A Week at the Excellence Playa Mujeres

The following post is written by Adam from the Boscov’s Travel Marketing Department.  Adam recently vacationed at the Excellence Playa Mujeres, and shares his insight into the resort and his overall travel experience booked through Boscov’s Travel.

DSCN0145.JPGAfter spending a week in Mexico two years ago, my wife and I decided to spend our yearly vacation in the land of guacamole again this year. During our previous stay in at the Secrets Silversands resort in Mexico, we enjoyed the beach but it wasn’t ideal for going into the deep waters of the Caribbean. When deciding where to go this year, the beach had to be priority. After much research, discussion and competitive “the resort I found is better than yours” banter we decided on the Excellence Playa Mujeres. And by we, I mean her.

After the flight and breezing through customs we were picked up by AMStar Tours for our private transfer to the resort. The resort was about 20 minutes from the Cancun Airport. Our guide, Carlos, did a fantastic job of providing an update of the Cancun area since our previous visit. During the drop off at the resort, he also provided his contact information in case we needed to change our pick up time or schedule any excursions we wished to take with AMStar Tours.

If you are going to an all-inclusive in Mexico, I would highly suggest using AMStar for airport transfers from the airport to the resort. They are dedicated to providing world-class services and their team is staffed by nothing less than travel professionals. And besides, when you’re stepping into a private vehicle at the airport, it makes you feel like a celebrity. Treat yo self!

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After making it through the city, we finally arrived at the Excellence Playa Mujeres. As always, it’s nice to be greeted with a cold towel and “Complimentary champagne, Sir?” Once inside, it’s always a sight to behold at how large the lobby can be at an all-inclusive resort- three floors and decorated to the nines. After checking in, we were escorted to our room right away. This year we decided to splurge a little more on our room and stayed in a Terrace Suite with Plunge Pool.

This Terrace Suite offers an expansive (807 sq. ft.) private terrace with Plunge Pool, comfortable lounge furniture and an open-air shower. If you decide to spend a vacation at this Excellence resort, stay in this suite. It was nice waking up in the morning and being able to lounge or swim when the sun was coming up. Also, my wife and I would enjoy a cocktail before going down to dinner each evening.

Excellence offers gourmet dining in ten international restaurants and eleven bars; no reservations needed. All meals, unlimited beverages, snacks, and 24/7 room service are included, plus all of the restaurants feature healthy menus and vegetarian dishes.

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We ate at a majority of the restaurants for dinner, the only ones we didn’t eat at were Basmati (Indian), Spice (Asian), and the Flavor Market (Tapas). And the only reasons why we didn’t eat at those places was because we wanted to eat at Chez Isabelle (French) and Agave (Mexican) more than once. I really believe that the menus in the restaurants at the Excellence are designed so that you are able have an appetizer, a salad, the main course, and dessert, and leave satisfied. The meals are portioned well and never disappoint.

Lunch was another experience all together. The Excellence had your standard buffet for breakfast and lunch. In addition to that, the Lobster House and the Grill offered a la carte menus for lunch. But the one we visited the most was Las Olas. Las Olas is located on the beach and has a selection of fast food, salads, wood-oven pizzas, and grilled favorites. The main course they offered was different everyday. One day we ate Seafood Paella, which was prepared in a giant wok, and another day we had Jamaican Jerk Chicken. It was fresh and served buffet style. It was by far the best place to eat lunch.

During our stay in Cancun 2 years ago, we went on a snorkeling excursion that gave us the opportunity to swim with sea turtles. This excursion is no longer available because the sea turtles habitats are now protected, which is a great because it helps the species from becoming extinct. So this year we decided to buy our own snorkeling gear and bring it with us.

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The beach at the Excellence provided more than enough space and ocean for us to explore the waters. We snorkeled at least twice a day and saw Bluefin Trevally, Starfish, Batfish, Sea Turtles, and a Manta Ray. Because of our decision to buy snorkeling gear, we decided we didn’t need to leave the resort to experience an excursion. We also took advantage of the free water sports offered by the resort and took the Stand Up Paddle Boards into the Caribbean a handful of times.

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Overall, our stay at the Excellence Playa Mujeres was by far the best vacation at an all-inclusive we have ever had. The service of the staff, the accommodations, the food, and the overall experience exceeded our expectations and was nothing short of amazing.

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If you’re ready to start planning your getaway, email [email protected], call 800-755-8020 or direct message us.

Visit Boscov’s Travel located within select Boscov’s including Pennsylvania (Camp Hill, Colonial Park/Harrisburg, Easton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Neshaminy/Bensalem, Wyomissing, Reading, Pottstown, Pottsville, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Wilkes-Barre), New York (Binghamton), New Jersey (Atlantic City and Moorestown), Delaware (Wilmington), and Maryland (Salisbury).  View our locations here. If you live a little further away, book over the phone by calling us at 800-755-8020. Learn more at boscovstravel.com.

Cruise News, from Boscov’s Travel

We’re in the midst of Wave Season, the time of year when cruising is on everyone’s mind! Typically the best time of year to book a cruise is this time period from January to March because of great deals and exciting new offers coming from cruise lines. Though Wave Season is coming to an end, there’s still time to book a cruise and save BIG whether you sail this spring or late fall. We’re here to bring you the latest cruise news and deals from some of our favorite cruise brands.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line just announced their exclusive premier island destination in the Caribbean, Harvest Caye.  Starting in November 2016, Norwegian cruise ships will sail to this 75 acre oasis. Relax on the beach in your own private villa, sing “Margaritaville” as you enjoy the libation in Jimmy Buffet’s Landshark Bar & Grill, swim with the fishes in the world’s second largest barrier reef, explore the ancient Mayan archaeological site of Nim Li Punit, paddle board on the crystal clear waters, or enjoy time in the pool.

See applicable sailings and learn more here.

Ready to book? Call us at 800-755-8020 or visit boscovstravel.com (bookings can be made in person or over the phone).

Royal Caribbean 

Harmony of the Seas, the World’s largest cruise ship, is launching this May in Europe. From May until October, guests will have the opportunity to experience the best that the Western Mediterranean has to offer. Sail from Barcelona, Spain and visit ports in France, Italy and Spain. In November, the vessel sails to her permanent home in the Caribbean with departures from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Onboard, guests will experience big, bold adventures in perfect harmony.  Activities for the family include a kids aquapark and family-friendly sports zone. For the more adventurous, fly across the ship on the zip line, hang ten on the FlowRider surf simulator or plunge down a 10-story slide.

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Harmony of the Seas features seven neighborhoods including Central Park, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Boardwalk, Entertainment Place, Royal Promenade, Youth Zone and Pool & Sports Zone. Take in a comedy show or an aqua show in the Aqua Ampitheatre. Enjoy Columbus, The Musical!, multiply your thrills with Grease, or collaborate with friends to find hidden clues and Escape the Rubicon!

Break out the hashtags and post online with Voom, the only high-speed internet at sea. For the over 21 crowd, have your cocktail shaken or stirred by the Bionic Bar featuring two robotic armed bartenders.View the ship’s amenities here and get a sense of its size below: Harmony_Infographic

Going on now through April 4, receive 30% off every guest on every ship (yep, even the Harmony!). Learn more here.

Ready to book? Call us at 800-755-8020 or visit boscovstravel.com (bookings can be made in person or over the phone).

 

Other Cruise Deals

Celebrity Cruises – Spring Sale! For a limited time, receive fares from $799 + get free drinks + up to $300 to spend on board. Discover why Celebrity Cruises was voted Best Premium Cruise Line for the past 8 consecutive years. Learn more here.

Boscov’s Travel Select Cruises – Cruises curated from Boscov’s Travel Specialists with direct transfers from local Boscov’s locations. Earn on board credit and sail with confidence. Learn more here.

If there’s another cruise line you’d like to sail with, let us know and we can help you book it!

Visit Boscov’s Travel located within select Boscov’s including Pennsylvania (Camp Hill, Colonial Park/Harrisburg, Easton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Neshaminy/Bensalem, Wyomissing, Reading, Pottstown, Pottsville, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Wilkes-Barre), New York (Binghamton), New Jersey (Atlantic City and Moorestown), Delaware (Wilmington), and Maryland (Salisbury).  View our locations here. If you live a little further away, book over the phone by calling us at 800-755-8020. Learn more at boscovstravel.com.

A Traveler’s Perspective: One of the Best Resorts in Punta Cana

Zoetry Agua in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is an all-inclusive luxury resort boasting a 6+ Global Apple rating from Apple Vacations (basically, the place is ranked at the very top of the chart). Two of our clients recently visited the resort and provided insider-access into one of the most beautiful Punta Cana hotels we’ve ever seen!

Stacy and Tyler, avid travelers and repeat Boscov’s Travel customers, were looking for an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. Having booked several trips for them in the past, Boscov’s Travel Camp Hill Travel Specialist Amy Bressler knew the amenities that Stacy and Tyler preferred, what type of atmosphere they gravitated to and what resort would provide the best vacation experience for them. They ended up on a different island all-together and settled on Zoetry Agua resort in Punta Cana.

Below, Stacy gives us her perspective on the resort (they had their own private butler!), why she recommends using a travel agency and why travel continues to be one of her favorite hobbies.

Why did you choose the particular resort?

Amy, our Travel Specialist, most definitely steered us in the right direction. She found an awesome deal at the Zoetry Agua Resort and once she showed us the resort, we were sold!

What did you like about the accommodations at the resort? (It looks like your room had its own private pool, too!)

I loved everything about this resort and our accommodations. The resort was a smaller resort with fewer rooms than most of the other resorts we have been to (96 to be exact). This made for a nice, quiet, and relaxing vacation. We had our own butler that took care of everything. He made our reservations for our spa appointments, set up transportation and tee times for two golf trips, and found us on the beach and by the pool just to make sure we had fresh drinks and beach towels.

Our room at the resort was amazing; it was bigger than some apartments. There was a “yard” with a small private pool to cool off along with lounge chairs. There was a separate sitting room with a couch and a dining table to enjoy room service. We had an open air bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and rain shower.

Our backyard

The beach and pool areas had plenty of available lounge chairs, umbrellas and natural palm trees for shade. The wait staff at the resort was top notch. They took very good care of us, our drinks were never empty, they paid great attention to detail, and they knew our names. The staff really made us feel that we were a priority and the only ones at the resort!

How were the food and drinks?

The food was excellent and the drinks were always well made. The variety of menu options was great, I don’t eat seafood and there were more than enough choices from which to choose. The steaks were probably the best tasting and well prepared steaks I have ever had on a vacation like this!

Do you have any stories from the trip that stand out?

I honestly loved everything about this trip. It was by far the nicest resort we have been to. Two things that stood were the service and the staff. From the beach and poolside staff, to the wait staff at breakfast, lunch and dinner, to our butler and even the staff at the spa, everyone was just fantastic. The resort was gorgeous, clean, and quiet – it just had such a relaxed atmosphere. I would definitely recommend this resort to anyone who wants to be taken care of and truly relax on their vacation!

So how did you learn about Boscov’s Travel?

I had been familiar with Boscov’s Travel for quite some time, my mother worked for Boscov’s department store for several years so I was aware Boscov’s had a travel division. At the time I booked my first trip through Boscov’s Travel, I did so because I was traveling with a group and Boscov’s Travel was the travel agency the group was working with. I met my travel agent Amy when booking that first trip and we have been planning vacations with her for four years now!

What makes you continue to choose Boscov’s Travel when you want to plan a vacation?

There are many reasons Boscov’s Travel is our go-to travel agency to book a vacation. We love our travel agent, Amy! She is the best and I recommend her to anyone and everyone who is looking to plan a trip. She is quick to return my calls and emails, she answers any and all questions, and makes us feel confident we are getting a great price at a perfect location with all the amenities. We also love Boscov’s Travel because of the prices they are able to offer. I have researched booking a vacation at the rate Amy has quoted us and it is definitely impossible.

Since you have been on a few trips with us and seem well-traveled, why do you choose to continue to travel?

Travel and adventure is a passion of mine. I grew up going on family vacations to Florida, cruising up and down the east coast, to the Caribbean and Canada and taking weekend trips to cities like Baltimore, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia. I even took a school trip to Europe. I absolutely love to travel, visit new places, explore new cultures, or just relax on the beach or poolside with a fruity umbrella drink. That is what I love about traveling – the possibilities are endless. In one trip you can be RV-ing through the jungle in the Dominican one day and the next laying by the beach and eating a traditional Dominican dinner.

Any advice to other travelers?

My advice for other travelers: if you want a worry free vacation beginning to end, book your vacation through a travel agent. We have never had to worry about how we are getting from the airport to our resort or back to the airport from the resort, we have never had any surprise fees or other unexpected expenditures. We have never had to spend hours paging through resorts, comparing prices, and trying to find flights. Our vacations are truly vacations because we let our travel agent do all the work for us so all we have to do is show up, order a drink, and relax!  Aside from that, don’t over pack and relax – you are on vacation.

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Beautiful beaches

 

Thanks to Stacy for sharing her vacation experiences! If you’re ready to book a vacation, visit Boscov’s Travel located within select Boscov’s including Pennsylvania (Camp Hill, Colonial Park/Harrisburg, Easton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Neshaminy/Bensalem, Wyomissing, Reading, Pottstown, Pottsville, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Wilkes-Barre), New York (Binghamton), New jersey (Atlantic City and Moorestown), Delaware (Wilmington), and Maryland (Salisbury).  View our locations here or call us at 800-755-8020. Learn more at boscovstravel.com