The biggest question when youre considering an all-inclusive resort is the quality of the food. Club level had upgraded spirits in the room, were not big drinkers, not indoors anyway, so both times we have been, the spirits were left untouched. A private lounge, pool, beach, and restaurant are available exclusively for Excellence Club guests, while luxe, in-suite offerings such as private check-in, daily in-suite fresh fruits and petit fours, in-suite sparkling wine and fresh flowers, and complimentary shoe shine . As these pools are not heated, they were very cold during the day. We actually skipped lunch this day just so we could fill up. They typically start serving these from around 11 am onwards and are so refreshing. It was perfectly located to grab a bite in between tanning yourself. The Excellence Punta Cana is a luxury offering at a competitive price. A. Not sure if it was Excellence El Carmen in particular or if this is true at all Excellence properties, but I felt it to be less crowded (even though the hotel was near full occupancy) and quieter than the 2 Secrets resorts I went to. By the end of day one, he had our drinks orders ready before we even had to ask. My favourite spots included Aroma, the Revive Bar, Magna (for Excellence Club), and the Lobster House. We spent our mornings at the main pool with their (only) swim up bar, Blue. Discover a world of rewards with The Excellence Collection Rewards benefits program. In reality, there are really three main pool areas. You can read more about my impressions of Excellence Club at this resort on my other blog post, which I felt deserved one of its own, if youre really into details! You also get access to a private lounge, which we only used to check in/out or to book our free dinner on the beach. It was the best thing we ate all week! These are two of my favourite things! However! If you want a lighter bite, head over to the La Placita food truck at the X-Lounge terrace! Excellence El Carmen, The Most Stunning Beach Towns in the Dominican Republic, Le Sivory Punta Cana By PortBlue Boutique, On a beautiful, palm tree-lined beach with few vendors, All-inclusive rates include premium alcohol and a la carte meals, Elegant suites have free minibars, balconies, and double jetted tubs, Many suites have swim-up access or private pools, 23 pools and nine hot tubs means there are few crowds at the main pool, 11 restaurants include Asian, French, Indian, and Mexican options, A fast-food truck, juice bar, and 24-hour room service, Large, modern gym with free daily yoga and aerobics classes, Attractive spa includes salon services and a free hydrotherapy circuit, Daily entertainment program, plus live music and evening shows, Excellence Club upgrades offer private pool, restaurant, and beach area, Multiple lively bars, plus a nightclub for dancing, Indoor and outdoor event space, plus full business center, Fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the resort, Some reports of minor wear and tear in rooms, Restaurants get mixed reviews and dress code is required at some, No 24-hour bars (but 24-hour room service available). Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! The only area that we felt a little let down on was the. Those on our bus who had Excellence Club rooms were taken to those rooms while everyone else was taken to a normal check-in area . For those who wish to explore down the beach, Tropical Treasures also has great beach side massages and souvenirs. You can also pop into the Sports Bar for some infamous cheese sticks and a place to grab a tasty bite during the day or late in the evening. Paper straws are biodegradable and inexpensive. This restaurant is a Mexican offering and we really enjoyed our night at Las Olas. Its open from 6:00 pm 11:30 pm, giving you the fuel you need to keep on going! Junior Swim-Up Suites, located on the ground floor, offer access to long pools with private nooks outfitted with a swan-neck jet. Book Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto on Tripadvisor: See 9,464 traveler reviews, 12,158 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen, ranked #3 of 9 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. . When we ate there we went for the classics with a Burrito and a quesadilla and they were very tasty. Guests staying at Excellence El Carmen can book excursions to nearby attractions through the concierge. Access to twelve private pools and seven jacuzzis (hot water) in the pool area. The menu for the room service was very extensive. We ate in our bathrobes and drank mimosas and it was glorious. . Excellence El Carmen is a large, and fairly new (2016) all-inclusive resort with a modern and tropical vibe. Everyone dresses up and it gives a classy feel to the resort. From themed nights such as Casino night and Dominican night. Even so, there's nightly entertainment ranging from live music and circus shows to Michael Jackson impersonators. Spice also has a fun option for groups and for a live cooking show: the Hibachi! We LOVED the look of the Martini Bar. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However,, Aerial View of Excellence Punta Cana/Oyster The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean and for good reason. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has a really beautiful landscape and the Hoyo Azul at Scape Park is a spectacular sight. We went there for dinner and were a little disappointed with the food. You are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. In Search of Sarah is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. We stayed at the Excellence El Carmen in mid-2019 and our review is based on that experience. To some it definitely seems like the EC is worth it, but by the sounds of it to me and the wife, I think we'll be just fine with our first room choice even though the EC is not an option. Glass-walled stand-up showers feature massive rainfall showerheads and all bathrooms include generous toiletries. There is a huge pastry/bread section, a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, gorgeous fruit and colourful juices, an omelette station, and some traditional Dominican foods, too! Our two favorite spots were the Martini bar which is the main lobby bar and the X Lounge. Excellence El Carmen is very competitively priced for the standard of the resort, food, and service that you get. This is an adults-only resort, if youre looking for a quality resort that is on the same level as the Excellence El Carmen, but you can bring the kids then we suggest checking out the Finest Playa Mujeres which is a sister hotel to the Excellence. As soon as you enter the resort you really are put at ease. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. It boasts white- and golden-sand beaches, swaying palm trees protected by the government, turquoise waters, and pleasant year-round temperatures. Drink service is on offer at the pools and beach. Does Excellence El Carmen have a club? Throughout the resort there is a huge volume of staff, so no matter where you are there is always some close by that can offer you assistance. If those are things that you would have done anyway and spent money on, I would consider doing the club level for those freebies plus all the other added daily perks of being club. The bed is comfortable but if you choose to switch out your pillows, there is a pillow menu (on the Excellence app) if you want to try another one by calling the concierge. The only restaurant that requires a reservation is Spice, which has limited seating at its teppanyaki counters. The resort is set on large grounds so some of the room locations are a bit of a walk from the beach and the main areas. Theyre easy to pack and inexpensive and so worth having! By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. We did not try Oregano, Spice, Flavour Market, or Basmati during this trip because we ran out of time. We knew we'd go back so I thought I would do . The butter chicken was really good. Dont have time to read this review of Excellence El Carmen right now? Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct. Alternatively, you may use, Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. Sunny yellows, lush flora greens, and ocean blues set the scene for a transfixing mix of island charm and elegance. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It almost feels like you have been whisked to the streets of Barcelona with the standard of food here. These cookies do not store any personal information. The course is well designed and challenging and the upkeep of the course was very good. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. One of the best elements of the Excellence chain of resorts is their extensive drinks selection. The food was beyond excellent, the staff were the most pleasant human beings i have ever came across on a vacation and the resort itself was absolutely amazing!!! more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Excellence El Carmen is very similar in terms of amenities to its sister property Excellence Punta Cana, which is just a five-minute drive away. Eating low carb? Hi David! There is music by the pool bar, too! Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable! Resort recs for relaxing, great beach, hot tub? Youll also get a 15% discount on photo and spa packages! There is also a beachfront massage option if you wish to listen to the crashing waves against the shore. I LOVE Excellence properties, and Excellence El Carmen is nothing short of an amazing resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Every staff member that we dealt with was great. Yes literally everything here is included! Unfortunately, there are some guests who havent been to all-inclusives before that dont know that isnt the norm, and pay it. Its always a favourite spot to gather before and after dinner to enjoy a cocktail. If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. Dont forget Aroma! We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. Each night in your turn down service the housekeeping staff leave an information sheet with the activities for the next day as well as the special offer for the spa for the next day. The entertainment crew really does make a solid effort in keeping everyone entertained with a wide range of activities going on throughout the day. Excellence Club provides additional benefits, but is it really worth it? The marquee element of the park is the Hoyo Azul. Its a little cubby that can be accessed by room service staff from the outside to retrieve your dishes. Excellence El Carmen review: the Property. We did ours at 9:00 am and we had to nap after because it made us tired haha! I recommend a one-piece for this, ladies! Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "How much is the excellence club upgrade" | Check out 5 answers, plus 8 660 reviews and 12 158 candid photos Ranked #3 of 7 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. For all your caffeine needs, Aroma is a coffee shop where you can pick up your morning pick me up. Theres always some type of entertainment going on. White linen table cloths and a wonderful aesthetic give Chez Isabelle a sense of class as you dine. This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. There are bars dotted all throughout the resort. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They have a large menu with all of the smoothies combinations under the sun. The Hoyo Azul is also known as the blue hole and is their most famous one. It was never rowdy, and is quite peaceful here and we enjoyed the central location to everything we wanted. The Masala beef was the best we have ever had. They serve food here too, but we never ate there. The Excellence Punta Cana is located a short 6-minute drive from the El Carmin offering, as well as the Finest Punta Cana which is their latest offering and is located a 5-minute drive from the El Carmen. However, the dress code is one of the reasons why we love Excellence. However, there are some subtle differences worth considering before booking. We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. It's worth noting that most dinner restaurants have a casual elegance dress code, which means that t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, and beach sandals are not allowed. When we stayed there was a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka, Anejo Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, and a bottle of red wine. Excellence Club Suites come with access to the private Magna Club restaurant and bar, plus the private lobby puts out special treats and desserts throughout the day. This is one of the more popular restaurants on the resort. I worry about hidden fees- is EVERYTHING Included in all inclusive? The beach does accumulate seaweed on the shoreline, but the staff works tirelessly to keep it off. Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. Others have said all I have is $5 and they take it. 73 reviews of Atelier Playa Mujeres "A M A Z I N G !!!!! The steamer in the walk-in closet works great, but its advisable to use bottled water for it. My mom had the pork ribs with sweet potato mash and the meat was so tender. but then drinks happened and we ended up just lazing by the pool. ), Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen, 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are. A French offering that is set in a beautifully designed spot. If you are booking a room with a swim-up suite make sure to request a room that is directly in the sun during the day or in the morning. We did take a Spanish class which was a lot of fun, and we also painted one afternoon and you get to take your painting home! Stop by the Food Shark food truck, right at the theatre for tacos, burgers, hot dogs, fries and more! Each restaurant has numerous options for lighter fare. Its architecture is in the Contemporary Caribbean style, and twenty pools wind through our . Their feature menu changes daily and its a great place to visit if you want a quick, self-service bite to eat. Excellence Playa Mujeres: Mexicos Best Adults-Only Resort! : Excellence El Carmen - See 9,462 traveller reviews, 11,732 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Re: Club vs non-Club at Excellence El Carmen, Get answers to your questions about Punta Cana, Check-list - Canadian travel to the DR-PC - UPDATED, Explanation Of The Bahia Resorts in Punta Cana -Revised, Luxury & Grand Bahia Principe Room & A La Carte Email Requests Updated, Resort (Brands) COVID Policies -Quarantine, Testing, Etc - As of March 1, 2022, How do I fill out the new DR E-Forms for Immigration and Customs? Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: 9,457 Hotel Reviews, 12,158 traveller photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen, ranked #3 of 7 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. We visited these during our other Excellence trips and loved them. Excellence El Carmen is a quick 25 minute car ride or 40 minute bus ride from Punta Cana International Airport or 70 minutes from La Romana International Airport. A. We heard from a few of our fellow guests that if you ask very nicely that you can potentially order some of the dishes from the restaurants to be delivered to your room. There is also a beach area reserved for them, as well as several pools and whirlpools. At the Excellence Club, every detail of your stay has been upgraded with seamless perks and over-the-top offerings. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Our favorite thing was definitely the casino night. Excellence El Carmen: Excellence Club WORTH IT - See 7,882 traveller reviews, 10,176 candid photos, and great deals for Uvero Alto, Dominican Republic, at Tripadvisor. Dont get us wrong, there is more than enough space at the pools to get a sun lounger and to chill out in peace and quiet. any chance you know if they have pickle ball courts? There are water and cold towels available in the gym and personal trainers on-site if you need motivation. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. Your email address will not be published. Best things to do in Punta Cana.your top 3. We are considering booking this resort for our anniversary in October. My mom and I had big ambitions to participate in some of the physical activities, like aerial yoga on the beach (how fun right?!) The service here gets a 5-star rating from us, it was literally impeccable. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. On both occasions, the food came within 20 minutes and arrived hot, which is always the worry with room service. There are lots of antipasto dishes at Oregano, along with risottos, custom pasta dishes, and pizzas to satisfy your carb craving. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. And since its the second-largest country. Insight/Feedback on Monkeyland and Other Animal Attractions? All are part of the hotel's all-inclusive rates, as is 24-hour room service. The Excellence El Carmen is just a 40-minute drive from Punta Cana international airport. The blanket was dirty, showerhead was rusty, the air vent in the bathroom was clogged with dust and hair. ), and lobster tails. , Just an FYI the room service coffee was a bit strong and potent. If you want to be in a secluded spot and close to the beach then building 9 is your best bet. Before dinner every night we perched ourselves at the Martini bar for a few pre-dinner drinks. I will second Thomasgran for all of the reasons he stated. If youve been to Excellence Playa Mujeres or Riviera Cancun, there is an additional Wine Cellar you can dine in privately. It felt like a newer resort. Smooth as can be. The food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. I piggybacked on another guests recommendation of the Power Smoothie + strawberries and it tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! All food, snacks, room service, fully stocked mini-bar drinks, and a variety of classes and amenities are included in the package. You have three bottles of alcohol in your room as a standard: Stolichnaya Vodka, rum, and whiskey. Bike tours, Spanish lessons, beach volleyball, archery, pool games, water aerobics, poker tournaments, and bingo are scheduled regularly. When we complained, we were also upgraded to a beachfront room. I also visited DR this year and I can only say it is a wonderful country. If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. The weather was a little windy at times however that's just one of the challenges of trav. The Cocotal Golf and Country Club. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. We love the Club benefits but have gone without it and had a great time. The Excellence El Carmen adults-only all-inclusive resort opened in late 2016 and has one of Punta Canas most modern and hip vibes. To tribute acts and musical entertainment. We have booked to stay at EEC for 2 weeks from opening day! Some of the jets really move your swimsuit around and I remember one year I had to hang on to my top and bottoms during some of the water treatments! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Room service is another great option for lunch, just keep in mind it takes about 45 minutes to arrive. I thought the additional cost was worth it overall but would have probably had a good time without it also if I had never experienced EC level. Make your vacation a little more special with this upgrade and receive upgraded amenities and more! If you want to swim, I would recommend bringing water shoes to protect your feet! We also liked the Excellence Club lounge to have a pre-dinner drink. It is brand new so it was not crowded at all. Hmm. They even put your flip flops in a warmer for your feet afterwards! The location of the resort is also pretty secluded, so its not the best if you want to get out and about to explore local towns and things to do. It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. Couple that with some onion bhajis and you cant go wrong. If you do not like those, or want to swap them out for something else, you can do that too! Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service. There were tons of loungers and palapas available, with great poolside service. Just a note on classes: if you have your heart set on doing one, get there early! We loved the Caribbean Eggs with plantain and fried cheese. Other options include an extensive buffet with live-cooking stations and small selection of Dominican specialties; the open-air eatery Oregano that specializes in pizza and pasta; and the Lobster House for seafood specialties overlooking the beach. A Lot of these are connected to the swim-up suites. The gym is modern and loaded with Technogym treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bicycles, recumbent bikes, weight machines, dumbbells, free weights, a punching bag, and a squat bench. We had an additional bottle of vodka (Absolut), tequila (Agavita) and gin (Tanquerey). Premium alcohol and specialty beers are included. We have been three times now & always EC. This and the Cielo bar are the only areas that you can get the Top tier liquor on offer to the Excellence club members other than your room. We are going to EEC to celebrate our anniversary in mid September. When we visited we brought US Dollars and tipped a dollar for each drink we ordered and then $10 dollars for waiters for any of the meals that we had. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Part of our club honeymoon package was to get a free couples pamper session at the spa, but this was only available at certain times in the evening, which didn't suit us, so we ended up paying for spa treatments during the day. Casual wear (no wet swimsuits) is acceptable elsewhere for breakfast and lunch. The Blue Hole, a cenote with gorgeous turquoise water, is also around a 30-minute drive from the property. There are a wide array of cuisines on offer in this resort with 12 restaurants and one additional restaurant that is available to Excellence club members only. I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). Good to know: In our previous trips to Excellence Playa Mujeres and Excellence Riviera Cancun, we looked forward to the copy of Excellence Times on our bed at turndown. This was super convenient, as we could plan out our day for when our room was being cleaned. 1 year ago Save We have been three times now & always EC. We highly recommend doing this as the pools they have for this are really nice. The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. And while there are many resorts that fit this bill, opting for a luxury property means youll also likely get a stunning, serene beachfront, chic pool with a swim-up bar, impressive, The best part of booking an all-inclusive vacation is that everything food, drinks, activities, and accommodations is supposed to be included in the rate. We have been to ERC twice, once non club, then went club for our honeymoon. Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. It looked like they had drinks and a canopy thing going on there. Hats off to Chef Masood and his team that churns out some really top-quality cuisine. It was one of my favourite spots to go to and they open at 8:00 am. Excellence El Carmen is a luxury adults-only all-inclusive resort that sits along an idyllic beach in Punta Cana's laid-back Uvero Alto. (Feb 2022), Are inclusive resorts vs day pass and independent excursions, Ocean El Faro VS Grand Bavaro Princess VS Royalton Bavaro, Thanks for the advice on Punta Cana Princess All Suites. It was our first DR vacation but we have stayed at 20 . Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. Since Aroma opens at 7:00 am, its a great spot to enjoy a morning coffee. The main eatery of the resort, this buffet is really impressive. It's definitely not a party resort with guests pounding shots -- the vibe is more towards sipping martinis. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Anytime we had finished a drink or a meal the staff were on hand to refill or clean away our empty glasses or plates. Access to Excellence Club's Magna Restaurant and exclusive bars. Excellence Club guests get private access to a top-notch restaurant that opens for breakfast and dinner. Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. At our other Excellence Resorts trips, Ive emailed ahead of time to request a certain bottle in our rooms, which you can certainly do, but I left it until we got here this time.
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