Access to twelve private pools and seven jacuzzis (hot water) in the pool area. Excellence El Carmen- A Comprehensive Review (2021) Excellence El Carmen is very competitively priced. Ive talked to quite a few people during our time here about that experience. You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. Find it on the Apple Store or Google Play! Our first room was filthy. We ate in our bathrobes and drank mimosas and it was glorious. There are also a number of liquor bottles that are in the room too. My mom and I had big ambitions to participate in some of the physical activities, like aerial yoga on the beach (how fun right?!) Horseback riding, biking, tennis, and quality excursions (some fees) Free Wi-Fi throughout. To cooking lessons where the chefs will teach you how to make local Dominican food and sushi. 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. Its listed on their website that they have 23 pools and 9 outdoor hot tubs on offer and while this is the case. 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. This is also the place you can get fresh coconuts. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Re: Club vs non-Club at Excellence El Carmen, Get answers to your questions about Punta Cana, Check-list - Canadian travel to the DR-PC - UPDATED, Explanation Of The Bahia Resorts in Punta Cana -Revised, Luxury & Grand Bahia Principe Room & A La Carte Email Requests Updated, Resort (Brands) COVID Policies -Quarantine, Testing, Etc - As of March 1, 2022, How do I fill out the new DR E-Forms for Immigration and Customs? 5 star? depends on how you view 5 star - Review of Excellence El Carmen The service here gets a 5-star rating from us, it was literally impeccable. 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. 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. How much is the excellence club upgrade - tripadvisor.co.za This resort was beautiful!!!! Does Excellence El Carmen have a club? No amount of milk or sugar was going to save that, so we just waddled over to Aroma later on for a caffeine drink. It is so relaxing. 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. What let the side down here was the quality of the meat. 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. The deal I can get right now makes the Junior Suite Pool View really affordable but the Club is just out of our reach. All of these rooms come with the option of having an ocean view. The balcony was covered in cigarette butts when we checked in. THE ROOMS. They have it all from the top-shelf liquor options to local beers and spirits. Avoiding grains? Its always a favourite spot to gather before and after dinner to enjoy a cocktail. After one or two many drinks the night before we liked nothing more than getting up and getting some fresh fruit into our bodies. 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. The service here is really top-notch and the wages in the Dominican Republic for these roles are not high, so these tips can go a long way. A steakhouse in an all-inclusive is not normally a good pairing and sadly the Grill at the Excellence El Carmen was no different. The pool is HUGE. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. We were not excellence club. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Every time we travel I always bring an extra couple hundred dollars in tips and its well worth it! Excellence El Carmen Dominican Republic has shops selling sundries and beach attire, a medical clinic (fee to use), and an ATM. Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. 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 have celebrated our past 5 anniversaries at Excellence Group resorts (Excellence Riviera Cancun and The Finest). Its fun to watch the cook prepare your food right in front of you! The Masala beef was the best we have ever had. The main eatery of the resort, this buffet is really impressive. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We went in ours so we just had to take our coverups off. Lobster doesn't cost extra either. It was never rowdy, and is quite peaceful here and we enjoyed the central location to everything we wanted. The service wasnt particularly good the day we went as it took over an hour for us to get our main courses. This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. So I am just checking to see if there was any extra fees that arent included! I love the different dishes and flavour combinations. From the Gym, tennis courts, beach volleyball, and water sports they have it all on offer. Do not miss the huge savings! We have booked Excellence in Playa Mujeres and in El Carmen for 2016 both non club rooms. We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. The Excellence El Carmen is about a 45-minute drive from the airport. ), burgers, fish and chips, quesadillas, fries and more! The beach is the real gem in this resort and we will delve into that in a bit. , Just an FYI the room service coffee was a bit strong and potent. The entire week we didnt have anyone above us either, which was awesome! All-inclusive rates cover meals at 11 restaurants (including several a la carte eateries) and top-shelf drinks, plus 24-hour room service and activities like snorkeling, Spanish lessons, and beach volleyball. Excellence El Carmen is a large, and fairly new (2016) all-inclusive resort with a modern and tropical vibe. A Lot of these are connected to the swim-up suites. When it comes to the food at Excellence El Carmen, there is something for everyone. Excellence Club provides additional benefits, but is it really worth it? Access to a private beach area. 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! Casual wear (no wet swimsuits) is acceptable elsewhere for breakfast and lunch. This would be great for later in the evening, or even an early snack prior to a later dinner (if youre wanting to try it all!). I also visited DR this year and I can only say it is a wonderful country. There is a great bustling atmosphere and the bartender Jordy served up some of the best concoctions at the resort. Hmm. The sauce was rich yet balanced and the beef literally melted in the mouth. 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. It's definitely not a party resort with guests pounding shots -- the vibe is more towards sipping martinis. The perfect spot to sink a few beers and watch some sports. : Excellence El Carmen - See 9,462 traveller reviews, 11,732 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. But, if youre sitting on the bed, the bathroom is behind you so you cant see anything. If you want those photos, just be prepared to haggle hard. Every staff member that we dealt with was great. This man was hilarious and was really entertaining. Over the 7 days that we visited the Excellence, there were two weddings that we saw going on. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The entertainment crew really does make a solid effort in keeping everyone entertained with a wide range of activities going on throughout the day. They take you off the resort to see some interesting things nearby. They do not serve their drinks with straws, so bring your own if you wish! From small surprises that delight the senses to complimentary suite upgrades and premiere bottles of bubbly, a stay at one of our resorts comes complete with an experience cultivated especially for our loyal guests. Getting to beautiful Saona Island takes an hour and 15 minutes and requires a drive followed by a boat ride. (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. Related: What to Pack in a DIY Travel Medical Kit. I hope this Excellence El Carmen review is helpful and answers some of your questions with this now being my fourth stay at an Excellence property and after scouring reviews all over the internet Im excited to share my own with you. 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. They even put your flip flops in a warmer for your feet afterwards! There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. 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. Book Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto on Tripadvisor: See 9,455 traveller reviews, 12,158 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen, ranked #3 of 7 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. The whirlpools are ideal for enjoying the views and a soak in rainy weather. Punta Cana International Airport is about a 45-minute drive from the resort. Related: 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are actually useful!). If you want to swim, I would recommend bringing water shoes to protect your feet! It felt like a newer resort. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. ), and then charge you a ridiculous amount for it. I understand that spa services and tipping are not, but are all the restaurants, drinks and room service included? There is lots of choice at the Excellence El Carmen and if you have stayed in the Excellence chain of resorts before you will be familiar with their room offering. They do have nets as of the beginning of this month! Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Im glad there were other couples there laughing, because some of you cant help but laugh! There are many options: silicone straws, metal straws (which keep your drinks cold) or paper straws. Woodie and I went to Excellence El Carmen, Dominican Republic in December 2021 and absolutely loved the resort! It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. The menu for the room service was very extensive. I did notice, though, while we were walking the beach, there were quite a few pieces of coral along the shore and in the water. The staff really do put their best foot forward in making it an entertaining getaway for the guests. Check-in is a breeze and you are whisked to your room where your holiday can really begin. They typically start serving these from around 11 am onwards and are so refreshing. I like a mix of $1s, $5s and $10s when we travel to all-inclusive resorts. Mexico Resorts Excellence Playa Mujeres Excellence Riviera Cancun Beloved Hotel Playa Mujeres Caribbean Resorts Excellence Punta Cana Excellence Club | Excellence Punta Cana Today we are sharing a best food and worst food review of Excellence Club El Carmen, Punta Cana Dominican Republic. 62% OFF Excellence Resort Top Promo Codes & Coupons - Mar. 2023 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. You can view your cuts of meat if youre unsure of what you want to order. If youre sharing with a friend or a family member (like my mom and I did), we just called out to each other that we were indecent and to avert your eyes. You definitely get better value for money in the Dominican Republic compared to the likes of Mexico. 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. or just the tennis net. The food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. 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. Bike tours, Spanish lessons, beach volleyball, archery, pool games, water aerobics, poker tournaments, and bingo are scheduled regularly. The property's secluded beach is one of Punta Canas best. The steamer in the walk-in closet works great, but its advisable to use bottled water for it. Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Puerto Vallarta for Food, Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Los Cabos for Food. 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. While interiors are sharp, it's the hotel's lush grounds that give this property its away-from-it-all atmosphere. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We were handed a Coco Loco when we walked in and had a great view of the live music. Honestly, though the room service menu is so large that you probably wont need to do this. Once inside, it's all about sharp neutral decor, tranquil vibes, and breezy ocean views. An Excellence resort AND a wedding? It includes upgraded amenities, exclusive areas, and added perks. This obviously doesnt matter, but its just an observation. We accosted the minibar guy one day to give us kitkats, so just so you know, there is also chocolate! Now the bathroom is one of which many people question. If youve never experienced it before, its a must-do! Excellence El Carmen: Perfection!! 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. Note that none of the bars are open 24/7. Excellence resorts are just that: Excellent! Youll never be bored. 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). They are so much fun to do. However, the dress code is one of the reasons why we love Excellence. We really got the feeling of 5-Star luxury once we walked in. When booking if you want to be close to the action we would advise requesting a room in buildings 4 and 6. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Massages and salon services are available at the full-service spa, as is a free hydrotherapy circuit, and the excellent gym offers daily yoga and aerobics classes free of charge. 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). The Hoyo Azul is also known as the blue hole and is their most famous one. These are two of my favourite things! Thats part of the reason why we love all-inclusive resorts so much! 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. I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). Just dont go with a wet bathing suit! we decided to splurge and upgrade to Excellence Club Junior Suite with Private Pool. It never took longer than 5-10 minutes to walk to anywhere we wanted to go. Chez Isabelle is a quiet restaurant to visit for a romantic meal and the decor is beautiful. Everyone dresses up and it gives a classy feel to the resort. Its non-stop! Excellence El Carmen is a luxury adults-only all-inclusive resort that sits along an idyllic beach in Punta Canas laid-back Uvero Alto. and loved it. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Theres always some type of entertainment going on. When we stayed in early 2020 we went through the travel agent Sunwing that is based out of Canada. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. It doesnt have to be much, and the tips are also very appreciated. 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!). You can bring this right back to your palapa by the pool or beach to enjoy or eat on the terrace. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! If youve never tried Indian cuisine, I recommend branching out and trying some new dishes! This made it great for evenings if you wanted to grab a drink at the bar first, then walk to a restaurant closeby, then back to the theatre for a show. I would recommend the hydrotherapy, plus you may even be given an additional spa discount for another service after. Glass-walled stand-up showers feature massive rainfall showerheads and all bathrooms include generous toiletries. Like all of these offerings, it can be hit and miss and there definitely was some inconsistency in terms of the dishes we were served. The beach at the El Carmen resort is truly stunning. We always stay in the club area to take advantage of the club anniversary package. Re: Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? The menus denote which dishes are grain free. You can check it out on the resort map! It looked like they had drinks and a canopy thing going on there. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. ), Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen, 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are. We were not excellence club. - See 9 464 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. 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. You will also have some snacks: crackers, oreos, and peanuts. This category reimagines Dominican Republic resorts in an adults only oasis that delights the senses. There were tons of loungers and palapas available, with great poolside service. Excellence Club Amenities A Tailored Experience at the Best Adults Only Resorts in Punta Cana Private check-in & check-out / Late check-out & early check-in (subject to availability) Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. If you have stayed in an Excellence resort before you know that the amenities on offer are always top class. We went to Sanoa Island and Hoyo Azul. Save it for later! From themed nights such as Casino night and Dominican night. 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 you are willing to change it you might get a bargain. Check out their website to see what is actually included. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. There are so many restaurants at Excellence El Carmen. 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 could jump from activity to activity all day long and you still wouldnt be able to participate in all of them. We (once again!) Hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, scales, robes, and slippers come standard. However, big waves and strong undertow make it unsuitable for swimming. At every Excellence Resort, the Excellence Club represents the ultimate in luxury, privacy and service. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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! 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. If you stay in an Excellence Club room those bottles are upgraded.
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