Not Worth the Price – Disappointing Experience
Our stay at the Royal Sonesta was underwhelming and did not justify the high cost. We booked an ocean-view balcony room, which offered a lovely direct view of the beach. However, the balcony itself was disappointingly small—too cramped to accommodate seating, making it essentially unusable. Additionally, while the ocean view was lovely, the sight of neglected, dirty rooftops below was an eyesore.
The hotel appeared understaffed. There was no beachside service, and poolside service was scarce, making it difficult to order food or drinks. The beachside bar was closed and under construction so there was constant noise. To make matters worse, a large conference was taking place during our stay, and the attendees dominated the hotel. Their scavenger hunt or group activity was disruptive making it hard for guests looking to relax by the pool or beach.
Dining at the on-site Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse was another disappointment. My chopped salad tasted more like coleslaw, and I had to send it back. Additionally, when we requested tap water, we were later surprised to find a $9 charge on our bill.
Overall, while the location and beach views were nice, the lack of service, disruptive atmosphere, and disappointing dining experience made this stay not worth the premium price. We would not choose to stay here again.