Excellence Riviera Cancun
Excellence Riviera Cancun is the smart money pick in the adults-only luxury tier. The food across ten restaurants is legitimately as good as its more famous sister Excellence Playa Mujeres, the Puerto Morelos beach position is quietly excellent, and you pay roughly 15 percent less per night for a very similar experience. It is not the newest resort, and honeymooners seeking Instagram-perfect design should book elsewhere. But for couples who care about food, service, and value over aesthetics, Excellence Riviera Cancun is one of the best values in all-inclusive Mexico.
Excellence Riviera Cancun: The Smart Money Adults-Only Pick
Excellence Group has two flagship properties in the Riviera Maya area: Excellence Playa Mujeres, the newer and glitzier build north of Cancún, and Excellence Riviera Cancun, the original that put the brand on the map. Playa Mujeres gets most of the press these days — it is the resort that shows up in luxury travel roundups and on Instagram feeds. Riviera Cancun is the older sibling, and because of that it has become slightly underrated by the current travel press.
That is a mistake. Excellence Riviera Cancun is not a lesser version of its sister property. It is the resort that established the Excellence formula — ten-plus restaurants where every single venue is genuinely good, real butler service at the Excellence Club level, a secluded beach in Puerto Morelos that most travelers have never heard of, and an adults-only atmosphere that stays sophisticated without getting stuffy. The food is legitimately as good as Playa Mujeres. The service culture is the same. The beach is arguably just as nice. And you pay roughly $50 to $150 per night less for all of it.
The trade-offs are honest: the resort is older, the rooms are not brand-new, and nothing about the property screams “photo my honeymoon here.” If you can look past the age and focus on what actually makes a great all-inclusive experience — food, service, beach, atmosphere — Excellence Riviera Cancun is one of the best values in luxury all-inclusive Mexico. Here is why.
Quick Verdict
Who it is for: Couples, honeymooners, and anniversary travelers who prioritize food quality and service over brand-new aesthetics and are happy to trade a few years of building age for meaningful savings over comparable adults-only luxury resorts. Who should skip it: Families with kids (adults-only), couples chasing the newest and most design-forward property, or anyone for whom photogenic room design is a top priority. Bottom line: The smart value pick in the adults-only luxury tier — roughly 85 percent of Excellence Playa Mujeres for roughly 85 percent of the price. Score: 8.9/10.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 10 restaurants with consistent high quality | Resort is older — some rooms feel dated |
| Excellence Club upgrade delivers real value | 35 minutes from Cancún airport |
| Secluded Puerto Morelos beach position | Service can dip during low occupancy |
| Same Excellence DNA as Playa Mujeres for less | Not photogenic compared to newer builds |
| Strong spa and wellness programming | No swim-up room categories with lagoon access |
| Adults-only, 18+, calm sophisticated vibe | No walkable off-property nightlife |
| Top-shelf spirits and genuinely good cocktails |
The Resort at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total suites | 448 |
| Restaurants | 10 (including specialty à la cartes) |
| Bars | 11 |
| Pools | 7, including Excellence Club private pool |
| Beach | White sand Caribbean beachfront, Puerto Morelos |
| Airport distance | ~35 minutes from CUN |
| Adults-only | Yes, 18+ |
| Chain | Excellence Group |
| Concept | Luxury all-inclusive |
| Wi-Fi | Free throughout |
Rooms and Suites
Every accommodation at Excellence Riviera Cancun is technically a suite, starting at 540 square feet. All rooms come with a king bed or two queens, a balcony with a double whirlpool tub (one of the brand’s signature features — yes, the tub is on the balcony or terrace), a minibar refreshed daily with beer, water, soda, and bottled water, premium bath amenities, and 24-hour room service.
Junior Suite Resort View
The entry-level room, facing the resort’s landscaped grounds and pools rather than the ocean. These are comfortable and well-appointed, but this is the category where the resort’s age is most visible — the finishes are older, the bathrooms are functional rather than glamorous, and you will notice the gap between these rooms and a brand-new build. Perfectly fine for a four- or five-night stay, especially if you plan to spend most of your time out of the room.
Junior Suite Ocean View
The clear upgrade over the standard Resort View. Same square footage but facing the Caribbean with a better balcony experience and a genuine ocean view to wake up to. On a honeymoon or anniversary, the extra cost is worth it. Ocean view rooms have also been more recently refreshed than some of the older Resort View categories.
Excellence Club Junior Suite
The entry-level Excellence Club room adds the club-level perks: butler service, private lounge access, private beach section, dedicated Excellence Club pool, premium liquor upgrades, private check-in, and more attentive overall service. The Excellence Club buildings also happen to be among the more recently updated on the property, so you avoid some of the “dated finishes” issue that hits Resort View rooms.
Excellence Club Two-Story Rooftop Suite
The splurge category: a two-level suite with a private rooftop terrace, plunge pool, and panoramic views. Only a small number of these exist. Book for special occasions and book early — they go first for every peak season.
Our Pick
For most couples: Excellence Club Junior Suite. The Excellence Club upgrade is where the resort goes from “a nice stay” to “a genuinely great stay.” Butler service, private beach area, premium spirits, and the dedicated pool add up to far more than the nightly upcharge suggests. For honeymoons and anniversaries: a Two-Story Rooftop Suite if the budget stretches. Avoid the base Junior Suite Resort View category unless you are price-sensitive enough that the savings are the whole point — the upgrade to Ocean View or Excellence Club is one of the better value jumps in the Riviera Maya.
Food and Dining
This is where Excellence Riviera Cancun truly shines and where it most clearly earns its luxury rating. Ten restaurants covering essentially every cuisine you would want on vacation, and the batting average is exceptionally high. This is the Excellence Group formula at its best: not one or two showpiece venues surrounded by mediocrity, but a consistent level of quality across the entire dining program.
The Standouts
Lobster House is the beachfront seafood restaurant and the single best venue on the property. The grilled Caribbean lobster is served on a candlelit beachfront terrace with live acoustic music most evenings, and the lobster itself is as good as you will find at any all-inclusive. The romance factor is through the roof — this is the restaurant couples book for their anniversary night. Reserve for your fourth or fifth night when the resort feels fully familiar and the sunset on the beach is working in your favor.
Chez Isabelle handles French fine dining, and like its namesake at Excellence Playa Mujeres, it would hold its own against independent French restaurants in real cities. Escargot, duck confit, foie gras, proper cheese plates, and a wine list that punches above its Unlimited-Luxury weight class. This is a date-night restaurant with real tablecloth service and dim lighting — book it for an anniversary night and you will remember it.
Agave is the Mexican restaurant, and it is proper regional Mexican cuisine rather than the Americanized version most all-inclusives serve. The molcajete, the mole poblano, and the tableside guacamole are highlights. The tequila program is unusually good, with a wide selection of premium tequilas and mezcals included in the all-inclusive rate. Eat here at least twice.
The Reliable Options
Toscana is the Italian venue with handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and a strong osso buco. The terrace seating is pleasant in good weather. Toscana gets crowded because everyone wants Italian on vacation — book early.
Spice is the Pan-Asian venue covering sushi, Thai, Japanese teppanyaki, and Chinese. The sushi is fresh enough to satisfy sushi skeptics, the teppanyaki is entertaining without being cheesy, and the Thai dishes are properly spiced. This is not Himitsu at Secrets Maroma, but it is a legitimately good Asian restaurant within an all-inclusive context.
The Grill handles the steakhouse role with proper cuts of beef, a strong ribeye and filet program, and a reasonable wine pairing list. Not revolutionary, but reliable and consistent.
Buffets and Casual Dining
Flavor Market is the main dining venue and it is not a traditional buffet — it is an interactive cooking-station concept where you order dishes made to order from live stations (pasta, sushi, grill, Mexican, Asian, salads). It is significantly better than the average all-inclusive buffet and is genuinely worth eating at for breakfast, lunch, and even the occasional dinner. The made-to-order omelet station at breakfast is the best at the resort.
The Barefoot Grill is the beachfront casual spot for lunch — burgers, grilled fish tacos, fresh ceviche, and salads served without moving more than twenty feet from your lounger. Perfect for beach days.
Gourmet Cafe handles the coffee and pastry role with proper espresso, fresh pastries in the morning, and light snacks in the afternoon.
Bars and Drinks
Eleven bars pouring top-shelf spirits: Grey Goose, Johnnie Walker Black, Don Julio, Hendrick’s, and a strong tequila and mezcal selection at Agave. The bartenders can actually make cocktails — real mixology rather than pour-and-stir. The in-room minibar is refreshed daily with beer, water, and soda.
The Martini Bar is the single best bar on the property, with a proper martini program and sophisticated cocktails in a calm lounge setting. The Lobby Bar is the social center before dinner. The Swim-Up Bar at the main pool handles the daytime crowd. Revive handles the late-night crowd with live music most evenings.
Food Quality Verdict
Excellence Riviera Cancun runs one of the strongest all-inclusive dining programs in Mexico, full stop. Lobster House, Chez Isabelle, and Agave are legitimately excellent. Toscana and Spice are consistently good. Flavor Market is significantly better than any buffet competitor. Across ten venues, the batting average is as high as anything in the Riviera Maya, including the more famous adults-only luxury properties. Food is the primary reason to book this resort.
Beach and Pools
The Beach
The resort sits on a quiet stretch of beach in Puerto Morelos, between Cancún to the north and Playa del Carmen to the south. The beach is white sand, the water is Caribbean turquoise, and the overall vibe is dramatically calmer than either of the more populated destinations nearby. Puerto Morelos is a sleepy coastal town with a reef just offshore, and the offshore reef helps keep the waves gentle and the sargassum somewhat more manageable than Cancún’s south shore (though worse than Maroma).
The beach in front of the resort is protected and reserved for guests, with comfortable loungers, beach service, and the Excellence Club private beach section for upgraded guests. The private Excellence Club beach area is a quieter, more reserved strip with dedicated waiter service and is genuinely one of the better private beach setups in the adults-only luxury tier.
Beach rating: 4 out of 5. Not quite Playa Maroma, but a significant step up from most Cancún and Playa del Carmen beaches, especially during the worst of sargassum season.
Pools
Seven pools give the resort excellent pool coverage and keep things from feeling crowded. The main pool is the large social pool with a swim-up bar and daytime activity programming. The Excellence Club pool is the private, quieter pool for upgraded guests and is noticeably less crowded. Quiet pools exist for guests who want to read in peace. The spa pool is part of the wellness area and is one of the most serene spots on the property.
Service around all pools is attentive, with drink orders taken at the loungers and food available via the Barefoot Grill. Lounger availability is generally good except during absolute peak weeks.
Activities and Entertainment
Daytime
Non-motorized water sports are included: kayaks, catamarans, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and introductory scuba in the pool. The snorkeling off the Puerto Morelos reef is genuinely worth the effort — it is one of the best coastal reefs in the region and can be accessed either directly from the beach or via a short boat trip arranged through the resort. Tennis, a fitness center, daily yoga, aqua aerobics, and cooking classes round out the daytime schedule.
Evening Entertainment
Evening programming is sophisticated and calm rather than high-energy. Live music runs nightly at several bars, themed dinner events rotate through the week, and occasional cultural performances (mariachi, Mexican folkloric dance) run in the main plaza. There is no nightclub per se — the Revive lounge handles the late-night crowd with live music and good cocktails but closes earlier than a proper club would.
This is deliberately not a party resort. If you want to stay up until 3 AM dancing, you are in the wrong place. If you want an excellent dinner, a post-dinner drink under palm trees, and an early-morning walk on the beach, you are in exactly the right place.
Spa and Wellness
Miilé Spa is the full-service spa and it is genuinely one of the better all-inclusive spa facilities in the region. The hydrotherapy circuit is included with most treatments — a proper sauna, steam room, cold plunge, hot tubs, heated loungers, and a serene relaxation area. The couples’ treatment rooms include private soaking tubs and are popular for honeymoons.
Spa treatments cost extra but are priced reasonably for the tier. The signature treatments include the Mayan Honey Ritual and the 80-minute deep tissue massage. Book afternoon slots mid-week for the best availability and occasional off-peak pricing.
Daily wellness programming — yoga on the beach, aqua fitness, meditation, stretching — is included and well-attended. Not quite at the level of Secrets Maroma’s sunrise yoga, but legitimately good and worth taking advantage of.
What Is Included vs. What Costs Extra
| Included | Extra Cost |
|---|---|
| All meals at 10 restaurants | Spa treatments |
| Top-shelf spirits and cocktails | Motorized water sports |
| 24-hour room service | Scuba diving (beyond intro) |
| Daily minibar restocking | Off-property excursions |
| Non-motorized water sports | Premium wines (some) |
| Reef snorkeling gear | Photography packages |
| Nightly entertainment | Airport transfers (usually) |
| Fitness center and tennis | |
| Daily wellness programming | |
| Free Wi-Fi throughout |
Pricing and How to Book
Price Ranges by Season
| Season | Period | Price Per Night (Junior Suite) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | Dec 20 – Jan 5, Feb (Valentine’s), Easter week | $620 – $850+ |
| High | Jan 6 – April, Nov – Dec 19 | $470 – $620 |
| Shoulder | May – early June | $400 – $480 |
| Low | Late June – October | $385 – $450 |
Rates shown are per night, double occupancy, luxury all-inclusive. The Excellence Club upgrade typically runs $80 to $150 per night and is worth it for most couples.
Low season is cheap for a reason — hurricane risk and peak sargassum season. The best value window is late April through early June, which combines strong weather, manageable sargassum, and prices significantly below the March peak. January and February are excellent weather-wise but carry the Valentine’s markup.
Best Time to Book
Four to six months ahead for peak season (December, February, March). The resort consistently fills during high-demand weeks, and waiting means losing your preferred room category or paying peak-of-peak. For shoulder season, two to three months ahead is usually sufficient.
Where to Book
Excellence Group direct sometimes runs resort credit promotions on five-plus-night stays — worth checking their site before booking elsewhere. Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com are your best comparison tools for the base rate. Travel agents specializing in Excellence Group can occasionally unlock upgrades or private transfers not available to public rates.
On-Arrival Tips That Actually Matter
- Book Lobster House and Chez Isabelle at the reservation desk immediately on arrival. These fill first.
- If you upgraded to Excellence Club, find the private beach area within the first couple of hours.
- Request a recently renovated room category — the resort’s age shows most in the older Resort View blocks.
- Plan at least one Puerto Morelos reef snorkeling session. It is one of the best coastal reefs in the region.
Compared to Nearby Resorts
vs. Excellence Playa Mujeres: This is the most important comparison for anyone considering Excellence Riviera Cancun. Playa Mujeres is newer, more photogenic, and slightly more polished across the board. Riviera Cancun has the same culinary DNA, a genuinely comparable beach in Puerto Morelos, and a price that runs $50 to $150 per night lower. If brand-new aesthetics matter to you, go Playa Mujeres. If you care about food and service over aesthetics and want to save real money, Riviera Cancun is the smart pick. The food is legitimately equal — you are not trading down on that front.
vs. Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun: Secrets Maroma has the best beach of any all-inclusive in Mexico — Playa Maroma is in a different category from the Puerto Morelos beach. Excellence Riviera Cancun has slightly better food across more venues and a more mature, polished service culture. The price is similar. If the beach is why you are booking, go Secrets Maroma. If the food is why you are booking, go Excellence Riviera Cancun.
vs. Moon Palace The Grand Cancún: These are completely different experiences. Moon Palace is a family-focused mega-resort with a water park and 25-plus restaurants. Excellence Riviera Cancun is an intimate adults-only luxury property with ten restaurants and a calm atmosphere. If you have kids, Moon Palace. If you are a couple seeking romance, Excellence Riviera Cancun by a mile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Excellence Riviera Cancun compare to Excellence Playa Mujeres?
Playa Mujeres is newer, more design-forward, and sits on a slightly more famous stretch of beach. Riviera Cancun has the same food quality, the same service culture, a comparable but different beach in Puerto Morelos, and prices that run $50 to $150 per night lower. If you prioritize aesthetics and the latest builds, book Playa Mujeres. If you prioritize food, service, and value, book Riviera Cancun. Both are excellent; the smart money pick depends on what you care about most.
Is the resort really showing its age?
Some of it is, honestly. The older Resort View buildings have finishes and bathrooms that lag behind brand-new luxury builds elsewhere in the Riviera Maya. The Excellence Club buildings have been more recently updated and feel significantly fresher. The public areas — restaurants, pools, beach, spa — all look good. If you book Excellence Club or Ocean View, you will barely notice the age. If you book the base Resort View category, it will be more obvious.
Is the beach as good as people claim?
It is very good but not quite Playa Maroma or Playa Mujeres good. The Puerto Morelos stretch is calm, attractive, and has the offshore reef helping with both snorkeling and sargassum mitigation. It is a clear step up from most Cancún Hotel Zone south-facing beaches and holds its own against Playa del Carmen. For perspective: this is a top-25-percent Mexican all-inclusive beach, not a top-5-percent one.
Are kids allowed at Excellence Riviera Cancun?
No. Excellence Riviera Cancun is strictly adults-only, 18 and over. For families traveling with kids, look at Moon Palace The Grand Cancún or the family-friendly Finest Playa Mujeres instead.
How far is the resort from Cancún airport and Playa del Carmen?
Approximately 35 minutes to Cancún International Airport and 20 minutes to central Playa del Carmen. The resort arranges transfers, and Excellence Club guests often receive an included transfer as part of the upgrade package. Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue makes for a good day-trip excursion if you want a change of scenery mid-week.
Is the Excellence Club upgrade worth it?
Yes, for most couples. Butler service, private beach area, dedicated Excellence Club pool, premium spirits, recently renovated room inventory, and more attentive overall service combine to make it one of the better club-level upgrades in the all-inclusive world. The upcharge typically runs $80 to $150 per night and in our view is well worth it — especially because some of the more dated standard rooms are avoided by booking Excellence Club.
Final Verdict
Score: 8.9 out of 10
Excellence Riviera Cancun is the underrated gem in the adults-only luxury tier. Ten restaurants delivering consistently high food quality, a mature service culture, a quietly excellent beach in Puerto Morelos, and a price that runs meaningfully below its more famous sister property. Lobster House and Chez Isabelle are legitimately memorable. Agave does proper Mexican cuisine. The Excellence Club upgrade adds real value. The spa is strong, the pools are spacious, and the overall atmosphere stays sophisticated without getting stuffy.
The honest trade-offs: the resort is older than its sister property and some rooms show their age, the location is closer to Puerto Morelos than to any nightlife, and nothing about the design screams “Instagram backdrop.” These are real concessions, but none of them undermine what the resort does well — which is deliver a luxury all-inclusive experience at a price that makes you wonder why everyone is paying more for Playa Mujeres.
Book Excellence Riviera Cancun if: You are a couple who prioritizes food quality over design, you want luxury all-inclusive without paying absolute top-tier pricing, or you are willing to trade a few years of building age for meaningful savings.
Skip it if: You want the newest resort (book Excellence Playa Mujeres instead), you need the absolute best beach (book Secrets Maroma Beach), or you are traveling with kids (book a family-friendly resort like Moon Palace The Grand Cancún).
For most couples comparing adults-only luxury Mexico all-inclusives on a budget-conscious basis, this is the smart pick. See our full Mexico destination guide for the complete picture and our best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico rankings for how it stacks up across the country.