Where to begin? I am so thankful to have booked this Excellence resort for my most recent solocation. Everything was nearly perfect from the moment I arrived to the moment I left. You'll need to download the Excellence app for all menus, activities, and general hotel information.
CHECK IN/CHECK OUT
My room was unfortunately not ready at the promised time, which was the only hiccup in an otherwise perfect vacation. After a day of travel, I was ready to get settled in. Around 3:45pm and after some confusion about bags, I was hurried over to building 2. The first room I checked into was right across from housekeeping and incredibly loud, not to mention it was on the third floor with a broken elevator. I called the desk to see if there was an opportunity for me to switch rooms. They were able to quickly move me over to a different room on the same floor and the elevator issue was resolved the very next day. Amazing and swift response to the only issue I encountered.
You'll receive a welcome beverage upon arrival and the team is great at taking care of your bags. The day before I was to check out, the desk called me to confirm they would arrive exactly 20 minutes before my transfer arrival to take my bags and get my checked out. They showed up 20 minutes before on the dot and my transfer to the airport was early. Total dream process - zero stress.
ROOM
As a solo traveller who doesn't really care about where I sleep, I opted for the most cost effective (cheapest!) Junior Suite. The room itself is really beautiful and well-appointed. You'll get some need-to-knows (use the safe, don't keep the patio door open, don't drunkenly fall on the step down) upon arrival with the bellhop. Mini bar includes snickers, m&ms, chips, oreos, four bottles, and mixers. I ate the chips and oreos everyday (it's VACATION okay LOL) and they were promptly restocked as I was down at the beach. The bathroom amenities are fab (toothpaste, toothbrush, q-tips, cotton balls and toiletries all provided) and the bed was incredibly comfortable. You'll also find robes, slippers,
FOOD/DRINKS
I went in to this vacation with the bar for food...incredibly low. In my opinion, you don't book an AI vacation to be blown away by the food. I live in one of the best food cities in the US, so my foodie needs are met day to day and expecting that quality here is not realistic. That being said, with my expectations being in hell, the food was very solid. I opted for an omelette at the buffet every morning, pizza or nachos at the beach for lunch, and then bopped to restaurants for dinner. I found quality across the bar at each restaurant to be of the same caliber, with special love to the french onion soup at Chez, the chicken tikka masala at Basmati, and the nachos at Las Olas. I did not at all feel weird dining alone, as a matter of fact I feel the staff went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable as a solo diner.
Bring your own straw for drinks! I sipped margaritas by day and wine by night (again VACATION people) and found the house wine here to be totally serviceable. There are cocktail lists at most of the bars and I also recommend trying an iceberg (beer with frozen marg floater).
STAFF
As you'll tell from other reviews, the staff here really is iconic. So friendly, warm, and fun to chat with. Special shoutout to Mark on the entertainment team and Gustavo who brought my bags up to check out (he's been on staff at this resort for SIXTEEN years!). You will have everything taken care of by this team and do bring small bills to tip them.
VIBES
This is what I most concerned about as a solo traveller and why I changed my mind so many times when booking this particular trip. I wanted fun but not spring break levels of fun, relaxation, no children, and a fair amount of things to do. If this sounds like what you're looking for: you need to book here. I spent my mornings on the beach and my afternoons by the lazy river pool. I met amazing couples and groups travelling together and also met two fellow solo ladies. Wide range of ages here from young honeymooners to middle aged.
ENTERTAINMENT
I utilized the fitness facilities every morning and founds them to be above average even though the fitness center itself was on the smaller side. I took a core class and there is stretching and yoga offered daily, in addition to beach and pool volleyball, bike tours, cocktail classes, tennis clinics, pickleball, and more. By night you'll find (admittedly and expectedly) fairly corny shows and entertainment options in the theatre. Karaoke was fun!
VALUE
I caught an amazing last minute deal on my stay and ended up paying just under $2k for 4 nights, all-inclusive. For what I received at this resort, this feels like an impossible steal. If you can find a deal, go that route. I do NOT think you need to upgrade to the Excellence Club as that pool was a little eerily quiet throughout my stay and I don't think the benefits measure up to the cost, personally. read more