The Royal Sands Cancun
An upscale, all-inclusive beachfront resort in Cancun's Hotel Zone, known for its family-friendly amenities and ocean views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Secure prime spots by the pool.
The Royal Sands Cancun
Best Time
Secure prime spots by the pool.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An upscale, all-inclusive beachfront resort in Cancun's Hotel Zone, known for its family-friendly amenities and ocean views.
"Highly recommended for families, offering a great room and fun activities at a reasonable price."
🎯 Use the Free Shuttle
Take the shuttle to sister resort The Royal Cancun for a smaller, more intimate vibe.
☀️ Beat the Crowds
Get to the pool or beach early, as spots fill up quickly once the sun is strong.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Breathtaking Ocean Views
Wake up to stunning Caribbean vistas from your airy villa. The grounds are exceptionally well-maintained.
Family-Friendly Aqua Park
An exciting new aqua park with slides and a snack shack offers fun for all ages.
On-Site Mexican Restaurant
Reservations are highly recommended for this delicious dining experience.
Spectacular Sunrises
Witness the magic of a Cancun sunrise over the Caribbean Sea.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Saturday Stays
Beware of Timeshare Pitches
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Use the Free Shuttle
Take the shuttle to sister resort The Royal Cancun for a smaller, more intimate vibe.
☀️ Beat the Crowds
Get to the pool or beach early, as spots fill up quickly once the sun is strong.
🍽️ Reserve Mexican Dining
The on-site Mexican restaurant is a must-try; make reservations in advance.
💰 Beware of Taxi Scams
Taxis are expensive and operate like a cartel. Consider alternatives if possible.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Use the Free Shuttle
Take the shuttle to sister resort The Royal Cancun for a smaller, more intimate vibe.
☀️ Beat the Crowds
Get to the pool or beach early, as spots fill up quickly once the sun is strong.
🍽️ Reserve Mexican Dining
The on-site Mexican restaurant is a must-try; make reservations in advance.
💰 Beware of Taxi Scams
Taxis are expensive and operate like a cartel. Consider alternatives if possible.
👨👩👧 Great for Families
Highly recommended for families with kids of all ages, offering a fun water park.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Royal Sands Cancun is frequently recommended for families due to its engaging activities, including a new aqua park, and well-maintained beachfront. While many praise the ocean views and friendly staff, some guests have noted declining food quality and service inconsistencies compared to previous years. The resort's timeshare sales pitches are also a common point of caution for visitors.
"This was our third visit to this resort, and we can’t recommend it enough, especially for families! The ocean views are breathtaking and the grounds are incredibly well-maintained. There are tons of activities to keep everyone busy, and the SPA services offer a perfect retreat for the adults. The rooms are spotless, and the staff is consistently friendly and welcoming. A definite highlight: make a reservation at the on-site Mexican restaurant—it’s delicious"
Tony Ma
"Service is lacking in too many areas. Rooms are nice but living room tv didn't work - we changed it ourselves as staff never addressed our request. Food is not as good as it was in years past and service is lacking - no drinks till 11am and no food till 12 noon. 17 years ago it was much better hours with service starting by 10-11am. Room decor has been refreshed at least 3 times in our 17yrs but the rest has not improved and in some areas are seriously lacking. Food quality, service and watered down drinks. The spa service is still great - manicure - body wraps and massages. Our concierge was annoying more concerned with selling us all inclusive stuff and had no clue what she was doing, our TV in 5 days was not replaced, sent us to a restaurant that refused to service us as we were from another resort and we had to walk to Ilsa to not only find a dining local but a ride back. We really love the timeshare and have given our units away many times to friends and newlyweds but are now using it again and are disappointed with the changes. Lifeguards are too cautious and limit where you can swim even though we clearly demonstrated we were capable, I understand but the areas they wanted us in were actually more dangerous than where we were. We understand undertow and riptides and would not endanger our granddaughter. These guys are standing on the beach and have no idea what the water is doing. Bottom line Holiday Inn and Royal Sands needs to kick it up a notch"
JACLYN LABONTE
"We pick this place for a family vacation of 6 so we had double rooms overlooking the beach. The room we paid for was very nice but towards the middle of the trip I didn’t like that they made us switch rooms. The reason was because the room we were in was part of a timeshare. We waited more than an hour to wait for them to switch our room which was a very big inconvenience. We had a nice concierge who was very helpful up until the time we declined the timeshare offer. After we declined the timeshare we could barely get in touch with him. During our stay my daughter’s tablet got broken by a housekeeper and we know mistakes happened but we didn’t even get an apology. I also booked a private beach dinner for my husband’s birthday and it was really. Our host was amazing, the food was really good, and my husband was surprised. We took our main course to go because we had eaten so much. We went back to the hotel and put it in the fridge and came back it was gone. The manager said that housekeeping is not allowed to throw anything away but clean but our 260 steak meals were gone. Again, it was nothing that could be done and not even an apology and the manager was no help at all in resolving any of our issues. We paid for an all-inclusive experience which was a lot of money for me and my family but found out you still have to pay for a lot of things or pay an up charge for things that you don’t know until you finish a meal or drink. The nightly themed buffet was good but 75% of the time the food was cold or too hard to even eat. This was not a good 6 day all inclusive vacation for me and my family and we will pick a different place next time."
Tanesha Lighten
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
From Cancun International Airport (CUN), you can take a pre-booked shuttle, a taxi, or a rental car. Taxis are readily available but can be expensive due to cartel-like pricing. The drive is approximately 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Consider booking airport transfers in advance for a smoother arrival.
Yes, The Royal Sands offers a free shuttle service to its sister resort, The Royal Cancun. This is a great way to experience a different atmosphere and is recommended by travelers.
You can take a taxi or the free shuttle to the ferry terminal for Isla Mujeres. The ferry ride is a popular day trip and offers beautiful island views.
The resort is located in the Hotel Zone, which has a main road with bus service. Taxis are also available, but be aware of potential overcharging. Some guests prefer to walk to nearby attractions or use ride-sharing apps where available, though Uber can face resistance from local taxi drivers.
Yes, parking is available for guests at The Royal Sands. If you are renting a car, inquire about parking arrangements upon arrival.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, The Royal Sands is an all-inclusive resort, meaning your stay typically includes meals, drinks, and some activities. However, some guests have noted that certain items or premium options may incur additional charges.
Standard check-in time is usually in the afternoon (e.g., 3:00 PM), and check-out is typically around noon. If your travel plans require flexibility, contact the resort directly to inquire about early check-in or late check-out options, though these are not guaranteed. Guests who don't stay Saturday-Saturday may need to change rooms on Saturdays, involving packing up by 11 am.
While some restaurants may operate on a first-come, first-served basis, it's highly recommended to make reservations, especially for popular spots like the on-site Mexican restaurant, to ensure you get a table.
While the resort is all-inclusive, some guests have reported unexpected charges for certain items or premium services. It's advisable to clarify what is included in your package upon arrival to avoid surprises.
Guests whose stays do not align with a Saturday-to-Saturday booking are required to change rooms on Saturdays. This process involves packing up by 11 am and then queuing for new keys and check-in later in the day, which can be inconvenient.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The resort offers a variety of activities, including Zumba classes, a kids' area with a water park, and sports facilities. +1 There are also opportunities for water sports and relaxation by the pool and beach. Lifeguards can be overly cautious, limiting swimming areas.
Yes, The Royal Sands is highly recommended for families, including those with teenagers. The resort offers activities and amenities that cater to a range of ages, making it a great choice for a family vacation.
The resort boasts beautiful beachfront access with stunning ocean views. The pools are well-maintained, but guests are advised to arrive early to secure good spots, especially during peak times.
Yes, The Royal Sands features a spa offering various services like massages, body wraps, and manicures, which are consistently praised for their quality.
The rooms are generally described as nice and have been refreshed over the years. Many offer ocean views from balconies.
However, some guests have reported issues like non-working TVs that were not promptly addressed.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Food quality has been a point of mixed reviews. While some guests find it good, others feel it has declined over the years, with some buffet items being served cold or hard. +1 The on-site Mexican restaurant is a standout.
Some guests have noted that food service may not begin until noon, with drinks only available from 11 am, which is a change from previous years.
One reviewer mentioned that drinks were watered down, which detracted from their experience.
Yes, private beach dinners can be arranged for special occasions like birthdays. These dinners have been described as very nice with good food and attentive hosts.
The resort offers various dining options, including themed nightly buffets and an on-site Mexican restaurant. Guests can also utilize the all-inclusive package at the sister resort, The Royal Cancun.
📸 📸 Photography
The beachfront offers stunning ocean views and is perfect for capturing sunrise shots. The well-maintained grounds and airy villas also provide picturesque backdrops.
Yes, the new aqua park is a vibrant and fun area, ideal for capturing lively family moments and action shots.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, be mindful of other guests' privacy. Professional photography sessions might require resort permission.
Early mornings offer beautiful soft light for sunrise photos over the ocean. Late afternoons can also provide lovely golden hour lighting for beach and resort shots.
Drone usage is typically restricted at resorts and public beaches in Cancun to ensure guest safety and privacy. It's best to check with resort management directly before attempting to fly a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Parents can feel confident that their children will be entertained, allowing for a more relaxed vacation for everyone.
💰 Budget-Conscious Travelers
Be mindful of potential upcharges for certain items or premium services, as noted by some guests.
couples
For a potentially more intimate atmosphere, take advantage of the free shuttle to The Royal Cancun, which is described as smaller and more intimate.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Timeshare Sales Pitches
Many travelers suggest that if you are not interested in purchasing a timeshare, it's best to avoid engaging in conversations about it. Your concierge, while helpful for resort services, may also be incentivized to promote timeshare opportunities.
Despite the sales aspect, the resort's amenities and location are still appealing to many. Understanding this aspect of the resort beforehand allows you to manage expectations and navigate the experience more smoothly. The sister resort, The Royal Cancun, is also a timeshare property and can be visited via a complimentary shuttle.
Family Fun at The Royal Sands
Beyond the water park, the resort offers a variety of activities designed to keep everyone entertained.
Travelers with teenagers have specifically noted that the resort is well-suited for them, offering enough to do to keep them occupied and entertained throughout the stay.
Dining Experiences and Service
Service has also been a recurring theme in reviews. Some guests have experienced a decline in service standards compared to previous visits, noting delays in drink and food service, with food not being available until noon and drinks only from 11 am.
Despite these criticisms, the spa services consistently receive positive feedback, with manicures, body wraps, and massages being highlighted as excellent.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit