A cold glass of Champagne made its way to my hand within moments of arriving at the all-inclusive Excellence Punta Cana resort. I was greeted with a “Welcome home” by multiple staff members before they whisked me away to the private check-in lounge for guests staying in the Excellence Club accommodations.
“Relax. We want you to feel at home here,” the concierge said as he gave me an overview of the new Excellence Collection smartphone app — a hub for all resort information, from maps and restaurant menus to daily entertainment schedules.
It was the first of many instances where the ethos of Excellence Punta Cana became apparent. Everything about my stay created a sense of having a home away from home, and it all started with the property itself.
Hotel Amenities and Guestrooms
Though Excellence Punta Cana comprises 461 guestrooms across 18 categories, this fairly large adults-only oasis manages to still feel intimate in all the right places. With four pools, a botanical garden, a small shopping street, tennis courts and plenty of prime stretches of beach, guests are easily able to spread out and find their own space to relax and have fun.
This held true for the dining options, as well, with nine a la carte restaurants, one buffet and one beach snack bar at guests’ disposal. I also had access to 12 bars — where the drinks were always flowing. At each meal, I tried something new, taking my tastebuds on a global adventure thanks to the wide variety of options available at Italian, French, Mexican, and Asian-inspired eateries. Not a single meal at Excellence Punta Cana disappointed my foodie tendencies, while my sweet tooth and coffee cravings were satisfied at Aroma, a cafe with delectable desserts and homemade gelato.
There are nine a la carte restaurants at Excellence Punta Cana, including one with a seafood-focused menu.
Credit: 2021 Excellence Punta CanaBack in my guestroom, I also found everything I needed to make me feel right at home. Staying in one of the 183 Excellence Club accommodations meant I had upgraded amenities including Bvlgari toiletries and upscale liquors as part of the all-inclusive offerings. Excellence Club guestrooms are located toward the front of the property, so I never had to walk too far to reach the beach, restaurants or one of the two pools reserved exclusively for Club guests. Other accommodation perks include an exclusive restaurant, a private area on the beach, one Aqua Wellness treatment at the spa and more.
As an adults-only property, Excellence Punta Cana is perfect for friend groups, couples or even families with adult children. For clients who like to be close to all the action, swim-up suites allow them to go straight from their room to the pool. Meanwhile, the variety of Excellence Club suites featuring private pools and terraces certainly lend themselves to a more romantic getaway.
And whether clients are by the pool or in their room, they’ll find themselves in an atmosphere that draws on traditional Caribbean vibes and architecture with just the right amount of modern touches.
Staff Who Feel Like Family
What truly allowed me to sit back and feel at home — beyond the resort facilities and accommodations — was the incredibly attentive staff. Nothing allows you to relax more than knowing that everything is taken care of, and the Excellence Punta Cana staff goes above and beyond to ensure every detail is thought of and handled.
Case in point: A few nights before my departure, I was stopped on my way to the pool and asked if I had taken my on-site COVID-19 test in preparation for my return to the U.S. I was shocked that this staff member, with whom I had not interacted with previously, somehow knew that my departure was coming up.
Excellence Punta Cana encompasses 461 guestrooms in 18 categories.
Credit: 2021 Excellence Punta Cana“You’re family. It’s my job to know,” he said in response to my surprise.
It wasn’t the first time I heard staff referring to guests as family, and vice versa. Throughout my stay, I was told story upon story of loyal guests who return to Excellence Punta Cana every year, sometimes several times per year, in part because they have created such a strong bond with the resort staff. In fact, the majority of guests are repeat visitors, and they often welcome newbies into the fold, acting as unofficial brand ambassadors and resort guides. This also contributes to the sense of community and home that I felt throughout my stay.
COVID-19 Precautions and Protocols
For clients who are concerned about COVID-19, the safety they feel within their homes is extended to the property. All staff members at Excellence Punta Cana are fully vaccinated and still wear face coverings — albeit transparent ones, so you can still see their smiles.
On the day of my departure, I was given a farewell as warm as my welcome.
“When are you coming back?” I was asked by a few of the crew helping me with my luggage and checkout process.
“Hopefully soon,” I responded.
And I really meant it.
The Details
Excellence Punta Cana
