An Honest Review of Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa

Trying to decide if Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa is the right choice for your next Dominican Republic getaway? You’re in the perfect place. I’m holding nothing back in this honest 2026 review, covering everything from the Bayahibe beach and Preferred Club perks to the food, service, and daily activities.

If you’ve been dreaming of crystal-clear Caribbean water, a truly relaxing adults-only vacation, and high-quality restaurants, this resort might be exactly what you’re looking for. Keep reading for everything you need to know before you book.

Location and Getting There

Secrets La Romana is located on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic in Bayahibe.

The main thing to know it isn’t on the Atlantic Ocean like resorts in Punta Canta and gets way less (if any) Sargassum. This resort sits directly on the Caribbean Sea, which means the water is calmer, clearer, and much more turquoise than what you’ll find in Punta Cana.

Which Airport Should You Fly Into?

You have three main options, and your choice will definitely impact your “vacation mode” start time:

• La Romana International Airport (LRM): The closest option. It’s a quick 15–20 minute drive to the resort. While flights here can be limited (and more expensive), it gets you on the beach quicker.
• Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ): The most popular choice due to the high volume of flights. Expect a 50–60 minute drive via the Coral Highway. It’s a smooth, easy ride, but you’ll need to factor in the extra hour.
• Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ): About 1 hour and 15 minutes away. This is a great backup if you find a significantly cheaper flight or want to see the capital city.

Transportation Tips

Secrets does not offer transportation to the resort, so you will need to book transportation ahead of time.

I highly recommend booking a private transfer in advance instead of trying to negotiate with taxis at the airport. Transfers from Punta Cana typically cost around $50–$70, and it’s so nice having a driver waiting to take you straight to your resort after a long travel day.

We booked our transportation through Amstar, and I honestly can’t recommend them enough. They are one of the most reliable providers in the Dominican Republic, and their blue-flowered shirts are easy to spot at the airport. They have shuttles constantly running, so you aren’t standing around in the heat waiting for a ride.

Even though we booked a shared shuttle, it ended up being just me and my spouse both ways! While it’s not guaranteed, it seems to happen often since they have so many vehicles on the move. It felt like a private transfer for a fraction of the price.

The Rooms: Preferred Club vs. Standard

When booking your stay at Secrets La Romana, you’ll face the big question: Is the Preferred Club upgrade worth it? Since this property was previously a Hilton, many of the room layouts are similar, but there are a few extra perks included when being in the Preferred Club.

The Preferred Club

If you’re considering upgrading to the Preferred Club, you’re not just paying for a better room. You’re really paying for the added perks and convenience you feel across the entire resort. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Premium Room Locations: Preferred Club rooms are typically in better locations, often closer to the beach or offering swim-out access.
• Enhanced Room Amenities: You’ll get upgraded bath products, a robe and slippers, and a more premium mini-bar selection (including peanut M&M’s and Pringles).
• Exclusive Access: This is the biggest selling point. You’ll have access to the Preferred Club Lounge, which offers higher-end spirits and snacks that are changed three times throughout the day. You also get access to a private beach area and a dedicated pool just for Preferred guests. On top of that, there’s an additional restaurant available for breakfast and lunch on both the Secrets and Dreams side.
• Personalized Check-In: Instead of waiting in the main lobby, you’ll check in at the private lounge with a drink in hand. This was one of my favorite perks because we didn’t have to wait in line at all. They took our passports and handled everything while we relaxed with snacks and drinks. Another bonus is a slightly later checkout at 1 pm instead of 12 pm.
• Sunscreen and Aloe: At both the Preferred pool and beach areas, there’s complimentary Sun Bum sunscreen and aloe available. This ended up being such a nice perk. Since I don’t check a bag, I’m limited to 3 oz of sunscreen, which is never enough. Buying it at the resort can also get really expensive.

Standard Accommodations

Don’t feel like you’re “missing out” if you choose a standard room. Every guest still enjoys the all inclusive experience, which includes a fully stocked mini-bar refreshed daily with beer, soda, and water. Rooms also feature modern tropical décor, with most offering walk-in showers, private balconies or terraces, and king-sized beds for a comfortable, relaxing stay.

The Verdict: Should You Upgrade?

If you value sit-down meals over buffets and prefer top-shelf liquor, the Preferred Club is a total no-brainer. That said, if your itinerary is packed with excursions around Bayahibe or you won’t be spending much time at the resort, the standard rooms are probably the better option.

Secret’s Ocean View Room

We stayed in an Ocean View Preferred Club Room (shown below) and enjoyed our time there, but it didn’t feel as spacious or luxurious as some other resorts we’ve visited. That said, the location was incredible —literally steps from the infinity pool and the beach.

If we stayed again, we probably wouldn’t pay extra for an ocean view upgrade though. Being on the first floor meant that when we stepped out onto our patio, we were mostly looking at the pool and other guests rather than the beach.

The resort’s rooms only have two to three floors, so if you’re hoping for a sweeping ocean view from a higher vantage point, you won’t get that here.

Restaurants at Secrets La Romana

The big question when booking an all-inclusive resort is always: How is the food? If you’ve stayed at one before, you know it can be a total gamble. At Secrets La Romana, I walked away with a 6/10 ranking. It wasn’t terrible, but there is definitely room for improvement.

Breakfast: Buffet vs. Sit-Down Options

Unless you are a preferred member, you’re only option for breakfast is at the main buffet or you can grab a pastry or sandwich from the lobby cafe.

Caoba (The Main Buffet)

The Caoba Buffet is the standard option for all guests. It has an extensive spread featuring live omelet and pancake stations, fresh tropical fruits, and local favorites like mangú (mashed plantains) and fried cheese.

• The Highlight: The egg tostada was a standout for me, you can find this on one of there made to order stations
• The Downside: The service was frustrating. Because half the food is behind a glass partition, I once waited almost 10 minutes just for a staff member to return to a station so I could get a plantain.
• Verdict: Food was a bit hit-or-miss—the hash browns were soggy and the plantains were tough during my visit, however the tostada was delicious!

Mare (Preferred Club Only)

If you are a Preferred Club member, you have the luxury of skipping the buffet entirely for a much more relaxed, sit-down meal at Mare. The menu here is a solid mix of classic comfort food and local flavors, featuring everything from breakfast burritos and salmon bagels to traditional Dominican plates.

While I’d rank the food as “just okay”, nothing that was necessarily mind-blowing, its still a good option if buffets aren’t really your vibe.

Coastal Grill (The Dreams Side)

As a Secrets guest, you also have the added perk of walking over to the Dreams side to eat at Seaside Grill, which is available for Preferred Club members. I ordered the avocado toast and my spouse had the eggs benedict, and we both thought they were much better than the options we tried at Mare.

The only major downside here is the pace. The service was painfully slow, so if you decide to eat here, don’t expect a quick “in and out” before hitting the beach. It’s a great spot if you have the time to linger, but definitely not the place to go if you’re in a rush.

Lunch: Beyond the Buffet

If you don’t want to do the Caoba Buffet for lunch, you have a few great alternatives:

1. The Beachside Grill: Just a few steps down the beach on the Dreams side is the Beachside Grill. Their hours vary slightly depending on the day, but they are typically open from around 12:00 until either 3:00 or 4:00. They serve al pastor tacos, steak tacos, burgers, nachos (cheese or guacamole), and fries. I enjoyed the fries and nachos the most, but I found the steak tacos to be a little chewy but still a solid lunch spot to grab something quick and take back to your beach chair.
2. Hamburger Stand: They also set up a grill stand on the Secrets side each day right near the infinity pool from about 12:00 to 3:00. This stand serves hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken, and sausage dogs. You can also get these with a side of rice or vegetables. The line here can get a little long at times, and I found the main server running the grill to be pretty rude to most guests. The hamburger itself was okay, but I only ate here once because of the service.
3. Preferred Sit-Down Options: As a Preferred guest, you can choose between Mare or Coastal Grill (on the Dreams side). While I didn’t try the lunch at Mare, Coastal Grill is worth the trip for the views alone—it’s located right on the water and the scenery is incredible. I highly recommend the shrimp po’ boy and the catch of the day (Mahi Mahi). Also, do not skip the brownie with vanilla ice cream, it was easily the best dessert we had the entire trip. The service was slow, but the food and the view totally made up for it.

Bonus: On some days, you’ll find a fruit stand set up right beside the Beachside Grill, which is a nice refreshing snack. The beach bar also usually serves ice cream from 12–3 PM, which is a fun little treat to cool off in the afternoon.

Dinner: The Standouts & The Skips

There are five main restaurants at the resort, plus the exchange privileges at the neighboring Dreams Dominicus. Here was my experience:

Noor (Indo-Mediterranean)

If you only have time for one sit-down dinner, let it be Noor. This was easily my favorite restaurant of the entire trip. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed with an airy, outdoor feel that just screams “vacation.” Beyond the vibe, the service was some of the best we experienced; our server was genuinely friendly and attentive. Most importantly, the food was delicious. I highly recommend starting with the tabbouleh salad and definitely ordering the lamb chops. Both were seasoned perfectly and easily the best meal I had at the resort.

Sakura (Pan-Asian)

To be honest, Sakura was the biggest disappointment for me. I had high hopes, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype. We specifically reserved a spot at the sushi bar (keep in mind that reservations are limited each night), but the experience was underwhelming. The sushi rolls were lackluster; the rice felt slightly dry and the salmon in one of our rolls was noticeably overcooked.

While they also offer a hibachi experience and a standard walk-in dining room, we didn’t try those, so I can’t speak to the quality there. However, if you’re a sushi lover, I’d suggest skipping the bar and trying one of the other restaurants instead.

Chinola (Latin American)

For a unique dining experience, head over to Chinola. This spot is located right on the beach—literally. Some of the tables are set directly in the sand, which makes for a fantastic atmosphere. The dining style here is different from the other à la carte spots because they start you off with a sampler of various dips and breads, followed by a main course platter that includes several types of meat and vegetables.

You can also add on specific appetizers or stews if you’re still hungry. We went on a Thursday and were treated to live music and dancing, which made the whole night feel like a party. It’s a very laid-back, fun spot that captures the spirit of the Dominican Republic perfectly.

Mare (Seafood/Grill)

If you are a Preferred Club guest, you’ll likely get to know Mare pretty well, as it serves as the exclusive breakfast and lunch spot for that tier. In the evenings, however, it opens up to all guests as a dedicated seafood and grill restaurant. We personally didn’t make it here for lunch or dinner during our stay, so I can’t give you the scoop on the seafood quality. However, it’s definitely a popular choice for those wanting to get there seafood fix.

Bars/Drinks

You’re never more than a few steps away from a good drink at Secrets La Romana. The resort has bars scattered everywhere you’d want them, from the main Lobby Bar and the exclusive Preferred Club lounge to the swim-up bars in both pools. I found that the Lobby and Preferred bars usually stick to a more classic cocktail menu, while the beach and pool bars lean into those tropical, frozen vacation drinks. That said, don’t feel restricted by what you see on the menu; the bartenders are generally happy to make whatever you’re in the mood for as long as they have the ingredients on hand.

As for the quality, the drinks were pretty good overall. Though I found the strength definitely varied depending on what you ordered. In my experience, the margaritas tended to be much stronger than the frozen drinks, which can sometimes feel a bit more like juice. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classics like a Pina Colada or a Miami Vice, but I highly recommend trying a Coco Loco. It ended up being my favorite drink of the entire trip!

The Beach: Crystal Clear Caribbean Water

The beach is arguably the most important part of an all-inclusive stay, aside from the food. I’m happy to report that the beach at Secrets La Romana was a true highlight. Thanks to its location on the Caribbean side of the island, the water is incredibly clear with minimal seaweed. By midday, the ocean turns a stunning shade of blue that you’ll want to stare at all afternoon.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding the layout. If you’re looking for a massive, wide-open sandy area to walk for miles, you might find the adults-only side a bit small. The area near the cabanas is actually quite rocky, so you’ll need to walk down a bit to find the sandy entry point into the water.

That said, the swimmable area of the ocean is surprisingly large and it never felt crowded, even during the busier parts of the day. If you do find yourself wanting a wider stretch of sand, you can always wander over to the Dreams side. The beach area there is larger (still small compared to other beaches), though it tends to feel much more crowded since it caters to families.

The Pool Scene

If you prefer the pool to the salt water, Secrets offers two large infinity pools right along the beach—one with a swim-up bar and one without. I was surprised to find that these pools were never really crowded during my visit. At times, there were only a handful of people in them as most guests seemed to gravitate toward the ocean. The pools have a great view of the water and usually have music playing to keep the vibe lively. I visited in March and found the water to be a pretty comfortable temperature.

For those staying in the Preferred Club, there is also a private pool located closer to the lobby. It seems to offer a much quieter experience if you’re looking for a relaxing escape away from the main action.

The “Chair Game”

Regardless of where you choose to lounge, you’ll unfortunately want to be strategic about your seats. During my stay, people were up at sunrise reserving spots with towels. Most of the shaded areas were already claimed by 9:00 AM. There is a dedicated section for Preferred guests that is roped off and easy to spot. However, the “chair game” is very real here too. This wasn’t just at the beach—I also saw people reserving spots at the pool.

One thing I appreciated was seeing staff remove towels from chairs that had no personal items on two separate days. This helped a bit with the chair hoarding. I also noticed that around 3:00 PM, many people left the beach for the day, freeing up more chairs.

Bonus: The Preferred beach and pool areas provide Sun Bum sunscreen and aloe for guests. I recommend bringing a small bottle and refilling it from this area so you don’t have to keep walking to the stand every time you want to reapply.

Activities & Entertainment

If you’re the type of traveler who needs a break from the lounge chair, you’ll be happy to know the resort keeps a packed schedule. There are plenty of activities offered throughout the day. There are activities happening almost every hour, so there is always something to jump into if you’re feeling energetic. During the day, you can find everything from beach volleyball and aqua Zumba to painting and dance classes.

The energy continues into the evening with live music typically playing in the lobby and occasionally at the sports bar. They also host a variety of nightly performances, ranging from magic shows to cultural showcases. Most of these kick off around 9:30 PM, which is perfect if you enjoy a late dinner followed by a show. I didn’t personally attend the nightly performances. They’re still a great option if you want to keep the evening going after dinner.

Aqua Sports

A major perk of staying at this resort is the access to a variety of non-motorized water sports included in your stay. They offer single and tandem kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, and Hobie Cats. It’s best to reserve these in advance to guarantee a slot. That said, it’s always worth stopping by the hut, as unclaimed equipment is often available to take out right away.

I personally went out on a kayak twice and tried the pedal boat, both of which were a highlight of the trip. The water is incredibly clear. Being out on the waves also gives you a beautiful, unique perspective of the entire resort coastline. Just a small tip: the current can make it much easier to head out than it is to paddle back, so keep an eye on your distance!

If you want to explore below the surface, they also provide snorkeling masks. Note that these require a $20 deposit per mask, which is fully refunded once you return the equipment. While we only spotted a few small fish during our time in the water, other guests frequently mentioned seeing sea turtles swimming near the pier.

The Waterpark

Just outside the Dreams Lobby sits Splash Oasis, the resort’s signature waterpark. As with the restaurants, guests have full access to all amenities on the Dreams side. While the park is clearly designed with families in mind—featuring a splash pad for toddlers and shallow pools—you’ll also find a relaxing lazy river and four impressive waterslides.

We recommend heading there right when they open at 10:00 AM; we managed several trips down the slides and a few laps around the river before the midday crowds arrived. Even as an adult, I found the waterslides and lazy river to be a total blast. It’s definitely worth checking out, even if you aren’t traveling with kids!

Is Secrets La Romana Right for You?

Secrets La Romana strikes a great balance between a chill beach vacation with options to stay active if you chose. If you value clear water, inclusive activities, and a structured entertainment schedule, it’s a fantastic choice in the Dominican Republic. However, if you are looking for a high-energy party or club scene, this may not be the resort for you. During my visit, the atmosphere leaned toward a slightly more mature crowd that prioritizes relaxation and low-key social hours over a late-night party environment.

Overall, I absolutely loved my time at this Secrets Resorts! The grounds were stunning, the beach was exactly what I hoped for, and the water sports were the perfect cherry on top. If I you have any questions before booking, leave a comment below or send me a message!