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. We are going to EEC to celebrate our anniversary in mid September. Flavour Market is ideal for those who want to try a bit of everything without filling up too much on one thing! 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. Thats what I love about the food here. This is obviously down to the staff who were so proactive in making sure the place looked tidy. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The butter chicken was really good. The sauce was rich yet balanced and the beef literally melted in the mouth. Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. The menu for the room service was very extensive. The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. And there is no need to bring toiletries there is body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even toothpaste! Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. If youre an Excellence club guest you will have a complimentary Hydrotherapy session during your stay. - See 9,459 traveler reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. One comment I will make that really deterred me from being on the beach, is the vendors. Answer 1 of 6: My husband and I are looking into going to EEC and we are wondering if the Excellence Club is worth it. The Excellence El Carmen adults-only all-inclusive resort opened in late 2016 and has one of Punta Canas most modern and hip vibes. We stayed at the Excellence El Carmen in mid-2019 and our review is based on that experience. Ive been looking forward to staying here, and now that Ive fully absorbed all that this stunning resort has to offer after a relaxing getaway, Im excited to share this review with you! 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. 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. Help choosing a resort for my 80 year old aunt. HELP - Secrets Royal Beach or Secrets Cap Cana - price/room. Adults-Only Luxury at Excellence Riviera Cancun, What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation, The Best Adults-Only Resorts in Mexico for a Romantic Getaway, What to Include in a DIY Travel Medical Kit, Why You Need to Stay at El Dorado Casitas Royale, Mexico, 20 Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are actually useful!). The gym at this resort is very well stocked. My husband and I did Excellence Playa Mujeres last year. 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. They do not serve their drinks with straws, so bring your own if you wish! There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. 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. What is VIP Service? I also visited DR this year and I can only say it is a wonderful country. My mom had the pork ribs with sweet potato mash and the meat was so tender. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Feeling hungry late at night? 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. For beachside dining, head to Las Olas. The spa is always one place I love to check out at Excellence Resorts. I tried the braised beef wrap and it was delicious. You could jump from activity to activity all day long and you still wouldnt be able to participate in all of them. They are so much fun to do. We love the Club benefits but have gone without it and had a great time. I am SO happy we decided to book this room, and quite honestly I dont think I can book any other room type now. Were not whiskey drinkers, but we do love tequila. A terrace lay just outside the sliding doors with your own entrance to a pool that runs alongside the back of the building. 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? As they fill up quickly. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 1 year ago Save We have been three times now & always EC. That is important to us, as we are "beach people" who spend the day from 8am until 6 pm on the beach. This is one of the more popular restaurants on the resort. Opting to eat healthier during your stay? Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. There are water and cold towels available in the gym and personal trainers on-site if you need motivation. If you want a lighter bite, head over to the La Placita food truck at the X-Lounge terrace! Thanks in advance. Paper straws are biodegradable and inexpensive. Its a really nice option if you dont feel like getting into your evening clothes and instead just chilling out in the room. Basmati is one restaurant Im sad to have missed on this trip! This man was hilarious and was really entertaining. 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. You will also have some snacks: crackers, oreos, and peanuts. . A steakhouse in an all-inclusive is not normally a good pairing and sadly the Grill at the Excellence El Carmen was no different. The actual check-in process took less than 3 minutes. The service is amazing as it always is at Excellence Resorts. From small surprises that delight the senses to complimentary suite upgrades and premiere bottles of bubbly, a stay at one of our resorts comes complete with an experience cultivated especially for our loyal guests. Rounds here range from $100 $150 depending on the time of day you play and the season. Its a lovely experience. 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. Its important to remember the Excellence dress code! Excellence El Carmen Punta Cana is located along a gorgeous sandy beach in Uvero Alto, a quiet beach area that's a far cry from the more touristy beach zones. 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. dwayne johnson rock foundation contact. 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. Insider tip: Dont miss the hidden gem by building 10! This obviously doesnt matter, but its just an observation. I first thought it was broken since I couldnt turn the dial under it, but then I realized there was a button right at the staircase into the pool which doesnt quite look like a button that turns it on for about 5 minutes at a time. Does the Excellence El Carmen offer a shuttle service from the Airport. The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. Just a note on classes: if you have your heart set on doing one, get there early! Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. Drink service is on offer at the pools and beach. You can check it out on the resort map! You will be treated the same, eat the same, and have largely the same drinks. We had just as much fun watching everyone as those who participated in it. Bike tours, Spanish lessons, beach volleyball, archery, pool games, water aerobics, poker tournaments, and bingo are scheduled regularly. By far, our favourite dinner was at the Grill. Sunny yellows, lush flora greens, and ocean blues set the scene for a transfixing mix of island charm and elegance. 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. . We did ours at 9:00 am and we had to nap after because it made us tired haha! Rooms are elegant in both resorts, but Excellence El Carmens are slightly bigger and more swish. While interiors are sharp, it's the hotel's lush grounds that give this property its away-from-it-all atmosphere. Excellence El Carmen: Great hotel ! The Excellence Punta Cana is a luxury offering at a competitive price. It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. Tech features are solid and include iHome docks, wall-integrated USB plugs, and big smart TVs with satellite channels. 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. We have booked Excellence in Playa Mujeres and in El Carmen for 2016 both non club rooms. I love the different dishes and flavour combinations. Those spots, along with the Kitchen Table for the buffet, and room-service, are your breakfast options. Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. Excellence El Carmen is very competitively priced. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. If you want a little pick-me-up, there are fruit cups, snacks, and gelato here, too! We brought these ones which were the perfect size, and were easy to inflate, and easy to pack up to bring home! 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. 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. I piggybacked on another guests recommendation of the Power Smoothie + strawberries and it tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. Dont get us wrong, the steaks were well prepared and the burger we tried too was pretty good. It was a toss up between a room with a private pool or a two-storey rooftop with plunge pool, but by the time I finally booked the private pool room was the only one left. Every time we travel I always bring an extra couple hundred dollars in tips and its well worth it! For anniversaries, you can receive this package up to 7 days before and 7 days after your anniversary, giving you lots of flexibility! Do not miss the huge savings! I would still go. Im glad there were other couples there laughing, because some of you cant help but laugh! You always have the option for room service if you want to just veg out at night, too! You will also use the Excellence app for ordering at the restaurants they have shifted away from the hard-copy menus to digital (although Im sure you could request one if you preferred it). The deal I can get right now makes the Junior Suite Pool View really affordable but the Club is just out of our reach. There is also a Teppanyaki experience that is in Spice. There is a newly-placed birm out in the ocean to prevent the seaweed from coming ashore, but there was still a ton of it on the beach. The Martini bar is a great place to grab a cocktail and watch the world go by. But, if youre sitting on the bed, the bathroom is behind you so you cant see anything. So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We have zero complaints and hence the shortest section on this review! Each restaurant has numerous options for lighter fare. You are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. Your best option is a 35-minute drive from the resort. There is also a beach area reserved for them, as well as several pools and whirlpools. The room service here at the Excellence El Carmen is really good. It seats up to 8 and there is a set menu. The Lobster House is what I imagine to be the best spot for a breakfast choice. Once inside, it's all about sharp neutral decor, tranquil vibes, and breezy ocean views. If youre celebrating your anniversary or honeymoon, be sure to take advantage of that at Excellence El Carmen! . The wide and varied selection continues in your room with a packed mini-bar and a number of premium liquor bottles available. Keep in mind there may be a separate wine list at the restaurants where you can opt to purchase bottles of winebut we drank the house all week and we loved it! The water is refreshingly warm and there are loungers in the water too! The service here is really top-notch and the wages in the Dominican Republic for these roles are not high, so these tips can go a long way. Hi Taylor! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. If youre in a private pool or swim-up suite. You can purchase drinks at the airport to make the ride a little more fun, and perhaps a bit quicker? There were tons of loungers and palapas available, with great poolside service. I worry about hidden fees- is EVERYTHING Included in all inclusive? What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable! We highly recommend the Irish coffee they serve for a great morning wakeup and hey, your own holidays, what better way to start the day than with alcohol and caffeine. There is a great bustling atmosphere and the bartender Jordy served up some of the best concoctions at the resort. There is a daily room keeping as well as turndown service which is always nice to come back to: slippers by the bed, sheets drawn back, beside lights on, bottles of water on the nightstands, and flower petals or towels done up in some cute display. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. 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 food was top quality and the atmosphere was great. We loved the modern vibe to the resort; the clean architectual look, the immaculate gardening and landscaping, and the freshness of it all. We did this one night and got food from Chez Isabella. We have been to EPC 8 times, and we always do the EC, mainly because we prefer the upgraded, less crowded beach area. Magna has the best coffee at the resort French press and we loved that our server wheeled out a bread card and cut it for us. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. Excellence Club is described as the best adults-only all-inclusive resort experience in the Dominican Republic, with upscale service and elevated offerings. or just the tennis net. For Excellence Club guests, dont miss Magna! Our food was delivered hot, and was set up right in our room. Tip: bring your own floaties with you! Excellence El Carmen: Excellence Club WORTH IT - See 8,945 traveller reviews, 11,222 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. ), or you can be served over by your palapa. 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. The bartender Emilio was great fun and served up the best Margaritas at the resort. The wait isnt long, so stick around (or maybe have a drink first or head to the Flavour Market next door for some tapas!). Located right above one of the pools and overlooking the beach, this is the perfect spot for some pre-dinner drinks while you listen to the lapping waves. If you find there are any other questions you have that I dont cover, feel free to get in touch with me! My wife and I had a very similar experience at Excellence El Carman in November 2019. A. We did not try Oregano, Spice, Flavour Market, or Basmati during this trip because we ran out of time. Overall the food here was a pretty good standard for an all-inclusive. Excellence El Carmen Dominican Republic has shops selling sundries and beach attire, a medical clinic (fee to use), and an ATM. Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. You want for nothing and youre pampered as soon as youre handed a glass of champagne and walk through those big wooden doors that open to the main lobby, where the spa-like zen instantly soothes you. Its available 24/7 and the menu is very extensive. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. Another Mexican offering this spot serves up some really top-quality eats. 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. Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. The staff really do put their best foot forward in making it an entertaining getaway for the guests. A. I understand that spa services and tipping are not, but are all the restaurants, drinks and room service included? When it comes to adults-only luxury, Excellence El Carmen in the Dominican Republic has it down to a science. Just dont go with a wet bathing suit! Required fields are marked *. It never took longer than 5-10 minutes to walk to anywhere we wanted to go. Im not kidding people were shocked when they saw the photos. . Glass-walled stand-up showers feature massive rainfall showerheads and all bathrooms include generous toiletries. Even an extra dollar or two goes a long way in improving their quality of life. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The views at Oregano are lovely (as its located on the other side of the Lobster House) and it makes a great setting with the ocean breeze at night. The club package includes a private beachfront dinner, some spa treatments, etc. But have you ever checked into an all-inclusive resort and noticed that some guests have access to otherwise restricted restaurants, premium alcohol, luxe pools, more comfortable beach chairs, and, Aerial View of Excellence Punta Cana/Oyster If youve been researching the best adults-only luxury hotels in Punta Cana, youve likely come across the sister properties Excellence Punta Cana and Excellence El Carmen. The beach is the real gem in this resort and we will delve into that in a bit. Premium alcohol and specialty beers are included. I understand its how they make money, but they can be quite pushy, so be prepared. So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! We spent our mornings by the pool, where you have access to their swim up bar, Blue. There is music by the pool bar, too! With 8 treadmills, 6 ellipticals, a number of stationary exercise bikes, free weights, and a wide variety of machine weights its the perfect spot to work off the indulgence from the night before. Will we miss out on a lot if we do not book the Club Level? Insight/Feedback on Monkeyland and Other Animal Attractions? Since Aroma opens at 7:00 am, its a great spot to enjoy a morning coffee. You have three bottles of alcohol in your room as a standard: Stolichnaya Vodka, rum, and whiskey. Junior Swim-Up Suites, located on the ground floor, offer access to long pools with private nooks outfitted with a swan-neck jet. Resort kids clubs - do they enforce/check ages? There are entirely separate menus for that. 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). What let the side down here was the quality of the meat. For honeymoons, you can get this package for free for up to 3 months following your wedding. Chez Isabelle is a quiet restaurant to visit for a romantic meal and the decor is beautiful. We also saw one of the wedding parties using the X-lounge for after the reception. Smooth as can be. You do not need to bring an adapter with you if you are travelling from North America. 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. Flavour Market is a great spot for tapas, sharing, and light bites. To tribute acts and musical entertainment. Went with two of my girlfriends and we were speechless!!! The balcony was covered in cigarette butts when we checked in. There are bars dotted all throughout the resort. We were not excellence club. 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. As these pools are not heated, they were very cold during the day. The Hoyo Azul is also known as the blue hole and is their most famous one. They serve food here too, but we never ate there. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. The food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. 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. Just as an FYI if youre walking around indecently with the blinds open. As a previous Excellence Resorts guest, I couldn't imagine how the service could get any better! Dont have time to read this review of Excellence El Carmen right now? The food here was good, but nothing to write home about. My mom and I had big ambitions to participate in some of the physical activities, like aerial yoga on the beach (how fun right?!) We have celebrated our past 5 anniversaries at Excellence Group resorts (Excellence Riviera Cancun and The Finest). Some rooms add semi-private swim-up pools or completely private rooftop pools. Open-plan bathrooms are spacious and include tan granite or black marble vanities plus double sinks. 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. 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. I would recommend the hydrotherapy, plus you may even be given an additional spa discount for another service after. It's definitely not a party resort with guests pounding shots -- the vibe is more towards sipping martinis. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Its normally located on the X-Lounge terrace outside, but ours was held at the Kitchen Table. I would still go. There is a drinks service on the beach which makes spending a day sunning yourself so much more enjoyable. After dinner, there was always something going on. While Excellence isn't the largest resort in Punta Cana, it certainly packs in a mega-resort's worth of features -- and its most exceptional are outdoors. If you ask very nicely and youre feeling lucky you can also get food delivered from the restaurants. Whether youre an early riser or someone who likes to lounge in the morning and head for a later breakfast, there are loads of choices for you. Its totally free, so why not take advantage of it? 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 74 . Subscribe and get my Travel Safety Checklist! You can, of course, enhance your stay by option to upgrade to their paid honeymoon and anniversary package which includes everything in the complimentary package, plus dinner on the beach, and a 40 minute spa package. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. 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. Best things to do in Punta Cana.your top 3. Out of these, 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. We got to give a shout-out to Adriano who served us every day at the beach. 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. They do have a dress code for the Grill but we saw many people in cover ups and flip flops. . Located in the Uvero Alto area of the Dominican Republic. The weather was a little windy at times however that's just one of the challenges of trav. Excellence Club provides additional benefits, but is it really worth it? We love the whole adults only thing and the dining options that the Excellence offer hence why we feel that nothing else compares and why we have booked to stay at EEC. more. Honestly, though the room service menu is so large that you probably wont need to do this. No amount of milk or sugar was going to save that, so we just waddled over to Aroma later on for a caffeine drink. THE ROOMS. The sand is powdery soft and the oceanfront is lined with palm trees, lounge chairs, and thatched umbrellas. There is also the Silent Disco. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! There is lots of choice at the Excellence El Carmen and if you have stayed in the Excellence chain of resorts before you will be familiar with their room offering. (Feb 1, 2022). The beach does accumulate seaweed on the shoreline, but the staff works tirelessly to keep it off. You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. Access to twelve private pools and seven jacuzzis (hot water) in the pool area. For all your caffeine needs, Aroma is a coffee shop where you can pick up your morning pick me up. The steamer in the walk-in closet works great, but its advisable to use bottled water for it. Excellence Club upgrade provides a private pool, beach, lounge, and restaurant.