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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Excellence - Punta Cana
We like this resort the best.
We were going to do Costco travel but they don't offer this resort.
Does anyone have a "group" price / package deal website they can recommend? We wanted to book the flight and hotel together. Not where they charge you by the night but where they charge you a certain price for flight and four nights/five days.
That is how they did it at Costco and it priced cheaper.
I saw one website but don't know if it is reputable.
Thank you so much!!
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Posted 4/20/10 8:00 PM  |
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JenMarie
One day at a time
Member since 11/07 7397 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Have you thought about using a travel agent? I always book through Travel Tom and he seems to get me the best price with a bunch of add-ons and transfers and insurance are all included so I worry about nothing but tips when we're on vacation. FM me if you want his contact info.
ETA: You are going to LOVE Excellence!
Message edited 4/20/2010 9:39:36 PM.
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| Posted 4/20/10 9:39 PM |
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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
Name:
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
I use Travel Tom as well. He booked both my trip to Excellence Punta Cana and Excellence Playa Mujeres. He gets great AMEX rates. Enjoy! 
P.s - there is a sale going on:
Saw this on travelzoo.com last night. All 3 properties are on sale. We are going back to EPM later this year. Loved it! Sale link...
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| Posted 4/20/10 10:42 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Thanks!
I am going to contact Travel Tom.
Kim - what did you think of Excellence PC?
The 30% off deal they have is great!!
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| Posted 4/20/10 10:59 PM |
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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
Name:
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
I thought it was great but EPM blows it away. I would go back there over and over again over EPC.
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| Posted 4/20/10 11:01 PM |
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JenMarie
One day at a time
Member since 11/07 7397 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Posted by KimPetro
I thought it was great but EPM blows it away. I would go back there over and over again over EPC.
I have to agree. While EPC holds a special place in my heart because we went there for our HM, the roof-top terrace rooms at EPM are AMAZING. Danielle I have a bunch of pics on FB of both resorts. Both are really great, but EPM was more modern and the spa is to die for!
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| Posted 4/20/10 11:05 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
We can't go to Mexico  but thank you.
If EPM didn't exist do you still love EPC??
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| Posted 4/20/10 11:08 PM |
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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
Name:
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Yes still loved it!
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| Posted 4/20/10 11:10 PM |
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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
Name:
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Wanted to add - trip from airport to hotel is close to an hour and can be a little crazy at times with bumpy/narrow roads. I highly recommend booking a private transfer.
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| Posted 4/20/10 11:17 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Hmm - now I'm thinking about Mexico.
Once I looked at the map, the flight/travel time is really no different.
I wonder if JET BLUE goes there??
Also, did you have to watch your every move w/ the water in Mexico? Someone told me they had to brush their teeth with bottled water and had to really be careful about it.
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| Posted 4/20/10 11:25 PM |
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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
Name:
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Yes Jet Blue flies direct to Cancun and EPM is 30 minutes north of Cancun. Property is completely safe and secluded. Everything at the resort is purified (from what I was told). I did not have any problems. I did use bottled water to brush my teeth since I don't think the faucet water is filtered only everything in the restaurants, etc.
Also check tripadvisor.com for reviews, photos, videos, etc. I love reading the questions in the travel forums. Helps to get the inside scoop.
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| Posted 4/20/10 11:30 PM |
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JenMarie
One day at a time
Member since 11/07 7397 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Posted by DaniRella
Hmm - now I'm thinking about Mexico.
Once I looked at the map, the flight/travel time is really no different.
I wonder if JET BLUE goes there??
Also, did you have to watch your every move w/ the water in Mexico? Someone told me they had to brush their teeth with bottled water and had to really be careful about it.
Travel time is pretty much the same, but in Mexico the ride from the airport to the hotel is only about 20 minutes, where in DR it's over an hour. Not sure about Jet Blue. We always fly American Airlines, which is what TravelTom (American Express) books. I'm sure you could use another airline if you wanted though.
We had to be careful about the water in DR too. Brushed with bottled water in both places.
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| Posted 4/20/10 11:32 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
My parents are all upset about the idea of us going to Mexico. They said that is so dangerous and there are very few people going there now because of how dangerous it is -- and that is why they are offering deals, yadda, yadda because no one wants to go there. That there are people who 'don't make it to the hotel' after they leave the airport and are getting abducted - they went nuts! They said we are out of our minds to even consider it!
 Yikes I'm sorry I mentioned it.
I heard there were problems there but I didn't think it was that bad - they said the gov't is all corrupt and stuff. 
Am I crazy to consider this???
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| Posted 4/21/10 11:19 AM |
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FelAndJon
needs to update her avatar pic
Member since 6/05 10212 total posts
Name:
Felice (aka LuckyBride2004)
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
We did Excellence Punta Cana when it was still part of Secrets. It was the most amazing vacation we had takes (this was before we went to Tahiti on our Honeymoon  ) and the one we compare all vacations to. it is romantic and fun! They have (or at least had!) a really fun night club, the pool is amazing, the food was really good with various restaurants to choose from, great drinks, everything!!!
If you do a search for Secrets, you might find a lot more posts...
ETA: This site was our go-to resource when we booked the hotel. You can research other hotels too :)
Message edited 4/21/2010 11:40:33 AM.
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| Posted 4/21/10 11:34 AM |
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JenMarie
One day at a time
Member since 11/07 7397 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Posted by DaniRella
My parents are all upset about the idea of us going to Mexico. They said that is so dangerous and there are very few people going there now because of how dangerous it is -- and that is why they are offering deals, yadda, yadda because no one wants to go there. That there are people who 'don't make it to the hotel' after they leave the airport and are getting abducted - they went nuts! They said we are out of our minds to even consider it!
Yikes I'm sorry I mentioned it.
I heard there were problems there but I didn't think it was that bad - they said the gov't is all corrupt and stuff.
Am I crazy to consider this???
 My Dad had the same exact reaction. And to boot, I booked our trip right before the swine flew outbreak, which REALLY threw my father for a loop.
Honestly, no matter where you go there is some level of danger. It's the same way in DR, but DR is a MUCH poorer country. When we were in DR a couple had their passports stolen. So it's not free of crime...nowhere is. I liken it to coming to NY...there are good parts and bad parts.
This goes for both Mexico and DR: When you get off the plane there will be a ton of people offering to carry your bags for you. Just say no. We found the American Express Travels team, gave them our vouchers, and got right in our shuttle van. The ride from airport to hotel is over an hour in DR and about 20 minutes in Mexico.
EPM has 3 security gates to enter the resort. Many people took cabs into downtown Cancun to go to the bars, restaurants and shopping. And there are a bunch of excursions that are safe...just book with the travel agent or hotel.
Both resorts took safety precautions with security gates and armed guards. We felt completely safe on both trips, and probably slightly safer in Mexico because the ride was shorter and the area we had to go through was not as undeveloped and poor.
This is long enough, but if you have specific questions feel free to FM me.
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| Posted 4/21/10 12:56 PM |
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Nik211
my little monkey<3
Member since 5/08 3303 total posts
Name:
Nik
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
I just booked Excellence Playa Mujeres for a 2nd HM  we literally booked it this morning!
We were going to do Punta Cana but our friend who went to EPC said they couldn't swim in the ocean there - I think b/c it was very rough - so that was a big reason we opted for Mexico - better chance of using the ocean and a shorter flight....But our friend said that EPC was amazing and they loved it - so I am hoping EPM is just as good...
Question for those who have been to EPM - how is the beach/ocean over there?
Message edited 4/21/2010 1:05:24 PM.
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| Posted 4/21/10 1:04 PM |
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JenMarie
One day at a time
Member since 11/07 7397 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Posted by Nik211
Question for those who have been to EPM - how is the beach/ocean over there?
The beach isn't rough. There's some seaweed that some people on TripAdvisor were complaining about, but we didn't think it was an issue. They clean it up constantly throughout the day.
Here's a link to my review on TripAdvisor with pics of the resort and beach (top review titled "LOVE Excellence Resorts!"). Link
If you didn't get the roof-top terrace room, it's totally worth the extra money. No room at any other resort can even compare! Have fun!
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| Posted 4/21/10 1:26 PM |
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photoshopbabe
wow....
Member since 5/07 2197 total posts
Name:
linda
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Re: Excellence - Punta Cana
Posted by DaniRella
Hmm - now I'm thinking about Mexico.
Once I looked at the map, the flight/travel time is really no different.
I wonder if JET BLUE goes there??
Also, did you have to watch your every move w/ the water in Mexico? Someone told me they had to brush their teeth with bottled water and had to really be careful about it.
We went to Mexico 2 years in a row, one year, Riviera Maya, one year Cancun. Nobody got sick on either trip.
I didnt really watch my every move w/the water either.
Furthermore, I have known 2 people to travel to DR in the last 2 years and eveyrone got sick there-its actually more of a chance to get sick in DR now than in Mexico (or so what ive heard...)
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| Posted 4/22/10 10:35 AM |
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