Cost Report #2 - Our out of pocket cost for a 3 night all-inclusive trip to Punta Cana

We are back from our quick 4 day 3 night trip to Punta Cana and we have tallied up the costs.  In our last post we figured our that the cash cost of our trip would have been around $2900.  Here was our total cost in cash:

Delta flights from CMH to PUJ. We upgraded to comfort so the cost of two one way tickets cost us 104k points. This is by no means a good value. I didn’t want to miss an entire day of work and Delta had the latest flight out to PUJ. Normally I wouldn’t spend that many points but it was our only option for the late flight. Southwest return flights cost 20k Points. With the companion pass Kim only had to pay taxes.

Flight taxes $115 each for a total of $230

Hotel: I used 80k Chase Ultimate points for the 3 nights in our swim up suite. You can read more about the hotel in our review below. 

Total cost for hotel $0

Transfer to and from hotel:

I booked through Dominicanplus. The service was good and each transfer was private. We also stopped to get a couple beers on the way.  I highly recommend this company.  

The total after tip and beer was $120 ($60 each way).

Tips at the hotel:

These are for bartenders, housekeeping, and restaurant staff. I believe we spent about $50 over the 4 day 3 night trip on tips. 

Total for tips $50

Spa:

The 50 minute couples massage cost $240 after tips.  You can read more about it below.  

Our total out of pocket cost was $640! 

If you aren't collecting credit card points you need to start right now.  The current Chase Ink Business Preferred sign up bonus is 80k points.  This would be enough for 3 nights at many all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.  Read this earlier post on how most everyone qualifies for a business credit card.  Here is the link if you're interested in the Chase Ink Preferred Credit Card.    (We may get a few points if you sign up under the previous link).  As I have mentioned before, you should not apply for credits cards unless you can pay of the balance each and every month!

Our review of Excellence Punta Cana:

As soon as we arrived to the hotel which was around 10 we were greeted with champagne and cold towels. I was thinking that maybe being so late we wouldn’t get the full experience but that was not the case! The lobby was beautiful and they had fountains all over the property which gave the place a relaxing sound. The entire lobby, bars, and entertainment area was all open so it created a great breeze and you could hear the ocean. The hotel itself was beautiful and well maintained. There were plenty of bars and restaurants so we never really had to wait in line. The resort was at 80% capacity during our stay. 

Our room was a first floor swim out suite. In my opinion we had the best room! We were around the corner from the swim up bar so we could get there quick but no one could see our patio from the bar. We had a big grass area compared to other rooms and were right across from the floating lounge chairs in the water. Our patio had two chairs and a double beach bed. We could walk right off our back porch into the pool or to the bridge straight to the beach. They had plenty of umbrellas and beach palapas. We never had to play the towel game. We moved from beach to pool to our patio every day. Our room was a quick walk or swim to 3 bars not including the one in our room. The room itself was great nice and updated with a soak tub in the middle and a large glass shower as well. There was maid service and turn down service every day. Each room also had a fun cubby you put your room service dishes that can be cleared from the hall. This way you avoid all the trays sitting in the hall way. We ordered room service the first night; pizza and nachos. The pizza was good the nachos were ehh.. just chips and nacho cheese sauce. 

Our first day ended up being mostly rainy so we spent it at the spa!!! It did not disappoint!! We got a 50min couples massage on special for $190 and I added a mini facial for $20. The whole process started with an hour hydro therapy. This consisted of different showers, saunas and pool jets that massaged your whole body in different ways. Next was a heated chair with a head massage and scented oil facial wrap all before the massage! They really made an effort to make you feel relax and paid attention to detail! 

The beach was beautiful. They did have seaweed and the poor guys raked all day just to start over the next. Seems like a tractor would be a great investment. We were told the recent storms caused the excessive seaweed. We went in the ocean a few times but swam more in the awesome pools and took walks on the beach. Our hotel was secluded which was nice because there weren’t any properties on either side so we could walk either way and not see tons of other people. We also didn’t need bracelets and we didn't have to provide a room number every time we got a drink or snack. 

If I had to come up with a negative it would have been the food. We were always able to find something we liked but some of the flavor was a little bland. We had omelets and Pizza every day which were delicious. But honestly we don’t go to all inclusive resorts for the food. We go to relax and enjoy a beautiful place without having to worry about the cost of everything. 

This resort had the options for you to make it what you wanted it to be. They had shows each nights and pool game activities or you could lay at the beach and nap in the quiet. Like most resorts there was list of daily activities provided to your room and in the lobby.  They had all types of upgrades too to make your trip super romantic if you wanted. They had private cabanas on the beach you could rent with a fridge and champagne. They also had the fun banners for the doors if you were celebrating something like an anniversary or honeymoon. 

For us this trip we wanted to have some drinks, relax and get some sun all of which we accomplished! Everyone was friendly and helpful and at no point did I feel like the service was based on tips. Can’t wait for our return trip!! 

If you want more posts similar to this please follow us!  Where else should we stay in Punta Cana?