Excellent! Exclusive! A tranquil paradise! These are some of the expressions used by more than a thousands users of the tourism website Trip Advisor when referring to the Hotel Royalton Santa María, located on the key bearing this name, off the northern coast of Villa Clara, a central Cuban province. After her stay at the hotel, an Argentine named Carina wrote that finding words to describe the Royalton was difficult, adding, “I have traveled to many first class all-inclusive resorts, and can say that the Royalton is the only one where you can relax, rest and feel cared for at all times, in just the right dose, without intrusion.”
Brígido, from Badajoz in Spain, offered the opinion that the hotel and location were marvelous, due, he said, not so much to the spectacular beach, world class facilities, pools or restaurants with excellent menus, but more importantly because of the staff, “From the gardener to the manager, the friendly attention offered, that smile they give you all the time, made our stay very pleasant.”
In operation since December 1, 2012, the five-star Royalton Cayo Santa Maria is part of Blue Diamond Resorts - which also runs the Memories hotels – and was the first of its kind in Cuba, inaugurated as an all-inclusive beach resort, serving adults only (above 18 years of age). Lisbet Crespo Saura, from the Memories, Paraiso Azul & Royalton sales department, explained to Granma International that since its opening, the hotel has enjoyed an excellent reputation within the international market.
The dedication and professionalism of its staff, along with modern facilities located in a beautiful environment, have placed the hotel among the top 25 in Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice forum, in the categories of all-inclusive, luxury, romantic, best all-around and best service hotels. From the very beginning, the hotel was conceived as luxurious and elegant, not simply adults-only, with every space strategically considered to transmit quality and romance, to allow clients to enjoy the relaxing Caribbean atmosphere, the specialist explained. “Within one month of opening, the hotel was already among the top four in Cuba. Shortly thereafter, it reached the top spot, and has maintained that position since then,” Lisbet reported.
“Now in its second season, the facility maintains excellent levels of occupancy. This year so far, the rate is consistently above 85%. As of July 31 this year, we have received 45,568 guest-days, in their majority from Canada, Britain and Germany.”
The hotel has 122 rooms; of these 118 are Junior Suites (with 8 Superior Junior Suites) and four Royalton Suites, all allowing for a maximum capacity of two guests. Among the most distinctive services is the butler’s desk which serves all rooms, and ensures that guests feel completely at home. “The facility is highly recommended in the Honeymoon category, as well as for those who wish to fully enjoy the enchantment of nature, an option made possible by the hotel’s location within a biosphere preserve,” Lisbet said.
Given the Royalton Cayo Santa María’s popularity and performance in a highly competitive world market, the Royalton brand will be expanded in Cuba, with a second hotel opening in Varadero. Miguel García Núñez, head of marketing for Cuba’s Blue Diamond Resorts, indicated that this new hotel will be the current Royal Hicacos - run by a Canadian company at this time, and gradually undergoing modifications to its physical plant and a re-design of services.
“This installation will begin to operate as the Royalton Hicacos during the coming winter season 2014-2015. Thus we will have a grand, 400-room five-star, adults-only hotel in Varadero, at the level of the best installations in the entire country.”
