My impression of an all inclusive holiday is that it certainly becomes what you make of it.

We stayed Jan 28-Feb3. One Couple. 26yrs old. From North Bay, Ontario.
The rooms were clean, the staff courteous, personable and fun. The beach was nice and the pool is right at the edge of the sand for the best of both worlds. They expanded the Sushi restaurant's menu and it was excellent. Just don't be an idiot - if one restaurant is busy go to another, you don't have to make reservations so hit up all 3 in one night if you want. We did!

You know when you book that the airport is 2 hours away, so enjoy the beverages they give you, listen to the tour guide and enjoy your ride. You can complain, or consider it a free excursion - it's up to you.

The staff are doing their very best to communicate, accomodate and serve - if you want English only, go to Orlando. Otherwise pick up a library book and learn how to say 'Dos capuchino por favor'.

And what a beautiful place to relax. They change the linens on the cabaña beds throughout the day, the decor is modern and interesting, and I saw them clean that pool every morning and night. It is so nice, Miss Panama even graced our presence during our stay.

There is no doubt this is a smaller resort so you get to know people quickly, the entertainment is often misguided and therefore hilarious in it's own way, and it may be missing some of the novelty of a larger resort. But I piggy-backed off the snorkelling and parasailing activities at the next door Playa Blanca making this one have exactly what we were after. They also serve you drinks on your lounger on the beach so you don't have to get up. BAM!

Finally, a couple tips.
Panama provides tourists with 30days of free travel insurance, so don't let an agent sell you their non-refundable packages. Very sneaky, flighcentre.

Call an agent and ask about the package deals. We spent a few days here at the Royalton and then switched to the Riu in Panama City, which added a lot to our experience! There are similar packages with the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

I would go back to Panama in a heartbeat, and would be pleased to return here for a couple of days en route.

The resort grounds and units are lovely. However, the staff know very little english which makes communicating more difficult.
The biggest drawback to this resort is that is is 2 hours from the airport and Panama City with very little in between. There is no small town or community to go to so if you like to stay at a resort and go nowhere, this is the place to go.
For an all-inclusive, it was surprising that certain drinks were not included e.g. black russian or corona beer. The food was rather limiting. You can either go to the buffet for bland food or choose amongst 5-6 choices from the pool restaurant.
The beach is hard sand and the ocean was often dirty in November with a strong undertow which is not suitable for young children. The local Panamians drive up and down the beach on their days off which is noisy and detracts from trying to relax on the beach.
In November it rained heavily almost every day. The best times to visit are from Jan-April but the jellyfish are present in the ocean from Jan-March.
There are plans to build an airport in 2-3 years which will be 10 minutes away from most resorts. I wouldn't return until the new airport is completed if at all.

Recently Traveled to the Royalton Panama All Suites, Bus ride was a bit long which we were aware of that, check in was fast considering they were dealing with 2 entire buses filled with people.
Weather was perfect everyday sun shine with a bit of clouds.
We were very worried prior to arrival to the resort after reading the lies on here, yes the pool was a bit cloudy but the temperature is 30 + degrees with people getting in and out of the pool with sun screen, what do expect!! The staff was cleaning it regularly and you could smell the chlorine so what ever make the best of it !
Food was good with enough selection to keep us more than happy all week, drinks were good and the bartenders kept them coming lol.
Rooms were clean, beds were comfy best sleep i have ever had at resort, no bugs yes there were geckos out side on the wall but never once found one in our room.
Staff were all very pleasant and trying to make everyone happy. If your expecting non stop entertainment and someone to answer to your every beck and call then stay home!
We traveled with another couple to the resort and had a great relaxing time.
Room service was a bit slow but still tasted good and was hot when it arrived, how many resorts include free room service?
Don't believe half the bad reviews on here this place was great and we will defiantly return, Beautiful resort, beautiful weather a place defiantly worth traveling if you just want some R&R.
Do Not Believe Half of what you read in those bad reviews because this was our best all inclusive trip!!

I'm not giving the hotel a very good rating because I went there with a coupon and people who actually paid full price might have a different perception.

I came here with my girlfriend and a group of friends using a coupon, so my value perspective might be slightly biased, but will separate my experience in 1- Overall hotel/food and 2-front desk and services staff.

The food and drinks are about what every all inclusive hotel in Farallon (with the exception of Bristol) has to offer, the luxury wasn't as luxurious, but my perception (GOOD FOR FOOD AND DRINKS) is that I have nothing to complain, as food in the buffet was always warm and there (some hotels are shady on the all inclusive policy, this is NOT one of those -all inclusive as long as it last- hotels).

The hotel and installations: former Nikki beach, was probably planned at first as a time shared, as the rooms have kitchen (which makes no sense with the all inclusive policy). Now however, my impression (GOOD FOR INSTALLATIONS) is that rooms are very big (King bedroom, living and dining room, kitchen, balcony), although details might not be as good taken care as in a hotel (a/c control located outside the bedroom, etc).

The staff however is a miss here, is not that they're rude or anything, actually they try to help, but they're very very inexperienced. My perception is that the general managed did all contracts but no training, hence all are doing things just as they can (so for example you'll have to ask about 5 staff members for pool towels until someone finally tells you they don't have and you have to use the bedrooms one, or someone will park your car upon entry but they'll simply give you back your keys when you check out, so you'll spend some time looking for it at the parking)