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! The park also boasts a range of other activities including ziplines, animal parks, and the impressive surrounding forest. You can break large bills at the front desk for ones if youre running low. 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. The rest of the pools are either for guests staying in Swim-Up units or exclusive for Excellence Club guests. Related: How to Travel with a Carry-On Only. 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!). A nice L-shaped couch that made the perfect midday lounging area. Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. It can be difficult at times to get a booking for treatments, so if you have your heart set on getting a massage we advise you to book before you travel. 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 vibrant colors of the Caribbean are the inspiration behind the dcor at both resorts. They also have a range of pastries and sandwiches on offer. I would recommend the hydrotherapy, plus you may even be given an additional spa discount for another service after. Excellence resorts are just that: Excellent! This restaurant is a Mexican offering and we really enjoyed our night at Las Olas. We had just as much fun watching everyone as those who participated in it. 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. So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! Chez Isabelle is a quiet restaurant to visit for a romantic meal and the decor is beautiful. Before dinner every night we perched ourselves at the Martini bar for a few pre-dinner drinks. I will second Thomasgran for all of the reasons he stated. There are only a few tables though, so you have to book the morning you want to eat to get a reservation. and loved it. 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. Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. Our wait was very short and we were guided to our room, where our bags were already waiting for us. You alternate between hot and cold pools, steam rooms and saunas, jet-oriented water experiences and more! 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 had an additional bottle of vodka (Absolut), tequila (Agavita) and gin (Tanquerey). Its open from 9:00 am 4:00 pm and has all kinds of fruit smoothies and juices to try. If youre in Excellence Club, try Magna for breakfast at least once! There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. Tech features are solid and include iHome docks, wall-integrated USB plugs, and big smart TVs with satellite channels. The nightclub stays open late and has a DJ who takes request. This is obviously down to the staff who were so proactive in making sure the place looked tidy. Excellence Club guests get private access to a top-notch restaurant that opens for breakfast and dinner. Best Adult Only All Inclusive in Punta Cana? Once a week, Excellence El Carmen holds a Dominican Night, where you can enjoy dishes unique to the Dominican Republic and enjoy live music and dancing. All restaurants, with the exception of Oregano and the Lobster House were located off the main lobby, making everything centrally located in one spot. What let the side down here was the quality of the meat. The wide and varied selection continues in your room with a packed mini-bar and a number of premium liquor bottles available. There is a gorgeous jacuzzi which is deep and big enough for two people which looks out to the patio (and pool if you have one). Its totally free, so why not take advantage of it? Its important to remember the Excellence dress code! You will also have some snacks: crackers, oreos, and peanuts. Just something that you might not have considered that might help you decide. 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. In Search of Sarah is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. We have to give a shout-out to Felix the bartender here. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. Theyre easy to pack and inexpensive and so worth having! 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. This Asian eatery serves up the most famous dishes from Japan, Thailand, China, and Vietnam. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. They do advise that you ring before your trip to check availability. Note: we had someone come by our room every morning around 8:00-8:30 am to clean the pool from the outside. Do not miss the huge savings! It was our first DR vacation but we have stayed at 20 . We did EC when we went a month ago for the first time. We also found that most people chill out on the beach, so the pools were never too busy. We used tap water and some of the water shot out and left some white rings on our clothes, which, If your bathing suit is white, or lightly coloured, it. We love the whole adults only thing and the dining options that the Excellence offer hence why we feel that nothing else compares and why we have booked to stay at EEC. It is unbelievably private we were in 9001 and because we were on the end of the building block, we only had neighbours on one side. 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. There are many options: We never had an issue with the water, from bottled, ice, restaurant water, or brushing our teeth. Dreams resorts All your questions answered! The beach does accumulate seaweed on the shoreline, but the staff works tirelessly to keep it off. Yes, even though you didnt consent to it. ordered the flank steak and charcoal grilled chicken. All of these rooms come with the option of having an ocean view. Save it for later! If you ask very nicely and youre feeling lucky you can also get food delivered from the restaurants. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We had some insightful conversations with some of the employees there and they really love their jobs and are grateful for them. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. You will see it the second that you arrive. Its listed on their website that they have 23 pools and 9 outdoor hot tubs on offer and while this is the case. 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. Every staff member that we dealt with was great. No amount of milk or sugar was going to save that, so we just waddled over to Aroma later on for a caffeine drink. Another Mexican offering this spot serves up some really top-quality eats. Just dont go with a wet bathing suit! You also have an ice bucket, and the ice machines are located on every floor of every room block for easy filling. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. Best things to do in Punta Cana.your top 3. After one or two many drinks the night before we liked nothing more than getting up and getting some fresh fruit into our bodies. Feel free to custom make your own! All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you are looking for the quality of an Excellence resort and are looking for a cheaper option compared to their Cancun and Jamaica offerings then the El Carmen is the resort for you. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. So, in our opinion, they are always worth that extra cost. You can, of course, enhance your stay by option to upgrade to their paid honeymoon and anniversary package which includes everything in the complimentary package, plus dinner on the beach, and a 40 minute spa package. I am SO happy we decided to book this room, and quite honestly I dont think I can book any other room type now. Your bags will be taken by the staff and be delivered to your room. There is also the Silent Disco. There are tons of delicious vegetarian dishes (along with non-veg options) you can order you wont miss the meat! Hi Taylor! 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. Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service. The actual check-in process took less than 3 minutes. We ended up trying the cheese sticks, croque monsieur, and Asian chicken salad to share and it was all tasty. 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! For starters, its absolutely stunning. The live music is so relaxing in the evening, and is a great way to pass the before and after dinner before the shows. ), and then charge you a ridiculous amount for it. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. During our first night, we visited Agave, which is always my go-to! We actually skipped lunch this day just so we could fill up. Average. There is also a plug inside your safe should you choose to charge your devices while theyre kept away (which I thought was neat!). If you have stayed in an Excellence resort before you know that the amenities on offer are always top class. - See 9,459 traveler reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. An Excellence resort AND a wedding? It was the best thing we ate all week! So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! These are two of my favourite things! You can ask for more of certain drinks or snacks if you wish (plus a nice tip wouldnt hurt with that request!). Dont forget Aroma! The Martini bar is a great place to grab a cocktail and watch the world go by. 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. Couple that with some onion bhajis and you cant go wrong. We have celebrated our past 5 anniversaries at Excellence Group resorts (Excellence Riviera Cancun and The Finest). With 16 different bars in the resort, you are never too far away from a drink. When it comes to the food at Excellence El Carmen, there is something for everyone. The food at Spice is the real star here, so if you have done Teppanyaki before we advise you to give it a miss. Our first room was filthy. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. If you like sushi, maki, and noodle dishes, head to Spice! The hydrotherapy circuit takes about an hour to complete and is well worth doing. Paper straws are biodegradable and inexpensive. Resort kids clubs - do they enforce/check ages? Excellence El Carmen has a solid all-inclusive package that covers not only the usual buffet meals, drinks, and entertainment but also premium liquor brands, all a la carte meals (reservations not required), 24-hour room service, natural fruit juices, and beach and pool waiter service. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. Appreciate it! Insight/Feedback on Monkeyland and Other Animal Attractions? ), or you can be served over by your palapa. We had a fabulous time the first time we went to ERC, which was non club, so much so we went back for our honeymoon. There are so many restaurants at Excellence El Carmen. Access to a private beach area. 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 ordered a rib-eye steak and to be honest there was way too much fat compared to the ribeyes I usually eat. I heard a few people talking about that and then we forgot when we went to steam our dresses. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Its a really nice option if you dont feel like getting into your evening clothes and instead just chilling out in the room. 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. My favourite spots included Aroma, the Revive Bar, Magna (for Excellence Club), and the Lobster House. Eating low carb? For Excellence Club guests, you have the option to dine at Magna. Tip: bring your own floaties with you! Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary. The gym at this resort is very well stocked. This is what I normally tip but remember, this is completely discretionary! We spent our mornings at the main pool with their (only) swim up bar, Blue. Is Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen worth it? Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. We went on the day they had tacos and it was SO good. If you want to be in a secluded spot and close to the beach then building 9 is your best bet. Now, that is what their website states, but we saw many people in flip flops and tank tops, so Im not sure how much the dress code is enforced. ), but some of my favourites were the Circus Show, Michael Jackson, Queen, and the fire show (do not miss that!). It was pure heaven. We are considering booking this resort for our anniversary in October. So I am just checking to see if there was any extra fees that arent included! Booking through Westjet Vacations, we took a shared bus to the hotel, which wasn't as good as the SUV car service that the hotel provided. French, Indian, Spanish, and Mexican restaurants are also open. Hi David! To cooking lessons where the chefs will teach you how to make local Dominican food and sushi. To be honest I found the whole club thing a bit snooty and always felt a bit uncomfortable when dealing with club concierge, we paid a lot of money to stay club as we were there for 2 weeks and didn't really feel like we were treated any different than non club, which I suppose is a good thing, but I would have hoped that being a returning guest on honeymoon, the club concierge should have spoilt us and put more of an effort in than they did. The only room type that has a private garden with a pool bigger than a plunge pool is the Imperial Suite. If you are not in Excellence Club, you can swap out one bottle of alcohol per day. When we eventually secured a table this place didnt disappoint. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. Other than that, you will surely have a beautiful stay at a great resort. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110442921', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Excellence El Carmen? 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. He just appeared. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. 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. It is so relaxing. Were not whiskey drinkers, but we do love tequila. There are too many food stations to even mention. Rooms are elegant in both resorts, but Excellence El Carmens are slightly bigger and more swish. Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. There are lots of antipasto dishes at Oregano, along with risottos, custom pasta dishes, and pizzas to satisfy your carb craving. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. . They even put your flip flops in a warmer for your feet afterwards! Other activities include ping-pong, pool tables, and a life-size chess board. I would still go. . 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. It was packed when we arrived and we actually walked away the first time because we thought we wouldnt get in. Hats off to Chef Masood and his team that churns out some really top-quality cuisine. Excellence El Carmen review: the Property. Guests are mostly honeymooners and couples celebrating wedding anniversaries from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. We nearly missed it and it was our favourite lunch! It is brand new so it was not crowded at all. ), classes by the beach, live music at lunch, live music behind the theatre in the evening, live music at the Martini Bar, plus the evening shows and more! We have booked to stay at EEC for 2 weeks from opening day! For anniversaries, you can receive this package up to 7 days before and 7 days after your anniversary, giving you lots of flexibility! Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Make your vacation a little more special with this upgrade and receive upgraded amenities and more! 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. If you love Indian food, Basmati is a fun option to try. We highly recommend the scallops and the Tuna steak. Yes, a shuttle service from the airport can be requested. 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 went to Sanoa Island and Hoyo Azul. We did not try Oregano, Spice, Flavour Market, or Basmati during this trip because we ran out of time. You can bring this right back to your palapa by the pool or beach to enjoy or eat on the terrace. . The bar service is also better on the EC part of the beach. Excellence El Carmen: Excellence Club WORTH IT - See 7,654 traveler reviews, 9,969 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. From fitness-based classes such as Yoga, tennis, and water aerobics. You will never have an issue getting a spot at the beach. You could jump from activity to activity all day long and you still wouldnt be able to participate in all of them. Discover a world of rewards with The Excellence Collection Rewards benefits program. While both resorts offer access to beautiful beaches, the stretch of sand at Excellence Punta Cana is perhaps just a little bit nicer. If you want those photos, just be prepared to haggle hard. The seafood, in particular, was spectacular. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. We also only book an Excellence Club Honeymoon Beachfront Swim-Out Suite. We always find its good to get out of the resort a few times during your trip and try to see a bit of the country youre visiting. Room service is another great option for lunch, just keep in mind it takes about 45 minutes to arrive. While Excellence isn't the largest resort in Punta Cana, it certainly packs in a mega-resort's worth of features -- and its most exceptional are outdoors. The all-inclusive package is very good here. , Just an FYI the room service coffee was a bit strong and potent. Went with two of my girlfriends and we were speechless!!! You will also use the Excellence app for ordering at the restaurants they have shifted away from the hard-copy menus to digital (although Im sure you could request one if you preferred it). 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. 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!). The sushi was actually really good and the ramen broth was packed with flavor. 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). In my opinion, Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen. 20 people arrived and the rest had to be turned away. 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. The options are endless. This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. 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. Theres a small shopping strip within a five-minute drive, while Bavaro -- the most famous spot in the area -- takes 25 to 30 minutes to reach by car. 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. The setup outside is really beautiful and should be experienced if youre there even if you dont have a full meal just so you can see some of the entertainment! Seaweed blooms are seasonal and also change daily. 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. 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. Guests staying at Excellence El Carmen can book excursions to nearby attractions through the concierge. This is topped off with the most decadent 10 minute head, neck and shoulder massage, all while laying cozied up on a heated stone lounge. Yes literally everything here is included! If youve never experienced it before, its a must-do! Ive been looking forward to staying here, and now that Ive fully absorbed all that this stunning resort has to offer after a relaxing getaway, Im excited to share this review with you! The staff work so hard to give us a relaxing and memorable holiday the least we can do is show our appreciation! The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. Re the alcohol in the room, on our last visit, we didn't touch it. 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. After youre finished eating, you can place your dishes in the X-Box located right at your door. There are tons of different hot (and cold!) And since its the second-largest country. 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. Excellence Club Suites come with access to the private Magna Club restaurant and bar, plus the private lobby puts out special treats and desserts throughout the day. A French offering that is set in a beautifully designed spot. Access to the business center is available for a fee, and there is also 4,800 square feet of event space. I also visited DR this year and I can only say it is a wonderful country. While interiors are sharp, it's the hotel's lush grounds that give this property its away-from-it-all atmosphere. Woodie and I went to Excellence El Carmen, Dominican Republic in December 2021 and absolutely loved the resort! Your email address will not be published. White linen table cloths and a wonderful aesthetic give Chez Isabelle a sense of class as you dine. We have zero complaints and hence the shortest section on this review! When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. When we complained, we were also upgraded to a beachfront room. Insider tip: Dont miss the hidden gem by building 10! The food was beyond excellent, the staff were the most pleasant human beings i have ever came across on a vacation and the resort itself was absolutely amazing!!! If you stay in an Excellence Club room those bottles are upgraded. We have booked Excellence in Playa Mujeres and in El Carmen for 2016 both non club rooms. We highly recommend the Irish coffee they serve for a great morning wakeup and hey, your own holidays, what better way to start the day than with alcohol and caffeine. This is probably the most important part about the vendors: there are some men who walk around with parrots, monkeys, and iguanas. The service is amazing as it always is at Excellence Resorts. Valet parking is free at the resort and theres free Wi-Fi throughout the property. We spent 8 days at Excellence El Carmen, in a Ocean View Club suite. how do floodplains jeopardize the livelihoods of agricultural workers. The course is well designed and challenging and the upkeep of the course was very good. Over the 7 days that we visited the Excellence, there were two weddings that we saw going on. 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!). 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. Its available 24/7 and the menu is very extensive. They serve food here too, but we never ate there. we decided to splurge and upgrade to Excellence Club Junior Suite with Private Pool. The Miil Spa is an attractive and quiet space offering massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and salon services. 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. Free daily classes like yoga and stretching are available, and personal training sessions are included in nightly rates as well. We dined outside on the patio with a beautiful view of the palm trees (not of the ocean, since Magna is located within the Excellence Club lounge right off the lobby). Secrets resorts All your questions answered! Its fun to watch the cook prepare your food right in front of you!