It was one of my favourite dinner places and had multiple dishes I wanted to try and had excellent service. 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 review: the Property. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". There is a drinks service on the beach which makes spending a day sunning yourself so much more enjoyable. The food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. This is an adults-only resort, if youre looking for a quality resort that is on the same level as the Excellence El Carmen, but you can bring the kids then we suggest checking out the Finest Playa Mujeres which is a sister hotel to the Excellence. 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. As for swimming pools, Excellence Punta Canas main pool is bigger, but Excellence El Carmen has more rooms with swim-up access or private pools. Rounds here range from $100 $150 depending on the time of day you play and the season. Rooms are elegant in both resorts, but Excellence El Carmens are slightly bigger and more swish. There are tons of different hot (and cold!) These cookies do not store any personal information. Before dinner every night we perched ourselves at the Martini bar for a few pre-dinner drinks. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I was under the impression that EC guests had an upgraded minibar, but there was a bit of confusion with our room, since they said only Excellence Club can swap out bottles (this is not true, by the way), and we said we were Excellence Club. There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. Excellence El Carmen is a large, and fairly new (2016) all-inclusive resort with a modern and tropical vibe. Ive talked to quite a few people during our time here about that experience. Thank you for supporting my blog! 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. 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. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. They also have a range of pastries and sandwiches on offer. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It was never rowdy, and is quite peaceful here and we enjoyed the central location to everything we wanted. My wife and I had a very similar experience at Excellence El Carman in November 2019. I understand that spa services and tipping are not, but are all the restaurants, drinks and room service included? This is always a favourite for me but I had to sacrifice my desire for sushi to try some other restaurants! We ordered all the seafood here crab cakes, lobster bisque, lobster risotto (we shared this, and its AMAZING get it! Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. If youre celebrating your anniversary or honeymoon, be sure to take advantage of that at Excellence El Carmen! Seaweed blooms are seasonal and also change daily. I would recommend the hydrotherapy, plus you may even be given an additional spa discount for another service after. A terrace lay just outside the sliding doors with your own entrance to a pool that runs alongside the back of the building. Subscribe and get my Travel Safety Checklist! Excellence Club upgrade provides a private pool, beach, lounge, and restaurant. Resort recs for relaxing, great beach, hot tub? The pool is HUGE. I love the different dishes and flavour combinations. 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. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. For Excellence Club guests, dont miss Magna! We also found that most people chill out on the beach, so the pools were never too busy. My husband doesn't drink and I may have one drink a day at most so the liquor is not of value to us, however, we are interested in the spa treatments included in the excellence club as well as the room location being closer to the beach/better view. Club level had upgraded spirits in the room, were not big drinkers, not indoors anyway, so both times we have been, the spirits were left untouched. The blanket was dirty, showerhead was rusty, the air vent in the bathroom was clogged with dust and hair. and loved it. As soon as you enter the resort you really are put at ease. . Wood-Fired pizzas, rich and creamy pasta dishes, and some really nice seafood options too. 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! My advice is, if it's not a financial hardship, the club area is the "cherry on top" of a great vacation. Im the type of person that pretty much tips every time. Once inside, it's all about sharp neutral decor, tranquil vibes, and breezy ocean views. The deal I can get right now makes the Junior Suite Pool View really affordable but the Club is just out of our reach. Overall the food here was a pretty good standard for an all-inclusive. If you have stayed in an Excellence resort before you know that the amenities on offer are always top class. The Excellence El Carmen adults-only all-inclusive resort opened in late 2016 and has one of Punta Canas most modern and hip vibes. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Those spots, along with the Kitchen Table for the buffet, and room-service, are your breakfast options. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110442921', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Excellence El Carmen? After dinner, there was always something going on. And there is no need to bring toiletries there is body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even toothpaste! This is definitely the best restaurant location with stunning views of the ocean and a nice outdoor setting where you can feel the cool sea breeze. 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. Were not whiskey drinkers, but we do love tequila. 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. 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. Was it worth it for you? However! 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. The Excellence Punta Cana is a luxury offering at a competitive price. 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. The resort has tennis courts and free lessons. Excellence Club guests get private access to a top-notch restaurant that opens for breakfast and dinner. The bar service is also better on the EC part of the beach. This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "Between the excellence punta Cana and the." | Check out answers, plus 8,668 reviews and 12,158 candid photos Ranked #3 of 9 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Insight/Feedback on Monkeyland and Other Animal Attractions? I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). Everyone dresses up and it gives a classy feel to the resort. The spa is always one place I love to check out at Excellence Resorts. This restaurant is a Mexican offering and we really enjoyed our night at Las Olas. ), and then charge you a ridiculous amount for it. 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!). 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. We spent our mornings at the main pool with their (only) swim up bar, Blue. Plan your next vacation using these tools! Book flights: SkyScanner Book hotels: Booking.com Book car rentals: RentalCars.comBook tours: GetYourGuide Local food experiences: EatWithFavourite travel item: Packing cubesFavourite travel bag: Osprey 40L Fairview ESims: Airalo DIY Travel Medical Kit 20 Cheap Travel Items Under $20. There is also a plug inside your safe should you choose to charge your devices while theyre kept away (which I thought was neat!). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Re: Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. I realize this may be a dumb questions-but I have never done all inclusive and after a lot of research, it seems that sometimes all inclusive isnt really all inclusive and actually has a lot of extra hidden fees. If youve never experienced it before, its a must-do! It was awkward drinking Coco Locos without them! The staff work so hard, and provide excellent service with a smile. All are part of the hotel's all-inclusive rates, as is 24-hour room service. 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. Excellence El Carmen: 5 star? The Dominican Republics minimum wage is the equivalent to $154 USD a month! It was our first DR vacation but we have stayed at 20 . Excellence calls it casual elegance.. 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. by Adrian updated July 31, 2021, 2:41 pm. Thanks in advance. If youre like me, I love knowing what dinner options are available before I go to a resort. Free water sports include kayaks and Hobie Cat catamarans. Guests are mostly honeymooners and couples celebrating wedding anniversaries from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. When my lovely friends invited me to their destination wedding at Excellence El Carmen, how could I say no? Drink service is on offer at the pools and beach. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. 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. 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!). 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. There are plenty of plugs throughout the room, including two USB ports for charging on either side of your bed. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. 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. We actually skipped lunch this day just so we could fill up. You do not need to bring an adapter with you if you are travelling from North America. I called twice and went to the Excellence Club lounge (as they requested), and by the second day in the afternoon they sent someone. One of the best elements of the Excellence chain of resorts is their extensive drinks selection. Even so, there's nightly entertainment ranging from live music and circus shows to Michael Jackson impersonators. Mexico Resorts Excellence Playa Mujeres Excellence Riviera Cancun Beloved Hotel Playa Mujeres Caribbean Resorts Excellence Punta Cana We ended up trying the cheese sticks, croque monsieur, and Asian chicken salad to share and it was all tasty. If you want to be in a secluded spot and close to the beach then building 9 is your best bet. 73 reviews of Atelier Playa Mujeres "A M A Z I N G !!!!! If you ask very nicely and youre feeling lucky you can also get food delivered from the restaurants. The expansive property seems large but its very walkable and manageable (as well as accessible). 20 people arrived and the rest had to be turned away. We have booked Excellence in Playa Mujeres and in El Carmen for 2016 both non club rooms. The building that we were in had faced the sun in the late afternoon, so the swim-up suite wasnt too much use. Reviews/Suggestions. or just the tennis net. If you love seafood, be sure to hit up the Lobster House! Our wait was very short and we were guided to our room, where our bags were already waiting for us. A Lot of these are connected to the swim-up suites. Aroma is open until 10:00 and also offers sandwiches, fruit cups, pastries, macarons, cookies, and gelato. The shows start later 9:30 pm (most nights at home Im in bed by then!!! For a more classic Caribbean beachfront all-inclusive with similar amenities, rates are comparable at the nearby sister resort,Excellence Punta Cana. Who has had experience with the Excellence Club at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are a few tasty options here, like the Dominican patty (filled with beef, raisins and egg, and sooo good! (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. We were not excellence club. 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. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. Just another site is excellence club worth it el carmen You always have the option for room service if you want to just veg out at night, too! To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary. This is probably the most important part about the vendors: there are some men who walk around with parrots, monkeys, and iguanas. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. It was the best thing we ate all week! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Lobster House is what I imagine to be the best spot for a breakfast choice. Part of our club honeymoon package was to get a free couples pamper session at the spa, but this was only available at certain times in the evening, which didn't suit us, so we ended up paying for spa treatments during the day. : Excellence El Carmen - See 9,462 traveller reviews, 11,732 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. That does mean that there arent many things to do near Excellence El Carmen, and guests will have to rely on cabs or car rentals should they want to explore outside of the resort. Stop by the Food Shark food truck, right at the theatre for tacos, burgers, hot dogs, fries and more! Or jump to your topic. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! ), Cuban sandwich (also really good! We were handed a Coco Loco when we walked in and had a great view of the live music. The wide and varied selection continues in your room with a packed mini-bar and a number of premium liquor bottles available. There are blinds to draw down for privacy if you wish. Horseback riding, biking, tennis, and quality excursions (some fees) Free Wi-Fi throughout. Rooms have one king bed or two queen beds that are framed by boxy nightstands and telescoping chrome reading lights.