Which extra cost area of Royal Caribbean's private island is a better choice: Hideaway Beach or the Coco Beach Club?
When you visit Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay, you could spend extra money to access certain areas of the island that offer a premium experience.
Royal Caribbean wants to offer something for everyone, so it's expanded CocoCay over the years with an elevated experience and an adults-only area.
Hideaway Beach is the newest expansion, and it offers a kid-free alternative to the rest of the family-focus elsewhere. Or you could head to the Coco Beach Club, which is a reduced capacity and better amenities enclave.
Each has a cover charge to access it, which brings up the question of which one is a better buy.
Hideaway Beach overview
Only guests 18 years old or older are allowed into Hideaway Beach, and it's intended to be an escape for any adult that wants a break from kids.
You'll find a large temperature-controlled freshwater pool, semi-circle beach, reserved cabana area, and various complimentary food choices.
Royal Caribbean designed this area to infuse a pool party vibe along with the fact there aren't kids. They wanted there to be a lot of energy and a place adults could have their own fun in the sun.
You'll find a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, catering to adults seeking a lively beach party environment. There are five bars, which is the the largest concentration of bars on the island.
The top highlights of Hideaway Beach include:
- Private beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas
- Heated infinity-edge pool with in-water seating
- Multiple bars, including a swim-up bar
- Dining options like Hideaway Hut and Slice of Paradise offering casual food choices
- Sports bar with multiple televisions to watch, and a live band that performs
- Two different types of cabanas
The primary appeal of Hideaway Beach is the no kids feature. Everything else is secondary to that. You can have a drink in hand, listen to live music, and have incredible views.
Hideaway Beach also has a fairly large capacity about 1,500 - 2,000 guests.
Coco Beach Club overview
The idea behind the Coco Beach Club is to offer an exclusive, upscale retreat that limits the amount of guests that can buy a pass here. Think velvet rope meets beach day.
This high end experience allows guests of all ages in, including children, and it offers a freshwater infinity pool, large beach area with plush loungers, cabanas to rent, and a sit down complimentary restaurant.
The overarching concept at the Coco Beach Club is luxury of being on the beach.
Highlights of Coco Beach Club include:
- Private beach with complimentary premium lounge chairs and umbrellas
- Infinity pool with in-water loungers
- Complimentary upscale dining at the Coco Beach Club restaurant, featuring dishes like lobster and steak.
- Two different types of cabanas
When you spend the day at Coco Beach Club, you can expect a serene day that is less crowded than the rest of the island while also a bit more luxurious. It's ideal for guests seeking a tranquil and refined beach experience.
Differences between Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club
Before you can choose one over the other, you'll need to know the key differences between each area.
Age Restrictions
Hideaway Beach is exclusively for guests aged 18 and over.
Because there are no kids allowed here, you'll need to figure out plans for what to do with your children otherwise.
Coco Beach Club welcomes guests of all ages, including kids.
Ambiance
At Hideaway Beach, it's meant to be a party-like atmosphere. Think Las Vegas pool party vibes, DJ dancing, drinks, grab and go food options.
Hideaway Beach is perfect for couples, friends traveling together, maybe a bachelor/bachelorette party.
Coco Beach Club is a lot more relaxed, focusing on tranquility and luxury.
Amenities and Services
Both areas have cabanas you can rent, and each has an impressive top tier cabana choice.
The Hideout Cabanas at Hideaway Beach have a heated plunge pool at the front of each cabana to give you that ultimate VIP feeling.
These cabanas are also set further back from the pool and party area, meaning you can enjoy your own party.
At Coco Beach Club, the Overwater Cabanas are truly impressive for how large they are and their sense of exclusivity since they are accessible only by walking across a pontoon bridge.
Each Overwater Cabana has a private slide into the ocean, overwater hammocks, and even a shower.
You'll find food included at both clubs, but Hideaway Beach's options are far more casual. Pizza, fried shrimp, burgers and mozzarella sticks are the type of food you can get here.
At the Coco Beach Club, there's only one dining venue, but it's some of the best food Royal Caribbean serves. Filet mignon, lobster, peeled shrimp and all served to you tableside.
Both clubs have a temperature controlled heated pool.
Pricing
You'll need to pay extra to access either area, and pricing will vary depending on your sail date.
Both clubs offer a day pass admission cost, or a cabana rental that includes admission.
The Hideaway Beach entry fee will almost always be less than what you see at Coco Beach Club.
Typical Hideaway Beach day passes run between $48 - $97 per person.
You can expect to find the price of a Coco Beach Club pass to be between $98 - $250 per person.
How to choose between Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club
Depending on your priorities and whom you're traveling with, the choice of which pass to buy can lean in one direction or another.
If you want an adults-only day, then the choice is Hideaway Beach. Royal Caribbean added it because of overwhelming requests from its customers for this kind of an offering.
Plus, Hideaway Beach is going to be a lot cheaper than the Coco Beach Club.
- Coco Beach Club
- All Ages
- Luxury
- 1 Upscale Restaurant
- 1 Bar
- Private Cabanas
- Hideaway Beach
- Adults-Only
- Pool Party Experience
- 2 Casual Food Spots
- 5 Bars
- Private Cabanas
Whether you're on a budget or simply want to spend less, day passes and cabanas usually cost significantly less at Hideaway. Even the cabanas are going to be likely half the cost of a Coco Beach Club cabana.
The reason to choose Coco Beach Club is if you're someone that prioritizes having a relaxed atmosphere and without crowds. Plus, you're looking for the finer things during your beach day.
Families or mixed-age groups may prefer Coco Beach Club simply because they can't go to Hideaway Beach together.
One other consideration between the two is if you're in the market for a cabana rental.
The Overwater Cabanas are even better than they look, and there's simply nothing like them elsewhere. Plus, they're way more private and quiet than the Hideout Cabanas.
On the other hand, the Hideout Cabanas have their own plunge pool. If you prefer pool over ocean, this is a great choice.
Ultimately, your budget and who you're traveling with will likely point you in one direction or another.
If you take the cost out of the equation, the party atmosphere of Hideaway Beach vs the chill vibe of Coco Beach Club may be a reason to choose one or the other.
However, it's hard to ignore the price difference. More often than not, a day pass at Coco Beach Club is going to cost a lot more. You could knock down either price with a well-timed Royal Caribbean sale before the cruise begins.
No matter which one you choose, be sure to book admission before the cruise begins. It's common for both areas to sell out, especially the cabanas.
I'd recommend booking a day pass or cabana at least three months before your cruise begins to avoid the risk of it selling out.
