Courtesy Excellence Riviera Cancun
AS I WALKED UP TO THE RESORT ENTRANCE, a staff member in a crisp white uniform greeted my husband Kevin and me with a flute of champagne. Surrounded by lush foliage and a gurgling fountain, I felt the Excellence Riviera Cancun welcome me like an old friend.
While I absolutely love a good Florida road trip and visiting local sights, sometimes my wanderlust calls me a bit further away. A trip to Cancun—less than a two-hour flight from Orlando—fit the bill. Even better, staying at an all-inclusive resort takes the guesswork out of what to do after arriving. No itinerary to plan out. No mad dashes to tourist spots.
Just pure relaxation and fun. The cherry on top? A stay on the VIP Club Level with extra perks.
Enter Excellence Riviera Cancun
This upscale, adults-only, all-suite property just south of Cancun’s hotel strip provided the perfect tropical retreat. Yearning for a break from deadlines, meetings and the daily grind, we wanted to stay somewhere that offers so much to do onsite that we didn’t need to leave the resort unless we wanted to. We did not want to. Excellence Riviera allowed us to unwind effortlessly. We could go kayaking, get a massage, see a show, play tennis, swim in the pool or just relax on the beach. We did a bit of everything depending on our mood.
Sumptuous Suite and VIP Perks
In our room, we discovered fresh flowers, sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries awaiting us. Yes please! Our king suite—complete with spacious seating, a jacuzzi tub and private balcony—afforded plenty of space to unwind. The high-end amenities (including an upgraded complimentary minibar, Bvglari toiletries and Nespresso machine) were added elegant touches. With an extra layer of privileges enhancing our stay, Excellence Club Level provided us with exclusive, make-us-feel-special perks, including a complimentary hydro- therapy treatment, a private concierge service and a private beach. Our VIP extras meant we could enjoy the less- crowded private pool and whirlpool and an exclusive lounge with smart buffets and bar service.
Delectable Dining
With 12 onsite restaurants, we could eat around the world without leaving the property. For breakfast, we dined al fresco every day. At the Lobster House, we enjoyed panoramic ocean views while noshing on Viva Mexico eggs, fried plantains and an orange/ carrot/lemon juice blend. At Magna—reserved exclusively for Club Level guests—we indulged in a fresh fruit plate bursting with papaya, kiwi, pineapple and mango. We couldn’t pass up the deliciously entertaining teppanyaki experience at Spice. Here, chef Benjamin delivered an engaging culinary show as he artfully prepared grilled veggies, chicken and steak. He put Kevin front and center, challenging him to toss an egg on a spatula without breaking it. (After three commendable tosses, Kevin ultimately dropped the egg.)
Another night, we felt like little kids as we ate dessert first (a decadent crème brulee at Chez Isabelle) followed by an authentic Mexican dinner. Here, we feasted on beef fajitas and grilled Mahi-Mahi, then shared a melt-in-your-mouth steak topped with blueberry Mole sauce.
In the afternoon, we sipped our way around 13 bars where we discovered a passionate love for the tajin-rimmed mango margarita. Other times, with a nod to the attentive poolside staff, we enjoyed frozen cocktails delivered to us while we floated in the exclusive VIP pool.
Courtesy Excellence Riviera Cancun
Blissful Relaxation
With six swimming pools sprinkled throughout the resort, we did a bit of pool-hopping. For an energetic vibe, we headed to the pool with a swim-up bar, where live music serenaded us from the stage above the bar. When we wanted to chill, we floated in the lazy river.
Craving some pampering, I indulged in a blissfully relaxing massage at Miilé Spa. Craving some soccer, Kevin grabbed a beer at the sports bar for his fútbol fix.
Downtime served as a wonderful opportunity to reconnect. We snuggled together on chair swings dotting the beach, and we strolled along the trail that encircled the resort, spotting grackles, iguanas, and the nocturnal raccoon-like coatis scurrying into the bushes.
We couldn’t resist the self-serve ice cream kiosk where we topped our cones with ribbons of vanilla-chocolate swirl. Cones in hand, we walked to the outdoor market boasting vibrantly colored hats, scarves and trinkets for sale.
Courtesy Excellence Riviera Cancun
Engaging Entertainment
While relaxation was the theme of our get- away, we amped up our stay with nightly entertainment. The fire dancers wowed us with a show-stopping outdoor performance in the heart of the resort. The burlesque reminded us that this is definitely an adults-only resort. From casino night to an acrobatic show to silent music parties, the entertainment did not disappoint.
The Excellence Riviera Cancun even managed to make day-drinking a high-energy experience, with its hilariously interactive Coco Loco mixology experience under a stretch of palm trees right on the beach. The politically incorrect emcee dropped one liners at every pour.
For more information, visit excellenceresorts.com/riviera-maya-cancun/excellence-riviera-cancun