Excellence Punta Cana, Punta Cana

It's almost a month now returning from our honeymoon on a 7 day stay at The Excellence of Punta Cana.. I must say from all the places I've visited, I was just in awed with this Resort. From the moment you check in, you were given a glass of Champagne. For a little extra, we upgraded to the Exclusive Club members and I don't regret it one bit. We were pampered hands on foot.. I'm an early bird, so while the hunny was sleeping in, I was up early morning absorbing this beautiful resort and taking pictures of the everything.. I secured my cabana at the beach for the day and had a great time everyday.. The beach was absolutely beautiful. Seaweeds and depris were cleaned up everyday from the hotel staff. Security was present at all times under the lifeguard house. There's a presence of just peace and tranquility. The hotel staff were so amazing and always catered to your every whim without hesitation.. No matter where we were situated at the resort, we spoiled rotten. The shows were awesome, the food was great and an abundant. (Our favs were the French/Japanese restaurants) Room service was on point especially at night when we wanted some fruit. Our rooms were groomed twice a day. Our premier liquors and refrig was stocked to the gills.. The last day there, I treated my husband to a "El Mar Cocoon Ritual" which is an 100 min exfoliation full body and facial massage and we were in heaven.. Really there's nothing to complain about this place.. It was truly an incredible stay here. Looking forward in returning.. hopefully Jan 2013.. :) Enjoy

We stayed 7 days. We were really impressed with the grounds as it felt as if the hotel was built around the landscape which was beautiful and well kept. The Dominican's were so friendly and helpful. Our room was on the ground floor and we had a garden view with a hammock outside. We had a room at the end of the complex that was so quiet that our only complaint was the cricket that was louder than a US cricket! The pools were clean and well maintained with servers coming out to take orders all day and asking if there was anything that we needed which was wonderful! The beach and ocean was pristine and clear and the hotel did a great job daily cleaning it, as well. There were also servers coming out regularly to ask if we needed anything all day too. We went horseback riding which was included for 1/2 hour and was great for beginners and we were able to purchase a photo afterwards. A few feet away from our complex were a group of small stores selling local items, clothing, cigars, etc. which was convenient. Again, the security at the compound ensured our safety by keeping an eye out for us. We also got a chance to go snorkeling which was basic and fun with the guys there making sure all of us had a chance to see some of the aquatic life just off the complex beach. My husband had a chance to sign up for the cigar tasting and that was basic, informative and fun as we got a chance to sample some "Cubans"! They also informed us of a lot of vendors selling fake cigars made out of banana leaves instead of tobacco. The gym was state of the art and some of the activities like archery and the gun range needed some updating with working equipment. Lastly, the restaurants were good with no waiting or having to make reservations. The employees in all the restaurants were mostly friendly and accommodating and always asked if we needed anything. The buffets had everything and did include a lot of the local foods which was good to try. The casino was small with a few slots and 4 to 5 table games. Some of the shows were really incredible. One of the nights was devoted to newlyweds and was very funny to watch. Again, the servers were always coming out asking for drink orders. We rarely had to get up to get our own drinks! The outdoor theatre was huge but lacked any air circulation most nights so it was extremely hot and humid under there. Finally, there was no real tipping policy for servers. I've stayed at other places (sandals & beaches) where you couldn't tip because the servers were not allowed to take your money. Sometimes I felt guilty because I would forget money and other times the servers would be very grateful for a tip, but either way, it never affected the service whether we tipped or not. We had a wonderful, rather relaxing stress free week in a beautiful country. We would definitely stay at another Excellence location if given the chance.

It includes so many activities such as Kayak, snorkeling, horseback riding, tennis, basketball, and so many more... Great food - Lunch buffet is great. The French restaurant is the best choice for dinner.

(Note: I'm writing this review almost a year and a half after our trip, because today I read an article entitled "Top 10 All-Inclusive Beach Resorts," in which Excellence Punta Cana was included. I was surprised, given my experience at this resort, that it would be listed among the top 10 AI's in the world. So I decided to post my story today as a caution to anyone seeking reviews of this resort.) Overall, Excellence Punta Cana is a beautiful resort. But the poor customer service we got when faced with a horrendous situation completely ruined our opinion of this place. When checking in, front desk staff convinced us to pay several hundred extra dollars for an "upgrade." Unfortunately, that upgraded room was disastrous. One night after dinner, we returned to our room to find RAW SEWAGE had backed up into the tub, shower, and across the bathroom floor. As disgusting as it was, I understand that these things can happen, so I didn't freak out or become angry about the mess itself. What I did not understand was the response from Excellence. Sure, they found us another room, but we missed out on that evening's entertainment while dealing with this mess. And in our haste to pack our things and get out of that smelly, disgusting room, we left our videocamera in a drawer. That was our loss, as the videocamera was not reported as found. Furthermore, we requested partial reimbursement for the money we paid for the "upgrade," but our request was declined by the manager. We got absolutely nothing in compensation for what we went through. I realize our situation was rare, and most people who come here would love it. The pools are great, rooms are beautiful, food is on the upper scale for all-inclusives. Just don't expect much if you have a serious issue with your room. Lastly, don't book an early morning flight for home. Our flight was at 7 am, and we found out we had to be at the Punta Cana Airport three hours ahead of time. Because of the long route the shuttle van takes, we had to get picked up by the van at TWO THIRTY IN THE MORNING!! I wouldn't have booked such an early flight if I had known those things.

I was a little apprehensive after reading some of the negative reviews...I can honestly say I don't know where those folks stayed. Excellence was truly EXCELLENT...even before we arrived! Prior to our trip, I sent an email to request accommodations near the couple we travel with and away from the noisy areas (disco, etc). We booked through Expedia and arranged our ground transportation ahead of arrival (highly recommended). Upon disembarking the plane and clearing customs, a Blue Transport agent met us, took our bags and led us to our air conditioned van. The trip from the airport to the resort is about an hour so be prepared. Upon arrival, champagne and cool towels were given to us. The bellhop took our bags away and we were escorted to the front desk. Robert, the hotel public relations manager, greeted us and told us to see him if anything was not excellent. He checked with us at least two other times during our 6 night stay. He ensured our request to be lodged near each other was already taken care of and we were placed in Bldg 11 adjacent to the Excellence Club (away from the noisier areas). From all accounts, no need to pay $500 for the Excellence Club upgrade. Our room, 11102, ocean view junior suite, was beautiful. The resort is an older property but everything was immaculate and worked perfectly. I’m retired military and was a Basic Training Commander… I know and like clean and orderly. Special thanks to Rosa, our housekeeper, who kept our room in A-1 condition. We gave her a gift and a nice tip before we left. Now for the food…there are 8 major choices plus beachside grill and the Lobster House. Breakfast buffet was much like a cruise ship on steroids with cooked to order omelets, fruits, pancakes, waffles, smoothies, etc. Only complaint –the bacon was a little undercooked for my taste. Simply take it to the omelet station and they’ll gladly cook it a little crispier. Spice (Asian fare) and Agave (Mexican fare) were the two best spots in the evening and the Grill serves a nice steak if you don’t want to dress up in the evening. During the day, the drink of the day is handed to you pool or beachside…try the Coco Loco in the coconut shell….don’t fall off of your float though. The staff…everyone we met was super-friendly and willing to do anything to make your stay great. There is at time some language barrier issues but they try really hard to please. Of particular note, Rosemary (hostess), was simply charming. Maury and Yossie were the most attentive waitresses. Darlenye and Vincent were outstanding concierges especially in light of the Hurricane Irene threat near the end of our stay. We were able to use their computers, cell phones, etc. to get word home and check our return flights. Both went above and beyond to ensure we made contact. Finally, Luis at the front desk is the man. All of these individuals represented the Excellence brand with aplomb. We wanted to rest and relax…and that’s what we did. We had the best massages of our lives at Miele Spa. Antonia has the golden touch! If you’re looking for nightlife, action, etc. this is probably not a good choice for you. If you have a hectic job/lifestyle and need to escape, I can’t think of anywhere better. We’re world travelers and cruisers too. We always seek luxury/ first class accommodations and service. Last year we stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Excellence Punta Cana beat their service hands down. They’ve raised the bar. Other tips: Brookstone personal fans and Off clip on repellent fans aid immensely with mosquito control and staying cool during the evening shows if you visit in the summer. Shop at Nancy’s on the beach versus the resort shops.

Pros: awesome view, nice swimming pools, great drinks, nice rooms too Cons: room service takes at least 1 hour to get your food. breakfast one morning took almost 2 hours, by the time we got it, it was disgusting the restaurants there are not great. the atmosphere is pretty along with the themes. the food was always overcooked or just not tasty. the only good meal we had was at the french restaurant and even there the dessert was pretty bad. my biggest complaint with the place was the dress code and the fact that you can't get any snack foods. it is okay to have one or two restaurants that require a dress code but it was pretty annoying to have to go back to the room to change just to eat lunch, when you are on vacation, you just don't feel like doing that. also, not everyone wants to eat a massive lunch or dinner all the time. there should be a place open 24/7 of snack foods. i know the sports bar served ice cream but that wasn't always open. i found myself many times searching for a place to eat. another big complaint was the inconsistency. in our rooms there were big books provided for what times the restaurants opened and they never matched up. i would go down to the lobster house, which was said to be open, and it would be closed. very frustrating i definitely would not go back

I can identify with just about everything everyone has written below, both positive and negative. As my wife and I came to find, a big part of the experience will depend upon the other guests. Depending upon when people come and go, you may be dealing with civilized considerate vacationers, and at other times, rowdy co-eds and postgraduates or beer-bellied degenerates, who think dressing up for dinner is putting on a pair of Dockers with sneakers. The breakfast buffet is very good, but lunch and dinner not so much. The only decent restaurant for dinner is the French restaurant, but the service can be slow. Avoid the Lobster House like the plague, it is just awful, and the Italian place serves the equivalent of Campbells tomato soup and calls it spaghetti sauce (yuck!). The maids didn't come around until late in the afternoon/early evening on a couple of occasions, which was really annoying after a day on the beach. Wi-Fi is lousy, too. On the plus side, the drinks are great and most of the staff (the English speaking staff) are great. The pool and grounds are beautiful, but don't stray off the resort. Once you leave the "official beach area" of the resort, the beach is nasty and the vendors are extremely aggressive. I'd give it a 7 out of 10.

This is by far the most beautiful place that you could ever ask to go. I went there on my honeymoon and I highly recommend it. Everything you need is right there on the resort and you only have to leave to go on your excursions. The people are some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life! The guys at the dive shop especally stand out, I made lots of great friends there. At the dive shop, Alex, Juan, Francis and Friendly at the Rancho El Differente will all be life long friends. The food there was wonderful and the people were truely excellent. Everything about the resport was everything I could have asked for. I have dreamed about the Island ever since my first night back in the States. We also made lots of friends with people that were also staying at the resort from the UK and the States! The beaches and the water looked as if they were straight from a post card and the ladscape was beautiful too with the mountains in the distance. It was neat that they had Flammingos and Parots on the property that you could feed bread to. You were also able to hold the parots which was a cool experience. They had a lot of activities on the resort so that you wouldn't have to leave if you didn't want to. I would highly recommed this resort and location to everyone. I will be returning there just as soon as I can and will continue to return as much as I can for the rest of my life! Just can't say enough good things about this place in paradise!

I just returned from a 6 day stay. The service was great. We didn't have to wait long at any of the restaurants (we had dinner early around 6:30 to avoid crowds). The food was good, but I heard not to try the lobster house. The entertainment crew was really friendly (look for cesar, grecia, and amaury). The ocean is a bit rough, but if you go to where the resort ends (by the beach shops), the water is calmer and clearer. You will need to travel about an hour to/from hotel and all of the excursions, but if you plan to just chill at the beach that wont be a problem. I wanted to buy gifts for friends and right outside the hotel, on the beach, there are a few little shops(nothing else nearby) where you can buy typical souveniers for the cheapest price. Expect to pay a $10 fee when you enter the country. My only issues were that I was expecting caribbean blue water, but the hotel is on the atlantic side and I thought there would be a younger crowd but almost all of the guests were married couples, but no concerns with the hotel. I would go back in a heartbeat! You'll have a great time here!

My boyfriend and I went for our first resort vacation and I would recommend Excellence to anyone. Right on the beach and you don't need transportation to get anywhere on the resort. Very clean. Great service. Most of the food was great, some was good, but not amazing. The only downfall was that you need to travel about an hour for most excursions and its about an hour to the airport. You really don't need to leave for any other reason but excursions. They have everything, anytime you need it. I recommend the romantic dinner on the beach and the Mexican restaurant, Agave. Great value. I would go back in a heartbeat. Very romantic, so best for couples over groups of friends.