Resort Review- Excellence Playa Mujeres
A year after COVID-19 started, I was itching to get away with just my husband. We needed a break from the kids, the house, and commitments. This was before I got into travel advisor business, so I went on a deep dive search for a great all-inclusive resort to get away to and relax. One resort kept popping up, over and over, Excellence Playa Mujeres. Located near Cancun it was listed on many top resorts lists in Mexico. I also read several reviews of people who just kept coming back to this place over and over again. I thought to myself, well if people keep coming back, it must be great. Then I looked into pricing and was SURPRISED at how affordable it was. So we booked it!
Hotel: I gotta say, the Resort was absolutely stunning! It had this classy elegance that really caught my eye. As soon as I stepped into the main lobby, I was blown away by the grand staircase leading down to the Martini Bar. It was picture-perfect! And let's not forget about the beautiful greenery that adorned the entire outdoor area.
Transportation: We took advantage of the included Seasons transfer to the Resort. It was a straightforward van on the way there, nothing fancy. However, on our way back to the airport, they upgraded us to an SUV. Having a private transfer was definitely a plus, no sharing with strangers!
Pool: The main pool area was fantastic. It had a swim-up bar and there was always something happening around there. Plus, there were several other pools scattered around the property. Some were exclusive to the Excellence Club, while others were open to everyone. These other pools were perfect if you wanted a more peaceful and relaxing swim. If you wanted to secure a spot around the main pool, though, you had to get there early and claim your chairs.
Beach: The beach was nice, but I have to admit, if I hadn't been in the Excellence Club, I probably wouldn't have spent as much time there. The Excellence Club area had these amazing Bali Beds that were just awesome. To get one, you had to wake up early and snag it in the morning or swing by in the afternoon once people had left. I absolutely loved lounging on the beach in those beds. So comfortable!
Room: We decided to go all out and booked the Excellence Club Level Two-Story Rooftop Terrace Suite Ocean Front. And let me tell you, we were beyond impressed with our room! The main floor had everything we needed - a spacious walk-in closet, a bathroom with a shower, a comfy bed, a cozy living area, a convenient desk space, and to top it off, a jacuzzi tub with a view of the property. Oh, and did I mention the furnished balcony? It was a fantastic spot to unwind. But wait, there's more! We had a set of stairs leading up to our very own rooftop terrace. It was like a dream come true. We had a lounge bed, a plunge pool, an outdoor shower, and additional seating. I can't even describe how amazing it was!
Spa: Wow, the spa completely blew us away! As guests of the Excellence Club Suite, we were treated to a complimentary Aqua Hydrotherapy Session at the spa. I had never experienced anything like it before, and let me tell you, it was absolutely AMAZING. They had all these hot and cold therapies in the water and out. I won't give too much away, but trust me, it was incredible! Even if you didn't book the Excellence Club, you still received a Hydrotherapy Session with each spa service you purchased.
Food: The food at the resort was really good. They served smaller portions, but since it was all inclusive, we often ordered multiple dishes. With over 10 different restaurants on site, we had plenty of options to choose from. Here's a pro-tip: if you don't have enough time to try every restaurant, why not have appetizers at one place and your main course and dessert at another? That way, you get to sample a little bit from each spot. Sometimes we had to wait a bit at the more popular restaurants, but it was never too long. Our strategy was to go for dinner earlier in the evening. And if we had to wait for our table, the Martini Bar was a great place to hang out.
Drinks: We had some fantastic drinks while we were there. Our room was stocked with various options that were replenished regularly. And at the bars, they had menus, but they were more than happy to make you anything you desired. Our favorite spot in the evening was the Martini Bar in the main lobby building. The bartenders there were top-notch, and it was a great place to mingle with other people!
Entertainment: Every night, there was some kind of nighttime entertainment, ranging from live music to shows, silent discos, and even casino nights. During the day, they had games and live music at the main pool area. The entertainment was decent, although I must admit, compared to cruise ships, it didn't quite measure up. But hey, I usually come to all-inclusives to relax, so it didn't bother me one bit!
Price: Let me tell you, what initially caught my eye about Excellence Playa Mujeres was the price. And let me say, it was absolutely fantastic! I couldn't believe that I could book one of their nicest rooms and still be paying just a fraction of what I had paid at other all-inclusive resorts in the past. And you know what? After experiencing the resort firsthand, we were blown away by how wonderful it was, especially considering how affordable it was. It was truly a remarkable value for the money.
Overall: We were absolutely thrilled with our experience at the property, and we gave it a well-deserved 5 STARS! Everything about it was impressive, and we had so much fun at EPM that we immediately booked another trip to another Excellence Resort once we got home. Next on our list was Excellence Oyster Bay in Jamaica!