Excellence Resort | April 2023 💍
If you’ve ever wondered whether an affordable all-inclusive can still feel luxurious… this trip proved that it absolutely can.
Our getaway to Excellence Punta Cana was one of the most surprising trips we’ve ever taken—in the best way. It was easily one of the least expensive vacations we’ve done, yet somehow ended up being one of our favorites. 🤍
We visited in April 2023, just a few months after getting engaged 💍 (November 2022), and it felt like the perfect mix of celebration, relaxation, and just plain fun.
🏝️ The Pool Life (Our Favorite Part)
Let me just say it…
This pool is what dreams are made of.
It’s not just a pool—it’s this long, winding, almost lazy-river-style setup that made every day feel like a floating happy hour.
Our daily routine:
- Grab our rafts
- Order a cocktail 🍹
- Float from one end to the other
- Drift under bridges
- Chat with other guests along the way
It was one of those experiences where you just keep thinking, “This is the life.”
And yes… the chair-holder hats made their appearance 😎 (because at this point, they’re basically part of our travel identity).
🍽️ Restaurants & Food Highlights
For an all-inclusive, the food here really impressed us—and we definitely made our way around the resort 😄
Some of our favorites:
- Agave 🌮 – Mexican night, tequila shots, and Brian enjoying a cigar… such a vibe
- Chez Isabel 🇫🇷 – Easily one of the best meals of the trip—romantic, delicious, and yes… the giant pepper grinder made another appearance 😂 (at this point, it’s basically part of our travels)
- Spice 🍜 – Fun atmosphere and a great change of pace with Asian cuisine
- The Grill 🔥 – The perfect way to wrap up our last night
We also loved their Dominican Night, which gave us a taste of the local culture, music, and energy 💃
And of course… this is where we were introduced to mamajuana 🍹
“Mamajuana: part cocktail, part mystery… and just enough magic to make you order another.”
🌿 Hidden Gem on Property
One of the most unexpected surprises?
A nature preserve right on the resort grounds 🦜🌺
We wandered through and saw:
- Flamingos
- Parrots
- Exotic tropical birds
It was such a peaceful break from the pool scene and made the resort feel even more unique.
💆♀️ Beachfront Massage Bliss
If you walk down the beach and head left… you’ll find one of the best-kept secrets of the trip.
We did a couples massage right on the beach, and it was:
- Beautiful
- Relaxing
- And shockingly affordable
Highly recommend making time for this—it was one of those “slow down and soak it in” moments.
🐎 The BEST Excursion: Horseback Riding on the Beach
This was hands-down one of the most memorable experiences we’ve ever had.
It was just:
- Me and Bryan
- One guide in front
- One guide behind (taking photos 📸)
They let us ride as fast as we wanted, and when we hit the beach…
✨ We galloped along the shoreline with the ocean beside us. ✨
It felt like something out of a movie. Absolutely unforgettable.
🍍 Fun on the Water
We also did a boat excursion where they:
- Cut fresh pineapples 🍍
- Turned them into drinks right there
- Served everything on the boat
Simple, fun, and very “vacation mode.”
🐒 A Wild (and Pricey 😅) Ending
On our last day, we relaxed on the beach and had the chance to:
- Hold a tiny monkey 🐒
- Take photos with a parrot 🦜
Super cute…
Also very expensive 😂
…but one of those “you only live once” moments.
🎧 Nightlife & Fun
We wrapped up our trip the same way we love to…
Silent Disco 💃🕺
It never gets old—and yes, Bryan fully embraced it again 😂
😅 A Slight Travel Scare…
Quick story time…
When we landed in Punta Cana International Airport, we did the VIP fast track service (highly recommend—more on that below).
BUT…
Right after getting off the plane, I realized:
👉 I LEFT MY PHONE ON THE PLANE 😳
Panic mode.
Our guide quickly took us back out onto the tarmac, and by some miracle, a flight attendant was literally walking down the stairs holding my phone.
Crisis = completely averted 🙌
✈️ Travel Tips You NEED to Know
✔️ Book Fast Track Arrival Service
You’re greeted right off the plane and escorted through everything—worth every penny.
✔️ Pay for the Departure Lounge
Trust me on this one.
The airport can be:
- Hot
- Loud
- Crowded
The lounge gives you:
- Air conditioning ❄️
- Food & drinks 🍷
- A quiet, comfortable space
👉 Game changer before your flight home
✔️ Don’t Skip the Beach Walks
Some of our favorite little discoveries (like Castaways + massages) came from just exploring.
💭 Final Thoughts
This trip completely exceeded our expectations.
✨ Beautiful resort
✨ Fun, social atmosphere
✨ Incredible value
✨ The perfect post-engagement getaway
It reminded us that you don’t always have to spend the most to have the most memorable experience.
And honestly… we’d go back in a heartbeat 🤍
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