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Excellence Playa Mujeres Review

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Excellence Playa Mujeres Mexico resort review!

resort view from window

I’m back from Mexico! I don’t even know where to start with this post. I/we had so much fun. I did a lot of Googling before we picked a destination to read reviews so I knew I wanted to write one when we got back.

When planning the trip, we were torn between Excellence Playa Mujeres and Excellence Punta Cana. Ultimately, we picked EPM because Spirit flies straight to Cancun from Detroit and we wanted to avoid a layover.

We caught a lot of flak about traveling to Mexico and I get it, there are unsafe parts, but I never felt scared. While I’m not at all oblivious or naive, I do believe that bad things happen anywhere and that you shouldn’t live in fear all the time. The Cartel didn’t get me this time.

Back to the fun stuff.

Our only other all-inclusive stay was at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios in Jamaica (I think it’s now called Grande Riviera) for our honeymoon. Both were great but I feel like EPM was even nicer.

We got in on a Monday afternoon and left Saturday which only gave us 4 full days there. Doing it again, I’d like at least 5 days.

I used to be totally squeamish at hotels. Either living in one for two months helped break me, or EPM was super clean because I didn’t feel like that at all. The room was beautiful and the restaurants, bars, pools, and grounds were pretty immaculate.
Excellence Playa Mujeres/Cancun Resort Review | Persnickety Plates

{1} This is the view from our room (we were Room #7354, for reference).
{2} They decorated the bed for my birthday.
{3} This chocolate cake was waiting for me when we got to the room. Best chocolate cake ever. I need more of it.
{4} Our in-room bar (that we never even got around to cracking open).

The restaurants we tried were Agave (Mexican), Toscana (breakfast buffet), Lobster House, The Grill (steaks), and Spice (Thai). Every afternoon there was a different theme on the beach with food and activities. We had some awesome tacos on the beach two different days.
Excellence Playa Mujeres/Cancun Resort Review | Persnickety Plates

{1} Huevos Rancheros (via room service)
{2} Brick oven pizza from the pool bar
{3} Lobster tails from the Lobster House
{4} My caesar salad from The Grill

One night we got room service, which is available 24 hours, and they even have a little box next to your door so if you don’t feel like talking to anyone, they put your food right in there. Genius. You also get a fully stocked mini fridge in your room with juices, bottled waters, pops, beer, wine, and candy.

Our last day there we booked an excursion to the Coba Ruins off recommendation from my girl A.Co. Coba is the only ruins you can still climb (our tour guide told us a woman fell down Chichen Itza five years ago so they stopped the climbing. eeek). It also included a visit to a Mayan Village and a trip to Tulum. Looking back on the tour, it was great. Going into it, I was really freaked out. It was hot as balls on a bus as we drove like 3 hours into the jungle of Mexico while our tour guide explained to us (in Spanish and English) which snakes and spiders to look out for. Just the fact that we were so far from civilization is what got to me, but in the end I calmed down and was fine.
mayanvillagecollage

{1} The Shaman performed some “well wishes” ceremony.
{2} The kids were really cute. They did two different dances for us & had us join them for a monkey dance.
{3} This woman was making tortillas in her hut.

Coba Ruins - Mexico | Persnickety Plates{1} Coba Ruins. It’s more impressive in person, I promise.
{2} The view from the top half way up. You walk a mile into the woods/jungle to get to the ruins.
{3} I was sure someone from higher up was going to fall & knock me down with them. Rational fear.

Tulum - Mexico |Persnickety Plates{1-5} The beach at Tulum (Caribbean Sea), some of the ruins, us, and an iguana hanging out on the cliff.

excellence, EPM, mexico, cancun, electric lemonade, pool bar

{1} View from our room.
{2} Electric Lemonade + “Melissa & Bobby” shots, our fav bartender, Cesar, made us.
{3} The view from my chair at the main pool/swim up bar.
{4} An Electric Lemonade on the beach.

Overall, it was amazing. The room was great. The food/drinks were great. The staff was great. It’s all-inclusive but we did a lot of tipping because we had nothing but great service. We’re already thinking about going back next year.

Any questions? I’m happy to answer any. Plus, I have like 400 more pictures if there’s something else you want to see.



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  1. tara says

    looks amazing! we’ve stayed at an all inclusive in both cabo and cancun and i firmly believe it’s the only way to go!

  2. Rachel Willis says

    OH my God, I want to go there! So gorgeous!!! Glad you had a great time, and Happy Belated Birthday!

  3. Rachel says

    We just got back from EPM in March!! LOVED it too – we cannot wait to go back. You made a good choice in picking this over EPC. We went there for our honeymoon and loved EPM a lot more. Glad you had a great trip!

  4. Carrie Vibert says

    NICE! We went to Puerto Morelos a few years ago and we had a similar reaction from some people. It didn’t help that there were posted guards at the entrance when we got there. But the resort was beautiful, the people friendly and helpful, and the weather gorgeous. We only had a couple of nights, so we didn’t get to do any sightseeing, but your photos make me want to go back and explore more. Sounds like you had a great time!

  5. vintage honeybee says

    We are getting ready go there next week and are staying in one of their roof top suites. Do you have any tips or tricks will staying there. Any must do’s? I’d love to know.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

  6. exploradora says

    Great review!! I am planning to book a trip here, and your review definitely lets me know I’m on the right track 🙂
    But have never stayed in an all-inclusive resort! Was there a limit on the alcoholic beverages and meals? What sorts of things were NOT included?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Hi 🙂 There was no limit on alcohol or food and plenty of it everywhere 🙂 There are several bars throughout the property, a bunch of restaurants, food on the beach, pizza, etc. Our room came stocked with a bar & snacks – that part might have depended on room level, but I’m not sure. The only things that aren’t included are some of the excursions (the day trip we took, booze cruises (I think, we didn’t do them), water sports, etc.). There are plenty of activities to keep you busy without spending any additional money, but there are also fun things to do if you want to spend a little more. Hope that helps – let me know if you have any other questions =)

    • Stephany says

      How did you book? I’m trying to decide the best/cheapest way to book!

    • Melissa Williams says

      We used a travel agent which I’m sure is *not* the cheapest way to book BUT they handled the flights, car transfers, insurance, etc. I’m sure I paid for peace of mind & convenience to have it all done for me but I think it’s worth it.

  7. Holly says

    We are going to EPM in September for our 30th Anniversary. What are the best meals you had and where? Also which desserts are must haves?

    • Melissa Williams says

      I pretty much outlined our favorites in the post. We tried everything & it was all really good. The best dessert I had was the cake they put in my room but I couldn’t find it at a restaurant when I searched for it. Have fun & happy anniversary!

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