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! Fun vacation spot Lisa M on Feb 04, 2023 The price including flights, airport transfers, and the all-inclusive came out to $3,000 USD for the complete stay. Dont forget Aroma! This is $699 USD, or complimentary with 6 nights or more in any Excellence Club room category! The X lounge was our other most frequented spot. And there is no need to bring toiletries there is body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even toothpaste! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The food here was good, but nothing to write home about. Few vendors prowl the floury-soft sand in this part of Punta Cana. We spent our mornings at the main pool with their (only) swim up bar, Blue. The balcony was covered in cigarette butts when we checked in. We actually skipped lunch this day just so we could fill up. Since my mom and I were on a girls trip (which we hardly ever get to do!) We highly recommend the scallops and the Tuna steak. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It felt like a newer resort. 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. (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. Its definitely on the premium side when you compare it against other resorts in the Punta Cana area, but for what you get it is definitely worth the additional cost. Aroma is open until 10:00 and also offers sandwiches, fruit cups, pastries, macarons, cookies, and gelato. 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. We (once again!) I gravitate towards dishes with flank steak (we ordered the Puebla and Tamaulipas) its easily one of the best beef options and the most flavourful! By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. Thank you for supporting my blog! Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. The sushi was actually really good and the ramen broth was packed with flavor. Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. You also have an ice bucket, and the ice machines are located on every floor of every room block for easy filling. The butter chicken was really good. You will never have an issue getting a spot at the beach. We accosted the minibar guy one day to give us kitkats, so just so you know, there is also chocolate! The main pool is located quite close to the beach and then two additional pools are located near buildings 12-16. We ate in our bathrobes and drank mimosas and it was glorious. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Note: we had someone come by our room every morning around 8:00-8:30 am to clean the pool from the outside. Guests staying at Excellence El Carmen can book excursions to nearby attractions through the concierge. Mexico Resorts Excellence Playa Mujeres Excellence Riviera Cancun Beloved Hotel Playa Mujeres Caribbean Resorts Excellence Punta Cana 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. Related: 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are actually useful!). We really cant fault the Excellence EL Carmen for its cleanliness. A. We even had a decent signal on the beach. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. I tried the braised beef wrap and it was delicious. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. Went with two of my girlfriends and we were speechless!!! Secrets resorts All your questions answered! The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. 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? If you want a little pick-me-up, there are fruit cups, snacks, and gelato here, too! Luxury runs through every one of Excellence Punta Cana's 461 suites and Excellence El Carmen's 492. Im the type of person that pretty much tips every time. This is always a favourite for me but I had to sacrifice my desire for sushi to try some other restaurants! We arrived 30 minutes early for our painting session for which they had 8 easels. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. We have booked Excellence in Playa Mujeres and in El Carmen for 2016 both non club rooms. Once the info sheet is delivered try and book the treatment for the next day to grab a bargain. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The main pool is close to Las Olas for a bite to eat or you could head over to Oregano or Lobster House for lunch! Access to twelve private pools and seven jacuzzis (hot water) in the pool area. Like all of these offerings, it can be hit and miss and there definitely was some inconsistency in terms of the dishes we were served. Over the 7 days that we visited the Excellence, there were two weddings that we saw going on. Every time we travel I always bring an extra couple hundred dollars in tips and its well worth it! 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. Youll find all kinds of entertainment throughout the day, from water activities and games (you may even be roped into it, but dont feel like you have to attend! The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The Excellence Punta Cana is a luxury offering at a competitive price. Although there is no golf course in the resort there are a few options within driving distance of the resort. 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 Excellence chain of resorts is known to put out a very decent standard of food and the Excellence El Carmen is no different. There are blinds to draw down for privacy if you wish. Note that none of the bars are open 24/7. The club rooms do have a better coffee maker, little cakes delivered every night which were a nice touch, also fruit delivery every day, which we didn't eat and a daily US newspaper - not much use for us as we're British. Make sure to make use of the room service, not only do they serve an extensive range of food, but if you fancy a midday cocktail they will also bring that to your room too. Spice also has a fun option for groups and for a live cooking show: the Hibachi! The room service here at the Excellence El Carmen is really good. Keep in mind that you are in the Dominican Republic but the food here is far better than other resorts Ive been to while travelling here. We love the Club benefits but have gone without it and had a great time. If you are willing to change it you might get a bargain. It is brand new so it was not crowded at all. You have three bottles of alcohol in your room as a standard: Stolichnaya Vodka, rum, and whiskey. What let the side down here was the quality of the meat. 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. . I recommend a one-piece for this, ladies! Everyone dresses up and it gives a classy feel to the resort. It was pure heaven. The resort has tennis courts and free lessons. 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. There is also a plug inside your safe should you choose to charge your devices while theyre kept away (which I thought was neat!). One comment I will make that really deterred me from being on the beach, is the vendors. With 16 different bars in the resort, you are never too far away from a drink. Weirdly enough we found that the food here in the Dominican was way better than the Excellence offerings in their Mexican location. Im not a huge pizza or pasta fan when theres tons of other things to try that I cant get at home (or want to make at home, more like!). We went in ours so we just had to take our coverups off. However, the dress code is one of the reasons why we love Excellence. The Martini bar is a great place to grab a cocktail and watch the world go by. 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! The food here was very good. I like a mix of $1s, $5s and $10s when we travel to all-inclusive resorts. 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. On both occasions, the food came within 20 minutes and arrived hot, which is always the worry with room service. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Access to Excellence Club's Magna Restaurant and exclusive bars. 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. I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). You can purchase drinks at the airport to make the ride a little more fun, and perhaps a bit quicker? Opting to eat healthier during your stay? Getting married here seems to be a very popular choice. You can check it out on the resort map! Excellence El Carmen, which reopened successfully on November 28, has that vibe, too, but this property is more like a night in the city. Many rooms at the Excellence Resort El Carmen feature direct access to a pool, private or shared with other guests in the same room category. All are part of the hotel's all-inclusive rates, as is 24-hour room service. The pool is HUGE. Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa: Need some improvement - See 18,088 traveler reviews, 21,873 candid photos, and great deals for Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa at Tripadvisor. Does Excellence El Carmen have a club? If youre not already a member of Welcome to Excellence El Carmen on Facebook I highly recommend you join there are a ton of Q&As in there! We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. Stop by the Food Shark food truck, right at the theatre for tacos, burgers, hot dogs, fries and more! Ecological park with flamingos and macaws on-site. We were not excellence club. Just dont go with a wet bathing suit! 74 . The Masala beef was the best we have ever had. It was our first DR vacation but we have stayed at 20 . They also have a range of pastries and sandwiches on offer. Theres always some type of entertainment going on. Maybe Im just getting older, but I dont like the rough feeling of wet, sandy feet against flip flops or sand in my bits after a day on the beach. For those who wish to explore down the beach, Tropical Treasures also has great beach side massages and souvenirs. Its a lovely experience. The best part? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. how do floodplains jeopardize the livelihoods of agricultural workers. So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary. Yes, a shuttle service from the airport can be requested. Excellence El Carmen is a large, and fairly new (2016) all-inclusive resort with a modern and tropical vibe. What is VIP Service? Feel free to read mydisclosure policy. Regardless! If youre celebrating your anniversary or honeymoon, be sure to take advantage of that at Excellence El Carmen! You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. They have it all from the top-shelf liquor options to local beers and spirits. Eating low carb? Its available 24/7 and the menu is very extensive. Related: How to Travel with a Carry-On Only. Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. Resort recs for relaxing, great beach, hot tub? The rest of the pools are either for guests staying in Swim-Up units or exclusive for Excellence Club guests. The lounge is comfortable with the L-shaped couch, perfect for morning room-service breakfast, or cocktails before heading out for the evening. The gym was never too busy, but we found that around 10 am was its peak hours, but even then you would have no issues getting a treadmill or a solid workout in. There are a range of precautions that the Excellence chain of resorts has put in place and if you would like to review these they can be found here. 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. (Feb 28, 2021), Which Airlines Are in Terminal A & B? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Members of the WorthEPenny community love shopping at Excellence Resorts. 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. Its easily 20 x 15 feet (my mom and I tried measuring with our bodies), warm, and gets the late morning and afternoon sun. From the Gym, tennis courts, beach volleyball, and water sports they have it all on offer. There are a few tasty options here, like the Dominican patty (filled with beef, raisins and egg, and sooo good! The setup outside is really beautiful and should be experienced if youre there even if you dont have a full meal just so you can see some of the entertainment! Sorry such a technical question and really appreciate your in depth review of the place. Its open from 9:00 am 4:00 pm and has all kinds of fruit smoothies and juices to try. The Cocotal Golf and Country Club. The vanity has a double sink and there are numerous towels, hand towels, and facecloths, along with a hairdryer. With all Excellence offerings, they are typically priced on the premium side when you compare it to the average price of other resorts, but for that somewhat premium price you are definitely getting a premium experience. Free water sports include kayaks and Hobie Cat catamarans. It is unbelievably private we were in 9001 and because we were on the end of the building block, we only had neighbours on one side. 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. As you walk down the hallways, it's common to see the doors of these couples' rooms decorated with banners celebrating their occasion. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. That, of course, is no fault of the hotel. This man was hilarious and was really entertaining. Im sure if we couldnt get an EC room we would still have a great time though. Was it worth it for you? The staff really do put their best foot forward in making it an entertaining getaway for the guests. 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!). The spa is always one place I love to check out at Excellence Resorts. Flavour Market is ideal for those who want to try a bit of everything without filling up too much on one thing! Youre greeted at the front desk, then taken by elevator upstairs, where youre shown your locker room and given a pair of flip flops. Hi Taylor! Access to the business center is available for a fee, and there is also 4,800 square feet of event space. A terrace lay just outside the sliding doors with your own entrance to a pool that runs alongside the back of the building. Discover a world of rewards with The Excellence Collection Rewards benefits program. Club is the icing on the cake as they look after all guests extremely well, However, the EC package at EEC has the most to offer of all the other Excellence Resorts as you have multiple EC pools, bars and even a restaurants. There is also the Silent Disco. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. ), or you can be served over by your palapa. Flavour Market is a great spot for tapas, sharing, and light bites. 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. We went to Sanoa Island and Hoyo Azul. I piggybacked on another guests recommendation of the Power Smoothie + strawberries and it tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Subscribe and get my Travel Safety Checklist! You are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. The resort does a wonderful job of keeping the EC things hidden. ordered the flank steak and charcoal grilled chicken. Related: What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable!). There are items on the menu at Magna that feel more premium than the other menus (but believe me, all of the food is scrummy). Excellence El Carmen: Perfection!! It takes roughly 45 minutes for it to show up at your room but I loved the freedom it gave us with getting ready and not having to get froofrooed up, as my mom says. Insight/Feedback on Monkeyland and Other Animal Attractions? We only managed two meals a day most days because we were so full from breakfast, so having a smoothie to tide us over was perfect. I definitely would like to stay at this resort. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. There is also room service! It really is a top option for an all-inclusive. Other than that, you will surely have a beautiful stay at a great resort. 20 people arrived and the rest had to be turned away. I never not tip at a meal, and I will leave tip money throughout the week for housekeeping, turndown service, and the minibar. Request this at your time of booking and bring proof its your honeymoon or anniversary (like a copy of your marriage certificate). If you do not like those, or want to swap them out for something else, you can do that too! This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. While interiors are sharp, it's the hotel's lush grounds that give this property its away-from-it-all atmosphere. Even an extra dollar or two goes a long way in improving their quality of life. If you don't have it that's not going to ruin your vacation, but if you can swing it it will enhance the experience. If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. We loved the Caribbean Eggs with plantain and fried cheese. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. There are lots of things to see and do locally, for a comprehensive list we suggest checking out this really great article by PuntaCanaTravelBlog.com, by Adrian updated February 4, 2023, 10:21 am, by Emma updated January 30, 2023, 8:40 pm, by Emma updated January 25, 2023, 8:49 am. The beach at Excellence El Carmen is long its a beautiful, soft, and golden stretch of beach when there is no seaweed. We had just as much fun watching everyone as those who participated in it. dwayne johnson rock foundation contact. Open-plan bathrooms are spacious and include tan granite or black marble vanities plus double sinks. . This post contains affiliate linkswhich means I earn compensation when you click on the links at absolutely no extra cost to you! It was awkward drinking Coco Locos without them! If youve never tried Indian cuisine, I recommend branching out and trying some new dishes! If youre sharing with a friend or a family member (like my mom and I did), we just called out to each other that we were indecent and to avert your eyes. We did EC when we went a month ago for the first time. Its architecture is in the Contemporary Caribbean style, and twenty pools wind through our . We were handed a Coco Loco when we walked in and had a great view of the live music. Each restaurant has numerous options for lighter fare. If youre in Excellence Club, try Magna for breakfast at least once! We did not try Oregano, Spice, Flavour Market, or Basmati during this trip because we ran out of time. Hats off to Chef Masood and his team that churns out some really top-quality cuisine. 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. Save it for later! Valet parking is free at the resort and theres free Wi-Fi throughout the property. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We frequented this little shop to get specialty coffee drinks, browse the different pastries and macaroons that were constantly available, and grab an ice cream cone. The actual check-in process took less than 3 minutes. Excellence now has their own app you can download to research everything either ahead of time, or to keep up with it during your stay! 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! Many of you have asked: there is no waiter service at these rooms but you have an entire minibar in your room and a minifridge which you can request to have stocked with what you like, or you can order room service for some sparkling wine if thats your thing, or even toddle over one of the many bars for some cocktails to bring back. There are many options: silicone straws, metal straws (which keep your drinks cold) or paper straws. 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. Their feature menu changes daily and its a great place to visit if you want a quick, self-service bite to eat. For all your caffeine needs, Aroma is a coffee shop where you can pick up your morning pick me up. There are tons of different hot (and cold!) Yes literally everything here is included! . It can be difficult at times to get a booking for treatments, so if you have your heart set on getting a massage we advise you to book before you travel. 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. Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. If you are not in Excellence Club, you can swap out one bottle of alcohol per day. We brought these ones which were the perfect size, and were easy to inflate, and easy to pack up to bring home! There is a gorgeous jacuzzi which is deep and big enough for two people which looks out to the patio (and pool if you have one). By the end of day one, he had our drinks orders ready before we even had to ask. Do not miss the Grill for lunch! Free daily classes like yoga and stretching are available, and personal training sessions are included in nightly rates as well. In reality, there are really three main pool areas. I also appreciated that while we asked for two mimosas, he brought us a whole bottle of sparkling wine, in case we wanted two each. Its like he knew us. 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 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. From the housekeeping, service at the bars to the concierge. The Revive Bar is a delicious choice for those who love liquid breakfasts. It was the best thing we ate all week! From themed nights such as Casino night and Dominican night. . The only room type that has a private garden with a pool bigger than a plunge pool is the Imperial Suite. 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. We have been to ERC twice, once non club, then went club for our honeymoon. Is the bathroom private? However! The Excellence El Carmen is just a 40-minute drive from Punta Cana international airport. Tons of free activities like pool games, Mamajuana making, and evening shows. . So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! ), but some of my favourites were the Circus Show, Michael Jackson, Queen, and the fire show (do not miss that!).