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. . The beach is public which means vendors can have full access to guests, wherever theyre sitting on the beach, to ask them to buy what theyre selling. I also visited DR this year and I can only say it is a wonderful country. They take you off the resort to see some interesting things nearby. Yes, Wi-Fi is included in your package. Access to Excellence Club's Magna Restaurant and exclusive bars. We did not try Oregano, Spice, Flavour Market, or Basmati during this trip because we ran out of time. Excellence El Carmen, which reopened successfully on November 28, has that vibe, too, but this property is more like a night in the city. 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! You do not need to bring an adapter with you if you are travelling from North America. Another Mexican offering this spot serves up some really top-quality eats. Bavaro Express Bus Information? This is obviously down to the staff who were so proactive in making sure the place looked tidy. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. Excellence is known for their corporate responsibility and they look after their staff, and it shows through the service you receive. Today's best Excellence Resorts coupon is up to 62% off. - See 9 464 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. When we complained, we were also upgraded to a beachfront room. Resort recs for relaxing, great beach, hot tub? The Martini bar is a great place to grab a cocktail and watch the world go by. Chez Isabelle is a quiet restaurant to visit for a romantic meal and the decor is beautiful. If you like sushi, maki, and noodle dishes, head to Spice! 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. Over the 7 days that we visited the Excellence, there were two weddings that we saw going on. The sushi was actually really good and the ramen broth was packed with flavor. 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. Reviews/Suggestions. It boasts white- and golden-sand beaches, swaying palm trees protected by the government, turquoise waters, and pleasant year-round temperatures. Each night in your turn down service the housekeeping staff leave an information sheet with the activities for the next day as well as the special offer for the spa for the next day. 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. We also liked the Excellence Club lounge to have a pre-dinner drink. There is no dedicated Excellence Club pool at Excellence El Carmen, but there are plenty of suites with their own private pools, swim ups, or plunge pools to pick from! The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. The sand is powdery soft and the oceanfront is lined with palm trees, lounge chairs, and thatched umbrellas. Overall the food here was a pretty good standard for an all-inclusive. 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. Casual wear (no wet swimsuits) is acceptable elsewhere for breakfast and lunch. Subscribe and get my Travel Safety Checklist! It was the best thing we ate all week! What is the entertainment/music like during the day at the pool?! I would still go. 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. Excellence Club guests get private access to a top-notch restaurant that opens for breakfast and dinner. When we ate there we went for the classics with a Burrito and a quesadilla and they were very tasty. Spice also has a fun option for groups and for a live cooking show: the Hibachi! It is the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in a really cool location. The Masala beef was the best we have ever had. Our all-adult, all-suite world is situated on a beautiful Caribbean beach in a palm grove on the east coast of the Dominican Republic. Everyone dresses up and it gives a classy feel to the resort. If you stay in an Excellence Club room those bottles are upgraded. Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. 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. Check-in is a breeze and you are whisked to your room where your holiday can really begin. Excellence Club upgrades come with private lounge and restaurant access, an exclusive area on the beach, and daily in-room treats. 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. 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. If youre celebrating your anniversary or honeymoon, be sure to take advantage of that at Excellence El Carmen! You certainly will never go thirsty here! We even had a decent signal on the beach. A few of our friends went on a bike tour (free!) Other activities include ping-pong, pool tables, and a life-size chess board. We went there for dinner and were a little disappointed with the food. Flavour Market is a great spot for tapas, sharing, and light bites. Out of these cookies, 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. Hmm. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. 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! Related: 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are actually useful!). 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! Tech features are solid and include iHome docks, wall-integrated USB plugs, and big smart TVs with satellite channels. Excellence now has their own app you can download to research everything either ahead of time, or to keep up with it during your stay! And while there are many resorts that fit this bill, opting for a luxury property means youll also likely get a stunning, serene beachfront, chic pool with a swim-up bar, impressive, The best part of booking an all-inclusive vacation is that everything food, drinks, activities, and accommodations is supposed to be included in the rate. In my opinion, Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen. I was confused because were in an EC building, and its the room we booked, but apparently not all of building 9 is EC. 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. By far, our favourite dinner was at the Grill. Theres always some type of entertainment going on. To cooking lessons where the chefs will teach you how to make local Dominican food and sushi. The vanity has a double sink and there are numerous towels, hand towels, and facecloths, along with a hairdryer. There is a massive king-sized bed which is super comfortable. Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. Note: They do not serve their drinks with straws, so bring your own if you wish! Sorry such a technical question and really appreciate your in depth review of the place. There are lots of antipasto dishes at Oregano, along with risottos, custom pasta dishes, and pizzas to satisfy your carb craving. 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. If youve never tried Indian cuisine, I recommend branching out and trying some new dishes! I am big on details from big to small so this review will cover a lot. 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). We were not excellence club. . There are many options: silicone straws, metal straws (which keep your drinks cold) or paper straws. We have booked to stay at EEC for 2 weeks from opening day! Room service is another great option for lunch, just keep in mind it takes about 45 minutes to arrive. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. 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. The wide and varied selection continues in your room with a packed mini-bar and a number of premium liquor bottles available. I worry about hidden fees- is EVERYTHING Included in all inclusive? 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. The Excellence El Carmen is dotted with four-floored buildings (designed to maximize ocean views) that are surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns, towering palm trees, and blossoming flowers such as ixora, hibiscus, and bougainvillea. This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. Find it on the Apple Store or Google Play! 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 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. 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. It includes upgraded amenities, exclusive areas, and added perks. Avoiding grains? Excellence El Carmen is a quick 25 minute car ride or 40 minute bus ride from Punta Cana International Airport or 70 minutes from La Romana International Airport. We always stay in the club area to take advantage of the club anniversary package. Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. The property's secluded beach is one of Punta Canas best. Excellence Club is described as the best adults-only all-inclusive resort experience in the Dominican Republic, with upscale service and elevated offerings. 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. However! As you walk down the hallways, it's common to see the doors of these couples' rooms decorated with banners celebrating their occasion. So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary. but then drinks happened and we ended up just lazing by the pool. We actually skipped lunch this day just so we could fill up. We knew we'd go back so I thought I would do . Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. My mom had the pork ribs with sweet potato mash and the meat was so tender. 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. ), Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen, 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are. Its listed on their website that they have 23 pools and 9 outdoor hot tubs on offer and while this is the case. Are you a vegetarian? 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. Our rooms were cleaned twice a day and the housekeeping staff was great at staying consistent in regards to the timings they would clean our room. There is a great bustling atmosphere and the bartender Jordy served up some of the best concoctions at the resort. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. My advice is, if it's not a financial hardship, the club area is the "cherry on top" of a great vacation. Fun vacation spot Lisa M on Feb 04, 2023 The Miil Spa is an attractive and quiet space offering massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and salon services. For starters, its absolutely stunning. Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. The menus denote which dishes are grain free. If you are willing to change it you might get a bargain. Note that none of the bars are open 24/7. The bed is comfortable but if you choose to switch out your pillows, there is a pillow menu (on the Excellence app) if you want to try another one by calling the concierge. Secrets resorts All your questions answered! Glass-walled stand-up showers feature massive rainfall showerheads and all bathrooms include generous toiletries. Excellence El Carmen: 5 star? You will be treated the same, eat the same, and have largely the same drinks. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 7 de junio de 2022; where to buy used bicycles near me They will want to take a photo of you with them (or you phone, too! There are entirely separate menus for that. From the Gym, tennis courts, beach volleyball, and water sports they have it all on offer. Note: Bring your swimsuit with you for hydrotherapy! We love to tip, and I feel like everyone should tip, even a little bit! I understand that spa services and tipping are not, but are all the restaurants, drinks and room service included? We went in ours so we just had to take our coverups off. It takes roughly 45 minutes for it to show up at your room but I loved the freedom it gave us with getting ready and not having to get froofrooed up, as my mom says. The spa is always one place I love to check out at Excellence Resorts. Bar-wise, Excellence El Carmens 16 options include swim-up pool bars, a sports bar, a martini lounge, a beach bar, and a made-to-order juice bar with fresh fruits and veggies. 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. The Blue Hole, a cenote with gorgeous turquoise water, is also around a 30-minute drive from the property. It felt like a newer resort. The club pool at ERC had very few beds with umbrellas and being fair skinned i need shade, so found myself having to join in the early morning fight for a bed, it sounds like there will be plenty of club pools at EEC so I suppose that wouldn't be a problem. As well as the staple options such as an omelet station for breakfast and a burger station for lunch and dinner. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If youre in Excellence Club, try Magna for breakfast at least once! Guests are mostly honeymooners and couples celebrating wedding anniversaries from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! Its available 24/7 and the menu is very extensive. You will be greeted at the main door with a glass of prosecco and a smile. Some of the jets really move your swimsuit around and I remember one year I had to hang on to my top and bottoms during some of the water treatments! The entire week we didnt have anyone above us either, which was awesome! Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. There is a beautiful swan-neck fountain in the corner of the pool which adds to the ambience. As they fill up quickly. It was one of my favourite dinner places and had multiple dishes I wanted to try and had excellent service. For all your caffeine needs, Aroma is a coffee shop where you can pick up your morning pick me up. Its totally free, so why not take advantage of it? Although theres no money involved it was a great way to mingle with the other guests. Is the bathroom private? Our favorite thing was definitely the casino night. Hats off to Chef Masood and his team that churns out some really top-quality cuisine. My husband and I did Excellence Playa Mujeres last year. They typically start serving these from around 11 am onwards and are so refreshing. 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. 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! The steamer in the walk-in closet works great, but its advisable to use bottled water for it. Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. If you stayed for a week you wouldnt be able to visit them all, unless you visited more than one a night! Even an extra dollar or two goes a long way in improving their quality of life. The gym was never too busy, but we found that around 10 am was its peak hours, but even then you would have no issues getting a treadmill or a solid workout in. There are 23 pools and 9 jacuzzis at Excellence El Carmen seriously! Wood-Fired pizzas, rich and creamy pasta dishes, and some really nice seafood options too. For Excellence Club guests, you have the option to dine at Magna. Lobster doesn't cost extra either. If youve been to Excellence Playa Mujeres or Riviera Cancun, there is an additional Wine Cellar you can dine in privately. 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. 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. And there is no need to bring toiletries there is body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even toothpaste! Every time we travel I always bring an extra couple hundred dollars in tips and its well worth it! You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. 20 people arrived and the rest had to be turned away. Punta Cana International Airport is about a 45-minute drive from the resort. 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! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. . 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. For beachside dining, head to Las Olas. 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 were tons of loungers and palapas available, with great poolside service. I also realize there is a lot of confusion with tipping at all-inclusive resorts, since technically, your package includes gratuities. There are water and cold towels available in the gym and personal trainers on-site if you need motivation. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The Excellence Punta Cana is located a short 6-minute drive from the El Carmin offering, as well as the Finest Punta Cana which is their latest offering and is located a 5-minute drive from the El Carmen. And, if youre even more like me, food is very important to you! The shows start later 9:30 pm (most nights at home Im in bed by then!!! It is brand new so it was not crowded at all. We ended up trying the cheese sticks, croque monsieur, and Asian chicken salad to share and it was all tasty. The main pool is located quite close to the beach and then two additional pools are located near buildings 12-16. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. . 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. If youre in a private pool or swim-up suite. I heard a few people talking about that and then we forgot when we went to steam our dresses. Does Excellence El Carmen have a club? However, big waves and strong undertow make it unsuitable for swimming. Your email address will not be published. Excellence Club upgrade provides a private pool, beach, lounge, and restaurant. At every Excellence Resort, the Excellence Club represents the ultimate in luxury, privacy and service. Drink service is on offer at the pools and beach. 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. Its a scam. Make sure to make use of the room service, not only do they serve an extensive range of food, but if you fancy a midday cocktail they will also bring that to your room too. I like a mix of $1s, $5s and $10s when we travel to all-inclusive resorts. We did ours at 9:00 am and we had to nap after because it made us tired haha! 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The evening cleaning was more of a turndown service. 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. 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. I gave up asking in the end! At all of the Excellence resorts, the check-in process is really an experience. An Italian offering that serves up all of the staple dishes you would expect from your local Italian. For Excellence Club guests, dont miss Magna! I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). The best part? Seaweed blooms are seasonal and also change daily. Guests staying at Excellence El Carmen can book excursions to nearby attractions through the concierge. As well as a nice selection of ice creams for your midday treat. Basmati is one restaurant Im sad to have missed on this trip! A terrace lay just outside the sliding doors with your own entrance to a pool that runs alongside the back of the building. Excellence calls it casual elegance.. Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. We spent 8 days at Excellence El Carmen, in a Ocean View Club suite. The staff work so hard, and provide excellent service with a smile. 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. Members of the WorthEPenny community love shopping at Excellence Resorts. 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! Does the Excellence El Carmen offer a shuttle service from the Airport. There is also a beachfront massage option if you wish to listen to the crashing waves against the shore. When we stayed there was a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka, Anejo Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, and a bottle of red wine. 1 year ago Save We have been three times now & always EC. Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. Rounds here range from $100 $150 depending on the time of day you play and the season. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. 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. The pool is HUGE. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Feeling hungry late at night? My wife and I had a very similar experience at Excellence El Carman in November 2019. 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. You have three bottles of alcohol in your room as a standard: Stolichnaya Vodka, rum, and whiskey. I understand its how they make money, but they can be quite pushy, so be prepared. Free daily classes like yoga and stretching are available, and personal training sessions are included in nightly rates as well.
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