From what we have read from the reviews the Excellence has really stepped up its game in creating a clean and safe environment in these uncertain times. Those wanting their own private pool can book a range of other suite types, including the Excellence El Carmen Terrace Suite with Plunge Pool, Junior Suite with Plunge Pool, and any of the Two-Story Rooftop Terrace Suites available. Do not miss the Grill for lunch! Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Access to a private beach area. There is music by the pool bar, too! 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. There are many options: silicone straws, metal straws (which keep your drinks cold) or paper straws. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. There are plenty of lunch options for you to try during your stay, and you wont go hungry! depends on how you view 5 star - See 9,463 traveler reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. 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. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. All-inclusive rates cover meals at 11 restaurants (including several a la carte eateries) and top-shelf drinks, plus 24-hour room service and activities like snorkeling, Spanish lessons, and beach volleyball. Some people have said they have asked upwards of $80 USD for these photos. Men are to wear long pants and closed-toed shoes for dinner and collared shirts, and women in dresses/capris/skirts with elegant shoes (no flip flops permitted). The nightclub stays open late and has a DJ who takes request. Excellence Club Amenities A Tailored Experience at the Best Adults Only Resorts in Punta Cana Private check-in & check-out / Late check-out & early check-in (subject to availability) Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service Best Adult Only All Inclusive in Punta Cana? We always stay in the club area to take advantage of the club anniversary package. You can do that here no problem. This was pretty much the only time that we had any issues with the service throughout our stay. If youve never tried Indian cuisine, I recommend branching out and trying some new dishes! 20 people arrived and the rest had to be turned away. I also realize there is a lot of confusion with tipping at all-inclusive resorts, since technically, your package includes gratuities. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "What's is the difference between the regular." | Check out 8 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. 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. The water is refreshingly warm and there are loungers in the water too! If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. Their guacamole was delicious! Excellence El Carmen has a solid all-inclusive package that covers not only the usual buffet meals, drinks, and entertainment but also premium liquor brands, all a la carte meals (reservations not required), 24-hour room service, natural fruit juices, and beach and pool waiter service. Travelers wanting a beautiful island setting with a grown-up vibe should book a stay at one of the numerous adults-only resorts in the Caribbean. So, in our opinion, they are always worth that extra cost. What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable! From themed nights such as Casino night and Dominican night. My wife and I had a very similar experience at Excellence El Carman in November 2019. Thats part of the reason why we love all-inclusive resorts so much! We (once again!) Im sure if we couldnt get an EC room we would still have a great time though. The EC toiletries are Bvlgari & lovely but not really important to us. If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. Rounds here range from $100 $150 depending on the time of day you play and the season. Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. This is one of the more popular restaurants on the resort. and loved it. You can always go to the Revive Bar for a smoothie if you dont want to spoil your dinner. My mom had a good point if you need to rinse your straws out, it can become inconvenient with having to run to a sink to rinse out, or could possibly make you sick if youre not using bottled water. Is Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen worth it? I hope this Excellence El Carmen review is helpful and answers some of your questions with this now being my fourth stay at an Excellence property and after scouring reviews all over the internet Im excited to share my own with you. If youre like me, I love knowing what dinner options are available before I go to a resort. If you stayed for a week you wouldnt be able to visit them all, unless you visited more than one a night! We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". When it comes to the food at Excellence El Carmen, there is something for everyone. There are tons of delicious vegetarian dishes (along with non-veg options) you can order you wont miss the meat! The rooms are choicely designed with a great aesthetic. This man was hilarious and was really entertaining. The room is spacious and modern with a HUGE hidden walk-in closet with plenty of hangers, shelving, robes, a steamer, and a safe. Theres always some type of entertainment going on. 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. While interiors are sharp, it's the hotel's lush grounds that give this property its away-from-it-all atmosphere. Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service. You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. Unfortunately, there are some guests who havent been to all-inclusives before that dont know that isnt the norm, and pay it. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. My favourite spots included Aroma, the Revive Bar, Magna (for Excellence Club), and the Lobster House. A steakhouse in an all-inclusive is not normally a good pairing and sadly the Grill at the Excellence El Carmen was no different. 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. Few vendors prowl the floury-soft sand in this part of Punta Cana. I piggybacked on another guests recommendation of the Power Smoothie + strawberries and it tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! 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. The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. El Carmen has one huge advantage in regards to our dining experience: The coffee shop. ), but some of my favourites were the Circus Show, Michael Jackson, Queen, and the fire show (do not miss that!). The building that we were in had faced the sun in the late afternoon, so the swim-up suite wasnt too much use. Excellence El Carmen: Excellence Club WORTH IT - Read 9,048 reviews, view 11,301 traveller photos, and find great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. 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 . Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "Between the excellence punta Cana and the." | Check out answers, plus 8,668 reviews and 12,158 candid photos Ranked #3 of 9 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. In the video we tell you how we planned o. When we ate there we went for the classics with a Burrito and a quesadilla and they were very tasty. Thanks in advance. The price including flights, airport transfers, and the all-inclusive came out to $3,000 USD for the complete stay. The Lobster House is what I imagine to be the best spot for a breakfast choice. Their feature menu changes daily and its a great place to visit if you want a quick, self-service bite to eat. 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. There is no need to be rude to the vendors, but learn to say no, and then to avoid eye contact if they keep not taking no for an answer. 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! Ive talked to quite a few people during our time here about that experience. We also found that most people chill out on the beach, so the pools were never too busy. Lets start off by saying all of the rooms at this resort are massive, so space will never be an issue. For a more classic Caribbean beachfront all-inclusive with similar amenities, rates are comparable at the nearby sister resort,Excellence Punta Cana. This Asian eatery serves up the most famous dishes from Japan, Thailand, China, and Vietnam. Aroma is open until 10:00 and also offers sandwiches, fruit cups, pastries, macarons, cookies, and gelato. Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. It boasts white- and golden-sand beaches, swaying palm trees protected by the government, turquoise waters, and pleasant year-round temperatures. We have to give a shout-out to Felix the bartender here. Since you mentioned your anniversary, look at the anniversary packages that you would get for free if you travel over your anniversary and stay for 7 nights. The Excellence El Carmen is dotted with four-floored buildings (designed to maximize ocean views) that are surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns, towering palm trees, and blossoming flowers such as ixora, hibiscus, and bougainvillea. We loved the modern vibe to the resort; the clean architectual look, the immaculate gardening and landscaping, and the freshness of it all. From the moment you get out of bed and slip into the private pool outside your Junior Suite your day is going to be electric and jam-packed with fun, romance, action and entertainment. You could jump from activity to activity all day long and you still wouldnt be able to participate in all of them. This is topped off with the most decadent 10 minute head, neck and shoulder massage, all while laying cozied up on a heated stone lounge. The poolside service was always quick, the entertainment staff were a blast, the waiters were so courteous and attentivethe list goes on. This is what I normally tip but remember, this is completely discretionary! While both resorts offer access to beautiful beaches, the stretch of sand at Excellence Punta Cana is perhaps just a little bit nicer. The bar service is also better on the EC part of the beach. I would still go. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. After dinner, there was always something going on. The menu for the room service was very extensive. You have three bottles of alcohol in your room as a standard: Stolichnaya Vodka, rum, and whiskey. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! You can break large bills at the front desk for ones if youre running low. The spa is always one place I love to check out at Excellence Resorts. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. It felt like a newer resort. Each restaurant has numerous options for lighter fare. The balcony was covered in cigarette butts when we checked in. Nespresso coffeemakers and free minibars stocked daily with beer, water, soda, and snacks (plus full bottles of whisky, rum, and vodka) are also available in all rooms free of charge. Chez Isabelle is a quiet restaurant to visit for a romantic meal and the decor is beautiful. by Adrian updated July 31, 2021, 2:41 pm. Book Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto on Tripadvisor: See 9,455 traveller reviews, 12,158 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen, ranked #3 of 7 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. We dined outside on the patio with a beautiful view of the palm trees (not of the ocean, since Magna is located within the Excellence Club lounge right off the lobby). Youll have a great view of the pool and ocean and a nice breeze to enjoy your dinner with. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. - See 9,457 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. As a previous Excellence Resorts guest, I couldn't imagine how the service could get any better! We really cant fault the Excellence EL Carmen for its cleanliness. Just as an FYI if youre walking around indecently with the blinds open. There is also a beachfront massage option if you wish to listen to the crashing waves against the shore. Excellence is known for their corporate responsibility and they look after their staff, and it shows through the service you receive. . Oddly enough, it was never too busy when we went there and we put it down to people not loving Tapas as the food here was top-notch. The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. The actual check-in process took less than 3 minutes. It showed which restaurants were open the following day, which activities were scheduled throughout the day, and what the evening entertainment was. . Today we are sharing a best food and worst food review of Excellence Club El Carmen, Punta Cana Dominican Republic. It doesnt have to be much, and the tips are also very appreciated. Feeling hungry late at night? Secrets resorts All your questions answered! Or jump to your topic. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Its available 24/7 and the menu is very extensive. Wood-Fired pizzas, rich and creamy pasta dishes, and some really nice seafood options too. You will see it the second that you arrive. 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. There is also room service! It is the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in a really cool location. Excellence Club WORTH IT: Excellence El Carmen - See 7,750 traveller reviews, 10,047 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Casual wear (no wet swimsuits) is acceptable elsewhere for breakfast and lunch. Drink service is on offer at the pools and beach. Access to the business center is available for a fee, and there is also 4,800 square feet of event space. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! Paper straws are biodegradable and inexpensive. The beach at Excellence El Carmen is long its a beautiful, soft, and golden stretch of beach when there is no seaweed. They have it all from the top-shelf liquor options to local beers and spirits. Ecological park with flamingos and macaws on-site. Just another site is excellence club worth it el carmen A nice L-shaped couch that made the perfect midday lounging area. They serve food here too, but we never ate there. Over the 7 days that we visited the Excellence, there were two weddings that we saw going on. Do yourself a favor and try the Excellence resorts for your next stay! This is definitely the best restaurant location with stunning views of the ocean and a nice outdoor setting where you can feel the cool sea breeze. Now the bathroom is one of which many people question. Your bags will be taken by the staff and be delivered to your room. There is no dedicated Excellence Club pool at Excellence El Carmen, but there are plenty of suites with their own private pools, swim ups, or plunge pools to pick from! They will come up to you and place them on you without even asking. The Mile spa is located just off the main reception area. ), or you can be served over by your palapa. Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Puerto Vallarta for Food, Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Los Cabos for Food. This one of the Excellence chains has three offerings in the Dominican Republic. Re the alcohol in the room, on our last visit, we didn't touch it. The menu has your typical bar food favorites such as nachos, burgers, and Pizzas. 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. Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. 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). Thank you for supporting my blog! Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Anytime we had finished a drink or a meal the staff were on hand to refill or clean away our empty glasses or plates. In addition to receiving a welcome letter, fruit, and a bottle of sparkling wine upon arrival, you will also receive a special turndown service, champagne breakfast in bed and a romantic dinner at one of the restaurants. This would be great for later in the evening, or even an early snack prior to a later dinner (if youre wanting to try it all!). They have a large menu with all of the smoothies combinations under the sun. The pool is HUGE. When booking if you want to be close to the action we would advise requesting a room in buildings 4 and 6. Insider tip: Dont miss the hidden gem by building 10! There is a drinks service on the beach which makes spending a day sunning yourself so much more enjoyable. The wide and varied selection continues in your room with a packed mini-bar and a number of premium liquor bottles available. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The staff really do put their best foot forward in making it an entertaining getaway for the guests. We also saw one of the wedding parties using the X-lounge for after the reception. Glass-walled stand-up showers feature massive rainfall showerheads and all bathrooms include generous toiletries. This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. If you want to swim, I would recommend bringing water shoes to protect your feet! We accosted the minibar guy one day to give us kitkats, so just so you know, there is also chocolate! As well as a nice selection of ice creams for your midday treat. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. Re: Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? They do not serve their drinks with straws, so bring your own if you wish! You can either wade over to it and grab a seat there (we did this, but wear sunscreen because chances are youll start talking to someone and be there for a while! Plan your next vacation using these tools! Book flights: SkyScanner Book hotels: Booking.com Book car rentals: RentalCars.comBook tours: GetYourGuide Local food experiences: EatWithFavourite travel item: Packing cubesFavourite travel bag: Osprey 40L Fairview ESims: Airalo DIY Travel Medical Kit 20 Cheap Travel Items Under $20. Its always a favourite spot to gather before and after dinner to enjoy a cocktail. ), Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen, 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are. Theyre easy to pack and inexpensive and so worth having! Regardless! We went for 7 days and flew out of Toronto. It was the best thing we ate all week! Perks include upgraded rooms; upgraded room-service menus, minibars, and toiletries; and access to a private lounge with concierge services. For anniversaries, you can receive this package up to 7 days before and 7 days after your anniversary, giving you lots of flexibility! You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. We highly recommend the scallops and the Tuna steak. Im glad there were other couples there laughing, because some of you cant help but laugh! We have booked to stay at EEC for 2 weeks from opening day! We stayed at the Excellence El Carmen in mid-2019 and our review is based on that experience. There is a massive king-sized bed which is super comfortable. If you want to be in a secluded spot and close to the beach then building 9 is your best bet. 1 year ago Save We have been three times now & always EC. There are so many restaurants at Excellence El Carmen. You can check it out on the resort map! The room we stayed in when we visited was a junior swim-up suite. 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. 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. Im not kidding people were shocked when they saw the photos. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: See 9,457 traveller reviews, 12,158 photos, and cheap rates for Excellence El Carmen, ranked #3 of 7 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. I did notice, though, while we were walking the beach, there were quite a few pieces of coral along the shore and in the water. NEW riu palace bavaro ----opening when?????? Bar-wise, Excellence El Carmens 16 options include swim-up pool bars, a sports bar, a martini lounge, a beach bar, and a made-to-order juice bar with fresh fruits and veggies. It never took longer than 5-10 minutes to walk to anywhere we wanted to go. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. He just appeared. 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! Even an extra dollar or two goes a long way in improving their quality of life. The service wasnt particularly good the day we went as it took over an hour for us to get our main courses. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The food here was the best we had in the resort and the minimalist Japanese decor really added to the experience. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Its listed on their website that they have 23 pools and 9 outdoor hot tubs on offer and while this is the case. Hmm. I would still go. To be honest I found the whole club thing a bit snooty and always felt a bit uncomfortable when dealing with club concierge, we paid a lot of money to stay club as we were there for 2 weeks and didn't really feel like we were treated any different than non club, which I suppose is a good thing, but I would have hoped that being a returning guest on honeymoon, the club concierge should have spoilt us and put more of an effort in than they did. By this point we were both needing a break from the steak, so we ordered the salmon and the scallops, which were tasty and surprisingly filling. At the other Excellence guest-only eatery, we were pretty disappointed with the restaurant. If youve never experienced it before, its a must-do! drinks to try everything from Americanos to flavoured coffees with everything you could imagine maybe a little something extra in it if thats how you like to start your day. I have seen others tip generously to get their preferred alcohol, or have had them all swapped out at onceIm not sure what the real case is here, but nonetheless youll have alcohol in your room. This is why I love the Excellence app so much you can go on there and check out the menus ahead of time to decide on which places to eat at each night (you know, if youre into that sort of thing). Our wait was very short and we were guided to our room, where our bags were already waiting for us. It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. This is a must-visit if youre a fan of Indian food. We were not excellence club. And since its the second-largest country. Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. I love the outdoor seating and the decor here. To be honest I can't say I thought it was really worth the extra. We ate in our bathrobes and drank mimosas and it was glorious. If you are looking for the quality of an Excellence resort and are looking for a cheaper option compared to their Cancun and Jamaica offerings then the El Carmen is the resort for you. We spent our mornings at the main pool with their (only) swim up bar, Blue. Yes literally everything here is included! These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The Excellence El Carmen adults-only all-inclusive resort opened in late 2016 and has one of Punta Canas most modern and hip vibes. Honestly, though the room service menu is so large that you probably wont need to do this. 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. The gym at this resort is very well stocked. Arriving guests step through the front doors into a hip lobby that features swish elements like funky, high-backed armchairs, sleek couches, and floor-to-ceiling shelves full of oversized art books. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. We have been to ERC twice, once non club, then went club for our honeymoon. We only experienced the massage included in the hydrotherapy this time, so I cant speak to the couples massage or any other treatments, but I have heard amazing things about the services offered and if the full body massage is anything like the 10 minute one we got, I would be in heaven! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Relaxing mid winter break Dave-Jerseyboy (Wells, United Kingdom) on Feb 04, 2023 This was our 5th visit to DR and the Excellence was a very modern and stylish hotel to spend 9nights all inclusive. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "Can anyone who upgraded to Excellence club upon." | Check out answers, plus 8,667 reviews and 12,158 candid photos Ranked #3 of 9 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. This all sounds very negative, but I suppose what I'm trying to say is no it's not worth it, hopefully you will have a brilliant time wherever you stay. We have been to EPC 8 times, and we always do the EC, mainly because we prefer the upgraded, less crowded beach area. The marquee element of the park is the Hoyo Azul. Now, that is what their website states, but we saw many people in flip flops and tank tops, so Im not sure how much the dress code is enforced. If youre an Excellence club guest you will have a complimentary Hydrotherapy session during your stay. Is Excellence Club Worth it at Excellence El Carmen? ordered the flank steak and charcoal grilled chicken. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. We really got the feeling of 5-Star luxury once we walked in. Is the bathroom private?
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