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Punta Cana |
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My husband and I
have visited Punta Cana on five occasions, a different resort
each time, and Excellence is our favorite.
This was our first experience with an adults-only
property.
Following are my
observations and impressions:
Excellence is
located about an hour's drive from the Punta Cana Airport.
Travel is through the agricultural areas and a few small
villages of the Dominican Republic. Roads are not always the
best with stretches of potholes and bumps intersperse segments
of with well-paved superhighways, but it is a pretty drive with
the mountains in the distance. On arrival at the hotel, we were
greeted with a glass of champagne and a cool towel. At
check-in, we were surprised to find that no identifying wrist
bands were required.
Hotel is very
peaceful with candles and incense in the main buildings. The
property is 8 years old and was formerly called "Secrets". They
have a high repeat business. Some couples we met had been there
three to six times and all felt that the resort was even better
since Excellence took over ownership.
There are not
other properties on either side of the hotel. The closest
hotel, the Sirenis, is located approximately a mile away.
The ocean was a
little rougher than at other resorts where we have stayed, but
the water was warm and we swam in the ocean. Approximately 350
yards south of Excellence, is a calmer area. The water is
calmer in Punta Cana, but the farther north you go, the rougher
the seas. Westin will soon open an 800 acre resort 8 miles
south of Excellence.
Property is much
wider (much more sea frontage) than the other Punta
Cana properties we have visited. This gives Excellence
more beach for the size of the property and makes rooms and
restaurants within a short walk. There was no tram service as
at the other resorts, and none was needed.
The beautiful
lagoon-style pool stretches almost the entire width of the
property. Pool water was very clear and clean. Each morning
beach towels are placed on the lounge chairs around the pool.
There is lots of personal space. I never felt crowded, even on
the beach.
There are enough
palapas and lounge chairs for everyone. Even when we went to
the beach later in the day it was always possible to get a
palapa and lounge chair. I liked the 2-inch thick lounge chair
cushions.
Racks of clean
beach towels and baskets for used towels were conveniently
located at every entrance to the beach. Towels were on the
honor system--you could take as many as you wanted. Other
resorts issued "Towel Cards" which could be exchanged for a
beach towel at a kiosk.
We didn't even
need to leave the beach for food and drink. Waiters took orders
for drinks and walked among the sunbathers with nachos, hot
dogs, and pizza. Beverages were of a higher quality than most
other resorts--premium liquors. For variety, a
daily noon cookout on the beach featured barbecue, Dominican
rice dishes, hamburgers, etc.
The grounds
were more natural and less manicured than most, with ample use
of native stones, sculptures, plantings and ponds. Grass is a
special variety that does not require mowing--grows in tufts.
Botanical gardens,
located at the entrance, also serve as a nursery for new
plantings.
A variety of
animals on the ran freely on the property--chickens, peacocks,
geese, ducks, macaws. Boxes containing stale bread were located
near the ponds for feeding the animals.
Resort is wired
for WI-FI. We saw one individual using his laptop on the
beach. For those without a laptop, there is an internet cafe.
The Junior
Suite rooms are good sized with separate shower, vanity
and whirlpool tub. Maid service comes twice each day. Bottled
water and water glasses are placed on the night stands each
evening. Mini bars were replenished with beer and soft drinks
daily. An excellent draft beer is available at all of the
bars. The bath towels and bedspread had a slightly worn look.
There is a 10:00
pm show every evening. These were better quality shows than we
had experienced at other resorts. This resort is quieter than
most, perhaps because of the lower population density. There
are live music performances nightly and plenty of daily
activities. They have a nice spa.
Seven ala carte
specialty restaurants feature different ethnic styles of food.
No reservations are required and you can eat on your own
schedule. Ambience was very nice at the restaurants and we were
always seated by Hosts. All of the restaurants featured fabric
tablecloths and napkins, even the buffets. Sometimes piano
music during breakfast and lunch. Food was of a better quality
than other Dominican resorts, but still not close to a good
American restaurant.
There were no
beach vendors peddling their wares. However, three evenings
during our stay, the resort invited certain vendors to set up
tables around the property. They were pretty aggressive, but
could be avoided.
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