Scores at a Glance
Excellence Punta CanaRiu Palace Bavaro
Overall
8.8
8.2
Beach
7.8
8.1
Food
8.0
7.3
Service
9.0
8.0
Rooms
8.2
8.5
Luxury
8.6
8.0
Value
8.1
8.1
Romance
9.1
·
Scores out of 10 · higher is better
Quick Stats
8.8
Overall Score
8.2
5-star
Star Rating
5-star
4.9 (24,267)
Google Rating
4.4 (6,661)
From $152
Price / Night (pp)
Rates TBD
Yes
Adults Only
No
–
Kids' Club
Yes
Near coast
Beachfront
Near coast
Mid-size
Resort Size
Mid-size
45 min
Airport Transfer
–
All Scores
7.8
Beach
8.1
8.0
Food
7.3
9.0
Service
8.0
8.2
Rooms
8.5
8.8
Pools
8.9
8.6
Luxury
8.0
8.1
Value
8.1
–
Family
9.0
9.1
Romance
–
6.8
Nightlife
8.0
8.3
Quiet
6.6
7.5
Adventure
–
8.7
Wellness
–
7.5
Accessibility
–
Vibes
Yes
Romance
–
Yes
Quiet
–
Yes
Adventure
–
–
Lively
Yes
Activities
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Water sports
Yes
–
Nightlife
Yes
–
Kids
Yes
Excellence Punta Cana
- Adults-only all-inclusive
- 4 pools
- 10 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- Swim-up suites
- 45 min from PUJ
Riu Palace Bavaro
- 9 pools
- 10 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
Pros · Excellence Punta Cana
- Strong adults-only romantic atmosphere.
- Large tropical grounds with four pools and direct beach access.
- Broad dining plan with ten restaurants, included room service, and premium drinks.
- Service and staff receive consistently strong guest feedback.
Pros · Riu Palace Bavaro
- True 24-hour all-inclusive with large dining and bar inventory.
- Strong family setup with kids club and Splash Water World access.
- Majorly renovated, modernized resort product.
- Large pool complex with swim-up bars and adults-only options.
Cons · Excellence Punta Cana
- Ocean conditions can be rough, with seaweed and red-flag days.
- Food is liked by many guests but can feel uneven for a premium adults-only resort.
- Recent feedback includes some inconsistency in room condition and housekeeping.
- Nightlife is more relaxed than party-oriented.
Cons · Riu Palace Bavaro
- Very large resort footprint and family-heavy atmosphere.
- Food reviews are mixed for a Palace-branded property.
- Not ideal for travelers seeking quiet luxury.
- Pool count and some post-renovation details need manual reconciliation across sources.