Review: Royalton Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection Resort & Casino, Dominican Republic | Marriott Bonvoy

Updated Dec 3, 2024
Fact checked by
Aline Nguyen
Aline Nguyen

Aline Nguyen

Aline Nguyen
Aline, an experienced traveler and avid photographer, is an Avgeek, a foodie at heart and a mother to two children. An expert in credit cards & rewards programs, including Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, American Express Membership Rewards, CIBC Aventura, and RBC Avion, she uses points to travel affordably and save in daily life. Having explored all 7 continents and 78 countries, Aline shares her travel passion and insights to help others make the most of loyalty programs.
All posts by Aline Nguyen
Note
9/10
Royalton Splash Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection 21
Hotel Royalton Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection Resort & Casino
Room Type Deluxe room with sea view, Diamond Club
Loyalty Program Status Gold
Points Per Night 50,000 to 80,000
Hotel brand Autograph Collection
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To the point Located on the magnificent beach of Arena Gorda in the Dominican Republic, Royalton Punta Cana and Royalton Splash Punta Cana are all-inclusive family resorts that combine luxury, comfort and entertainment.
  • Property facing the sea
  • Access to the water park
  • No status-related benefits
  • Inconsistent meal service

Located along the splendid Arena Gorda beach in the Dominican Republic, the Royalton Punta Cana and Royalton Splash Punta Cana resorts are a dream destination for families. Both resorts are located side by side.

By staying at the Royalton Punta Cana, a 5-star hotel, you enjoy all the benefits of this beachfront resort while having full access to the facilities of the Royalton Splash, including its spectacular water park. Here is my detailed review of this all-inclusive experience combining luxury, comfort, and entertainment.

Booking

For a stay at the Royalton Punta Cana, cash rates typically range from US 250 to US 400 per night, while points rates range from 50,000 to 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, depending on season and availability. As for the Royalton Splash Punta Cana, cash rates range from US 180 to US 350 per night, with points rates ranging from 45,000 to 60,000 points per night, also depending on season and availability. These rates reflect the upscale services, all-inclusiveness and comprehensive facilities offered by these resorts, including direct access to Arena Gorda beach and one of the largest water parks in the Caribbean.

The Diamond Club upgrade offers attractive privileges such as butler service, reserved areas on the beach and in the pools, priority reservations for restaurants, and a private lounge with premium drinks. This upgrade is a wise investment, especially for a stress-free stay during high season. In our case, I chose it because I specifically wanted to ensure we had reservations at optimal times for our children. Also, since the lunch buffet opened only at 12:30, we greatly appreciated having access to the Diamond Club Lounge to eat when we wanted to.

If you book a room at the Royalton Punta Cana, you will have access to all the restaurants and facilities of both resorts without needing to upgrade. However, if you book at the Royalton Splash Punta Cana, you will not have access to everything offered by both hotels unless you opt for a Diamond Club upgrade.

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Arrival

Location

Both resorts are located about 25 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport. A private or shared transfer service can be booked in advance to facilitate your arrival.

The resorts are located along Arena Gorda beach, renowned for its turquoise waters and fine sand, ideal for relaxing or enjoying water sports. The location is perfect for those who want to explore the Dominican Republic while having direct access to the sea.

The Royalton Punta Cana is directly on the beach. As for the Royalton Splash Punta Cana, it is set further back from the beach, behind the Royalton Punta Cana, but easily accessible on foot or by shuttle, allowing you to enjoy the facilities of both resorts without difficulty.

The gardens and shaded paths add a relaxing atmosphere, perfect for family walks, but we preferred to stroll along the seashore.

Check-in and Lobby

Upon my arrival, the warm welcome from the staff and the refreshing drink offered gave me a positive first impression. The Diamond Club facilitates check-in with a dedicated service in a private air-conditioned area, unlike the main lobby. Which made the welcome pleasant considering the heat and humidity of the Dominican Republic. The lobby of the Royalton Punta Cana is spacious, bright, and carefully decorated, with a chic tropical ambiance that immediately sets the tone for a relaxing and luxurious stay.

Since we had a room with the Diamond Club upgrade, we were able to enjoy our dinner at our table quietly, in the air-conditioned area, while the check-in was done for us. Our butler was waiting to give us a tour and take us to our room.

Bedroom

At the Royalton Punta Cana, I stayed in a Diamond Club Luxury Ocean View Room. The room is modern, spacious, and well-equipped: ultra-comfortable bedding, flat-screen TV, minibar restocked daily according to consumption, bathroom with shower. We had requested two queen-size beds so that our son could have his own bed, as well as a crib for the youngest. Everything was ready according to our instructions. Upon arriving in the room, we were pleased to see that there was also a sofa bed; the room was spacious enough for a family of five. Finally, each room receives a beautiful beach bag (which you can take home).

At the Royalton Splash Punta Cana, the rooms are similar in comfort and style, with family options such as the Luxury Family Suite, designed to comfortably accommodate families with separate areas for children.

Restaurant

Breakfast

Breakfast at Gourmet Marché is a pleasant moment with a wide selection of international dishes. Fresh fruits, pastries, live cooking stations for omelets, and a large variety of beverages make it an ideal buffet to start the day with the family. Healthy and child-friendly options are also available, ensuring that everyone finds something to enjoy.

All-Inclusive Resort Restaurant

Both resorts offer a variety of restaurants for all tastes, with a total of 13 restaurants accessible between the Royalton Punta Cana and the Royalton Splash Punta Cana. Here are the restaurants I tried during my stay:

  • Gourmet Marché (Royalton Punta Cana): This international buffet offers an impressive variety of fresh dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The choice is vast, with live cooking stations adding a personalized touch.
  • Hunter Steakhouse (Royalton Punta Cana): A must for meat lovers, with a selection of savoury grills served in an elegant atmosphere. Our steaks were perfectly cooked to our preferences. However, there was a lot of smoke in this restaurant, which was not pleasant.
  • Zen (Royalton Punta Cana): This Japanese restaurant with sushi and teppanyaki offers an interactive culinary experience, where chefs prepare dishes before your eyes, which is fun and exciting for children.
  • Under the Sea (Royalton Splash Punta Cana): This marine-themed restaurant is a real favourite for kids, with immersive decor and dishes tailored to children.

Diamond Club members benefit from priority access to reservations, a particularly useful advantage during peak periods. We also had access to included room service meals.

Other Services

Activities and Entertainment

Both resorts offer an impressive variety of activities for the whole family, here are the highlights:

  • Water park (Royalton Splash Punta Cana): The water park is one of the largest in the Caribbean, and it is the main attraction for families. With its slides, wave pool, and children’s play areas, it offers hours of entertainment for both young and old. Children must be over 120 cm tall to go on the big slides, but there is an area for smaller children. Our kids had a lot of fun even though they were both under 120 cm.
  • Swimming pools and beach (Royalton Punta Cana): The resort has several swimming pools, including one with activities. Direct access to Arena Gorda beach also allows you to enjoy non-motorized water sports, such as kayaking and snorkeling. Towels are always available by each pool and beach.
  • Kids and teens clubs (Royalton Splash Punta Cana): The Kids Club offers supervised activities for children, while the Teens Club is equipped with video games, ping-pong tables, and billiards, perfect for young people. There is also a babysitting service available for an additional fee if needed.
  • Daily entertainment and evening shows: Each evening, the resort offers a variety of shows ranging from live music to dance performances and themed parties, ensuring lively and entertaining evenings for the whole family.

Gym

The resorts have modern fitness centers equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and spaces for yoga, Pilates, and other activities. These classes are included in the all-inclusive package and are perfect for people who want to stay active during their vacation.

Spa

The Royalton Punta Cana offers the Royal Spa, a space dedicated to wellness and relaxation. This spa offers a full range of services, including therapeutic massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, as well as hydrotherapy treatments. The facilities also include a hydrotherapy circuit, private treatment rooms, and relaxation areas for a soothing experience.

Casino

The Royalton Punta Cana features the Genesis Casino, offering a varied gaming experience for enthusiasts. You will find American-style roulette tables, European-style blackjack tables, and a selection of slot machines of different denominations. This casino adds a touch of nighttime entertainment within the resort, allowing guests to enjoy a lively atmosphere without leaving the hotel.

Around the Hotel

Many excursions, for an additional fee, are offered to discover the Dominican Republic:

  • Saona Island: Catamaran excursion to explore the island’s paradise beaches.
  • Buggies: Buggy adventure through local landscapes and visits to secluded beaches.
  • Monkeyland: Park where children can interact with monkeys in their natural habitat.
  • Scape Park: Zip-lining, cave exploration, and swimming in cenotes.

To book these excursions, contact the service desk located in the lobby.

Overall Impression

The Royalton Punta Cana, with access to the Royalton Splash Punta Cana, offers an exceptional all-inclusive stay for families seeking a mix of luxury, entertainment, and comfort. The Splash water park is a major asset for families with children, and the Diamond Club upgrade adds real value in terms of comfort and service. The variety of restaurants, spacious and well-equipped rooms, and direct beach access make this resort a comprehensive choice for uncompromising vacations.

A minor drawback of our stay concerned the meal service at the Royalton Punta Cana, which proved to be inconsistent: sometimes excellent, with prompt attention, and other times rather slow, both in service and table clearing. For example, during our dinner at the Hunter Steakhouse, although we arrived at the opening, the service lasted more than two hours. After ordering desserts and waiting for over 25 minutes, we finally left the restaurant because the children needed to go to bed. In contrast, our experience at Zen was much more efficient, and we finished in less than an hour. For families travelling with children, there is still the buffet option, which offers significant flexibility.

If you’re looking for a family destination that combines a luxury beach experience with a variety of activities, Royalton Punta Cana and Royalton Splash Punta Cana are the perfect option. Whether you want to enjoy the water park, the pools or the shows, these two resorts offer an all-inclusive experience that will meet the expectations of the whole family. Our kids loved it and we’d love to go back.

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Aline Nguyen

Aline Nguyen

Aline Nguyen
Aline, an experienced traveler and avid photographer, is an Avgeek, a foodie at heart and a mother to two children. An expert in credit cards & rewards programs, including Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, American Express Membership Rewards, CIBC Aventura, and RBC Avion, she uses points to travel affordably and save in daily life. Having explored all 7 continents and 78 countries, Aline shares her travel passion and insights to help others make the most of loyalty programs.
All posts by Aline Nguyen
Hotels
Region
Central America Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Europe
4.5 Milesopedia Rating

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