who usually can't stand buffet restaurants!

(One of the many dessert stations at Gourmet Marché buffet with delicious Dominican cakes, desserts, and chocolates. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

As someone with celiac disease and gallbladder issues and a daughter with food allergies, dining can be a challenging experience.   However, the buffet at Gourmet Marche far exceeded my expectations with something for everyone.  Having different food prep stations like meats, fresh juices, and even a pasta station, I enjoyed fresh morning juices, low fat options, freshly grilled meats, and even gluten-free choices thanks to a very accommodating restaurant manager. The highlight was definitely the delicious pastries and mouth watering Dominican cakes.  While I indulged in a few bites here and there, I didn't have any adverse reactions.  The only downsize to the buffet was the high fat to low fat ratio.  While I did find low fat options, I wish there were more steamed options that weren't swimming in oil.

(The grilling meats station at The Gourmet Marché buffet at The Royalton Punta Cana © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

For those who enjoy tropical drinks, The Royalton has many bars across both resorts.  You can savor every piña colada, frozen margarita, wine, beer, and mixed spirit you can think of.  While the drinks may not be very strong, you can feel them if you indulge a bit!  Oh, and your kids won't feel left out with various non-alcoholic tropical drinks available for them too.

(My daughter enjoying a non-alcoholic treat outside the Royalton Pool © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved) 

Activities and Amenities To Enjoy at The Royalton Punta Cana

Swimming Pools at The Royalton

There are many pools at The Royalton including The Royalton Pool, which is not very deep, maybe a max of 5 ft. This pool was also the main kids activity pool and had a whirlpool, although not hot.  This pool was a hit with us as they had a foam and dance party, fun for kids of all ages.  The Infinity Pool was definitely the adults pool as it had a swim up bar and was deeper that the Royalton pool.  This was also the pool for water volleyball and adult fitness activities.  The Kids Pool was small, no more than a couple feet deep and perfect for the little ones or the elderly in my mami's case as it was nestled under a canopy and protected you from the sun.  There was also the Hideaway Pool for Hideaway guests, which we didn't get to experience.  We didn't get to experience any of the pools at The Royalton Splash, but we did get to experience the water park.

(The Royalton Pool with Whirlpool © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

The Royalton Splash Waterpark

This was a huge hit with my 9-year-old daughter.  Open from 10:00am to 5:00pm, make sure to spend at least half a day here with the kids.  There is a shuttle that runs every 10 minutes from The Royalton that will drop you off in front of the waterpark.  The waterpark is not huge, but big enough to keep the kids entertained for most of the day. 

(Two slides at The Royalton Splash Waterpark. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

It features a blue and white multi-dip waterslide, a blue deep drop waterslide, a yellow deep drop slide which was closed, a green tunnel water slide, a white open circling water slide, and a red and white circling water slide with an unexpected drop.  I experienced about half of these and they were a lot of fun.  The park also features a wave pool and a smaller section for younger kids with a mini water slide.  No food or drink is allowed in the general areas except for water.  There are sunbeds throughout and these are first come first serve basis.

The Beach at the Royalton

(The beach at the Royalton Punta Cana. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

The beach at The Royalton was decent but not as pristine or excellent as I expected.  Having visited immaculate beaches like Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos and Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman, I had high hopes for this beach in Punta Cana.  Here's what I didn't like:

• The section for The Royalton guests was small considering that it is divided in numerous parts: a section for Diamond Club and Hideaway guests, a section for Royalton Splash, and a section for Royalton guests.

• The beach huts were spaced too close together.  While this provided ample shade, you could be literally rubbing elbows with your neighbor.             

  

 (My mami on the crowded lounge chairs on the beach at The Royalton ©  Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

• The beach was quite uneven, making it challenging to transition from the sunbeds to the ocean.  This was especially difficult for my almost 80-year-old mom.

• The beach had more seaweed and rocks than I expected.  I'm not sure if this was due to a hurricane passing just under two weeks before our arrival or if this is typical.

• The waves were very strong and the current dragged you in.  None of us felt safe venturing very far.

Needless to say, we spent the least amount of time at the beach during our stay.  It may be different during other months, but that was not our experience in mid-July.   Expect to see locals offering to braid your hair or have a picture taken with some "friends."  Ok, fine, we fell for the friends, lol.

(Me posing with a tropical feathered amiguito, at a price of course. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Kids Activities at The Royalton

There were many kids activities at The Royalton and The Royalton Splash, including a seaside camp and Kids club that kids ages 5-12  or could enjoy.  Although I registered my daughter for a few hours at the camp where she could do a Dominican craft and take a Spanish lesson, she got caught up in the foam party with other kids at the Royalton Pool. 

(An inflatable bouncy attraction at The Royalton Pool. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Additionally, at the Royalton Pool, during different days, they would bring out bouncy houses, and a floating ninja warrior obstacle course.  There was also a splash pad next to the Kids Pool at The Royalton that many kids enjoyed.  The Royalton Splash features a Hangout Teens Club for Kids 13 to 17 and Escape Room and VR at an additional cost. Your kids will not be bored here!

Fitness Activities

(The outside of The Royalton Fitness Gym. © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

I loved the many fitness activities the resort has to offer and wish I would've had a bit more time to enjoy all of them.  You can enjoy guided outdoor morning yoga or pilates classes, aqua fitness, bootcamp, or even aqua zumba, which I loved.  Additionally you can book a tennis or pickleball session or enjoy their fitness gym.  I encourage you to arrive before the 9am rush though as the gym is not huge and includes a few treadmills, stair machine, weight machines, and a small area for free weights.

Spa Services

If you want to relax and pamper yourself, the spa features massages, signature treatments, facials, body treatments, a kids and teens spa, waxing services, manicure and pedicure, waxing services, hair styling and makeup, barber shop, and bridal suite package.  Expect to pay $95 to $375 for massages, $20-$70 for manicures and pedicures, $90 to $210 for facials, $50 to $135 for kids and teens, $25 to $190 for body treatments, $20 to $70 for waxing services, $25-$100 for hairstyling and makeup services, and $25-$40 at the Barber shop.  We got four 25 minute massages for free, normally worth $95 each, for watching the Prime Travelers Club presentation.  Read more below.

Entertainment Activities at The Royalton Punta Cana

There are so many activities at The Royalton, you will never get bored.  From Spanish lessons, perfect to touch up on your family's Spanish skills, multiple game activities like water volleyball, corn hole, bingo, or even a Dominican game, they also feature dance lesson like salsa, merengue or bachata, arts and crafts, Dj parties, and that's just during daylight hours.

(Mi familia with The Madonna Experience © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

In the evening your family can enjoy bilingual English and Spanish Magic shows, white beach parties, karaoke night, circus shows, tribute shows like Madonna or Michael Jackson, Dominican music parties, live bands, and more.  There is also a theatre which was closed for renovation.  Their "vibe team" will energize any activity and get you pumped up to get up out of your seat. 

(The Circus Show at The Royalton Social Square © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

If you want to have even more fun and take a risk, the resort features a casino where you can play machines or at a table if that's your thing.  Additionally, the resort has a sports bar and lounge, and a nightclub.

(My mami testing her gaming and betting skills at The Casino at The Royalton © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Excursions in Punta Cana

If you happen to be at the resort for more than a few days, you may want to book an excursion.  The resort makes this easy as you can book tours directly at the resort, but note that you may pay a premium for the convenience.   Excursions include visiting Monkeyland,  Buggies, Ziplining, or a Catamaran excursion among the many.  We didn't book any excursions as we thoroughly enjoyed the resort on its own.  Maybe next time we will venture out more.

Shopping at The Royalton

(The shops at The Royalton © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

The resort conveniently features a mini mall where you can get everything from souvenirs, sunscreen, clothes, and even snacks.  Note that the prices at the resort were a bit higher than the airport.  So if you don't venture outside the resort, give yourself time and buy your souvenirs at the airport or locally in town.  Just note that some souvenir shops do not open very early.  You may also see locals at the resort setting up tables and selling local hand crafted items.  Don't expect these to be any cheaper than the shops but you can rest assure that you are helping a local.

Additional Services

The resort features additional services like professional photography, a cigar room, and bridal packages.  There were 2 weddings while we were there, family reunions, and birthday celebrations.  You can also book Bali beds for the beach or pool.

Prime Travelers Club Membership Presentation

As I mentioned in the spa section, we received 4 complimentary 25 minute upper body massages for enduring a lengthy 3 hour presentation for the Prime Travelers Club Membership, which included breakfast, that took a good hour.  I'm familiar with timeshare presentations and this was a similar experience.  You're enticed with an amazing package that seems too good to give up, right?  Well, in our case we almost went ahead with the membership until I read the fine print.  Always read the fine print!  Perhaps for a family that travels extensively, doesn't want to do a whole lot of online research when booking a vacation, or has quite a bit of disposable income, the membership may seem like a great option, but for us, there were too many details that didn't work for our family so we passed.  That being said, they do compensate you by offering 1 of 3 different gifts for your time.  We loved our gift!

Customer Service at The Royalton Punta Cana

In general, people in Punta Cana are warm and very hospitable.  They understand that first impressions matter and that great customer service reflects the country and its people.  From the ushers at the airport and the shuttle drivers to every staff member at the resort, you will be greeted with a warm smile and welcome.  ¡Si hablas español, todos te van a hablar de todo!  If you speak Spanish, they will talk to you about everything. 

(At Gourmet Marché © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

I learned about how my coffee server's eyebrows disappeared due to stress, how the concierge was on the verge on divorce, how my breakfast server's best friend is from Colombia and she has visited many times, giving us recommendations, and our driver shared how a local Colombian resident banked during the 2024 Copa America final as every Colombian and apparently Dominican celebrated fútbol at her restaurant.  

If you are shy, you may need to touch up on your conversational skills.  I personally loved the interactions, especially when it involved my daughter, as this reinforced her Spanish and offered an opportunity to speak with the locals, sí, en español.

Everyone was very accommodating, the service was excellent, and honestly added to a welcoming and stress-free environment.   As I mentioned before, tips for excellent customer service go even further.

Thinking About Going To An All-Inclusive Resort in Punta Cana?  Pros & Cons

If you are considering going to an all-inclusive resort like The Royalton in Punta Cana, I can share with you my pros and cons with you.  Hopefully, they can help in your decision-making process. 

Pros:

• You have everything located in one place to enjoy a relaxing yet fun-filled vacation.

• You don't have to worry about keeping the kids entertained or busy.

• If you're a foodie, you'll love the all-you-can-eat and drink options.

• It's very convenient to plan and takes all the guesswork out of it.

Cons:

• If you love to explore, it can get costly with added tours and excursions.

• If you don't like warm tropical weather, you won't enjoy it, as yearly temperatures average 75°F for a low and 85°F for a high.

• If you want peace and quiet with fewer crowds, you may prefer a smaller boutique hotel.

• Particularly for The Royalton, if you are turned off by renovations, you may want to wait a few months as of this writing (July 2024) before booking.

Final Thoughts on My First Experience at the All-Inclusive Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino 

(Me and my daughter posing in front of the Social Square from the resort main lobby © Milegasi.com. All rights reserved)

Before my stay at The Royalton, an all-inclusive resort would not be at the top of my list of vacation spots.  However, now it is definitely a type of vacation to consider.  Fortunately, The Royalton has all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, Mexico, Antigua, St.Lucia, Grenada, Dominican Republic, and even Cuba.  This first experience was a positive one, and I'd recommend it to any bilingual, bicultural, or multicultural family.  Actually, any family! My mami said she wants to celebrate her big 80 here!

If you liked this blog post and are considering traveling to Punta Cana, I encourage you to bookmark this blog post for reference later.   If you want to learn about my multicultural family's other trips, you can check out these other posts:

How to Travel with a Baby or Little Kids Like a Pro
How to Save Money on a Winter Family Vacation
A Latina Mom's Guide for Traveling to Medellin, Colombia with Kids

If you are raising bilingual, bicultural, multicultural, and/or multilingual kids, I invite you to join my newsletter along with many parents for tips, recommendations, giveaways, and freebies.

Share your experience on all-inclusive vacays below or feel free to ask me any additional questions.

Mil Gracias!

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