Scores at a Glance
Excellence Playa MujeresThe Residence Zanzibar
Overall
9.2
8.8
Beach
8.6
8.2
Food
9.0
8.4
Service
9.3
8.8
Rooms
9.2
9.5
Luxury
9.1
9.3
Value
8.8
7.5
Romance
9.3
9.2
Scores out of 10 — higher is better
Quick Stats
9.2
Overall Score
8.8
5-star
Star Rating
5-star
4.9 (18,078)
Google Rating
4.5 (854)
From $251
Price / Night (pp)
Rates TBD
Yes
Adults Only
No
—
Kids' Club
Yes
Oceanfront
Beachfront
Near coast
Grand
Resort Size
Mid-size
25 min
Airport Transfer
55 min
All Scores
8.6
Beach
8.2
9.0
Food
8.4
9.3
Service
8.8
9.2
Rooms
9.5
9.3
Pools
9.1
9.1
Luxury
9.3
8.8
Value
7.5
9.3
Romance
9.2
8.0
Nightlife
—
8.4
Quiet
—
7.8
Adventure
—
9.0
Wellness
—
8.4
Remote work
—
Vibes
Yes
Quiet
—
Yes
Romance
Yes
Activities
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
dining
—
Yes
Water sports
Yes
—
Kids
Yes
Excellence Playa Mujeres
- Private beach
- 7 gourmet restaurants
- Spa with hydrotherapy
- Rooftop terrace suites
The Residence Zanzibar
- 1 pools
- 2 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- Butler service
- 55 min from ZNZ
Pros — Excellence Playa Mujeres
- Adults-only beachfront setting with a strong couples focus.
- Seven pools and strong poolside infrastructure.
- Broad dining program with 11 restaurants.
- Large suite categories, including swim-up, rooftop terrace, and private-pool options.
- Strong recurring guest praise for service, cleanliness, food, and overall resort polish.
Pros — The Residence Zanzibar
- Every villa has a private pool
- Secluded beachfront estate
- Strong romance fit
- Two-bedroom villa options
Cons — Excellence Playa Mujeres
- Not family-friendly because the resort is adults-only.
- The beach is good but may not be the only reason to choose the resort over other Riviera Maya options.
- Premium room categories and Excellence Club can materially increase the price.
- Guests who prefer a small boutique atmosphere may find the resort large and polished rather than intimate.
Cons — The Residence Zanzibar
- All-inclusive is optional and restricted
- Remote southwest location
- Tide-dependent beach use
- Transfers extra