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These are two of my favourite things! We love the Club benefits but have gone without it and had a great time. At the Excellence Club, every detail of your stay has been upgraded with seamless perks and over-the-top offerings. Perks include upgraded rooms; upgraded room-service menus, minibars, and toiletries; and access to a private lounge with concierge services. We loved the modern vibe to the resort; the clean architectual look, the immaculate gardening and landscaping, and the freshness of it all. 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. Was it worth it for you? Today we are sharing a best food and worst food review of Excellence Club El Carmen, Punta Cana Dominican Republic. All rooms also provide safes, umbrellas, irons, and ironing boards. 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. Casual wear (no wet swimsuits) is acceptable elsewhere for breakfast and lunch. 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! French, Indian, Spanish, and Mexican restaurants are also open. And, if youre even more like me, food is very important to you! 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. We highly recommend doing this as the pools they have for this are really nice. Basmati is one restaurant Im sad to have missed on this trip! ), and lobster tails. All food, snacks, room service, fully stocked mini-bar drinks, and a variety of classes and amenities are included in the package. Each restaurant has numerous options for lighter fare. There are so many restaurants at Excellence El Carmen. . The room is spacious and modern with a HUGE hidden walk-in closet with plenty of hangers, shelving, robes, a steamer, and a safe. They are so much fun to do. However, big waves and strong undertow make it unsuitable for swimming. 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. 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. Excellence Club upgrade provides a private pool, beach, lounge, and restaurant. 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). We got to give a shout-out to Adriano who served us every day at the beach. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". I would still go. We had a fabulous time the first time we went to ERC, which was non club, so much so we went back for our honeymoon. 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. We have booked Excellence in Playa Mujeres and in El Carmen for 2016 both non club rooms. What is the entertainment/music like during the day at the pool?! We went in ours so we just had to take our coverups off. The staff was also super friendly which made us feel very welcome. I dont know what it was about that cheese but I fell in love with it and cant stop eating it. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. We nearly missed it and it was our favourite lunch! We passed so many doors with celebratory banners on them, and its not hard to understand why: Excellence El Carmen offers a great price point and value for money, and is known to provide a top-tier stay in a tropical paradise. We went to Sanoa Island and Hoyo Azul. If you fancy getting a treatment at the spa, we recommend that you check on the day as the Spa does daily specials on various treatments. It never took longer than 5-10 minutes to walk to anywhere we wanted to go. Glass-walled stand-up showers feature massive rainfall showerheads and all bathrooms include generous toiletries. We have been to ERC twice, once non club, then went club for our honeymoon. This spot does Tapas really well. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. There are lots of antipasto dishes at Oregano, along with risottos, custom pasta dishes, and pizzas to satisfy your carb craving. You will be greeted at the main door with a glass of prosecco and a smile. There is no option for that here, but you can purchase wine off a separate menu if you wish to splurge! Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. It looked like they had drinks and a canopy thing going on there. There are plenty of plugs throughout the room, including two USB ports for charging on either side of your bed. Do not miss the huge savings! As Excellence Club guests, we were given a free hydrotherapy session to use during our stay, which is always a must for me to experience! Theyre very quiet and also have their own bars. We went for 7 days and flew out of Toronto. Its non-stop! The main eatery of the resort, this buffet is really impressive. Thats what I love about the food here. Tip: bring your own floaties with you! This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. Or jump to your topic. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. I worry about hidden fees- is EVERYTHING Included in all inclusive? There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The resort does a wonderful job of keeping the EC things hidden. All are part of the hotel's all-inclusive rates, as is 24-hour room service. but then drinks happened and we ended up just lazing by the pool. We have been to EPC 8 times, and we always do the EC, mainly because we prefer the upgraded, less crowded beach area. As a previous Excellence Resorts guest, I couldn't imagine how the service could get any better! You can grab a coconut at the swim up bar most days where you can have any drink you want inside of it. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The honeymoon package also was meant to include a rose petal filled bath in the room after dinner on the beach, which never happened, despite telling concierge 3 times, on each night we went back to the room in the hope for the bath to be filled, but nope, never happened. Excellence El Carmen: Excellent! If you are willing to change it you might get a bargain. 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. Excellence El Carmen: Excellence Club WORTH IT - See 9,018 traveler reviews, 11,291 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Excellence El Carmen: Perfection!! 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. The lounge is comfortable with the L-shaped couch, perfect for morning room-service breakfast, or cocktails before heading out for the evening. That is important to us, as we are "beach people" who spend the day from 8am until 6 pm on the beach. You will never have an issue getting a spot at the beach. Theres always some type of entertainment going on. They serve food here too, but we never ate there. When it comes to adults-only luxury, Excellence El Carmen in the Dominican Republic has it down to a science. Although there is no golf course in the resort there are a few options within driving distance of the resort. They have it all from the top-shelf liquor options to local beers and spirits. The pool is HUGE. Will we be sorry not booking the club? This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Its a scam. Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service. I gave up asking in the end! From fitness-based classes such as Yoga, tennis, and water aerobics. Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. This restaurant is a Mexican offering and we really enjoyed our night at Las Olas. If youre part of the Excellence club you will have the likes of Absolut Vodka, Johnny Walker Black Label, and Anejo Rum. Flavour Market is ideal for those who want to try a bit of everything without filling up too much on one thing! And there is no need to bring toiletries there is body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even toothpaste! Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. In the video we tell you how we planned o. So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! 20 people arrived and the rest had to be turned away. If you ask very nicely and youre feeling lucky you can also get food delivered from the restaurants. It seats up to 8 and there is a set menu. Available only to guests that are staying in Excellence club rooms, this bar and restaurant snack area is another place to relax and grab a drink or some food. We are going to EEC to celebrate our anniversary in mid September. The spa at Excellence El Carmen was a bit different (for me) since it was located off the main lobby and not in a separate building, like at Excellence Playa Mujeres or Riviera Maya. . Tons of free activities like pool games, Mamajuana making, and evening shows. This is also the place you can get fresh coconuts. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. I like a mix of $1s, $5s and $10s when we travel to all-inclusive resorts. The food was top quality and the atmosphere was great. The sushi was actually really good and the ramen broth was packed with flavor. You can break large bills at the front desk for ones if youre running low. Once the info sheet is delivered try and book the treatment for the next day to grab a bargain. I never not tip at a meal, and I will leave tip money throughout the week for housekeeping, turndown service, and the minibar. The Miil Spa is an attractive and quiet space offering massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and salon services. The X lounge was our other most frequented spot. 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. Smooth as can be. When we stayed in mid-2019 we paid $2,800 USD for 7 days. The live music is so relaxing in the evening, and is a great way to pass the before and after dinner before the shows. We always find its good to get out of the resort a few times during your trip and try to see a bit of the country youre visiting. The patio is HOT, so I think not having the pool wouldve made it nearly unbearable to sit out there (at least during the first week of August!). ), but some of my favourites were the Circus Show, Michael Jackson, Queen, and the fire show (do not miss that!). . 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). Nightly entertainment like live music, Michael Jackson impersonators, dance performances, and the weekly Dominican beach party (held indoors during inclement weather) get mostly positive reviews. He just appeared. Im the type of person that pretty much tips every time. If youve never tried Indian cuisine, I recommend branching out and trying some new dishes! 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. 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. Went with two of my girlfriends and we were speechless!!! There are entirely separate menus for that. Excellence El Carmen is a luxury adults-only all-inclusive resort that sits along an idyllic beach in Punta Canas laid-back Uvero Alto. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. NEW riu palace bavaro ----opening when?????? The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The service wasnt particularly good the day we went as it took over an hour for us to get our main courses. Once a week, Excellence El Carmen holds a Dominican Night, where you can enjoy dishes unique to the Dominican Republic and enjoy live music and dancing. We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The people (and pets) are so fun. This is one of the more popular restaurants on the resort. 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. Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. There are too many food stations to even mention. Note: Bring your swimsuit with you for hydrotherapy! You are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. The staff work so hard to give us a relaxing and memorable holiday the least we can do is show our appreciation! Secrets resorts All your questions answered! If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. 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. Note: we had someone come by our room every morning around 8:00-8:30 am to clean the pool from the outside. For an authentic Dominican town, the hamlet of Higuey is home to a famous cathedral, local market, and shops, and takes around 50 minutes to reach by car. Chez Isabelle is a quiet restaurant to visit for a romantic meal and the decor is beautiful. Bike tours, Spanish lessons, beach volleyball, archery, pool games, water aerobics, poker tournaments, and bingo are scheduled regularly. We have been three times now & always EC. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. how do floodplains jeopardize the livelihoods of agricultural workers. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. 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. It felt like a newer resort. Access to the business center is available for a fee, and there is also 4,800 square feet of event space. 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! The bar service is also better on the EC part of the beach. This is what I normally tip but remember, this is completely discretionary! It's definitely not a party resort with guests pounding shots -- the vibe is more towards sipping martinis. The atmosphere is always buzzing. You can ask for more of certain drinks or snacks if you wish (plus a nice tip wouldnt hurt with that request!). Best Adult Only All Inclusive in Punta Cana? Its a really nice option if you dont feel like getting into your evening clothes and instead just chilling out in the room. The wide and varied selection continues in your room with a packed mini-bar and a number of premium liquor bottles available. You certainly will never go thirsty here! When it comes to the food at Excellence El Carmen, there is something for everyone. For honeymoons, you can get this package for free for up to 3 months following your wedding. Theres a small shopping strip within a five-minute drive, while Bavaro -- the most famous spot in the area -- takes 25 to 30 minutes to reach by car. It does not store any personal data. Paper straws are biodegradable and inexpensive. You could jump from activity to activity all day long and you still wouldnt be able to participate in all of them. We have zero complaints and hence the shortest section on this review! When we ate there we went for the classics with a Burrito and a quesadilla and they were very tasty. 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. Eating low carb? There are tons of different hot (and cold!) 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. As these pools are not heated, they were very cold during the day. The actual check-in process took less than 3 minutes. There is a drinks service on the beach which makes spending a day sunning yourself so much more enjoyable. 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. 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. 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 is very competitively priced. Excellence Club is described as the best adults-only all-inclusive resort experience in the Dominican Republic, with upscale service and elevated offerings. Do yourself a favor and try the Excellence resorts for your next stay! Nothing beats having a warm ocean breeze while dining and there are loads of choices to satisfy everyones taste buds, from pizza and pasta to healthier options like salads. 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. It really is a top option for an all-inclusive. Uvero Alto, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean, Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Dominican Republic, Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Uvero Alto, Punta Cana, Best Luxury Hotels in Uvero Alto, Punta Cana, Best Adults-Only Resorts in the Caribbean, Best Beach Hotels in Uvero Alto, Punta Cana, 14 Luxury Caribbean Resorts for Adults Only, The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Caribbean All-Inclusive Resort Club Upgrades, Hotel Face-Off: Excellence Punta Cana vs. So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! 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. The blanket was dirty, showerhead was rusty, the air vent in the bathroom was clogged with dust and hair. You do not need to bring an adapter with you if you are travelling from North America. Its fun to watch the cook prepare your food right in front of you! Feel free to custom make your own! Excellence Club provides additional benefits, but is it really worth it? We used tap water and some of the water shot out and left some white rings on our clothes, which, If your bathing suit is white, or lightly coloured, it.