Excellence Riviera Cancun Luxury Adults Only - All Inclusive

My husband and I are seasoned travelers having been to Mexico at least twice a year for 20 years. Excellence's grounds are impeccable, with many beautiful pool areas and the staffs at the bars and restaurants are friendly and very attentive. Our room, although well-appointed had problems, which the management refused to fix. Our air-conditioner was broken for the entire trip (8 days) and despite six phone calls to maintenance and the management, it was never fixed. We realize that the air-conditioning in Mexico is never as good as the states, but all it did was blow hot air. A couple we met gave us a thermometer and the temperature in our room never went below 78 degrees F. The first two times we complained, they did send maintenance, but all they did was lower the thermostat, which did nothing. Twice we asked to be moved and twice we were blown off. Our refrigerator was broken as well so we could not even get a bottle of cold water to help us through the miserable nights. Getting our room cleaned was another problem. We left our room each day around 9 AM and would return around 3 PM, but could not relax because we had to call for a maid and wait up to 2 hours for them to come clean the room. We could not even take a shower because we had not towels and each day we begged for extra towels that never came. Getting toilet paper was a problem and twice had to borrow some from our neighbors. Even though a copy of this review was emailed to Excellence on May 25th, we have not heard anything, not even an apology, especially given that Excellence is very expensive, they should have put us in a different room, even if it was a step up, they should have made it right.

This resort is located very close to the airport, approx 20 mins so the commute is great! The food is wonderful although we would have liked to see more variety at breakfast as well as more vegetarian options from all the different restaurants since some of the guest we traveled with were vegetarian. However, the dishes that were available we flavorful and delicious. Entertainment was by far one of the highlights of each night there. From their MJ show to Madonna to even local artist. Although it is all inclusive it was apparent that if you tipped certain waiters extra, they would frequent your area more often. We tipped a dollar for every drink we ordered but there were times like lunch when the waiters weren't great(ie we ordered chicken burgers on two separate occasions and both were given beef burgers, not sure if they just didnt have the chicken burgers) and made us want to not tip. Restaurants- Agave was ok nothing spectacular, Basmati was great, Toscana was great, Spice was nothing too amazing, Oregano was ok. We never got to try Chez Isabelle so not sure how that was. Be prepared to wait since there are no reservations. Because we wanted to make sure we made it to the show every night we usually left our rooms for dinner around 7pm. Also, the pool seats get taken ASAP. As early as 8am. So if all you want to do is sit by the pool, get up early. Beach seats were usually always available. The hotel staff were always very pleasant and respectful. Overall this vacation spot is great. Great for family, great for couples. I would definitely come back. I gave it 4 stars and not 5 because 5 would mean EVERYTHING was perfect including the food options which unfortunately werent always great. Other than that it was an amazing getaway.

Overall had a great time. We are a couple in our 20's. The wait to checkin was longer than we waited at the airport for customs or to get our luggage, so that was a little disappointing. Pros: Some (not all) employees were willing to do anything for you! Very peaceful resort Good selection of food and drinks Lots of pools Good amount of chairs around pools and on beach

Beautiful room with the best service possible! I would recommend this resort to everyone.

As expected, this was a relaxing vacation in a wonderful setting. Excellent staff and good food. Efrain on the beach was wonderful at keeping our drinks filled. I think the only thing that could be better is if you are not at the beach or pool early in the morning you may have a hard time finding a spot even though there is a no reserving loungers policy. Not much ofnan issue for my group since we are early risers.

We are frequent travelers and The Excellence Riviera Cancun is the best place we have ever stayed, with the Valentin Imperial Maya a close second. We had a swim up room in building 2. It was unbelieveably peaceful and quiet. All guests were respectful of others. There is a pool that encircles all the Spa rooms (6 buildings in a circle and the spa is in the middle with the pool winding in between.) There was relaxing instrumental music playing from the spa which made liunging in our private chairs or floating on a raft in the pool so enjoyable. The food was exceptional with a wonderful breakfast and lunch buffet, or you can be served in a couple of restaurants if you'd rather. There is also a daily beach bbq for lunch. Dinners are served in any of the many restaurants. Our favorites were Chez isabelle (French), The Grill (open air steakhouse around one of the many pools), and Tiscana (Italian). We don't prefer Indian food nor the Asian fare, but heard those restaurants are nice, too. There is also a mexican restaurant (Agave) but we did not try that as nothing on themenu appealed to us. Although I love seafood, we did not eat at the lobster house because we are from Maine, and cold water seafood is far superior to the warm water variety. However, we know many peiople liked these restaurants we did not eat at, so depending on your taste, you can choose for yourself. The beach was beautiful. We swam in the ocean on a few days and always took a 90 minute walk along the beach, heading south, after breakfast (with all we ate, we needed to walk some of it off! The staff is very friendly. We are more the type of guests who prefer to eat, relax by and in the pool, walk the beach. Our lawn area at our swim up room was large in size compared to some, and we had sun from morning right through to late afternoon. By mid afternoon, we had plenty of sun, but also a lot of shade closer to our patio, so we could pull the chairs up to the shade and enjoy a book when we had enouigh sun. Everything about this trip was perfect, and although we have never returned to the same place on our many trips, this place will be one we definitely return to. Two big thumbs up to the Excellence!

Just returned from a stay at Excellence Riviera Cancun and was thoroughly impressed. The staff was excellent, the food superb, and the grounds immaculate. Treat yourself!

Food was ok, but not especial, expensive for what I paid. Alcohol was available but average quality. I had to pay extra for average wine. They have to have more activities beside curio key and alcohol .

My husband and I have just returned from a short trip to Mexico and stayed at Excellence Riviera Maya. Once your arrive you are greeted with champagne and a cold towel. Like all other reviews we were given a buzzer to notify us when our room would be ready and we waited about 3 hours for a room. We waited patiently because when on vacation we never complain. The hotel grounds are beautiful, well kept and clean. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. We have stayed at multiple resorts in Mexico and the staff all exceeded our expectations. The rooms are very comfortable and have all the necessary amenities and more. There are many restaurant choices and the food is overall good, small portions are served so if your looking for big overfilled dishes you wont find that here. The entertainment and resort activities are plentiful and actually entertaining. If you’re a beach person the beach was not that great, maybe now during the winter months it was not clear and a lot of seaweed due to a reef being close by. The pools are awesome and very spaced out. There is a pool within ever corner of the resort that goes round and round for leisure on the floaters provided. Even though they state they don’t tolerate chairs being reserved this is not true our last day there we had a hard time finding chairs by any pool, each one had towels and a book placed somewhere. We stayed by the pool for 4 hours that day and multiple chairs were still unoccupied. Our mini-fridge was not stocked during our stay either but once again we never complained so you have to be verbalize to them when you don’t receive services. The bars are awesome and staff is always coming around for drink orders at the beach, pool, sitting areas and theater. We did not book a more expensive room to use the money as extra tip money and the staff well deserves it. A lot of Europeans and others did not tip ever and one thing here they don’t expect it at all and are very thankful and respectful for the generosity when tipped. Once checking out I was surprised not to even be asked how was your stay!! To be honest that made me upset because there were a few issues but once again never verbalized them and not to be asked a question but all we got was you have no extra charges and wait outside for your pickup when ready, uhh the concierge is the only unfriendly staff there. For a relaxing vacation this is a nice place and for a clean and well kept place, and if you’re a pool person this is the place for you.

Over all it was very nice. The grounds are beautiful. Nice rooms, bed was not as comfortable as I would like, great jacuzzi in room. Pools could be warmer especially since there aren't many hot tubs. Spa treatment was nice.