In May of 2022, I booked a last-minute trip to Punta Cana. I had never been to the Dominican Republic before as I had always thought of it more as a spring break destination. I quickly learned this is more hotel-dependent than anything. We booked this trip super last-minute with our credit card points and honestly didn’t really have too high of hopes prior to going there. To our surprise, this actually turned out to be one of our favorite tropical vacations to date and it is all due to our hotel: Excellence Punta Cana. This was also our first time staying at an Excellence resort and it absolutely will not be our last.
Upon arrival at the hotel, we were greeted in the lobby with a glass of champagne and a warm towel. The check-in process was quick, efficient and the employees were some of the nicest people! Aside from being adults-only, one of the best parts about this resort is that it has a very open-air, bungalow-style feel. The buildings are low-rise, the grounds and suites are expansive, and the surroundings give you the tropical, Caribbean vibe you want on a vaca. We booked the garden-view suite and not only was it spacious, but it included a private, furnished patio, in-suite jetted whirlpool tub, in-suite full-size liquor bottles, espresso machine, steamer, and 24-hour room service. It was the exact opposite of the cheap, high-rise, party vibe we always expected when we thought of Punta Cana.
The first night, we had dinner at one of the nine restaurants offered on-site: Chez Isabelle. This is a French-inspired restaurant with amazing food and a vast wine menu. We had goat cheese bonbons with red berries, grilled ribeye and salmon, and Crème brûlée for dessert. This was not even close to the all-inclusive cuisine we were used to from years of Cancun vacations; everything was incredible and so fresh. We definitely left feeling sated and ready to sleep!
We woke up rested and ready for a day in paradise beginning with a workout at the fitness center, just kidding we totally aren’t those people (wish we were), but they do have one for those of you who like to keep active on vacation! In reality, we had a big breakfast from the buffet and then took a leisurely stroll on the beach (that’s active right?). The weather was perfect and the beach couldn’t have been prettier. After this, we grabbed some beach loungers and hung out by the ocean until the clouds and rain rolled in that afternoon. Honestly, the resort was even incredible during the rain shower; the open-air layout allowed you to pull up a comfy chair, drink in hand, while watching the rain fall over the deserted pool and beach. We even found some pool tables with a roof over them that allowed us to stay dry and play some billiards, but still enjoy the warm tropical air.
We decided on dinner that night at their Italian restaurant: Oregano. We ordered the shrimp pasta and the tiramisu for dessert. The view from this restaurant can’t be beat, you can see the beach right from where you are sitting! After walking back towards the lobby, we saw a bunch of people dancing away to seemingly no music before quickly realizing it was a silent disco! We had heard of these before but never actually experienced one and it was so cool to be able to choose your own song but still get to dance alongside everyone else, so fun!
The next day, we decided to check out one of the four hotel pools. First, we stopped by Aroma to grab some coffee and breakfast pastries and then we grabbed lounge chairs under their thatched umbrellas and spent the day lazing about in the pool with drinks from their swim-up bar Blue. The best part about their pools is that they are lagoon-style and sprawling. Parts of it almost look like a lazy river (but without the current), giving a greater number of people front-row seats than if it were a typical circle. This set-up also made it feel much more private and less crowded. Las Olas, the grill on the beach, was the perfect stop for lunch; offering grilled items, snacks, and pizza with a beachside view.
As the sun began to set and the air cooled down around us, we decided it was time to get ready for our night. We stopped at their Asian restaurant, Spice, for dinner, ordering sushi and pad thai, then made our way over to Stars, where a fire-twirling show was being put on. The performers were amazing and the show was very interactive and upbeat; everyone was having a great time.
The next day was our last full day in Punta Cana and we woke up to rain. We spent the morning having breakfast at the buffet then in the activity center playing billiards, ping-pong, and archery. That afternoon the sun came out and we were able to sit on the beach until dinner at Agave, the resort’s Mexican restaurant. The entertainment on our last night was an acrobatic show and it did not disappoint!
I will definitely be returning to Excellence Punta Cana and I would recommend this resort to anyone looking for a romantic couples or low-key friends trip. Between the gorgeous scenery, expansive layout, numerous bar and restaurant options, and nightly, unique entertainment, this hotel provides everything you could want in a resort and then some. On our next trip, we are excited to utilize their tennis courts, try out the restaurants we weren’t able to fit in, and rent out the bikes they have available. I would also like to see more of the Dominican on some day trips or excursions. If you’re looking for luxury at a reasonable price, the Excellence Punta Cana should be at the top of your list!