Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana: An Honest Review From Travel Experts Who Have Actually Stayed There
- 37 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Before We Dive In: Who Are Randy and Lisa?
If this is your first time landing on our blog, welcome. We're Randy and Lisa, the husband-and-wife team behind 2 Getaway Travel.
We've been planning Caribbean vacations for couples for years, and what sets us apart is simple. We don't just book these resorts. We stay in them. We've personally walked the beaches, eaten the food, tested the swim-up suites, and sat in the lounges at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana so you don't have to guess.
We're travel advisors who want our clients to come home saying it was everything they hoped for and then some. That's why every review we write, including this one, comes from firsthand experience.
You can also watch our full video breakdown of Secrets resorts in the DR. We filmed it in the resorts themselves so you can see everything in action.
And if you're still exploring your options, check out our Punta Cana content hub.
Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana: What to Know Before You Book
Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort set on Playa Bavaro, consistently ranked as one of the best beach stretches in the entire Caribbean. If you've been searching for "Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana reviews" or trying to figure out if this resort is worth the price, we're going to give it to you straight.
Located about 23 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport, the location alone is a win. You're not burning half your travel day in a transfer van. You land, clear customs, and you're beach-side before the afternoon is over.
But let's be honest. What makes Secrets Royal Beach stand out is the combination of value, energy, and that beach. Here's what we found when we stayed.
The Beach: Soft Sand, Turquoise Water, and Room to Breathe
Playa Bavaro is everything the photos promise, and Secrets Royal Beach sits right on it. The sand is the soft, powdery kind that stays cool even in the afternoon heat. The water is calm, turquoise, and clear. Perfect for wading or just floating around without a care in the world.
What surprised us was how far you can walk. The beach stretches for what feels like miles, and even when the resort is at a good occupancy, it never felt like you were elbow-to-elbow with strangers. If you want quiet, you find a spot. If you want to be near the action, it's right there.
Minimal seaweed, calm surf, and water that genuinely looks like a screensaver. This beach lives up to the hype.
Thinking about booking Secrets Royal Beach?
We've stayed here and we know exactly which rooms are worth it, which dates to avoid, and how to make sure you get the most out of every dollar you spend. Reach out to us and let's figure out if this is the right resort for your trip.
The Vibe: Relaxed Days, Fun Nights
If Secrets Cap Cana is the quiet, polished luxury experience, Secrets Royal Beach is its more social sibling. There's always something going on here, but it never crosses into rowdy territory. Days are relaxed. Pools, beach, cocktails. Nights pick up with entertainment, a lively bar scene, and options like Showtime and the Eclipse Disco if you feel like dancing.
They also have a casino on-site, which is a nice touch if that's your thing. And the resort shares access with the neighboring Dreams Resort, giving you even more to explore without having to leave the property complex.
We genuinely met some of the warmest, most fun people at this resort. It has a social energy that some of the more upscale-quiet resorts just don't have. If you're traveling as a couple who likes to mix and mingle, make friends at the pool, and still have the option to slip away and be completely alone together, this is that resort.
Secrets Royal Beach Preferred Club: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Short answer? Yes. Here's why we always recommend it to our clients.
Every Secrets resort has a Preferred Club tier, and at Royal Beach, it genuinely elevates the experience in ways you'll notice immediately. Here's what you get:
Access to the Preferred Club Lounge, one of the nicest we've seen at any Secrets property
Upgraded mini bar in your room, stocked and restocked
Dedicated Preferred Club pool and beach areas that are quieter and more private
Enhanced room categories including the swim-up suites
Priority reservations and elevated service touches throughout your stay
The Preferred Club Lounge
Randy has stayed in Preferred Club at multiple Secrets resorts, and he'll tell you the lounge at Royal Beach is one of the best. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls, air conditioning, and views that look directly out over the pool on one side and the ocean on the other. There's a patio where people read, sip drinks, and watch the waves. It's one of those spaces that makes you feel like you got the inside track on the good life.
The Preferred Club Swim-Up Suites
This is the star of the show. The swim-up suites at Secrets Royal Beach are legitimately stunning, and we say that having seen a lot of swim-up rooms across the Caribbean. What makes these different is the lush river-like area that winds through the swim-up section. It feels like you've been dropped into a private jungle waterway. It's immersive, beautiful, and unlike anything we'd seen at a Secrets before.
Step out of your room and you're already in the water. It's that seamless. If budget allows, this is the room category we recommend most for couples who want something truly memorable.
Is Preferred Club Worth the Extra Cost?
Here's how we think about it for our clients: if you're already spending a significant amount on a vacation, the Preferred Club upgrade typically adds a level of comfort and exclusivity that transforms a great trip into an unforgettable one. The lounge access alone pays for itself in experience, especially for couples who like a quiet escape from the main pool energy.
That said, the base rooms at Secrets Royal Beach are still very solid. If budget is a real constraint, you're not going to be miserable in a standard room. But if you can stretch a little, stretch for Preferred Club.
Nightlife and Entertainment at Secrets Royal Beach
The Eclipse Disco and Showtime entertainment are genuinely fun. This isn't forced, awkward resort entertainment either. People actually show up and have a good time. The casino gives the property another late-night option, and the bars stay energetic without feeling out of control.
If your idea of the perfect vacation includes some evening energy, think dancing, cocktails at a lively bar, maybe some blackjack, Secrets Royal Beach delivers all of that without making it the defining personality of the resort.
Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana at a Glance
Resort type: Adults-only, all-inclusive
Location: Playa Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Distance from airport: ~23 minutes
Best for: Couples wanting value, social energy, and a stunning beach
Nightlife: Showtime, Eclipse Disco, on-site casino
Bonus access: Neighboring Dreams Resort
Preferred Club highlight: Swim-up suites with jungle river area, glass-walled lounge
How Secrets Royal Beach Compares to Other DR Secrets Resorts
We've stayed at four Secrets resorts in the Dominican Republic, and each has its own personality. Secrets Cap Cana is more polished and romantic, best for honeymooners who want ultra-luxury and quiet. Secrets Tides Punta Cana has a modern feel and standout food. Secrets Playa Esmeralda is a hidden gem in Miches for couples who want untouched beach and total peace.
Royal Beach sits in the sweet spot for couples who want the full Secrets experience. Great beach, fun atmosphere, and genuinely competitive value, without paying Cap Cana prices. It's our most-recommended Secrets property for first-timers to the brand.
Ready to Stop Researching and Start Packing?
When you book through us, you're not just getting a reservation. You're getting two people who have actually stayed there guiding you through every decision. We'll help you:
Pick the right room category (yes, we'll tell you honestly if the Preferred Club upgrade makes sense for your budget)
Choose the best travel dates
Sort out your flights
Arrange airport transfers, and
Plan any excursions you want to add on.
If you're traveling with a group or planning something special like a honeymoon or anniversary, we handle all of that too. We're with you before you leave, while you're there, and when you get back.
The best part? Our service doesn't cost you anything extra. You get our experience, our honest advice, and our full support at the same price you'd pay booking direct.
Whether it's your first time in Punta Cana or you're coming back because you fell in love with it the first time, we'd love to help you make it the trip you've been dreaming about.
Reach out to us at 2getawaytravel.com and let's start planning.