It’s not ultra luxury like Hammock Cove Antigua, but for the price it really delivers.

What We Paid (June Trip)

For context, we booked this as a package with flights and hotel included.

• $3,930 total after taxes and fees
• 7 nights in a Junior Suite Partial Ocean View
• Dates: June 23 – June 30

I thought this was a really good deal for Cabo, especially for an adults-only all-inclusive.

We booked it as a flight + hotel package, which I’d recommend at least checking because it can sometimes be cheaper than booking separately.

What the Trip Actually Felt Like

Slow mornings grabbing coffee, heading straight to the pool, and staying there most of the afternoon. Just drinks, music, and relaxing! We’d freshen up, go to dinner, and then either walk over to another resort or check out whatever entertainment was going on that night.

It was a really easy trip to settle into without feeling like you had to plan much.

Sunset Cruise (Best Thing We Did!)

This was easily the highlight of the entire trip! If you’re going to Cabo, I really think a sunset cruise is a must!

You go right by the Arch at sunset. Drinks, music, being out on the water. It ended up being more memorable than anything we did at the resort.

If you’re looking for one, this is the sunset cruise we did and I’d book something ahead of time since they can fill up. We waited until at the resort and they did not have much availability left.

You Can Use Multiple Riu Resorts

One thing I didn’t fully realize was how we would be able to use multiple Riu resorts all right next to each other and just how many different spaces each of them provided.

It honestly feels like miles of pools and beachfront. You can switch it up depending on what kind of vibe you want, but people with the other resort wristbands can’t come over to your side, which is a huge bonus.

We went over to the sports bar one night and it ended up being one of the more fun nights. We even randomly ran into a couple NFL players, which was one of Chris’s highlights of the trip!

Pool vs Beach (What to Expect in Cabo)

I’m usually much more of a beach person, but at this resort I spent most of my time at the pool. I mean who would ever want to leave the infinity pool with the perfect views and pool bar?!

Something to know if you’ve never been to Cabo, the water is pretty rough at most beaches. This resort is within walking distance to a swimmable beach, but do not expect to be able to hop in the ocean right in front of the resort.

Food and Drinks

I went in expecting average all-inclusive food, but it was much much better than I thought.

There were plenty of options, and we never had a bad meal. Drinks also surprised me and were not your typical watered down all inclusive drinks. They had a large drink menu to choose from, and I love trying pretty much all of them!

I will be honest… the food and drinks are not on the level of Hammock Cove or Secrets, but for what you’re paying it holds up really well.

If food and a more upscale feel are a big priority, I also wrote about Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, which is definitely a step up overall.

One Other Thing We Did (Scuba)

We also did a quick scuba dive one day. Quick in large part because I underestimated how rough the waters in Cabo can be at times! That is why I wouldn’t recommend Cabo as a first-time scuba destination (unless you like feeling like you are in a washing machine lol).

It was still really cool to do and worth it if you already dive more frequently than me, just not the calm Caribbean-type water you might expect. The people we booked with were awesome though and gave us half our money back since we only felt comfortable doing the first dive.

Entertainment and Overall Vibe

This is where Riu does a great job!

There were normally things going on at night if you wanted them. Karaoke, poker demos, mezcal and tequila tastings, shows, and sometimes late night pool parties! There is definitely a party option if you want it, especially if you go over to the other resorts.

We kept things more laid back most of the time and never felt like it was overly loud or chaotic around our area of the resort. We didn’t hear noise at night or feel like anything was disruptive.

Some of the reviews mentioning noise might be from rooms further inside the property, like garden view areas, but that wasn’t our experience in the ocean view room.

Rooms and Small Details

• Every ocean room seems to have a good view because of how the resort is laid out
• Welcome champagne was a nice touch
• In-room liquor bar made it feel a little more elevated
• We stayed in Room 4120

We also skipped the Elite Club upgrade and didn’t feel like we missed anything. However, I would recommend the upgrade to ocean view over garden view, especially if you appreciate less noises from late night entertainment.

A Few Things to Know

• You may need to reserve chairs earlier in the day for the best spots
• Laying out on the beach is not the main highlight here
• It’s not a quiet, luxury-style resort

Who This Is Best For

• Couples looking for a fun adults-only trip
• People who care more about pools than beach swimming
• Anyone wanting a solid all-inclusive without paying luxury prices

Who It’s Not For

• Quiet honeymoon-type trips
• People who want calm, swimmable beachfront
• Anyone expecting high-end dining

If I Were Booking This Again

I would book the same room type and plan the sunset cruise ahead of time.

I’d also go into it expecting to spend most of the time at the pool and treat the beach more as something to walk, not the main activity.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

For around $4K total for a week with flights, I thought the value was really strong.

If you’re looking for a fun adults-only Cabo resort with a great pool setup and a mix of relaxed and social, I would recommend it.

If you’re wanting a more high-end or quiet luxury experience, there are probably better options but would be pushing into another price range.

I’d also check current prices for your dates since Cabo pricing can move around quite a bit depending on the time of year.

The post Cabo Riu Palace Adults-Only: Pools, Beaches, Food, and Value appeared first on CahoonCo.

We stayed here for 6 nights as three couples across two generations, which ended up being a pretty good test of whether a resort actually works for different types of trips.

Some of us wanted pool time, some cared most about food, some wanted beach walks and excursions, and some stayed out later for drinks and nightlife.

Everyone left happy, which is not always the case with a group like that!

If I had to sum it up:

• It’s one of the better value adults only all-inclusives in Punta Cana.
• Secrets Royal Beach is the right resort if you care about overall resort experience, food, and flexibility.

Check current rates for Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

First Impressions

The lobby sets the tone right away.

It’s open-air, clean, and feels more put together than a lot of all-inclusives. Some places photograph well but fall flat in person — this wasn’t one of them.

From the start, it felt like a step up from a basic all-inclusive without going into luxury pricing.

Resort Layout & Overall Feel

This is one of the biggest things the resort gets right.

It’s a larger property, but it never felt like a hassle to get around. You’re not constantly walking forever or dealing with crowds at every turn.

That mattered more with a group. People could do their own thing during the day and it was still easy to meet back up or cross paths easily.

It also stayed consistently clean the entire trip, which is something you notice more the longer you’re there.

Atmosphere: Lively if You Want It, Relaxing if You Don’t

This is where the resort works really well.

Secrets Royal Beach had a good mix of energy. There was enough going on if you wanted fun nightlife or more of a social atmosphere, especially with the rooftop club, which was actually pretty fun.

At the same time, it never felt loud or chaotic, and it was still very easy to have a slower, quieter trip too.

Some nights we stayed out, some nights we didn’t. Same during the day with activities. Nothing felt forced or constant.

That balance is a big part of why this place works for both couples and groups.

Rooms: What’s Worth the Value

For most people, pool view rooms are the best value here.

Unless a beachfront view is extremely important to you, I don’t think you’re missing much by skipping it — especially depending on the time of year.

You save money, still get a really solid room, and can put that toward excursions or just keep the overall cost more reasonable.

The Beach: What You Should Know (Honest Take)

We went in July, and there was definitely sargassum (seaweed).

This isn’t specific to this resort — it can affect Punta Cana overall depending on the time of year. The resort cleaned it daily and clearly stayed on top of it, but it still impacts the water.

If perfect turquoise water is one of your top priorities, I would pay more attention to when you go than which resort you pick in this area.

That said, it did not ruin the trip at all.

The beach was still nice for walking, sitting, and just being out there, and the rest of the resort was strong enough that it never felt like a dealbreaker. We still ended up doing a lot of beach walks.

There were also vendors on the beach, but they were not overly aggressive — especially compared to other places I’ve been. You’ll notice them, but it’s not constant.

One very specific tip: if a vendor tells you their shop is “just right there,” it probably isn’t. You may end up walking way farther than expected into a small market area.

Food: Better Than Most All Inclusives

The food was one of the best parts of the trip.

Not just “good for an all-inclusive”, but it was actually really great food.

On a 5–7 night stay, food matters more than people expect, and this is where the resort separates itself from a lot of others.

One thing to know:

The Asian restaurant requires a reservation, so book that early.

Everything else was fairly easy to get into, even with six people, which made a big difference.

Hidden Perk: Access to Dreams

One of the best underrated perks of staying at Secrets Royal Beach is that you also get access to the neighboring Dreams Royal Beach resort.

That gives you more pools, more restaurants, and more variety without needing to pay extra, and I think it adds real value, especially on a longer stay. It helped the trip feel more flexible without making the resort itself feel too busy.

For groups, this is especially nice because it gives everyone more options.

Best Excursion: Swimming with Nurse Sharks

If you are considering excursions, our favorite was swimming with nurse sharks.

It was absolutely worth it and one of the most memorable parts of the trip. I never though I could swim with any kind of shark, but this was such an amazing experience! I would book it early if you know you want to do it.

Nurse Sharks Excursion

Why It Works So Well for Groups or Couples

This is one of the things Secrets Royal Beach did best.

It worked really well for a multi-generational group, which is not always easy to find in an adults-only resort. Some people were more pool-focused, some cared most about food and relaxing, and some wanted more activity and nightlife.

At the same time, I would still absolutely recommend it for a romantic couple’s trip.

That balance is what makes it stand out. It feels easy enough for groups, but still upscale and romantic enough for couples.

For what you get, it’s very strong value.

It feels upscale without pushing into ultra-luxury pricing, and between the food, adults-only atmosphere, and Dreams access, it offers a lot for the money.

Is Secrets Royal Beach Worth It?

Yes. For the price point, I would absolutely go back!

It’s one of the better adults-only all-inclusives in Punta Cana for value, food, and overall experience.

If your top priority is perfect beach water every day, I’d look more closely at timing due to the sargassum.

But if you want a resort that feels easy, well-rounded, and works for both couples and groups, this is a solid pick.

See Current Availability for Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

If you’re trying to keep trips like this affordable, here’s exactly how we book flights using points:

How to Fly to Europe Using Points (Step-by-Step Guide)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share hotels and experiences I’d genuinely recommend.

The post Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana Review: Best Adults Only All Inclusive for the Price? appeared first on CahoonCo.