I went into my stay at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana with certain expectations. By the time I left? Let’s just say a few of those had changed.

So here’s my full Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana review, including what surprised me, what I’d do differently, and whether I think Preferred Club is worth the upgrade.

For a long time, Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana lived in my head as the “less expensive sister” to Secrets Cap Cana.

And honestly?

That probably wasn’t entirely fair.

I absolutely loved Secrets Cap Cana when I stayed there a few years ago, and it has remained one of the properties I tend to use as a benchmark when comparing other Secrets resorts.

So when we decided to spend a week at Secrets Royal Beach, I was excited to finally experience it for myself, but I went into the trip expecting it to be the more affordable alternative to Cap Cana.

I came home thinking about it very differently.

In fact, by the end of our week, we all agreed: we would absolutely go back.

And Mr. EST?

He actually preferred Royal Beach.

So, what changed my mind?

First Impressions: Nice…But Where’s the Wow?

I’ll admit, my first impression wasn’t overwhelming.

Pulling up to Secrets Royal Beach, the lobby was nice, but it didn’t have that immediate WOW factor I experienced at Secrets Cap Cana and some other upscale resorts.

There’s quite a bit happening in the main lobby area, with the check-in desks, excursion representatives, lobby bar, and other activity all sharing the space. The lobby then opens directly into the resort’s main plaza and entertainment area.

Our friends, who had never stayed at a Secrets resort before, were impressed.

Me?

I’ve probably been spoiled.

Because we booked Preferred Club, we were taken to the Preferred Club lounge for check-in. The lounge was comfortable, and check-in was smooth, although even that space initially felt a little underwhelming.

Little did I know it would become one of our favorite pre- and post-dinner stops later in the week.

One thing I could have done without at arrival was the push toward the resort’s vacation club presentation.

You’ll hear about a “key,” which is actually a piece of paper you’re encouraged to bring to a desk in exchange for some type of perk or resort credit.

Spoiler alert: it’s a vacation club sales pitch.

I explained that I was a travel advisor and wasn’t interested, and that pretty much ended the conversation. Another “key” invitation appeared under our door a day or two later. We ignored it and weren’t bothered again.

Preferred Club: Worth It?

For me, absolutely.

Booking Preferred Club was intentional. The Preferred Club rooms have been renovated more recently, and I also really like their location within the resort.

We booked a Preferred Club Pool View room and were assigned Building 3, room 3253 on the second floor.

The location was fantastic, roughly halfway between the lobby and beach, and our room was spacious, comfortable, and well-appointed. We had a nice balcony, separate shower and soaking tub, and everything we really needed for the week.

Well…almost everything.

There were no towel hooks in the bathroom!

None.

Why is this a thing that bothers me so much at a resort?

There also weren’t double sinks, which I would have preferred, and repeat Secrets guests may notice something else missing: the signature Secrets “secret box” used for private room-service delivery. I later learned that this particular property simply doesn’t have them.

None were dealbreakers, but they’re little details worth knowing.

Preferred Club also gives you access to private lounges with finger foods throughout the day and premium liquor at the bar, plus à la carte breakfast and lunch at Oceana.

We took advantage of both.

Oceana was a nice alternative for breakfast, especially with a mimosa, and the Preferred Club lounge quickly became our regular stop for a cocktail before dinner.

But the biggest Preferred Club win for us?

The pool.

AMY’S TAKE:
Is Preferred Club worth it at Secrets Royal Beach? Yes. I’d book it again.

We Found Our Happy Place

Secrets Royal Beach has several pools, and I’ll be honest: we didn’t make it to all of them.

The large main pool has a swim-up bar and is where you’ll find much of the daytime entertainment, with music, activities, and daily themes.

We preferred the vibe at the Preferred Club pool.

It’s sometimes referred to as a “lazy river,” although there isn’t actually a current. Instead, it’s a very long pool that begins near a waterfall feature and winds toward the beach, ending near a swim-up bar.

Along one side are first-come, first-served cabanas with shade and two loungers. We claimed one each day and quickly settled into our vacation routine.

And then there was Daniella.

Daniella took fantastic care of us throughout our stay and became one of the people we looked forward to seeing every day. Felix behind the Preferred pool bar was another standout.

The pool wasn’t silent; occasionally there were groups having a very good time, but most of the livelier activity congregated closer to the swim-up bar. Around our cabana, we could relax, chat, and read without feeling like we’d wandered into a spring-break pool party.

One room-category note: I personally wouldn’t choose one of the swim-out rooms along the Preferred pool if privacy is important to you. Guests walking around the pool can pass directly in front of them.

What About the Beach?

We traveled during what is typically sargassum season, and there was seaweed during our stay.

The resort worked hard to clean it up, but the water close to shore was fairly murky because of it. Once you got farther out, conditions improved, although we didn’t see many people swimming in the ocean during our week.

The beach itself was lovely, soft white sand that never seemed to get hot under our feet.

Loungers are first-come, first-served, and drink service is available. Upgraded cabanas are also available for rent, with dedicated service, food, and drinks.

We spent some time lounging there, but if I’m choosing between the beach and our little spot at the Preferred pool?

You’ll probably find me at the pool.

Let’s Talk About the Food

Food at resorts in the Dominican Republic sometimes gets a bad rap.

That was not our experience at Secrets Royal Beach.

Overall, we thought the food was very good, and we genuinely loved several meals.

Our favorite was El Patio, the Mexican restaurant. We liked it enough to eat there twice.

The flat steak was fantastic, while others in our group raved about the shrimp burrito and red snapper.

The churros?

Nope.

They were stale and easily one of the most disappointing things I ate all week.

You can’t win them all.

We also tried both the hibachi and à la carte sides of Himitsu. The hibachi food was tasty, although the “show” was a little lackluster.

I did get chosen to toss food from the grill into Mr. EST’s mouth, so there’s that.

Given the choice, I’d return to the à la carte side. We really enjoyed that meal, including a HUGE sushi platter brought out for the four of us to share.

Bluewater Grill was the busiest restaurant we encountered, but even there the wait wasn’t particularly long. Portions were generous, and the food was very good.

For casual lunches, we tried both the Barefoot Grill and La Riviera buffet. We also ate dinner at the buffet one evening and were impressed by the variety.

And somewhere in that buffet I found what may have been the best carrot cake I’ve ever had.

Yes, at an all-inclusive resort buffet.

I said what I said.

Drinks were consistently good, too, with premium brands available.

Julio in the Preferred Club lounge became our go-to for martinis and Old Fashioneds.

If you want my personal order?

Flat steak at El Patio followed by a filthy dirty martini from Julio.

You’re welcome.

The Service Was a Standout

This is an area where Secrets Royal Beach really shined.

From housekeeping to bartenders to servers, we consistently received friendly, attentive service.

Carlos, our Preferred Club butler, was wonderful.

He checked in each day through WhatsApp and sent us the day’s activity schedule. Often, he would find us around the resort simply to say hello.

What I appreciated most was that he was available without being overbearing.

We didn’t utilize him heavily, but he kept us stocked with bottled water, made our hibachi reservation, and arranged for our luggage to be picked up on departure day.

When the bellman was running behind at checkout?

Carlos came to help with the luggage himself.

Housekeeping came daily and offered turndown service; we always had plenty of towels, and our minibar stayed well stocked, including extra snacks when requested.

Carlos, Daniella, Felix, and Julio were particular standouts for our group, but I can honestly say I had zero complaints about the service we received throughout our stay.

The Vibe: A Little Something for Everyone

One of the things I really loved about Royal Beach was its lush, tropical feel.

There’s plenty of lush foliage throughout the property; the grounds were constantly being maintained, and I thought the resort was especially pretty once everything was lit up at night.

We also saw a really diverse mix of guests, honeymooners, couples, friend groups, and celebrations, with ages ranging from 20-somethings to guests well into their 70s and 80s.

Despite that mix, it never felt like a party resort.

Our evenings usually looked something like this:

Cocktail at the Preferred Club lounge.

Dinner.

The nightly themed show in the main plaza.

Then maybe a stop at the casino or back to the Preferred lounge for a nightcap.

There’s also a sports bar with karaoke on many evenings and a nightclub that seemed popular with the later-night crowd.

The casino is VERY small with maybe 20 slot machines and a handful of table games, so don’t come expecting Vegas.

Although I did manage to win a little money playing blackjack, so I can’t complain.

We were generally back in our room by around 11:00 p.m., so I can’t speak much to the late-night scene. But there seemed to be enough happening for those who wanted to keep going without the resort feeling loud or overly rowdy for those of us who didn’t.

Guests also have access to neighboring Dreams Royal Beach, including additional restaurants and bars.

We never made it over to that resort, as we were perfectly happy enjoying the Secrets side.

A Few Things I’d Want My Clients to Know

Secrets Royal Beach is a large resort, but I never found it overwhelming. Walking from the beach to the main lobby took us roughly five to ten minutes, and getting around was easy.

It’s also only about a 20-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport, which is a nice perk after a long travel day.

If you’re considering a swim-out room, pay close attention to location. As I mentioned earlier, some around the Preferred pool don’t offer the level of privacy I would personally want.

And if you’re traveling during sargassum season, go into the trip understanding that beach conditions can vary considerably from day to day and season to season.

These are exactly the kinds of details I consider when helping clients choose the right resort—not just a resort that looks pretty online.

Secrets Royal Beach vs. Secrets Cap Cana: My Verdict

This was the question in the back of my mind before I ever arrived.

Secrets Cap Cana absolutely wins the first-impression contest for me.

I remember walking into Cap Cana and thinking, WOW!

I didn’t have that same reaction at Royal Beach.

But here’s the thing:

A vacation is a lot longer than the first ten minutes in the lobby.

Once we settled in, I stopped comparing the two.

In fact, we thought the food at Royal Beach was better. The service was fantastic. We loved our Preferred Club room and pool. We had great drinks, enjoyed the evening entertainment, and never felt like we were missing something we’d had at Cap Cana.

And when you factor in the price difference?

Royal Beach becomes very compelling.

There are absolutely clients for whom I’d recommend Cap Cana first, particularly someone looking for a more elevated, luxurious experience where that upscale feel is one of the most important parts of the vacation.

But there are also plenty of clients whom I would now confidently steer toward Royal Beach first.

And that’s a very different opinion than the one I had before this trip.

So, Who Would I Send Here?

Best for: Couples, honeymooners, anniversaries, friend groups and celebrations looking for great food, fantastic service and strong value in an adults-only resort, along with enough activity to keep things interesting without needing a full-blown party scene.

Pool lovers should be very happy here, particularly in Preferred Club.

If your number-one priority is an ultra-luxurious resort or an absolutely spectacular beach, I may recommend other options.

That’s why choosing the right all-inclusive is about much more than finding one with good reviews—it’s about finding the resort that fits you.

But for the right traveler?

This resort is a gem.

And yes, I would absolutely recommend upgrading to Preferred Club.

Would I Go Back?

100% yes.

I arrived thinking of Secrets Royal Beach as the less-expensive alternative to one of my favorite Secrets resorts.

I left thinking it deserves to stand on its own.

The four of us had a fantastic week. We ate well, drank well, laughed a lot, and were incredibly well taken care of.

By the end of the trip, we all agreed we’d happily return.

And considering how many resorts are still sitting on my “I need to experience this one” list…

That’s saying something.

Thinking Secrets Royal Beach might be right for you?

I’d love to help you decide whether it’s the perfect fit, or whether there’s another resort that fits your vacation style even better. Learn more about my vacation planning services, or schedule a complimentary vacation consultation to get started.