At Royalton White Sands Resort, you can indulge in the benefits and luxuries of our all-in-luxury concept. By expertly combining the richness of Jamaican culture with a luxurious product, they claim to deliver exceptional service and meticulous attention to detail. Offerings include friendly and attentive staff, top-tier dining options, lavish room amenities, unlimited food and beverages, a splash pool, beautiful destination wedding packages, and outstanding all-inclusive services designed to elevate your luxury holiday.
All Inclusive - Adult Only Resort
When staying at Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, you have full access to the following amenities:
- 352 modern luxury rooms and suites
- Unlimited reservation-free dining
- Unlimited international and local liquors
- Royalton signature DreamBed™ with high thread count sheets
- All-In Connectivity™ with free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the resort for all your devices
- Royalton Signature rain shower
- 24/7 room service
- Sports Event Guarantee™
- Satellite television with specialty channels
- Fitness centre equipped with modern equipment
- Daily entertainment and nightly shows
- Non-motorised watersports
- The Royal Spa
Reviews for Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, an adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, reveal a range of experiences from excellent to disappointing. It holds an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars based on over 4,000 reviews.
The Positives
- Beautiful setting & amenities: Guests often commend the stunning beachfront location, well-kept grounds, and attractive pools. The private islet for Hideaway Diamond Club guests is also valued for its privacy.
- Adults-only atmosphere: Many appreciate the peaceful and romantic environment, perfect for couples and honeymoons.
- Food and drinks: The cuisine is frequently described as delicious with a good selection, especially noting the jerk hut, gelato, and coffee shop. Premium drinks and cocktails are available.
- Entertainment and activities: The resort offers various activities such as beach volleyball, dance classes, non-motorized water sports, and nightly shows, with positive feedback for the entertainment staff.
- Diamond Club Perks (often worth the upgrade): Guests who choose the Diamond Club upgrade report a notably enhanced experience, appreciating the dedicated butler service, access to the private beach area with upgraded lounge chairs and waiter service, and the exclusive lounge with premium liquor.
The Drawbacks
- Service inconsistencies: While many praise the friendly and helpful staff, some mention inconsistent or unfriendly service, particularly from female staff members. Butler service in Diamond Club can also be unpredictable.
- Restaurant reservations & waits: Securing dinner reservations at the à la carte restaurants can be difficult, with long waits sometimes reported. Diamond Club priority reservations may help but are not always perfect.
- Room issues: Some guests report that rooms do not always meet luxury standards, citing cracked patio doors, malfunctioning exhaust fans, and inconsistent shower water temperatures. The size of basic luxury rooms is also a concern for some.
- Maintenance & hygiene concerns: Reviews mention broken pool chairs, insufficient shade and loungers at pools and beach, and worries about cleaning practices for glassware at bars and in rooms.
- Noise and vendors: Some guests find the constant loud music and persistent beach vendors to be drawbacks.
- Plastic waste: The frequent use of single-use plastic water bottles is a recurring concern.
Key Takeaways
- Diamond Club upgrade: For those seeking enhanced service and a more luxurious experience, the Diamond Club upgrade is often recommended.
- Manage expectations: While the resort offers many positives, managing expectations regarding service consistency and minor room and maintenance issues can help prevent disappointment.
- Consider alternatives: If a truly private and quiet environment is essential, some reviewers suggest exploring other resorts or Hideaway locations.
Overall, Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters provides an appealing adults-only, all-inclusive experience in a beautiful setting. However, some inconsistencies in service and amenities are important factors to consider based on guest feedback.
*For directions, booking and contact information please see the listing in the Hotels and Resorts Map section.
Service Inconsistencies Experienced by Some Guests
According to numerous guest reviews, service inconsistencies at Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay are a common issue, impacting different parts of the guest experience:
Staff Attitude and Behavior
- Rudeness: Several guests mention encountering rude or dismissive staff, especially at the front desk, as noted in one Tripadvisor review.
- Unhelpfulness: There are reports of staff being unhelpful, with some requests met with reluctance or a lack of enthusiasm.
- Indifference: Some guests describe staff as seeming indifferent or even irritated when asked for help, such as with luggage handling or queries about the resort.
Responsiveness and Efficiency
- Slow or ignored requests: Guests have experienced delayed responses or completely ignored requests for services like room service, water refills, or restaurant assistance.
- Restaurant wait times: Reviews highlight long waits for seating or food at restaurants, even when using Diamond Club priority reservations.
- Inconsistent information: Different staff members sometimes provide conflicting details about resort services, causing confusion and frustration.
Examples of Service Inconsistencies
- Room Service Delays: Orders taking excessively long (more than 1.5 hours) or not arriving at all.
- Restaurant Booking Issues: The Royalton app reportedly has issues with booking restaurants, showing them as closed or unavailable even when they are open, and only allowing reservations up to two days ahead.
- Bellman Service: Guests mention occasions where bellmen did not offer help with luggage upon arrival.
- Front Desk Efficiency: Reports of long waiting times during check-in.
- Inconsistent Bar Service: At the pool bar, blenders are sometimes "shut down," preventing the ordering of blended drinks.
Impact on Guest Experience
These service inconsistencies can cause frustration, disappointment, and a sense that the resort does not fully meet expectations despite its attractive setting and amenities. Some guests express regret about choosing Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, especially when comparing it to previous positive experiences at other Royalton properties or expectations for a 5-star resort. In summary, while Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters is praised for its beauty and some staff members, the frequent reports of service inconsistencies—particularly regarding staff attitude, responsiveness, and efficiency—highlight areas where improvements are needed to provide a consistently positive experience for all guests.
What are the reported benefits and drawbacks of the Diamond Club?
Here's a detailed look at the reported benefits and drawbacks of upgrading to Diamond Club at Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters:
Benefits of Diamond Club
Enhanced Service and Personalized Attention:
- Butler Service: Diamond Club provides a dedicated butler to assist with reservations, requests, and special occasions. While experiences vary, guests generally appreciate the added convenience of having a single point of contact for their needs.
- Personalized Check-in/Check-out: This process aims to be faster and more seamless, occurring in a dedicated lounge rather than the main lobby.
- Butler-Managed Priority Dining: Butlers can assist with securing reservations at the á la carte restaurants, potentially minimizing wait times or even securing tables at popular venues like Zen.
Exclusive Areas and Amenities:
- Diamond Club Lounge: This private lounge offers premium drinks, snacks, appetizers, and desserts in a more refined setting.
- Private Beach Area: Diamond Club guests have access to a dedicated section of the beach with upgraded lounge chairs, towels, and waiter service.
- Exclusive Pool: A separate pool area is designated solely for Diamond Club members.
- Priority Restaurant Reservations: Guests are given preference for seating at the à la carte restaurants, reducing wait times compared to non-Diamond Club guests.
Upgraded In-Room Luxuries:
- Preferred Room Locations: Guests may receive better views or room placement within the resort.
- Premium Minibar and Liquor: The minibar is restocked daily with upgraded selections, and a bottle of in-suite liquor is offered per week.
- Luxury Touches: Upgraded robes, slippers, and bathroom amenities, along with a pillow menu and aromatherapy options from The Royal Spa, enhance the in-room experience.
- In-suite Coffee Machine: Equipped with specialty coffee pods for an enhanced in-room coffee experience.
Additional Perks:
- Complimentary Access to Hydrotherapy Pool: Diamond Club guests can enjoy a 1-hour session per stay at the hydrotherapy pool.
- Spa Discounts: A 20% discount is available on spa treatments.
- Beach Bag and Slippers: These are offered as complimentary gifts.
Drawbacks and Inconsistencies
- Butler Service Inconsistencies: Some guests report issues with butlers being uncommunicative or unresponsive to requests. The level of service received from butlers can also vary, with some being more proactive and attentive than others.
- Restaurant Reservation Challenges: While Diamond Club provides priority, some guests still encounter difficulty securing reservations or experiencing long waits, especially at popular restaurants like Zen.
- Perceived Lack of Value for Money: Some Diamond Club guests feel the added cost isn't fully justified by the benefits received, particularly if service falls short of expectations.
- Inconsistent Amenity Provision: Some reviewers indicate that amenities like hydrotherapy or private pools may not be consistently available or up to par, despite being advertised.
- Unimpressive Diamond Club Lounge: While designed as an exclusive haven, some guests describe the lounge as lacking in atmosphere, comfort (due to AC issues), or cleanliness.
- Limited Room Upgrades: Despite "preferred room locations" being listed as a benefit, some Diamond Club guests don't experience a noticeable upgrade in their room location or quality.
Overall
The Diamond Club aims to provide a more luxurious and personalized experience. Many guests enjoy the perks like the private beach area, upgraded amenities, and butler service. According to one Facebook group post from February 15, 2025, one user stated that \"Diamond Club is worth it. There's extra perks and access that makes it worthwhile\". However, the consistency of service and the actual value derived from the extra cost remain points of contention among reviewers. Guests considering the upgrade should carefully weigh the potential benefits against the potential for inconsistencies based on recent reviews.