Excellence Punta Cana

Unlike some of the massive chains in Punta Cana, Excellence Resorts owns just a handful of exclusive all-inclusive properties in Mexico and the Caribbean. Excellence achieves a luxurious feel without the slightest bit of pretension. The elegant, open-air lobby is one of the few in Punta Cana with a view of the beach, so you get an immediate introduction to a slice of paradise and can smell the salty ocean as soon as the taxi door opens on arrival. At this point, you'll be welcomed with a glass of Champagne and a chilled towel. Excellence Club guests are escorted to a private lounge to complete registration paperwork at a desk.

Kids under 18 aren't allowed here, so the ambiance is quiet and relaxed. Wedding groups are popular (there are a few beautiful spots around the property for ceremonies). It’s not only honeymooners here and the partiers in celebration mode add some fun and liveliness to the resort. There's no need to claim sun loungers at the beach or two pools (there's a third private pool and dedicated beach area for Excellence Club guests) since the main pool runs the entire length of the resort, and the beach is spacious, allowing plenty of room for everyone. A multi-million-dollar renovation in 2017 gave the resort a fresh, contemporary look that’s both elegant and relaxed.

Overall, the architecture and landscaping are evocative of the Caribbean, with pastel colors, swaying palm trees, and manicured grounds. The resort's front entrance is home to a gorgeous park-like space with lush foliage and bird-viewing areas—the flamingos are worthy of a visit. Be aware that the casino was removed during the renovation, so you won’t be able to gamble on the property. However, daytime activities, live music, and evening shows provide plenty of entertainment.

For suites with ocean views and private whirlpools, check rates at Excellence El Carmen, the modern sister resort down the road.

Excellence Punta Cana is located on a huge, sandy stretch of Macao Beach. Technically, it's considered Higuey, an area that is generally called Punta Cana but is, in fact, just slightly north of it. Waves are bigger and stronger here, so weak swimmers should be wary—but they can at least enjoy endless miles of walking on the sand and the peaceful stretches of beach. Lifeguard stations are scattered along the sand, but they aren't always staffed.

The resort is about a 45-minute drive north of the Punta Cana International Airport. A taxi, shared transfer, or car rentals are available. The concierge staff can make arrangements for deluxe transportation service via limo or helicopter. Once at the resort, guests mostly stay put on the property. There's not much outside of the complex's gates, but organized excursions are available, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, zip-lining, and horseback riding.

Excellence Punta Cana rooms are spread across six different suite types housed in three-story pastel-colored buildings, and each unit is similarly decorated. The contemporary rooms have elegant, beachy decor consisting of wood paneling on accent walls, pendant lamps, and clean-lined powder blue sofas. Almost all units feature king-size beds, though a few rooms have two double beds. Stocked minibars have free beer, wine, liquor bottles, snacks, and espresso machines. Sparkling wine and fresh fruit are provided on arrival. Flat-screen TVs have a few English channels, and Wi-Fi is free. Electronic panels control room temperature and do-not-disturb signs. Jetted tubs are mostly placed near the beds, adding a romantic touch.

Marble bathrooms are large and have dual sinks, spacious showers with rainheads, generous toiletries, and separate toilets. Bathrobes and slippers are provided. All rooms have furnished terraces or balconies and either garden, mountain, or ocean views. There are also swim-up suites with private pool access.

Upgrading to the Excellence Club gets guests express check-in service, access to a VIP lounge, a private pool, a private section of the beach with chic sun loungers, and a private restaurant and bar. Additional in-room amenities such as fresh flowers upon arrival, upgraded room service menus, Bvlgari toiletries, and more expensive liquor bottles (Absolut vodka, Tanqueray gin, Ron Barcelo rum) are also provided.

Resort information, activities, and a weather report are provided in the daily newsletter, delivered each evening under the door or during evening turndown service in all rooms.

People who want a prime beach without the crowds can relax and enjoy the setting here or walk closer to Bavaro Beach for slightly calmer waves to swim in. Walkers will be in paradise—the beach continues for miles in either direction. Guests can lounge on comfy loungers under thatch umbrellas, and there are nearby bars for coconut cocktails and beer. Excellence Club guests have a dedicated section of the beach with plush daybeds and a private bar.

There are two pools for all guests and a private pool for Excellence Club guests (though we didn't see staff questioning anyone's credentials on our visit, and none of the pools were crowded enough for it to matter). The main pool runs almost the entire length of the resort and fronts the ocean. It also allows swim-up access from some suites and has a swim-up bar. This is where you'll find the animation team organizing games and blasting pop music—but there's ample space to get away from the party if you prefer. The second pool is in a garden setting and has an infinity waterfall edge. The third, Excellence Club pool, is shallow and has partially submerged sun loungers, plus ocean views.

In front of the resort, just past a row of retail cigar and clothing shops, sits the superb fitness center with modern TechnoGym cardio equipment, fresh towels, water bottles, a bowl of apples, and chlorophyll juice. The attached yoga studio has floor mats for stretching, as well as daily yoga and Pilates classes. There are also free activities like 30 minutes of horseback riding, tennis lessons, bike tours, Spanish lessons, and intro to SCUBA. Check out the newsletter delivered to rooms each day for the schedule. Nightly entertainment rotates weekly, so there should be a different show every night for seven days. Excursions can be booked for a fee.

Wi-Fi is free and fast throughout the property. Parking is free. There are dedicated spaces for meetings, events, and weddings, plus wedding and honeymoon packages are offered.

Excellence Punta Cana restaurants are part of the all-inclusive rate. Food and beverages are a highlight here, and all meals, snacks, and alcoholic drinks—even premium brands and lobster—are included in the rates. Since restaurant reservations are not necessary (except for teppanyaki tables at Spice), it’s easy to be flexible depending on the mood. Dining options are constantly evolving and include a range of gourmet and casual (mostly gourmet, given the crowd). Both al fresco and indoor air-conditioned seating can be had. Room service is available 24/7, and Excellence Club guests have a larger menu with more selections. Staff can arrange romantic private dining throughout the resort, with advance notice and for a fee.

- Kitchen Table is an impressive buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch. The quality is excellent, and the menu offers a wide variety of options, from Dominican favorites to a la minute options like omelets and carved roasts. There's also a huge selection of desserts, plus a self-serve Bloody Mary and Bellini bar.

• Agave serves Mexican and Tex-Mex fare for dinner, including seafood options. Tableside entertainment is a fun touch.
• Chez Isabelle mimics a French bistro, complete with a courtyard dining room—open for dinner.
• The Grill serves a la carte burgers, sandwiches, and salads in a thatch-roof palapa. The dinner menu upgrades to prime steaks and shrimp.The Lobster House is one of the most popular restaurants for breakfast and dinner because it serves a variety of seafood and lobster dishes. We especially enjoyed the surf and turf.Las Olas offers casual beachfront dining overlooking the waves, but just for lunch.Spice serves specialties from Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand and has teppanyaki tables for live cooking. Note that teppanyaki tables require a reservation.Sports Bar is the place for giant flat-screen TVs and pub fare. It's open from late afternoon to late evening.Oregano overlooks the main pool and serves a casually elegant spread of pizzas, pastas, and salads. This is also the spot for late-night dining, as it's open well after midnight.Magna Club is open for all three meals and has a courtyard with ocean views—but it's only accessible to Excellence Club guests.
• The Lobster House is one of the most popular restaurants for breakfast and dinner because it serves a variety of seafood and lobster dishes. We especially enjoyed the surf and turf.
• Las Olas offers casual beachfront dining overlooking the waves, but just for lunch.
• Spice serves specialties from Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand and has teppanyaki tables for live cooking. Note that teppanyaki tables require a reservation.
• Sports Bar is the place for giant flat-screen TVs and pub fare. It's open from late afternoon to late evening.
• Oregano overlooks the main pool and serves a casually elegant spread of pizzas, pastas, and salads. This is also the spot for late-night dining, as it's open well after midnight.
• Magna Club is open for all three meals and has a courtyard with ocean views—but it's only accessible to Excellence Club guests.
  
  Note that some restaurants enforce a dress code, such as long pants for men.

Excellence Punta Cana isn't a party resort by any means, but it does have a fun and lively vibe—and guests usually have a cocktail in hand. Premium alcohol doesn't cost extra, which is rare in Punta Cana. Popular drinks include hollowed-out fresh pineapples and coconuts with rum poured into them, offering that truly tropical vacation feel. There's a bar for just about any mood: a martini bar in the lobby, swim-up bars, beach bars, garden bars, and an air-conditioned sports bar with flat-screen TVs. Staff are polite, and there's rarely a wait for alcohol. We turned down the offer of a cocktail by the pool, and the server brought us a glass of Champagne with a fresh raspberry at the bottom, "just in case we changed our mind." None of the bars are open 24/7, but there are full liquor bottles in every room, and ice is available from room service. Don't forget about the fun disco with a DJ and late-night dancing. It's away from the main action of the resort, at the front of the property, so that sleeping guests aren't disturbed by reggaeton music.

The Excellence Punta Cana Dominican Republic's brand-name Miilé Spa is a retreat in itself, with two floors, several treatment rooms, a hair and nail salon, peaceful courtyard, and a special Bridal Suite. It also has a gorgeous partially open-air hydrotherapy circuit with a jetted pool, sauna, steam room, cold shower, and plunge pools. An adjacent terrace has heated loungers where staff serve chocolate-covered strawberries and Champagne to guests after treatments. The spa menu has a wide assortment of massages, facials, and wraps incorporating ingredients like algae and cacao. Treatments cost extra, but all guests can use the hydrotherapy circuit for free.