NAILED IT. This review perfectly sums up the strengths of each resort. Besides your list, I also like Atelier's buffet restaurant open breakfast lunch and dinner. Far and away our favorite place to eat, no reservation needed AND we thought our meals there were better than the restaurants including the steak house. At 3:40 -- that's my man Fidencio up in the EPM EC lounge. He's there bright and early serving up my breakfast tequila. While I am not a pool person, what I love about EPM / EC around Christmas is the club pools are heated. One more EPM favorite --- the wood fired pizza next to the outdoor bar near bldg 9. Nice young lady making them fresh and she knows what to do when I ask her to "burn it".
All pools at Atelier are also heated during Christmas. They were very warm when I was there! But I too would go back to EPM over Atelier for pretty much the reasons stated in this video.
Thank you this video was so helpful. I’m thinking about booking the new Excellence Coral resort. Watching your comparison makes me think that I will enjoy it more at excellence.
Sub'ed and watched this before we went to Atelier. Now just came back from Atelier to watch this video again. Your review is 1000% spot on! 😮😀 Any chance doing Secret Blanca next?
I appreciate your honest reviews! I quite enjoyed my stays at atelier. I loved the rooms, the pools, and the drinks. All very top notch. I agree the food did not blow me away, I think I enjoyed the fried whole fish for lunch, and their Mexican restaurant had very good tamales, but everything else was really difficult for me to eat, personally! I always had impeccable service, but they had events going on both times we were there! Staff is definitely a bit stressed, but they are very kind and I loved them all. Now to decide between Excellence and Live Aqua ❤
Watching! ☺️ Love your reviews. Now its a toss up between epm and Hyatt Ziva. Cant wait for that video. Im with you on the beach being a big priority but food is also a huge priority because i have restrictions. We need options! seafood and sushi is a must ,gluten free dairy free and organic meats if i can get it. Do you know if epm has any of those options?
I again stumbled onto this and you really do a great job. We are Inspira members, and promise I will not be biased. Our last two AI's were to Excellence & then Atelier (back in 2019) and after what I called AI Roulette, where I decide last minute to get away (by last minute I mean a month or so). We did a number in Jamaica (Couples & Sandals) and many more in Cancun (Secrets, Paridisus, Riu, Excellence, Atelier, Royalton, Catalonia, Wyndham Alltra, Planet Hollywood, and Hyatt Vivid in September 2024) all that Tripadvisor has highly rated, fit our budgets and high end. In 2019 we got what I now know was a ridiculous deal at Atelier as brand new and attracting guests and more that reason then a last minute deal. Excellence & Atelier as said were the last two and were by far the best and our needs for travel are simple (outside a tropical destination and I like AI's as little to think about when there outside the next meal & drink). We look at a great room and food. I commented on your Atelier specific video & thought you shortchanged the food. Now too many people think they are foodies, which I find off-putting and won't say I am, but certainly it is my top priority and I have no allergies or things I won't eat, which too when people post things like "I don't eat fish or am mainly a vegan or not a fan of Asian food" how can you not look at that with a raised eyebrow? Heck you look too "skinny" to appreciate food (lol)... And with Excellence & Atelier being so much better then others, we "bought" in. Can pm me if want to know specifics. I won't say a deal, but ok. Where you are 100% right is Inspira and the price difference, which frankly is too high for what you get (as everyone is treated the same and the perks are nice, but not game changers like at other resorts). That said the rooms at Atelier whether a regular or Inspira Swimout are essentially the exact same size. Excellence and all resorts prior to Atelier (and what is offered with Inspira), we always chose a regular room and never really noted an issue, but upgrading at Excellence is minimal in cost and can be a big difference. That said the Atelier rooms are very very good. The one thing we loved at Excellence Playa Del Carmen was they had a Tennis court and daily clinics, which we loved (and often ended up as private). They also had more sports activities. When we went to Atelier they were going to do a tennis court, but did not, which was a disappointment. Evenings can be quiet at Atelier, but that is not why we go and can also depend on the week and the crowd. I will look at the beach next time as we are "Pool" people and we save the beach for our walks up and down. Go by Excellence every day and funny never seems too many on the beach and what I always laugh at in Cancun is seldom see more then a dozen people actually in the water (and we've been luck the last 4-5 trips and warm water over 80). A very fair review, but still think you missed on the food. Back in December and always my worry is the food quality falls.
Thank you so much! It means a lot that you put so much into this comment and your feedback! It’s def going to help! I’m trying to be come more of a foodie as I continue this journey. I really appreciate this a lot!!
Excellence Playa Mujeres in December, our twentieth all-inclusive. We have been to all the Palace Resorts, including Le Blanc four times. We liked both Valentin and Iberostar Grand Palacio, so really looking forward to Club level!
In your videos you mention upgrading your room. Would it possible making a video about upgrading room. Do you book a head of time or wait till you get to the resorts. Tips and tricks
hi , thank you for your videos that you put out, they have been helpful , you mentioned in one of your video that you once used a Travel agent , i would love to use one but need help finding a reputable TA , can you share some tips in finding one or can you recommend on ?
I have been to Ateliers twice, Your comments regarding them I agree with, Never done Excellenece put will put it on my to do list. I am beach person as well.
For your travel agents service are you a full service? Do you also book restaurant and spa along with everything else? What if after booking everything your client wants to change something, Can your clients ask you to change dates for reservations for restaurant and spa etc. or will it be at a cost ?
So we don’t book flights but yes we can help with reservations at the resort and can change dates for no cost. The hotels pay us not you. The service is free
@3Days3Noches if the client might want to change dates or time for restaurant or spa, is it best to book before or wait until you arrive at the resort to book? Why don't you book flights? I think I have read somewhere where someone was giving thier tips on travel and this person mentioned some travel agent don't book reservations and spa for you, do you know why is that so? For travel months such as june/august/september for resorts such as secrets impression moxche , atelier, santuary cap cana, secrets etc is it best to book restaurant and spa in advance before arrival ?
I’ve been looking through your channel. I don’t know if you’ve done a review of Hyatt Ziva. I narrowed it down to excellence or that resort. Trying to see which one to pick out of the two? Tho
Here at EPM now! 3rd time in 1 year, wife and I absolutely love it. We love it as there’s a decent night scene, and a “party”pool / a quiet side if you wana just relax, little bit of something for everyone☺️
@@3Days3Noches makes it so difficult to go somewhere else when you know it’s going to be amazing time and time again hahah, the staff truly goes above and beyond to make sure your trip is nothing short of exceptional
Agree!! Been to EPM 8 times now and keep coming back. Went to Atelier once just before their fire and how absolutely horribly they handled the guests during and months after - not going there again. We have the new Secrets Playa Blanca booked this fall so really excited to see your upcoming review!!
@@3Days3Noches Just realized when I rewatched your review that you’re going to SPM not SPB. Not sure if you heard, but SPM is going to be closing for a full makeover April 15 2025 to Dec 15 2025. So doing a review on SPM now wouldn’t have much longevity - maybe opportunity to switch to the new SPB?
What I have noticed is all those resorts in that area are pretty damm good! Each resort seems to have one standout thing over the other resorts, but with excellence they pretty much do everything well above average!
Hey there, I love your reviews and the information you provide. Since I started following you and your videos, which was back in Feb 2023, I have been to the Riviera Maya/Cancun area three times and used Nacho Tours each time. I visited Barcelo Maya Caribe twice (March 2023 and March 2024 and just returned from Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres June 01, 2024). You’ll love Secrets, make sure you visit the Social Pool and have Carlos serve you, you’ll love him. The entertainment team was great, the food was very enjoyable, but make sure you order multiple items, as their servings are on the lighter side (but they’ll definitely serve what you order, so just remember that). Our favorite restaurant was the Himitsu Restaurant (especially the Tepanyaki Hibachi Table) which requires reservations). Nacho tours is so friendly and so accommodating, they even provide cold corona upon request!!!! Thanks for everything, as I’m looking forward to my next Mexico vacation. -Brian
Excellence is nice but I appreciate the room layout of Atelier over most Caribbean resorts I’ve visited, where the bathroom is too close or connected to the bedroom. Nothing romantic about being in bed and hearing water from the sink or toilets flushing. 😊 Atelier Inspira is expensive, but the butler service is world class.
I am not an Excellence fan. Had big hopes for the brand in general after a lot of research and it was extremely underwhelming. Hoping Atelier is more similar to Unico 20°87 than Excellence!
Thanks for the review, as I am looking at going back to Cancun later this year. I have only been to Atelier - the one and only time I have been to Cancun - so I can't compare resorts. That being said, I liked the low-key, quiet vibe at Atelier. I'm more of a pool person and loved the quiet pool near Building 3 and only spent a couple of hours at the beach in the kayaks. The best restaurants, at least in my opinion, were El Suspiro for seafood and Los Brazos, the steakhouse. The rest of the food was definitely good, but I was also slightly disappointed with the Italian restaurant. One of the best perks is the wine and cheese tasting on the terrace between 5 and 8 pm - excellent variety if you are a wine drinker. The mattresses were also among the most comfortable I have slept on in a hotel or resort.
talk live on video with music in the background instead of talk over the video when you're back at home. your videos are too choppy and bounce around instead of showing more tour. there are way better channels that do a better job at reviews
Thanks for the feedback! I’m sorry you didn’t like it. Most people say it’s the best review. I actually do that for a few reasons. One because if there is any copyright music playing in the background YT flags it and the whole video is not eligible for monetization. And resorts always have music playing- also I’m there for a short time I like to immerse myself in the experience then come home and put it all together. I used to do walking tours but no one watched them 🤣.
NAILED IT. This review perfectly sums up the strengths of each resort. Besides your list, I also like Atelier's buffet restaurant open breakfast lunch and dinner. Far and away our favorite place to eat, no reservation needed AND we thought our meals there were better than the restaurants including the steak house. At 3:40 -- that's my man Fidencio up in the EPM EC lounge. He's there bright and early serving up my breakfast tequila. While I am not a pool person, what I love about EPM / EC around Christmas is the club pools are heated. One more EPM favorite --- the wood fired pizza next to the outdoor bar near bldg 9. Nice young lady making them fresh and she knows what to do when I ask her to "burn it".
Thank you!!!
All pools at Atelier are also heated during Christmas. They were very warm when I was there! But I too would go back to EPM over Atelier for pretty much the reasons stated in this video.
Thank you this video was so helpful. I’m thinking about booking the new Excellence Coral resort. Watching your comparison makes me think that I will enjoy it more at excellence.
Is it open yet?
I think it opens February 2025
Sub'ed and watched this before we went to Atelier. Now just came back from Atelier to watch this video again. Your review is 1000% spot on! 😮😀 Any chance doing Secret Blanca next?
Thank you!! We were actually supposed to go there but got rerouted to Hyatt Ziva. I think they are renovating
@@3Days3Noches can't wait until you posting review near future!
I appreciate your honest reviews! I quite enjoyed my stays at atelier. I loved the rooms, the pools, and the drinks. All very top notch. I agree the food did not blow me away, I think I enjoyed the fried whole fish for lunch, and their Mexican restaurant had very good tamales, but everything else was really difficult for me to eat, personally! I always had impeccable service, but they had events going on both times we were there! Staff is definitely a bit stressed, but they are very kind and I loved them all. Now to decide between Excellence and Live Aqua ❤
Ty for watching!!
Watching! ☺️ Love your reviews.
Now its a toss up between epm and Hyatt Ziva. Cant wait for that video. Im with you on the beach being a big priority but food is also a huge priority because i have restrictions. We need options! seafood and sushi is a must ,gluten free dairy free and organic meats if i can get it. Do you know if epm has any of those options?
Gonna go over and watch your EPM video now
Yes they have gluten free! No organic meats though.
I again stumbled onto this and you really do a great job. We are Inspira members, and promise I will not be biased. Our last two AI's were to Excellence & then Atelier (back in 2019) and after what I called AI Roulette, where I decide last minute to get away (by last minute I mean a month or so). We did a number in Jamaica (Couples & Sandals) and many more in Cancun (Secrets, Paridisus, Riu, Excellence, Atelier, Royalton, Catalonia, Wyndham Alltra, Planet Hollywood, and Hyatt Vivid in September 2024) all that Tripadvisor has highly rated, fit our budgets and high end. In 2019 we got what I now know was a ridiculous deal at Atelier as brand new and attracting guests and more that reason then a last minute deal.
Excellence & Atelier as said were the last two and were by far the best and our needs for travel are simple (outside a tropical destination and I like AI's as little to think about when there outside the next meal & drink). We look at a great room and food. I commented on your Atelier specific video & thought you shortchanged the food. Now too many people think they are foodies, which I find off-putting and won't say I am, but certainly it is my top priority and I have no allergies or things I won't eat, which too when people post things like "I don't eat fish or am mainly a vegan or not a fan of Asian food" how can you not look at that with a raised eyebrow? Heck you look too "skinny" to appreciate food (lol)...
And with Excellence & Atelier being so much better then others, we "bought" in. Can pm me if want to know specifics. I won't say a deal, but ok.
Where you are 100% right is Inspira and the price difference, which frankly is too high for what you get (as everyone is treated the same and the perks are nice, but not game changers like at other resorts). That said the rooms at Atelier whether a regular or Inspira Swimout are essentially the exact same size. Excellence and all resorts prior to Atelier (and what is offered with Inspira), we always chose a regular room and never really noted an issue, but upgrading at Excellence is minimal in cost and can be a big difference. That said the Atelier rooms are very very good.
The one thing we loved at Excellence Playa Del Carmen was they had a Tennis court and daily clinics, which we loved (and often ended up as private). They also had more sports activities. When we went to Atelier they were going to do a tennis court, but did not, which was a disappointment.
Evenings can be quiet at Atelier, but that is not why we go and can also depend on the week and the crowd.
I will look at the beach next time as we are "Pool" people and we save the beach for our walks up and down. Go by Excellence every day and funny never seems too many on the beach and what I always laugh at in Cancun is seldom see more then a dozen people actually in the water (and we've been luck the last 4-5 trips and warm water over 80).
A very fair review, but still think you missed on the food. Back in December and always my worry is the food quality falls.
Thank you so much! It means a lot that you put so much into this comment and your feedback! It’s def going to help! I’m trying to be come more of a foodie as I continue this journey. I really appreciate this a lot!!
your reviews are excellent!
Really? Ty!
Excellence Playa Mujeres in December, our twentieth all-inclusive. We have been to all the Palace Resorts, including Le Blanc four times. We liked both Valentin and Iberostar Grand Palacio, so really looking forward to Club level!
Omg I can’t wait to hear about it!
In your videos you mention upgrading your room. Would it possible making a video about upgrading room. Do you book a head of time or wait till you get to the resorts. Tips and tricks
Okay good idea! I’ve done both. By waiting you run the risk of no availability but sometimes get a better deal. Especially if you bring cash 🤣
hi , thank you for your videos that you put out, they have been helpful , you mentioned in one of your video that you once used a Travel agent , i would love to use one but need help finding a reputable TA , can you share some tips in finding one or can you recommend on ?
Sure! Email me! 3days3noches@gmail.com
I have been to Ateliers twice, Your comments regarding them I agree with, Never done Excellenece put will put it on my to do list. I am beach person as well.
I think you will love it!
For your travel agents service are you a full service? Do you also book restaurant and spa along with everything else? What if after booking everything your client wants to change something, Can your clients ask you to change dates for reservations for restaurant and spa etc. or will it be at a cost ?
So we don’t book flights but yes we can help with reservations at the resort and can change dates for no cost. The hotels pay us not you. The service is free
@3Days3Noches if the client might want to change dates or time for restaurant or spa, is it best to book before or wait until you arrive at the resort to book? Why don't you book flights? I think I have read somewhere where someone was giving thier tips on travel and this person mentioned some travel agent don't book reservations and spa for you, do you know why is that so?
For travel months such as june/august/september for resorts such as secrets impression moxche , atelier, santuary cap cana, secrets etc is it best to book restaurant and spa in advance before arrival ?
I’ve been looking through your channel. I don’t know if you’ve done a review of Hyatt Ziva. I narrowed it down to excellence or that resort. Trying to see which one to pick out of the two? Tho
Ask on our Facebook group!!facebook.com/share/dZcif4Du4q6JWWCE/?mibextid=K35XfP
Here at EPM now! 3rd time in 1 year, wife and I absolutely love it. We love it as there’s a decent night scene, and a “party”pool / a quiet side if you wana just relax, little bit of something for everyone☺️
Yes! It’s the first resort that has almost everything I love!
@@3Days3Noches makes it so difficult to go somewhere else when you know it’s going to be amazing time and time again hahah, the staff truly goes above and beyond to make sure your trip is nothing short of exceptional
@sdmfsdmfn it does!! Especially if you don’t know what to expect
Agree!! Been to EPM 8 times now and keep coming back. Went to Atelier once just before their fire and how absolutely horribly they handled the guests during and months after - not going there again. We have the new Secrets Playa Blanca booked this fall so really excited to see your upcoming review!!
Omg I love it! I hear Playa Blanca is amazing.
@@3Days3Noches Just realized when I rewatched your review that you’re going to SPM not SPB. Not sure if you heard, but SPM is going to be closing for a full makeover April 15 2025 to Dec 15 2025. So doing a review on SPM now wouldn’t have much longevity - maybe opportunity to switch to the new SPB?
@EmptyPocketsCarl I did hear that!! It’s a sponsored trip actually so I think they are trying to get some final pushes before lol!!
What I have noticed is all those resorts in that area are pretty damm good! Each resort seems to have one standout thing over the other resorts, but with excellence they pretty much do everything well above average!
I agree!!!
Do you think it will be a good time to go there this July? I read that there are not many hurricanes but I wanted to ask
Yes it isn’t the best but still good. Maybe some seaweed but so hard to predict
Have you been to Royalton splash, Riviera Maya?
I haven’t! The beach isn’t great there I heard
Can you not just book an inspira (not sure how it's spelled) level room instead of trying to upgrade??
You can book Inspira. They recently had a deal on Inspira swim-ups.
Yes you can but there were none available when we booked
Hey there, I love your reviews and the information you provide. Since I started following you and your videos, which was back in Feb 2023, I have been to the Riviera Maya/Cancun area three times and used Nacho Tours each time.
I visited Barcelo Maya Caribe twice (March 2023 and March 2024 and just returned from Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres June 01, 2024).
You’ll love Secrets, make sure you visit the Social Pool and have Carlos serve you, you’ll love him. The entertainment team was great, the food was very enjoyable, but make sure you order multiple items, as their servings are on the lighter side (but they’ll definitely serve what you order, so just remember that). Our favorite restaurant was the Himitsu Restaurant (especially the Tepanyaki Hibachi Table) which requires reservations).
Nacho tours is so friendly and so accommodating, they even provide cold corona upon request!!!!
Thanks for everything, as I’m looking forward to my next Mexico vacation.
-Brian
She said she was going to Secrets Playa Mujeres, not the Playa Blanca Costa property.
@ashleys4652 yes!
Thank you so much!!!! Can’t wait to update everyone!
@@ashleys4652 my screw up, but I’m sure they’re both nice
@@brianteeter8796 Yes, but I think the Secrets property you went to is even nicer as it's pretty new and modern. I just want to try them all. 😉
I also prefer exelence over atelier, this is closer and you don't have to struggle walking a lot
Yes!!!
Excellence is nice but I appreciate the room layout of Atelier over most Caribbean resorts I’ve visited, where the bathroom is too close or connected to the bedroom. Nothing romantic about being in bed and hearing water from the sink or toilets flushing. 😊
Atelier Inspira is expensive, but the butler service is world class.
Omg I know!!! I do hate that about some resorts. But the beach is more important lol
Fully fully agree with you! Memories and Mojitos overrated Atelier
They are very generous with Travel Agents so they love sending people there!!
I am not an Excellence fan. Had big hopes for the brand in general after a lot of research and it was extremely underwhelming. Hoping Atelier is more similar to Unico 20°87 than Excellence!
Awwww! So sorry
Thanks for the review, as I am looking at going back to Cancun later this year. I have only been to Atelier - the one and only time I have been to Cancun - so I can't compare resorts. That being said, I liked the low-key, quiet vibe at Atelier. I'm more of a pool person and loved the quiet pool near Building 3 and only spent a couple of hours at the beach in the kayaks. The best restaurants, at least in my opinion, were El Suspiro for seafood and Los Brazos, the steakhouse. The rest of the food was definitely good, but I was also slightly disappointed with the Italian restaurant. One of the best perks is the wine and cheese tasting on the terrace between 5 and 8 pm - excellent variety if you are a wine drinker. The mattresses were also among the most comfortable I have slept on in a hotel or resort.
Love this!!!! Ty
talk live on video with music in the background instead of talk over the video when you're back at home. your videos are too choppy and bounce around instead of showing more tour. there are way better channels that do a better job at reviews
Thanks for the feedback! I’m sorry you didn’t like it. Most people say it’s the best review. I actually do that for a few reasons. One because if there is any copyright music playing in the background YT flags it and the whole video is not eligible for monetization. And resorts always have music playing- also I’m there for a short time I like to immerse myself in the experience then come home and put it all together. I used to do walking tours but no one watched them 🤣.