However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Excellence resorts are just that: Excellent! It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110442921', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Excellence El Carmen? You can do that here no problem. 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! Right behind the main pool is a smaller lap pool which they use for the water activities and games which is always fun to participate in (or watch!). 5 star? depends on how you view 5 star - Review of Excellence El Carmen Great hotel ! - Review of Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto, Dominican A. It was the best thing we ate all week! The park has a number of sinkholes and caves that can be explored. It is so relaxing. Valet parking is free at the resort and theres free Wi-Fi throughout the property. We did not try Oregano, Spice, Flavour Market, or Basmati during this trip because we ran out of time. As soon as you enter the resort you really are put at ease. We did EC when we went a month ago for the first time. Throughout the resort there is a huge volume of staff, so no matter where you are there is always some close by that can offer you assistance. So I am just checking to see if there was any extra fees that arent included! There are plenty of plugs throughout the room, including two USB ports for charging on either side of your bed. If youre in a private pool or swim-up suite. The staff was also super friendly which made us feel very welcome. 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. If you want a little pick-me-up, there are fruit cups, snacks, and gelato here, too! Excellence Club WORTH IT - Review of Excellence El Carmen You are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. We have booked Excellence in Playa Mujeres and in El Carmen for 2016 both non club rooms. So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! Ecological park with flamingos and macaws on-site. Our top recommendations for dishes here are the patatas bravos and the Spanish meatballs. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. They have a large menu with all of the smoothies combinations under the sun. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. Your minifridge will be stocked with four bottles of water, club soda, tonic water, fanta, orange juice, coke, and Presidente beer (regular and light). Excellence Club upgrades come with private lounge and restaurant access, an exclusive area on the beach, and daily in-room treats. There were tons of loungers and palapas available, with great poolside service. They do have nets as of the beginning of this month! Excellence El Carmen: Truly Excellent! The best part? The pool is HUGE. Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. This was super convenient, as we could plan out our day for when our room was being cleaned. As you walk through the doors there is an impressive view down to the main bar area and you really get the feeling of luxury and grandeur. THE ROOMS. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. The service is excellent and the food is diverse. 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!). One comment I will make that really deterred me from being on the beach, is the vendors. We stayed at the Excellence El Carmen in mid-2019 and our review is based on that experience. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. Our wait was very short and we were guided to our room, where our bags were already waiting for us. In the past 30 days, there are 52 WorthEPenny members who reportedly saved an average of $16.22 on their purchase with Excellence Resorts coupon codes. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? - Punta Cana Forum The menu for the room service was very extensive. 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. 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. For a more classic Caribbean beachfront all-inclusive with similar amenities, rates are comparable at the nearby sister resort,Excellence Punta Cana. As a previous Excellence Resorts guest, I couldn't imagine how the service could get any better! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen Punta Cana: Is It Worth It? in Weirdly enough we found that the food here in the Dominican was way better than the Excellence offerings in their Mexican location. The food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. Free daily classes like yoga and stretching are available, and personal training sessions are included in nightly rates as well. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen Built as an exclusive haven within a world-class resort, the Excellence Club unlocks a host of upgraded amenities, added perks, intuitive service, and exclusive areas. Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. The service here gets a 5-star rating from us, it was literally impeccable. At the Excellence Club, every detail of your stay has been upgraded with seamless perks and over-the-top offerings. They typically start serving these from around 11 am onwards and are so refreshing. 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. Bike tours, Spanish lessons, beach volleyball, archery, pool games, water aerobics, poker tournaments, and bingo are scheduled regularly. You also have an ice bucket, and the ice machines are located on every floor of every room block for easy filling. 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. 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! The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. Of course there is the Excellence Club lounge bar; an intimate and quiet setting to relax at. Excellence Club WORTH IT: Excellence El Carmen - See 7,750 traveller reviews, 10,047 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Flavour Market is ideal for those who want to try a bit of everything without filling up too much on one thing! This is $699 USD, or complimentary with 6 nights or more in any Excellence Club room category! Excellence El Carmen - Punta Cana - Dream Vacations Required fields are marked *. We were handed a Coco Loco when we walked in and had a great view of the live music. ), Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen, 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are. Q. The resort does a wonderful job of keeping the EC things hidden. Related: 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are actually useful!). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. After dinner, there was always something going on. The Lobster House is what I imagine to be the best spot for a breakfast choice. Services cost extra, but guests can book a free session in the gorgeous hydrotherapy circuit, which features a sauna, steam room, plunge pool, and jetted beds. Stop by the Food Shark food truck, right at the theatre for tacos, burgers, hot dogs, fries and more! Excellence Club | Excellence Punta Cana 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. The Hoyo Azul is also known as the blue hole and is their most famous one. Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? - Tripadvisor Excellence El Carmen Dominican Republic has shops selling sundries and beach attire, a medical clinic (fee to use), and an ATM. Excellence El Carmen: Perfection!! Some rooms add semi-private swim-up pools or completely private rooftop pools. You can easily miss it if you arent located at that side of the resort, but there is a gorgeous pond with all kinds of waterfowl and flamingos! You certainly will never go thirsty here! Even so, there's nightly entertainment ranging from live music and circus shows to Michael Jackson impersonators. What is the entertainment/music like during the day at the pool?! Their feature menu changes daily and its a great place to visit if you want a quick, self-service bite to eat. Wood-Fired pizzas, rich and creamy pasta dishes, and some really nice seafood options too. The food here was the best we had in the resort and the minimalist Japanese decor really added to the experience. 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. You can also grab these at Las Olas when they have their Coco Loco drink station going! Hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, scales, robes, and slippers come standard. 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. Help choosing a resort for my 80 year old aunt. HELP - Secrets Royal Beach or Secrets Cap Cana - price/room. Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. by Adrian updated July 31, 2021, 2:41 pm. Went with two of my girlfriends and we were speechless!!! It didnt bother me, but if youre expecting a pristine, white sandy beach, you wont find it here. There is a beautiful swan-neck fountain in the corner of the pool which adds to the ambience. Bavaro Express Bus Information? I would still go. Related: What to Pack in a DIY Travel Medical Kit. 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! There is also room service! Just another site is excellence club worth it el carmen There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. By far, our favourite dinner was at the Grill. 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. You definitely get better value for money in the Dominican Republic compared to the likes of Mexico. It was perfectly located to grab a bite in between tanning yourself. And, if youre even more like me, food is very important to you! If you have been to the Excellence chain of resorts you will be aware of the restaurants as they are the same across the resorts. 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. 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. This obviously doesnt matter, but its just an observation. 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. Excellence El Carmen Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stay - Oyster.com I will second Thomasgran for all of the reasons he stated. Note: Bring your swimsuit with you for hydrotherapy! Were not whiskey drinkers, but we do love tequila. We always stay in the club area to take advantage of the club anniversary package. We had an additional bottle of vodka (Absolut), tequila (Agavita) and gin (Tanquerey). any chance you know if they have pickle ball courts? Premium alcohol and specialty beers are included. I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). For quick eats, Food Shark Food Truck serves tacos and nachos from a vintage bus, while Aroma slings coffee and desserts -- plus a rotating ice cream wheel. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! The atmosphere is always buzzing. Lunch at the Lobster House and Oregano have the most amazing views. I understand its how they make money, but they can be quite pushy, so be prepared. When my lovely friends invited me to their destination wedding at Excellence El Carmen, how could I say no? or just the tennis net. The hydrotherapy circuit takes about an hour to complete and is well worth doing. We highly recommend the scallops and the Tuna steak. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In Excellence El Carmen, a Popular Brand Accomplishes the - Islands Excellence El Carmen, which reopened successfully on November 28, has that vibe, too, but this property is more like a night in the city. Excellence calls it casual elegance.. 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! You always have the option for room service if you want to just veg out at night, too! There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. The food here was good, but nothing to write home about. All restaurants, with the exception of Oregano and the Lobster House were located off the main lobby, making everything centrally located in one spot. Sorry such a technical question and really appreciate your in depth review of the place. This man was hilarious and was really entertaining. I love the different dishes and flavour combinations. There are too many food stations to even mention. . The only restaurant that requires a reservation is Spice, which has limited seating at its teppanyaki counters. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The room service here at the Excellence El Carmen is really good. The Excellence Punta Cana is a luxury offering at a competitive price. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. My advice is, if it's not a financial hardship, the club area is the "cherry on top" of a great vacation. I called twice and went to the Excellence Club lounge (as they requested), and by the second day in the afternoon they sent someone. There are bars dotted all throughout the resort. Overall the food here was a pretty good standard for an all-inclusive. For starters, its absolutely stunning. Excellence El Carmen | WestJet official site And since its the second-largest country. This is one of the more popular restaurants on the resort. You can grab a coconut at the swim up bar most days where you can have any drink you want inside of it. If youve been to Excellence Playa Mujeres or Riviera Cancun, there is an additional Wine Cellar you can dine in privately. Request this at your time of booking and bring proof its your honeymoon or anniversary (like a copy of your marriage certificate). The property's secluded beach is one of Punta Canas best. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Its important to remember the Excellence dress code! Avoiding grains? We found this place the most difficult to get a booking for at peak times. For Excellence Club guests, you have the option to dine at Magna. Is excellence club worth it el carmen We brought these ones which were the perfect size, and were easy to inflate, and easy to pack up to bring home! In the video we tell you how we planned o. Yes, even though you didnt consent to it. To be honest I can't say I thought it was really worth the extra. You will never have an issue getting a spot at the beach. Are you a vegetarian? Excellence El Carmen: Great hotel ! We even had a decent signal on the beach. Your best option is a 35-minute drive from the resort. Excellence Club guests get private access to a top-notch restaurant that opens for breakfast and dinner. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We also saw one of the wedding parties using the X-lounge for after the reception. Junior Swim-Up Suites, located on the ground floor, offer access to long pools with private nooks outfitted with a swan-neck jet. Youll have a great view of the pool and ocean and a nice breeze to enjoy your dinner with. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Insider tip: Dont miss the hidden gem by building 10! Basmati is one restaurant Im sad to have missed on this trip! If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct. 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. Feel free to read mydisclosure policy. Love Happens at Excellence Punta Cana & El Carmen We have to give a shout-out to Felix the bartender here. This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. They take you off the resort to see some interesting things nearby. Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. You can get a bottle of the house wine included in your package. Check out their website to see what is actually included. The bar service is also better on the EC part of the beach. 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. We ate in our bathrobes and drank mimosas and it was glorious. ATELIER PLAYA MUJERES - 655 Photos & 73 Reviews - Supermanzana 3 If youre like me, I love knowing what dinner options are available before I go to a resort. 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. Excellence Punta Cana - A Comprehensive Review (2021) 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. You can purchase drinks at the airport to make the ride a little more fun, and perhaps a bit quicker? This one of the Excellence chains has three offerings in the Dominican Republic. My mom had the pork ribs with sweet potato mash and the meat was so tender. I love the outdoor seating and the decor here. Or jump to your topic. Thanks in advance. Save it for later! The perfect spot to sink a few beers and watch some sports. It seats up to 8 and there is a set menu. Although theres no money involved it was a great way to mingle with the other guests. 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. 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. This Asian eatery serves up the most famous dishes from Japan, Thailand, China, and Vietnam. 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. It was pure heaven. It showed which restaurants were open the following day, which activities were scheduled throughout the day, and what the evening entertainment was. Thank you for supporting my blog! This resort is a wonderful place for adults to relax and de-stress, and the Excellence Club in my opinion is absolutely worth it. If you are not in Excellence Club, you can swap out one bottle of alcohol per day. For those who wish to explore down the beach, Tropical Treasures also has great beach side massages and souvenirs. 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 . The food was top quality and the atmosphere was great. Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. 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. . The only area that we felt a little let down on was the. 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. There is also one daybed in the shade and another one closer to the steps of the private pool, tucked away in its little alcove. 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. For honeymoons, you can get this package for free for up to 3 months following your wedding. There is a great bustling atmosphere and the bartender Jordy served up some of the best concoctions at the resort. Although a lot of travel websites and places that you book will say that tips are included in your all-inclusive price, we highly recommend that you bring cash with you to tip the staff in person. We did this one night and got food from Chez Isabella.