My boyfriend and I just returned from our stay at the Hideaway at Royalton and we were very impressed. We stayed a full week and I would absolutely return again. There were a few things I would critique and ask management to look into working on, but overall, worth the experience if you're looking for a low-key trip.
The location:
The hotel is super close from the airport. 15 min, 20 tops. It was a 40$ cab ride though. The hotel itself is located quite a bit from the main highway and you go through 2 checkpoints which was kind of annoying, but I still rather have it then not. At least you felt safe. Its the only hotel for miles situated there and it lies within the mangroves therefore, MANY MOSQUITOS! Bring spray and spray yourself often no matter what!
The hotel:
We stayed at the Hideaway portion which is the adults only side. It was exactly what we wanted. Low key, quiet, and calm. There was no loud music blasting all night, or late night shows keeping you up. The hotel itself is huge but you get used to it after the first day. The lobby is open and airy. The whole hotel exudes a sense of Zen and calm which I loved. Very clean looking, marble everywhere, muted colors. Very uniquely designed with its geometric shapes everywhere mixed in with cool water elements all over.
The room:
The room was gorgeous. We chose the luxury suite with the swim out pool facing the beach. The room was clean and airy as well. Open space set up with the bathroom and tub in the middle of the room. Very romantic for a couple. The bed was a king, very comfortable with lots of sheets and pillows. The shower was the best part. Huge, with rain shower heads...2 of them. Amazing! There is a safe in the room that you can use for FREE, woohoo! and a mini bar with soda and beer. Plus, FREE WIFI!!! The mini bar was a bit lack luster, and was never refilled after we used stuff. Could have been paid more attention to. The patio was beautiful and covered if it rained so you could still sit out there. The doors to the outside have a screen and the actual doors which is cool, covered by two sets of curtains to keep the light out. Does a pretty good job of that.
***The swim out pool:
Here comes one of the few critiques I actually have. If you offer a room with a specific beachfront option, you should give the person a beachfront option. Our room faced the pool, not the beach as advertised. The second issue was the swim out pool. I was so excited about this pool before I came. I couldn't wait to get in it. Too bad certain pools don't EVER get sun, and those ones aren't heated to supplement it, so it is ice cold. Like frigid! I jumped in once to say I was in it and couldn't use it again even though I paid an extra 88$ a night to have it. Such a huge disappointment. We complained but were told there was nothing they could do. No other rooms available. Others in our row complained too to no avail. I stepped into others swim out pools that got sun and it was like bath water. I would have been in it all day. Instead, I got stuck with freezing water. Its a gorgeous thing to have, all I suggest is that you do something about the water for those guests facing the wrong way; a heater, mirrors to reflect the sunlight, anything. Other than that, its a great idea, great size and very cool to be able to have as part of the room. I would choose this option again only this time calling up to make sure I get one facing some sun. I suggest you do the same.
The beach:
Here's the second critique. The beach was a disappointment. It wasn't blue at all which isn't the hotels fault but I expected more since I had been to Mexico like 10xs and always had blue seas. Maybe I've just been spoiled haha. Anyway, the water was warm but there was a crazy amount of seaweed all the time. It was kind of gross but they did try to rectify it by using machines that grabbed it up several times a day. It didn't stop me from swimming in the ocean but I've definitely had better beaches and I'm so a beach person so I was disappointed. Not much the hotel can do though, so just be aware of it. There are many seats on the beach, with padding and umbrellas so it was really a nice way to lay out. There was also many bartenders coming to you with drinks.
The restaurants:
LOVED the restaurants!! I was sold on the fact that you don't have to make reservations for anything except hibachi. A great addition to the hotel b/c reservations for restaurants are a huge pain. They weren't necessary either because we never had to wait. Always availability if you went around 6/7pm. There are a bunch of places to choose from with great variety at each. You get plenty of food, good portions, great service, and I felt like I was always at a 5 star restaurant. You also have a standard buffet option which had TONS of food! We went to , and loved: Zen, Opa, Marache, Grazie, Armadillos, and Dorado. read more