lowfareair

Looks like all of the Royalton all-inclusives are coming in as Catetgory 7 hotels, although I'm not seeing any rooms available for award bookings yet. Surprising, as rates vary by hotels where their most expensive hotels have rates about twice as high as the lower end ones (like Royalton Splash Punta Cana, which doesn't even get above $220/night before taxes Christmas week). Cat 6 makes sense for some of those hotels. Either way, no award bookings for me as only a handful of their higher-end properties draw my interest, and I can usually get decent rates at AIs that are equal-or-better for $250ish/night total during the shoulder season.

Speaking of taxes, it seems the all-inclusive base rates include taxes, not sure how that will affect those earning points when staying on a paid rate. Dominican Republic has something crazy like a 28% tax + service charge rate, so it isn't an insignificant amount of points by bundling taxes with it.

I'm surprised Marriott hasn't introduced an all-inclusive brand, even if it is similar to Autograph Collection where there isn't much in the way of brand standards (other than being decent properties). The ones you've mentioned aren't even the 'lowest end' of the Royalton properties, which are all fairly middle-of-the-road when it comes to All-Inclusives.

Where did I say Platinum members won't get any benefits? I think they'll get the minimum, but if you look at the Hyatt and Hilton all-inclusives, the elite benefits tend to be a mixed bag compared to traditional full-service hotels. Hilton PdC has some decent benefits for a Diamond (they granted a 4pm checkout and free hydrotherapy access at the spa, but they didn't offer much else, including an upgrade).

I was just saying that there will be no club access for Plats and above, especially as I believe Marriott has a carve-out for that anyway with resorts. I also wouldn't expect much in the way of upgrades, although the room type guarantee will still be available and I'd imagine a welcome gift (like a bottle of house wine) will be given as well. Late checkout is by "availability" at resorts, so I'm going to guess that is going to be VERY YMMV, as AIs generally are not fans of late checkout (although they will almost always let you stay and enjoy the pools/restaurants/bars if you aren't leaving until later that day).

Lefleur

lowfareair -- fascinating.

Just for kicks, I searched one night (I chose a random Saturday a month out - August 28) rate for some of these hotels -- lowest available rate for any room on Marriott.com.

• Royalton Splash Puna Cana --- $140/night (all inclusive)
• Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun -- 8/28 "not available for check-in," but 8/29 (Sunday night) is $204/night all inclusive
• Mauna Kea (Hawaii) --- $1,472/night
• The Press Hotel (Maine) --- sold out, but 8/29 (Sunday night) is $462/night

That Mauna Kea rate is not for a suite or something, by the way....king bed, ocean view.

Marriott needs to figure out its brand identities......

lowfareair

In fairness, you can't look at just price in disparate regions to determine if the hotels are equitable. Hawaii and Maine are in high season (especially on a weekend for Maine), Mexico/Caribbean, despite more demand than normal, have late August as part of their low season as Sargassum is still present and hurricane season is just getting into full gear. Just about any brand with a decent size footprint (Marriott or otherwise) will have big variation in pricing across their properties based on occupany, seasonality, day of week, etc.

Marriott seems to have brand identities defined relatively adequately, but the issue is these all-in hotels already have their own brand identities, for better or for worse (Planet Hollywood, Royalton, Chic, etc.). Marriott uses the Autograph Collection as their catch-all, and that is probably the issue. They really need a true catch-all brand name that has no real boundaries other than being decent. Even in the all-in space, the Elegant Hotels they have in the Caribbean are several steps above the Royalton ones. They can't go and create a dozen sub-brands for the all-inclusives, especially when so many want to be mostly independent from a Marriott flag.

etsmyers

Has anyone stayed in any of the Cancun properties? I have a reservation for PH Cancun in October, but a LOT of the Tripadvisor reviews are bad.

tylerc

Any first hand experience with elite benefits (or lack of) at any of the AI properties?

DELee

Guess this linkup is now established:

Blue Diamond properties officially join Marriott's Autograph Collection

David

qqbb

Just stayed at the Royalton Riviera Cancun. Booked using 50K point cert (off peak). The Autograph Collection sign is already up. As a platinum member,
1) we were upgraded to an Jacuzzi ocean view room. It ended up being an ocean front room, closest to the beach directly facing the ocean. Very nice view (though they have palm trees on the beach kind of blocking the view.).
2) Given diamond club access (with a special bracelet) even though we did not stay at the diamond club area. Diamond club is an exclusive area with its own pool, beach, one additional restaurant and a club lounge. Given this is an AI resort, we only went to the diamond club area a couple of times. We did not have our own Butler though (if you paid/stayed at the diamond club area, you would have one.) The club lounge doesn't have too much, some premium drinks.
3. Late check out (2pm is what I requested.)

I also checked in early though I wasn't sure if that has anything to do with being platinum. Another benefit I was told is discount on premium liquor. I did have a personal concierge who seems to be very knowledgeable about Marriott Bonvoy benefits. He helped us with scheduling of Covid tests, dinner reservations and late check out request etc. He was super helpful.

I would say overall we really enjoyed our stay. I also saw many negative reviews on Marriott's own website after it got converted to Autograph Collection. I'm not sure where those 1 star came from. e.g., one review said there is no AC in any of the restaurants which is not true.

santydrak

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santydrak

can you please share your experience?? thinking of PH for a January trip…

NYC2TLV

Has anyone stayed at the Royalton Antigua? Curious about how they treat Titanium elites etc.

ali7204

Has anyone stayed at Royalton Splash Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino? I am planning for 5 night stay in Feb with my 8 yrs old kid and spouse. They are charging $231 for extra person fee. I am ok with it but wondering if this can be negotiated OR say if we want a family room by paying up extra? On the same note, is there a way to contact the property via email/Twitter to inquire more about it?

thanks

Flamenguista

Has anyone seen any official statements on what to expect for status at these Royalton resorts. We have a stay booked for August at the Royalton Punta Cana, and I’m curious as to what to expect. I appreciate the review above, but am curious if others received the same benefits at different properties.

dealhunter999

Has any one stayed at Royalton Bavaro, Dominican Republic? I am Titanium elite and am wondering is anyone was able to upgrade. I am thinking of booking Junior suite(garden view) for 5 nights (using points) and use 5 Suite Night Awards to get upgarded to better suite (ocean or swim out)?
Also, does Titanium benefits allows access to Diamond club?

Flamenguista

I have a stay booked for August, so I can’t answer most of your questions. What I do know, is that we can’t apply SNAs to all-inclusives.

pitabread

Thank you for sharing your experience. Was the personal concierge dedicated to Bonvoy members or for all guests? Also, if you were to go again, would you book a Diamond Club room?