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 Excellence Playa Mujeresa - Cancun —  Location: Beachfront - 55 minutes from the Cancun airport All-inclusive - Adults Only - 450 rooms Description from resort website:Excellence Playa Mujeres is an adults-only romantic resort nestled on two miles of powdery white sand beach, in a resort community that boasts an inland marina, world-class spa, and a spectacular Greg Norman signature golf course right on the Caribbean. 7 swimming pools (4 heated) - 4 outdoor Jacuzzis + 5 pool-integrated whirlpools - 8 international restaurants (reservations never required) 11 bars - 24-hour room service - Pool and beach waiter service - Fully equipped state-of-the-art fitness center - Non-motorized water sports (Hobie Cats, windsurfing, sea kayaking, snorkeling, water aerobics, water polo, introductory scuba lessons in swimming pool) - Basketball, bicycling, table tennis, billiards, volleyball, football, darts, board games, archery, air rifle shooting - 1 lit tennis court and 1 multi-sports court - Spa and wellness center ( $ )  ~ Reviews posted on this page — 3  ~ Mexico Resort Reviews Index ~ Mexico Travel Forum 
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| Excellence Playa Mujeresa | Darlene |
Romance & Luxury = the BEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE!
We stayed at EPM from July 5-12 through Signature Vacations from Toronto, Canada. We were the only couple staying at this resort from Signature. This resort is absolutely gorgeous with friendly staff that goes way beyond your expectations.
The day we arrived in Cancun Airport must have been a fluke. We waited in customs/immigration for over 2 hours! Only 4 customs agents were open. We spoke to man who said he has travelled over 75X to Mexico and it had never seen it like this. They were so backed up that the lineups were all the way on the 2nd floor in the departure area. Oh well, at least our bags where ready for us when we got out!
Our charter flight arrived early in Cancun (9:30am) so by the time we arrived at the hotel it was approaching 11am. A lot of other flights didn’t get in till after 6pm, so we got a full day upon our arrival. Our room wasn’t ready so they gave us a pager and we had lunch. By the time we finished our room was ready. We were celebrating our anniversary and they decorated the room very nicely. There was an anniversary banner on the door with the swan towel/roses on the bed and a bottle of sparkling bubbly chilling. Our room was 7202 and we overlooked the lazy river/spa/Revive Bar. Wow! July in Mexico is hot, but since it is off season there seemed to be less people around.
Pool: We chose the same cabana and covered bed all week. It was so tranquil here that we only saw 5-6 couples every day. I kid you not! A lot of my pictures look like no one was at the resort! It was pretty much like that through the entire resort. Most of the activity is centered around the main pool/beach, but there are so many pools behind the buildings and lazy rivers that wind around the property. It you don’t thoroughly walk all through the resort you will miss some of the pools and cabanas. Anyway, the lazy river near Mille Spa was my favorite getaway.
Service: This was our 1st time at an Excellence resort. The staff couldn’t have been more accommodating. Bar/pool, concierge, wait staff are wonderful. We can’t say enough about Jocobo (Martini Bar- who works from 9-5), Nazzario, David, Theresa (Martini Bar-during the evening. I’m sure there are wonderful resorts in Mexico, but it is the staff that really put a stamp on this property. They make you feel like you are the most special couple in the whole resort! Let your concierge know that you are celebrating your anniversary-they offer small touches that make the difference. We had a champagne anniversary breakfast in on our patio one morning. During our last night they put a beautiful floral arrangement in our room to send us off.
Food: We love to eat! Our favorite was Chez Isabelle, Spice and Toscana. The service in this restaurant is quick and entertaining. The sea bass is incredible. I ate seafood at every meal and the fish is done to perfection---so fresh! My husband said except for one meal in Chez Isabelle---that the meat was tough. Steaks have very little fat on them so the flavor and tenderness is not that appealing. We weren’t that impressed with Agave-the food was ok (ceviche was great). However, the Mexican buffet night is a lot of fun and the food is fantastic. Didn’t eat at the Flavor Market. The grill is nice at lunch as you can sit right by the beach. Went to the lobster house and it was ok. Definitely a different type of lobster than what most Canadian/Americans are used to. I actually ate a lobster tail here as my “appetizer” and then we went to Spice for our main dinner. Breakfast is great in Barcelona-lots of variety and juices/fruit/omelets are very tasty. Room service-we loved the 24 hour room service whether it was for a late night snack or breakfast. Again, very efficient service never waited longer than 20-30 minutes for room service! They also have snacks around the pool (loads of great salsa & guacamole with baked tortilla chips), and snacks by the martini by in the afternoon with coffee service. The portions are good because there is so much food available to you throughout the day! I’ve read that some people waited a long time for meals, but I never found this---waiters were right there with everything.
Spa: Loved the hydro circuit…even if you are not doing a package, just pay for the hydro circuit because it is so relaxing. Book when you get there as they offer daily specials & 25% off for anniversary couples. We enjoyed being pampered here and soaking up the atmosphere. The massage was not the best one I have had in my life (I like more pressure) but it definitely was the most memorable one.
1) Serenity & relaxation
2) Romance- because it is 100% couples oriented
3) To be pampered in luxury
If you are looking for a party place with non stop action then this is not for you!
| Excellence Playa Mujeresa | Julie & Mark ~ Vancouver, BC |
Hi Debbie,
Just wanted to let you know about the resort.
We went April 2008, flew Air Canada from Vancouver direct to Cancun, great flight.
We waited maybe a 1/2 hour for our ride, we were the only ones in the van so straight to the resort, it was approximately 45 minute drive.
The main thing that I absolutely loved about this resort was that it was private, no resorts on either side of you, yet they are building condos next door, but a completely private beach, so if you are looking for action or tons of activities, this is NOT the resort, this is purely a romantic and quiet destination.
The beds on the beach are heavenly, the restaurants were excellent, some better then others, but for Mexican standards, very very good, we loved the Asian, Mediterranean, and the French restaurant was superb! Another great thing about the restaurants, is there is no reservations, the only place we had to wait for is the French restaurant, and it is well worth it, but you get a beeper, so you can go to the Martini bar and have some cocktails until they are ready to seat you.
The wine they serve at the restaurants is actually quite good, from Chile and much better than other resorts were you end up purchasing wine because the house is undrinkable.
The staff were very gracious and friendly, and the weather was wonderful!
I would definitely recommend the concierge rooms, we had a ocean view, I forget our room number, but it was perfect, e-mail in advance that you want the side that they are not building the condos for I did hear that it was noisy over there.
The gym is excellent, yes, we did workout every day for we do love to eat and drink, so I didn't want to be a beached whale by the end of the week.
The rooms are stunning, I must say, plasma TV, leather couch, huge bed, and very comfortable, if you don't like your pillow, call for another, they have whatever you want, decent size closet and the shower is amazing, and the balcony, very large with a bed on it, we had a nap there a couple of times.
Room service was very slow, so order well before you are ready to eat, but it is Mexico, so you must remember it is not the Four Seasons, but then we have waited a long time for room service at the Four Seasons anyways.
Overall, definitely a 4.5 star resort, we have stayed at Sandals a few times, and I must say this place is much better!!!
| Excellence Playa Mujeresa | Crissy ~ Ontario |
Arrival
Booked with Sunquest. Waited 50 minutes for transportation to hotel. Met with damp, cold towels. Arrived close to noon, room was available at 5:30pm. We were booked with the excellence club, top room available.
Rooms
Rooftop terrace with private hydrospa...beautiful!
Bathroom-double shower, double sink. Be comfortable with your partner as the walls are glass to the bathroom.
King sized bed, super comfy, great pillows. Not for the vertically challenged. They are high and I loved it!
Leather L shaped couch looking on to flat screen tv. Movies are included although careful with channel 49 and 50, they are xxx.
Jacuzzi with indoor/outdoor access.
Balcony has a table with two chairs,and an outdoor bed. (all suites have this room)
Now go up the stairs to the rooftop, outdoor round bed, private cold water hydrospa, another mattress and outdoor shower.
Rooms cleaned somewhere between 1-6pm. Turndown service between 8-11pm
I never wanted to come home!
Restaurants
No buffets, all ala carte. I missed having a buffet for quick lunches as with ala cartes you must wait to be served. Just remember you're on island time.
Every breakfast was room service on our balcony. 50 minutes on average for food to be delivered. They have this closet where you place your dirty dishes. The food stays there for 24 hours but I never complained as sometimes you needed to retrieve that salt and pepper shaker or unopened jam that was not delivered the next day.
Tried the restaurants. I am not a complainer but the food was nothing to talk about. Inconsistent quality (based on same meals, same restaurants 2 days later)This for me was disappointing as my steak was perfect one meal and seared on the edges and completely raw the next. No one came to ask how our meal was and 25 minutes later they just removed my plate and/so I went straight for dessert.
Here is an example of eggs with hashbrowns each morning. One morning the hashbrowns looked like they were from McDonalds, another shredded potatoes, another squared fried potatoes and once brown mush.
Quality is hit and miss. The resort opened 4 months early and management is aware of the food and service issues so this should improve. And maybe you could be the lucky one that gets a great meal each time. :)
For me, food and service is "far" from 5 star but they will get there. Next year should be perfect.
Bars
Bars everywhere! The martini bar is a great place to meet before dinner. Great martinis, and fantastic service! The swim up bar is in a heated pool. Private pool bars scattered throughout.
Beach and Pools
The most beautiful pools. Some heated some regular. I loved the lazy river pool.
The beach has plenty of white sand. Good beach front. There is a lot of sea grass but this is cleared daily. You can walk for miles and the beach is private. There are no other resorts close by.
The resort offers bikes and kayaks included. Bikes can only be used with the bike tours and the kayaks are owned privately and can be used with tips but we only saw the company there one day and they take the paddles when they leave. Therefore no daily non motorized watersports included.
No towel cards, towels are placed on each chair. The resort should look into hampers as chairs look occupied when abondened.
Hammocks in the pool, bed swings, bed lounges...romantic touches everywhere.
Grounds
Extremely clean and beautiful! Grass is mature throughout. The swimout rooms go to grass before meeting the pool. Nice touch. Do leave the pool area when the bar closes as they spray for mosquitos whether you are there or not.
Construction of condos next door but I heard no complaints from those with rooms nearby.
Activities
Nightly entertainment was hokey, but the staff try so thumbs up for effort!
The Michael Jackson show was worth watching.
Disco was busy everynight.
The entertainment staff at the pool are great!
Many singers throughout singing soft romantic songs. Nice!
Tours
Bike tour is included. You will see Jaguars and other animals kept in a minature zoo.
Went to Isla Mujeres and rented a moped to tour the island. It was fun and continued to be on the romantic side for us.
Conclusion
This is a couples resort. Romance and fun combined. The rooms are amazing, the resort is beautiful.
I have been to DR and Jamaica and the food here was the worst, service was lacking. As the resort opened early, they will improve and once this is pefected, this will be the best AI resort!
Rooms A1
Resort A1
Cleanliness A1
Beach and Pool A1
Lacking on quality of food and service is B2
Please note, I do not expect to be catared to, but ordered with 3 staff at a restaurant occupied with 4 tables and not once did my soft drink arrive, or tipping a server to bring you a drink, watch him go to an empty bar and bring your drinks 15 minutes later. This is not working hard, so be able to ignore these types of details. Service is great at the bars and the bartenders should be acknowledged! Gracious! And same to the excellence club staff.
I would return in a heartbeat once these improvements are made.
This was by far my most expensive AI vacation,so I was disappointed with not recieving the value for my money BUT would return again for a great sale after the food is upscaled.
Last updated: July 20, 2008
