Excellence Playa Mujeres – A Complete and Honest Review

There are some resorts you visit once and that’s enough. And then there are places like Excellence Playa Mujeres that make you want to come back again and again.

My husband and I first stayed here a few years ago for a family wedding. We had such a great time that we knew we had to return someday, and we did!

In this article, I’m sharing all the details on our latest stay. What we loved, what we think you should know before booking, and whether the Excellence Club is really worth the extra cost.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. You can read more in my disclaimer.

The Bottom Line

My husband and I have stayed at a lot of resorts over the years, and Excellence Playa Mujeres is one of the few we’ve actually gone back to. That probably tells you everything you need to know.

The vibe is peaceful and romantic. The food is actually pretty good. The service is top notch. And if you splurge for the Excellence Club, it takes the whole experience to the next level.

We left this much needed trip feeling relaxed, happy, and already talking about planning another one. Like, we were checking dates and flights before we even got home.

If you’re looking for a fun party spot, this probably isn’t your place. But if you want to unwind, eat well, and feel totally taken care of, I absolutely recommend it.

We are big fans of the Excellence Resorts umbrella. We even took the kids to one of their family resorts, Finest Punta Cana, and had an amazing time there.

Don’t have time to read this whole article? Book your stay at Excellence Playa Mujeres now. It’s my favorite adults only all-inclusive resort!

Where Is Excellence Playa Mujeres?

Excellence Playa Mujeres is in a quiet area just outside of Cancun. It’s about a 40 minute drive from the airport, depending on traffic.

Note: When I booked, transportation was included in my price, which made it wicked easy for me to get to the resort!

You won’t be in the middle of the busy Hotel Zone, which I very much liked. It felt more peaceful and private. The resort is in a gated community, so once you’re in, it feels really safe and tucked away.

You really don’t need to leave the property unless you’re planning to do excursions. The resort offers a bunch you can book, like catamaran trips, snorkeling, and cultural tours. But if you’re just there to relax, you can stay put the entire time and have everything you need.

First Impressions

From the second we pulled up, everything felt easy. A staff member greeted us right away with a big smile and a welcome drink. I don’t normally drink champagne, but after a long day of travel it hit the spot.

Check-in was quick and smooth. Because we booked an Excellence Club room, we were taken to a private lounge upstairs where everything felt calm and quiet. No lines, no crowds, just someone offering us a seat and taking care of everything while we relaxed.

The lobby is beautiful, open air, and feels super fancy without being stuffy. And it smelled amazing. I could tell right away this was going to be a relaxing stay.

The Vibes at Excellence Playa Mujeres

This place just feels calm. From the moment we arrived, everything just slowed down. It’s adults only, so there’s no yelling, no splashing, no chaos.

As much as I love my kids, sometimes a kid-free environment is exactly what you need. There’s something about not hearing “Mom!” every five minutes that really helps you relax. It was so nice to just sit in peace, have a drink or two, and enjoy alone time with my husband.

The whole resort is beautifully designed. It’s classy and has that incredible lush tropical vibe that I’m obsessed with. And they keep it immaculate.

We saw couples on honeymoons, anniversary trips, and even some friend groups just hanging out. It’s not a loud party resort (except for that one time my whole family was there for the wedding years ago.) If you’re looking for DJs and late night shots by the pool, this probably isn’t your spot.

But if you want quiet mornings, poolside drinks, and romantic dinners, it’s pretty much perfect.

Our Room

We stayed in an Excellence Club Swim Up Suite, and honestly, it was amazing. Having direct access to the pool right from our patio was such a treat.

A little thing to note: it’s not a “true” swim-up where you just jump right in from your patio. There’s a strip of grass between the patio and the pool, so you walk just a few steps to the water. Totally not a deal-breaker though!

The main negative thing I can say about the swim-ups is that depending on which building you’re in, you might have other guests swimming right outside your room. So sometimes it’s not as private as you might hope. For us, it wasn’t a big deal, but it’s worth knowing if you want total privacy.

Inside the suite, privacy is definitely a bit wonky. The shower has a big glass wall that the bedroom is just on the other side of, so you’re putting on a show when you shower. Not that that’s a terrible thing… but not everyone might love that feature.

And the toilet door is made of (mostly) frosted glass that doesn’t go all the way to the floor or ceiling. So basically, the bathroom feels open and not very private.

The suite otherwise was bright, clean, and had plenty of space to spread out. The bed was super comfy, and I loved the little touches like the Nespresso machine in the room. It felt modern but cozy at the same time.

Compared to the junior suite we had on our first visit, the swim-up made a big difference. The junior suite was nice, but this just felt more luxurious. Plus, the Excellence Club perks added some nice extras like upgraded mini bar options and and exclusive access to certain areas.

Is Excellence Club Worth It?

The Excellence Club upgrade definitely makes a difference and is worth it to me. You get a bunch of extras that make your stay feel more special and less crowded.

Things like private check-in, access to a quiet lounge, and reserved spots on the beach are big perks. You also get upgraded minibar options and a special room service menu with extra choices.

Plus, there are some pools, bars, and restaurants just for Excellence Club guests, which means fewer crowds and faster service. On top of all that, you get a free Hydrotherapy treatment in the spa too.

For us, the extra cost was totally worth it because it made the whole trip feel smoother, more relaxing, and just a touch of that “extra” that I love. But if you’re on a tight budget and just want the basics, the regular rooms are still really nice.

The Pools at Excellence Playa Mujeres

One of the best things about this resort is how many pools there are. Excellence Playa Mujeres has seven pools, and five of those are heated in winter. Three of those are exclusive to Excellence Club guests.

There’s also a lazy river, emphasis on the lazy. I’ll be honest, it’s more of a very slow stream. It’s peaceful and relaxing, but still fun to drift along or just hang out in it.

My husband and I mainly bounced between the pool right outside our room, and the swim-up bar. The swim-up bar was a favorite cuz it’s hard to beat sitting in the pool with an adult beverage in your hand. The drinks were great, and it had a fun vibe without ever feeling rowdy or loud.

The pools are spread out enough that it never felt crowded. Even though the resort was at full capacity, we always found a good spot. Plus, if you’re staying in a ground floor suite like we did, you get direct pool access right from your room, which is such a nice bonus.

There were always plenty of towels to find, but if you want a front-row pool chair, it’s best to claim it early. People definitely get out there and put their stuff down in the morning. Our swim out had a private bed right outside our door, so that was never an issue for us.

There are also a bunch of hot tubs and whirlpools around the resort. Some are built right into the pools and others are tucked off to the side. If you’re in the Excellence Club, you get a few extras here too with access to more private spots.

The Beach at Excellence Playa Mujeres

The beach here is beautiful. And the sunrises are absolutely gorgeous!

There’s soft white sand and there are tons of chairs, beds, and umbrellas set up so you can always find a good spot without having to rush down first thing in the morning.

The water was not the clearest during this last visit, and there was a bit of sargassum washing up. They have tractors running daily to clean it, and the sand itself is very clean. But it’s a problem for most beaches in the area regardless.

That said, be careful when you’re in the ocean. Back when we were here for the family wedding, my brother stepped on something—maybe an urchin?—and ended up with little black spikes in his foot for the rest of the trip.

The medical staff on hand was supremely unhelpful with that too, fyi. Not exactly the beach memory you want, so just watch where you’re stepping.

There’s beach service, so you can just kick back and have drinks brought right to your lounger. If you’re in the Excellence Club, you also get access to a more private section of the beach. It’s quieter and has nicer beds, which we loved.

Some days the water was pretty calm and other days it was a bit choppier, but nothing crazy. So it’s pretty good for snorkeling and swimming. We did see a few interesting fish!

If you like long walks by the water, this beach is definitely perfect for that too.

The Food

A lot of people say the food at all-inclusive resorts is just okay. And sometimes that’s true. But I thought the food at Excellence Playa Mujeres was actually pretty good. There’s a huge variety, and I always found something I liked, even if it wasn’t exactly what I expected when I ordered it.

The resort has ten restaurants, plus a buffet, a beach grill, and twelve bars spread out all over the place. You’ve got everything from French food at Chez Isabelle, to sushi and hibachi at Spice, to tacos and seafood at Agave and The Lobster House.

There’s even a pizza spot (my husband’s favorite!) and a snack menu at the sports bar if you’re feeling more casual. I think my favorite meal was at Basmati, the Indian restaurant, although my giant tomahawk steak at Magna (see the photo!) was a close second!

Since we were in the Excellence Club, we had access to Magna, which is the club-only restaurant. We went there for dinner, and the food and service were both great. It felt a little more quiet and upscale than the main spots.

Dinner portions can be on the small side, so don’t be shy about ordering a few things if you’re hungry or just want to try different options. No one bats an eye if you get two appetizers or share a few desserts. You’re on vacation, just go for it.

Room service is available 24 hours a day, which is always a nice bonus. We ordered dinner to our room one night and ate it outside by our swim-up pool. Highly recommend!

Expert tip: Bring your own reusable straw. The resort doesn’t provide any, and frozen drinks are kind of hard to sip without one. Not a deal breaker at all, but something that’s good to know before you go.

The Spa

The spa at Excellence Playa Mujeres is beautiful and peaceful, and it smells amazing the second you walk in. My husband and I both left feeling like we hit peak relaxation.

Because we booked an Excellence Club room, we got the Hydrotherapy session included as part of our stay. I had no idea what to expect, but basically it’s a full guided experience that takes you through saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, pressure showers, and water jets.

We also got the Diamond Ritual treatment, which was a special perk from being Diamond level in the rewards program. That treatment was next level. It’s a back-body experience with fancy exfoliators and a really soothing massage.

If you’re planning a spa day, or even just thinking about trying the hydrotherapy, I definitely say go for it. It’s a great way to switch things up and treat yourself a little.

They even set up a little birthday celebration for me with a cake and the most delicious tea I’ve ever had.

The Service

The service at Excellence Playa Mujeres is exactly what you want on vacation. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and always had a smile. It never felt over the top, just genuine and easy.

One of my favorite little things is that whenever my husband or I said “¿Cómo estás?” to a staff member, they’d always answer “Excelente” with a big smile. We noticed it the first time we came here eight years ago, and it’s still a thing now. It’s such a fun little detail that just makes the whole place feel extra happy.

We didn’t need anything special during our stay, but everything ran smoothly. Our room was spotless, the pool servers were great (big shout-out to Lucy!), and the whole resort just felt very well taken care of.

The App

You’re definitely going to want to download the Excellence app before your trip. The resort doesn’t use paper menus at the restaurants, so the app is the only way to see what’s on the menu.

It also shows you which restaurants and bars are open right now, what’s opening later, and the full entertainment schedule. There’s a map of the resort, spa info, and other helpful stuff too.

The Wi-Fi at the resort is pretty solid, so the app usually works just fine. But I’ll be honest, I don’t love having to carry my phone around all day just to check a menu. Still, it’s a must, so download it before your trip.

Tips Before You Go

Here are a few things my husband and I wish we knew before our first visit that might help you out too:

• Bring a reusable straw. The resort doesn’t provide any, and frozen drinks can be a struggle without one. Toss one in your bag and thank me later. I have a whole All Inclusive Packing List + FREE Printable Checklist that will really come in handy for you.
• Download the app ahead of time. Like I mentioned, there are no paper menus, so the app is the only way to see what’s available at restaurants, check hours, and keep up with what’s happening around the resort.
• You don’t need to leave unless you want to. The resort has everything you need, but if you do want to explore, there are plenty of excursions you can book right through the resort.
• The dress code is real at some restaurants. Pack a pair of closed-toe shoes and long pants if you or your partner want to eat at the fancier spots like Chez Isabelle.
• Book spa stuff early. If you want a specific time or treatment, it’s best to book as soon as you can. You can even reserve spa appointments through the app (it sends an email), before you arrive.
• Bring small bills for tips. Tipping isn’t required, but it’s definitely appreciated. A few dollars here and there goes a long way.
• Watch your step in the ocean. My brother stepped on something years ago and had tiny black spikes in his foot the rest of the trip. The water is beautiful, but just shuffle your feet and pay attention.

Still unsure about Excellence Playa Mujeres? Check availability for your dates now. It’s an incredible and gorgeous tropical resort!

Frequently Asked Questions About Excellence Playa Mujeres