Excellence Punta Cana vs Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana
The 'Excellence vs Secrets' question fills TripAdvisor's Punta Cana forum, and this is its purest form: two adults-only resorts at similar prices, one on quiet Uvero Alto, one on busy Bávaro Beach.
At a Glance
| Excellence Punta Cana | Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana | |
|---|---|---|
| Google Rating | 4.9 ★ | 4.4 ★ |
| Google Reviews | 23,610 | 4,318 |
| Price Range | $$ | $$ |
| Resort Type | Adults Only | Adults Only |
| Location | Uvero Alto, Dominican Republic | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic |
| Nearest Airport |
|
|
| Rooms | 461 | 639 |
| Brand | The Excellence Collection | Hyatt |
| Vibe | Green, Bay View | Value, Green |
| Room Upgrades | Plunge Pool Rooms, Swim-Up Rooms, Rooftop Suites | Plunge Pool Rooms, Swim-Up Rooms, Preferred Club |
What Real Travelers Say
Distilled from real traveler discussions and reviews for each resort.
Excellence Punta Cana
What travelers love
- +Most of the ten restaurants are walk-in with no reservation needed, which is the Excellence signature. Only the teppanyaki room at Spice is one the resort asks you to book ahead, so dinner planning is close to nonexistent
- +Book a suite-only stay of at least three nights directly with the resort and round-trip private ground transfers from Punta Cana airport are free. Flight-and-hotel packages and third-party bookings pay separately through the resort's transfer partner, so the direct booking can be worth real money
- +The two-story rooftop terrace suites and the plunge-pool terrace suites are genuinely among the best rooms in Punta Cana, with the Excellence Club Honeymoon Suite with Rooftop Terrace Ocean Front running about 1,800 sq ft
- +Food punches above the Punta Cana average, with Chez Isabelle for French, The Grill for steak and The Lobster House as the venues guests single out, plus The Kitchen Table buffet for breakfast
- +Strictly adults only at 18 and over, and the resort bans portable speakers in the pool, bar and restaurant areas, which keeps the atmosphere closer to grown-up quiet than Dominican party resort
Common complaints
- −Genuinely remote. The resort sits in Uvero Alto roughly 45 minutes from Punta Cana airport, there is nothing walkable off property, and reaching the Bavaro shops and bars means a paid taxi each way
- −Four pools and four jacuzzis in total, and two of each are reserved for Excellence Club guests, so everyone else is sharing two pools. Deck chairs get claimed early in high season
- −The beach faces the open Atlantic, so surf and undertow can be strong on some days, and there is no reef for the kind of snorkeling you get in Mexico. Sargassum in Uvero Alto also swings day to day and runs moderate to heavy in season, with 2026 the worst year the wider region has recorded
- −Repeat visitors say the restaurant menus have been trimmed, with fewer choices per course than previous years, which stings at a resort whose whole reputation is dining
- −The last whole-property renovation was the $45 million rebuild that reopened in November 2017, so standard suites feel comfortable rather than current next to newer rooms at Secrets Cap Cana or the Atelier properties
Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana
What travelers love
- +Located on a gorgeous stretch of Bavaro Beach with soft white sand and swimmable turquoise water, one of the best beach locations in Punta Cana
- +Reservations are never required at any restaurant, so there is no morning scramble for dinner slots like at many Punta Cana all-inclusives
- +Dining exchange with Dreams Royal Beach next door adds its restaurants, including Oceana and Seaside Grill, to your rotation on a long stay
- +Preferred Club junior suites with a private plunge pool or hot tub are the categories couples request most, and the Club pool has its own swim-up bar
- +Service is warm and personal in the Secrets tradition, with staff who remember your name and drink order; recent reviews still single out the staff as a highlight
Common complaints
- −One of the older Secrets properties, and room decor and fixtures look dated in some categories
- −Sharing the beach and dining exchange with a family resort next door means more people, and some kids, around than at a standalone adults-only property
- −Beach chairs on the sand fill up quickly, especially in peak season, so early risers win the front row
- −Some rooms sit a long walk from the beach and main pool areas
- −The Preferred Club upgrade feels close to mandatory for the full Secrets experience, and it adds significant cost
Amenity Differences
Only at Excellence Punta Cana
- Adults-Only Pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Horseback Riding
- Known for Great Food
- Snorkeling
Only at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana
- Casino
- Diving
- Lazy River
- Restaurants Don't Require Reservations
The Verdict
Secrets Royal Beach sits on the calm white sand of Bávaro — far more swimmable than Excellence's rough Uvero Alto surf — but that same beach carries heavy foot and boat traffic, with vendors and tour boats as part of the scenery. Excellence counters with more spacious suites, swim-up rooms, and the seclusion of its location. Beach swimmers who don't mind a busy shoreline go Secrets; travelers who want space, quiet, and bigger rooms accept the rougher ocean at Excellence.
Choose Excellence Punta Cana if…
Suite size, swim-up rooms, and a secluded setting beat a swimmable beach you'd share with crowds and vendors.
Choose Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana if…
Calm, swimmable Bávaro water is non-negotiable and you can tune out the beach traffic that comes with it.
More Resort Comparisons
Excellence Punta Cana vs Excellence Carmen Punta Cana
The Excellence Collection's Punta Cana twins — the intimate classic vs the newer suite-and-pools showpiece.
Excellence Playa Mujeres vs Excellence Punta Cana
The Excellence Collection's flagship dilemma: Mexico polish vs Dominican beach.
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana vs Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa
The two headline adults-only resorts on Juanillo Beach — double-resort access vs standalone elegance.
Majestic Elegance Punta Cana vs Majestic Colonial Punta Cana
Side-by-side Majestic sisters on Bávaro Beach — newer and more upscale vs cheaper and livelier.