I love a good swim-up suite. In an upgraded room category with extra amenities. In a location which offers some terrace privacy. In an overall superlative resort. In a place where I can easily access the beach. Well, I’ve found another resort which meets my criteria–Excellence Riviera Cancun in the Riviera Maya.
In my many stays in Cancun and the Riviera Maya over the past seven years, I’ve discovered that the Excellence brand is one of the best when it comes to all-inclusive resorts. Service has always been great, amenities are fantastic, guest rooms are extremely comfortable and well laid out, and the food and drink options are plentiful.
This particular adults-only Excellence resort is no exception with its 11 restaurants, 12 bars, 440 all-suite guest rooms, and in-suite full bottles of alcohol with an Excellence Club upgrade. ERC offers complimentary lobster on its menus in addition to vegetarian and glutin/lactose free food choices, and for those who love to spa something different–you can actually swim into the spa from the lazy river for a treatment or two. If you want to try something different, the resort offers a 90-minute Temazcal ritual where you can experience a steam bath and energy-enhancing/cleansing steps led by a guide.
The locations of the swim-up suites vary–non-EC upgraded suites generally have quieter locations, while the oceanfront swim-ups are by pools which typically have live entertainment in the afternoons. While one cannot step off the terrace directly into a pool, it is only a short distance from guest room to swim-up pool’s edge. There is a double lounger on every terrace, a terrace Jacuzzi tub and day bed, while guest suite interiors include a living room area and additional Jacuzzi tub (for those who detest tubs within purview of the bed, you may want to skip this resort if this is a deal breaker).
Excellence Club upgrades include the following:
- private check-in/out
- access to a private lounge with snack and bar service along with use of computers/printers
- private heated pool
- private beach section
- daily fresh fruit and petit fours delivered to your suite
- upgraded room service menu
- in-suite full bottles of liquor and one wine bottle
- Bvgari toiletries (I absolutely love Bvgari’s green tea scent. During my last Excellence resort stay I hid bottles after one day of use and was able to take home several bottles since they are restocked daily)
- private concierge
- free use of in-suite beach bag
- complimentary one time use of the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit
Take a look at the suite video below. What do you think? Would you stay here?
Question. I have mobility issues and going down a ladder and back up out of the pool is very challenging. I see steps on the other side–is there an easier access on the room side?
Janine: Swim-ups by the lazy river don’t have many regular stairs on the rooms side, only ladders–I think there may be some actual steps on the ends of the buildings, but who wants to walk across other guest’s grassy areas to do that? You have to exit on the spa side and walk over a bridge to get back to your room. Swim-ups at other locations would have a different set-up