Involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics and in the activation of ester and amide prodrugs. Hydrolyzes retinyl esters (PubMed:12230550). a carboxylic ester + H2O = a carboxylate + an alcohol + H(+) all-trans-retinyl hexadecanoate + H2O = all-trans-retinol + H(+) + hexadecanoate kcat is 0.19 min(-1) with retinyl palmitate as substrate. Expressed in liver. Belongs to the type-B carboxylesterase/lipase family.