Description: After an hour's drive through the rolling green countryside in an A/C van, we are greeted with lush landscaping, ponds with flamingos and ducks and a huge open air lobby with more ponds and waterfalls. This is Secrets Excellence!! An adults-only all-inclusive resort on a long palm fringed beach. The resort feels like a small village. It has a square with daytime activities and nightime music or entertainment.
Accommodations are spacious - a canopied king or two queen beds, rattan sofa and chair. All have balconies and some patios even sport a hammock. A large Jacuzzi tub for two separates the sleeping area from the dressing area. Amenities include A/C, coffee maker, minibar, safe, ceiling fans, a basket of toiletries, 24-hour limited room service, and turndown service.
Garden view rooms are more quiet since all other rooms face the pool that runs the length of the resort. The gardens are lovely with ponds, fountains and flowers. Many ground floor rooms have direct access to the pool, but third floor rooms have the advantage of a cathedral ceiling and more privacy. The junior suites are my favorite.
The pool never feels crowded since it meanders through the property and palapas, floaties, and lounges are always available. The large swim-up bar is usually a busy place.
Seven restaurants offer a variety of foods with limited menus. The food is tasty, but not gourmet -- typical of a cruise or large all-inclusive. All restaurants are a la carte except for the breakfast and lunch buffet. If the weather is cooperative two nights of barbecue on the beach are planned with table cloths, glassware, and candles!! The A/C continental restaurant (reservations needed) has fine service, gourmet food, and a piano player. Dining here is leisurely. The Italian restaurant serves individual pizzas all day and the pastas are quite good. Our least favorites were the Mexican and Chinese. The Mexican food was bland and the service at the Chinese restaurant was much too fast. The food was very salty, but the pre-made sushi was good. Breakfast was served buffet style with omelets made to order, a fruit shake station and a self-serve mimosa or bloody mary station. Two open-air palapas overlooking the pool and the ocean grilled meats and fish for lunch and dinner.
Evening entertainment is quite good, at least entertaining, but not Broadway -- musical groups, magic shows, karaoke, dance shows, and the like, with some audience participation. The disco has a great sound system and is open until almost dawn.
A beautiful quiet spa, a few shops, free internet cafe, a watersports cabana, and a variety of excursions offered by the tour operators will keep you as busy as want on your vacation.
For a relaxing few days far away from it all, Secrets Excellence is one of the best choices, not only in Punta Cana, but in the Caribbean.
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