Excellence Riviera Cancun vs Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
Couples after a quiet adults-only week keep landing on these two: Excellence Riviera Cancun, the hacienda-style resort 20 minutes from Cancun airport where almost nothing needs a reservation, and Valentin Imperial, the no-wristband resort in jungle at Playa del Secreto that seasoned all-inclusive travelers recommend to skeptical friends.
Excellence Riviera Cancun
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
At a Glance
| Excellence Riviera Cancun | Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya | |
|---|---|---|
| Google Rating | 4.9 ★ | 4.8 ★ |
| Google Reviews | 20,636 | 5,687 |
| Price Range | $$$ | $$$ |
| Resort Type | Adults Only | Adults Only |
| Location | Puerto Morelos, Mexico | Playa del Secreto, Mexico |
| Rooms | 440 | 540 |
| Brand | The Excellence Collection | |
| Vibe | Quiet, Value | Quiet, Business |
| Room Upgrades | Swim-Up Rooms, Plunge Pool Rooms, Rooftop Suites | Swim-Up Rooms, Plunge Pool Rooms, Beachfront Rooms |
What Real Travelers Say
Distilled from real traveler discussions and reviews for each resort.
Excellence Riviera Cancun
What travelers love
- +About 20 minutes from Cancun airport, which is the shortest transfer of any comparable adults-only resort on this coast and means you are at the pool while Tulum-bound travelers are still on the highway
- +Adults only, 18 and over, and all-suite: the entry-level Junior Suites are 668 square feet, and the top categories run to a 1,060 square foot two-story rooftop terrace suite, a 1,993 square foot Imperial Suite and a 2,080 square foot Honeymoon Suite Ocean Front with a rooftop terrace
- +Walk-in dining is the real draw. The resort lists ten restaurants inside 13 dining options, and most of them take no reservation at all: Chez Isabelle for French, Oregano for Italian, Agave for Mexican, Basmati for Indian, The Grill for steak, Lobster House for seafood, Spice for Asian, Las Olas for beachfront lunch, The Kitchen Table for breakfast and Flavor Market, plus Food Shark, a healthy-cuisine outlet, a Sports Bar and pool and beach service
- +Six meandering pools set through tropical gardens, including heated pools, pools that connect directly to the swim-up suites and bar-side pools, with three whirlpools in the pool areas and two more in the spa
- +Miile Spa is a genuine facility rather than a treatment room: a hydrotherapy pool with swan and waterfall high-pressure hoses, steam rooms, ice-cold plunge pools, ten indoor treatment rooms (four of them for couples), two master rooms with hydrotherapy tubs, and a full-service beauty salon
Common complaints
- −The free airport transfer everyone quotes is conditional. As of October 2026 it applies to suite-only reservations of at least three nights booked directly with Excellence. If you book through an online travel agency or as a flight package, transfers are not included and you arrange them yourself through Seasons Transfers at your own cost
- −A lot of what reads as included is not. Spa treatments are charged (the 100-minute couples wellness journey lists at $640 before promotion, and the only built-in saving is 20 percent off regular prices for booking before arrival, which excludes salon services), and scuba diving with instruction, deep sea fishing and private yacht excursions all carry extra cost. Only the non-motorized water sports are in the base rate
- −The Excellence Club is a resort within a resort in a literal sense. The upgrade gates the Magna restaurant, a private beach area, private pool areas (heated in winter), the Club Lounge and its separate Lounge Bar, one hydrotherapy treatment per person per stay, an upgraded in-suite liquor selection and an upgraded room service menu, so staying outside it means a visibly smaller resort
- −Six pools total across 440 suites, with one of the six reserved for Excellence Club and one accessible pool, so the main pool areas and the better loungers go early in high season
- −Quiet by design, which cuts both ways. There is no nightclub or disco: the night is outdoor-theater shows, mariachi, theme nights and bar and lounge music, and the resort bans portable speakers in public areas to protect the atmosphere. Travelers wanting late energy consistently prefer the larger Playa Mujeres sister property
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
What travelers love
- +One of the best values in the Riviera Maya - consistently delivers a premium experience at a mid-range price point
- +Beautiful, well-maintained grounds with lush tropical vegetation, palapas, and a serene jungle-meets-beach atmosphere
- +Adults-only property with a relaxed, quiet vibe that attracts couples aged 30-60 who want peace without stuffiness
- +Excellent beach with calm water, natural shade from palms, and plenty of beach beds without the fight for chairs
- +Food quality surprises most guests - the Italian, Mexican, and French restaurants punch well above the resort's price class
Common complaints
- −The resort is in a remote location with nothing within walking distance - you're committed to the property for your stay
- −WiFi is essentially non-functional throughout most of the resort, which can be a dealbreaker for some guests
- −Pool area is smaller than competitors and can feel crowded during peak weeks, though the beach compensates
- −Entertainment program is minimal - fine for background enjoyment but don't expect Broadway-quality shows
- −The showpiece remodeled Diamond rooms with private whirlpools and the EliteBAR sit at the top of the rate card - budget accordingly if the newest finishes matter to you
Amenity Differences
Only at Excellence Riviera Cancun
- Fishing
- Free Wi-Fi
- Heated Swimming Pool
Only at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
- Anniversary
- Babymoon
- Bicycle Rentals
- Nightclub
- Water Sports Rentals
- Yoga Classes
The Verdict
Guests who've done both split it cleanly: Excellence for pool variety, service and the dinner routine; Valentin for the beach, the grounds and one showpiece pool. Excellence has a maze of pools and a lazy river, a hydrotherapy circuit owners rave about, and only the teppanyaki needs a booking; its beach is narrow and seaweed-prone. Valentin's beach has calm water, palm shade and spare beach beds, and a main pool one fifteen-trip Mexico regular calls the best they've seen gets rowdy mid-afternoon, with quieter pools nearby. Restaurants fill after six, and Wi-Fi barely works. Rates trade places by date, so quote both. Pool-hoppers and honeymooners book Excellence; beach-first couples who like some afternoon noise book Valentin.
Choose Excellence Riviera Cancun if…
You'd rather spend the day in a lazy river than on sand, want dinner without a booking, and like landing 20 minutes from your room.
See Full Details & ReviewsChoose Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya if…
The beach matters most: calm water, palm shade, no chair fight, and grounds that read as jungle, not manicured resort.
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