We had some insightful conversations with some of the employees there and they really love their jobs and are grateful for them. Nespresso coffeemakers and free minibars stocked daily with beer, water, soda, and snacks (plus full bottles of whisky, rum, and vodka) are also available in all rooms free of charge. Access to a private beach area. 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. Its open at 8:00 am and the view of the azul-blue pools and swaying palm trees along the beach cant be beat. we decided to splurge and upgrade to Excellence Club Junior Suite with Private Pool. We were handed a Coco Loco when we walked in and had a great view of the live music. Just as an FYI if youre walking around indecently with the blinds open. Feeling hungry late at night? When we stayed in mid-2019 we paid $2,800 USD for 7 days. Help choosing a resort for my 80 year old aunt. HELP - Secrets Royal Beach or Secrets Cap Cana - price/room. The property's secluded beach is one of Punta Canas best. Dont have time to read this review of Excellence El Carmen right now? 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. Mexico Resorts Excellence Playa Mujeres Excellence Riviera Cancun Beloved Hotel Playa Mujeres Caribbean Resorts Excellence Punta Cana The poolside service was always quick, the entertainment staff were a blast, the waiters were so courteous and attentivethe list goes on. After youre finished eating, you can place your dishes in the X-Box located right at your door. 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. You can also pop into the Sports Bar for some infamous cheese sticks and a place to grab a tasty bite during the day or late in the evening. The balcony was covered in cigarette butts when we checked in. Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. 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! This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. The water is refreshingly warm and there are loungers in the water too! I would recommend the hydrotherapy, plus you may even be given an additional spa discount for another service after. By the end of day one, he had our drinks orders ready before we even had to ask. I would still go. 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. This is one of the more popular restaurants on the resort. We did two excursions when we visited. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. We only experienced the massage included in the hydrotherapy this time, so I cant speak to the couples massage or any other treatments, but I have heard amazing things about the services offered and if the full body massage is anything like the 10 minute one we got, I would be in heaven! We did take a Spanish class which was a lot of fun, and we also painted one afternoon and you get to take your painting home! However, big waves and strong undertow make it unsuitable for swimming. Excellence Club provides additional benefits, but is it really worth it? Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The evening cleaning was more of a turndown service. Guests are mostly honeymooners and couples celebrating wedding anniversaries from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. 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. There is also Las Olas a beautiful setting on the beach to grab a drink and enjoy the ocean breeze and views. Excellence El Carmen: Perfection!! One of the best elements of the Excellence chain of resorts is their extensive drinks selection. Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. There are only a few tables though, so you have to book the morning you want to eat to get a reservation. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. There is music by the pool bar, too! Request this at your time of booking and bring proof its your honeymoon or anniversary (like a copy of your marriage certificate). 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. 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! Insider tip: Dont miss the hidden gem by building 10! ), and lobster tails. It felt like a newer resort. Youll have a great view of the pool and ocean and a nice breeze to enjoy your dinner with. The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. The beach does accumulate seaweed on the shoreline, but the staff works tirelessly to keep it off. 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. We often started our days with a couple glasses of mimosas and you will never be far from your next drink. You do not need to bring an adapter with you if you are travelling from North America. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. 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. This was super convenient, as we could plan out our day for when our room was being cleaned. 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. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: 9,457 Hotel Reviews, 12,158 traveller photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen, ranked #3 of 7 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. We knew we'd go back so I thought I would do . Do yourself a favor and try the Excellence resorts for your next stay! From themed nights such as Casino night and Dominican night. Its important to remember the Excellence dress code! Note: Bring your swimsuit with you for hydrotherapy! What let the side down here was the quality of the meat. There is no need to be rude to the vendors, but learn to say no, and then to avoid eye contact if they keep not taking no for an answer. As a previous Excellence Resorts guest, I couldn't imagine how the service could get any better! Access to Excellence Club's Magna Restaurant and exclusive bars. My mom and I had big ambitions to participate in some of the physical activities, like aerial yoga on the beach (how fun right?!) Do not miss the Grill for lunch! ), Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen, 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are. I LOVE Excellence properties, and Excellence El Carmen is nothing short of an amazing resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. Smooth as can be. We loved the modern vibe to the resort; the clean architectual look, the immaculate gardening and landscaping, and the freshness of it all. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Now the bathroom is one of which many people question. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Went with two of my girlfriends and we were speechless!!! Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct. Our top recommendations for dishes here are the patatas bravos and the Spanish meatballs. We were not excellence club. 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. 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. This is obviously down to the staff who were so proactive in making sure the place looked tidy. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We went for 7 days and flew out of Toronto. Rooms have one king bed or two queen beds that are framed by boxy nightstands and telescoping chrome reading lights. It seats up to 8 and there is a set menu. Do not miss the huge savings! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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). Ecological park with flamingos and macaws on-site. 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. Related: How to Travel with a Carry-On Only. but then drinks happened and we ended up just lazing by the pool. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The Excellence El Carmen adults-only all-inclusive resort opened in late 2016 and has one of Punta Canas most modern and hip vibes. 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. Hats off to Chef Masood and his team that churns out some really top-quality cuisine. If you want a little pick-me-up, there are fruit cups, snacks, and gelato here, too! 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. hirako83 7 mo. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "How much is the excellence club upgrade" | Check out 5 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. Today's best Excellence Resorts coupon is up to 62% off. We spent our mornings at the main pool with their (only) swim up bar, Blue. 74 . The waters were pretty calm, so if youre into ocean swimming this is the spot for you. Guests staying at Excellence El Carmen can book excursions to nearby attractions through the concierge. You have three bottles of alcohol in your room as a standard: Stolichnaya Vodka, rum, and whiskey. You can bring this right back to your palapa by the pool or beach to enjoy or eat on the terrace. Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. 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. From the housekeeping, service at the bars to the concierge. 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. This is what I normally tip but remember, this is completely discretionary! 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. 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. - See 9 464 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. We have been three times now & always EC. Unfortunately, there are some guests who havent been to all-inclusives before that dont know that isnt the norm, and pay it. 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. 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. They have it all from the top-shelf liquor options to local beers and spirits. You can also get this type of room without Excellence Club. I know they have tennis and their activities list pickle ballbut do they actually use pickle ball nets?