If you love seafood, be sure to hit up the Lobster House! Average. 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. You will also have some snacks: crackers, oreos, and peanuts. 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. Another Mexican offering this spot serves up some really top-quality eats. 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 rest of the pools are either for guests staying in Swim-Up units or exclusive for Excellence Club guests. We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. For starters, its absolutely stunning. By this point we were both needing a break from the steak, so we ordered the salmon and the scallops, which were tasty and surprisingly filling. Yes, Wi-Fi is included in your package. In reality, there are really three main pool areas. There are too many food stations to even mention. Punta Cana International Airport is about a 45-minute drive from the resort. They're big and breezy, with marble floors, walls paneled in hardwood and neutral fabrics, and glass-enclosed whirlpools for two that overlook private balconies (most with some sort of ocean view). When we stayed there was a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka, Anejo Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, and a bottle of red wine. Others have said all I have is $5 and they take it. Im the type of person that pretty much tips every time. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. We also saw one of the wedding parties using the X-lounge for after the reception. Its normally located on the X-Lounge terrace outside, but ours was held at the Kitchen Table. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. At all of the Excellence resorts, the check-in process is really an experience. We had some insightful conversations with some of the employees there and they really love their jobs and are grateful for them. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The main eatery of the resort, this buffet is really impressive. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. - Read 9,463 reviews, view 11,732 photos, and find great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor Secrets resorts All your questions answered! We ended up trying the cheese sticks, croque monsieur, and Asian chicken salad to share and it was all tasty. 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. - See 9,459 traveler reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. The service is excellent and the food is diverse. You can also grab these at Las Olas when they have their Coco Loco drink station going! This spot does Tapas really well. Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. any chance you know if they have pickle ball courts? Help choosing a resort for my 80 year old aunt. HELP - Secrets Royal Beach or Secrets Cap Cana - price/room. It was the best thing we ate all week! The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. There were tons of loungers and palapas available, with great poolside service. I LOVE Excellence properties, and Excellence El Carmen is nothing short of an amazing resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Theyre very quiet and also have their own bars. 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. Our food was delivered hot, and was set up right in our room. I am big on details from big to small so this review will cover a lot. Even so, there's nightly entertainment ranging from live music and circus shows to Michael Jackson impersonators. We went to Sanoa Island and Hoyo Azul. There is a drinks service on the beach which makes spending a day sunning yourself so much more enjoyable. The evening cleaning was more of a turndown service. The buffet, Kitchen Table, has options for everyone Id be shocked to learn if someone couldnt find something they liked. If youre in Excellence Club, try Magna for breakfast at least once! Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. The menus denote which dishes are grain free. If you stayed for a week you wouldnt be able to visit them all, unless you visited more than one a night! Feel free to read mydisclosure policy. The nightclub stays open late and has a DJ who takes request. How much is the excellence club upgrade - tripadvisor.ie Hats off to Chef Masood and his team that churns out some really top-quality cuisine. We went there for dinner and were a little disappointed with the food. We have zero complaints and hence the shortest section on this review! I worry about hidden fees- is EVERYTHING Included in all inclusive? The resort does a wonderful job of keeping the EC things hidden. 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. However, there are some subtle differences worth considering before booking. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. The waters were pretty calm, so if youre into ocean swimming this is the spot for you. And, if youre even more like me, food is very important to you! Excellence El Carmen: Truly Excellent! Dont forget Aroma! Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. The only restaurant that requires a reservation is Spice, which has limited seating at its teppanyaki counters. If it would be a financial hardship, just pass on it because you will still have a great time. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Your best option is a 35-minute drive from the resort. You definitely get better value for money in the Dominican Republic compared to the likes of Mexico. A terrace lay just outside the sliding doors with your own entrance to a pool that runs alongside the back of the building. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. My husband and I did Excellence Playa Mujeres last year. The patio is HOT, so I think not having the pool wouldve made it nearly unbearable to sit out there (at least during the first week of August!). The sand is powdery soft and the oceanfront is lined with palm trees, lounge chairs, and thatched umbrellas. I know they have tennis and their activities list pickle ballbut do they actually use pickle ball nets? Excellence Club | Excellence Punta Cana Yes, even though you didnt consent to it. El Carmen has one huge advantage in regards to our dining experience: The coffee shop. Lets start off by saying all of the rooms at this resort are massive, so space will never be an issue. 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). There are lots of antipasto dishes at Oregano, along with risottos, custom pasta dishes, and pizzas to satisfy your carb craving. how do floodplains jeopardize the livelihoods of agricultural workers. You can always go to the Revive Bar for a smoothie if you dont want to spoil your dinner. Request this at your time of booking and bring proof its your honeymoon or anniversary (like a copy of your marriage certificate). Excellence El Carmen Review (Punta Cana All Inclusive COVID-19 We nearly missed it and it was our favourite lunch! You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. We often started our days with a couple glasses of mimosas and you will never be far from your next drink. There is a great bustling atmosphere and the bartender Jordy served up some of the best concoctions at the resort. Tip: bring your own floaties with you! Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. Of course there is the Excellence Club lounge bar; an intimate and quiet setting to relax at. Seaweed blooms are seasonal and also change daily. 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. I dont know what it was about that cheese but I fell in love with it and cant stop eating it. , Just an FYI the room service coffee was a bit strong and potent. The food at Spice is the real star here, so if you have done Teppanyaki before we advise you to give it a miss. . There is no option for that here, but you can purchase wine off a separate menu if you wish to splurge! What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable! 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. If youre part of the Excellence club you will have the likes of Absolut Vodka, Johnny Walker Black Label, and Anejo Rum. Those wanting their own private pool can book a range of other suite types, including the Excellence El Carmen Terrace Suite with Plunge Pool, Junior Suite with Plunge Pool, and any of the Two-Story Rooftop Terrace Suites available. My favourite spots included Aroma, the Revive Bar, Magna (for Excellence Club), and the Lobster House. There is also the Silent Disco. When we complained, we were also upgraded to a beachfront room. 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). The main pool is located quite close to the beach and then two additional pools are located near buildings 12-16. 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. Is Excellence Club Worth It at Excellence El Carmen? Everyone greeted us with an Hola and a smile and you felt welcomed. 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). Its fun to watch the cook prepare your food right in front of you! Since my mom and I were on a girls trip (which we hardly ever get to do!) We have been three times now & always EC. Excellence calls it casual elegance.. Excellence El Carmen | Excellence Club Buildings & Room Numbers Check out their website to see what is actually included. Every time we travel I always bring an extra couple hundred dollars in tips and its well worth it! The staff work so hard, and provide excellent service with a smile. 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. Avoiding grains? Youll never be bored. Was it worth it for you? I would recommend the hydrotherapy, plus you may even be given an additional spa discount for another service after. dwayne johnson rock foundation contact. . 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. There is a beautiful swan-neck fountain in the corner of the pool which adds to the ambience. Excellence El Carmen Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stay - Oyster.com We also only book an Excellence Club Honeymoon Beachfront Swim-Out Suite. We did not try Oregano, Spice, Flavour Market, or Basmati during this trip because we ran out of time. We ordered all the seafood here crab cakes, lobster bisque, lobster risotto (we shared this, and its AMAZING get it! 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! As soon as you enter the resort you really are put at ease. 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. You can also get this type of room without Excellence Club. Is Excellence Club Worth it at Excellence El Carmen? However! We found this place the most difficult to get a booking for at peak times. Out of these, 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. We also found that most people chill out on the beach, so the pools were never too busy. By far, our favourite dinner was at the Grill. Its listed on their website that they have 23 pools and 9 outdoor hot tubs on offer and while this is the case. For Excellence Club guests, you have the option to dine at Magna. The building that we were in had faced the sun in the late afternoon, so the swim-up suite wasnt too much use. 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. The room we stayed in when we visited was a junior swim-up suite. Its open from 6:00 pm 11:30 pm, giving you the fuel you need to keep on going! The poolside service was always quick, the entertainment staff were a blast, the waiters were so courteous and attentivethe list goes on. The resort does a wonderful job of keeping the EC things hidden. Im sure if we couldnt get an EC room we would still have a great time though. There are entirely separate menus for that. ), and then charge you a ridiculous amount for it. Their feature menu changes daily and its a great place to visit if you want a quick, self-service bite to eat. Related: What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable!). 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. Regardless! 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. 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. It is so relaxing. I would still go. Its open from 9:00 am 4:00 pm and has all kinds of fruit smoothies and juices to try. French, Indian, Spanish, and Mexican restaurants are also open. The food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. Excellence El Carmen is a large, and fairly new (2016) all-inclusive resort with a modern and tropical vibe. Casual wear (no wet swimsuits) is acceptable elsewhere for breakfast and lunch. Tech features are solid and include iHome docks, wall-integrated USB plugs, and big smart TVs with satellite channels. From themed nights such as Casino night and Dominican night. Make your vacation a little more special with this upgrade and receive upgraded amenities and more! . Re: Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? There are also a number of liquor bottles that are in the room too. 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! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). There is also a plug inside your safe should you choose to charge your devices while theyre kept away (which I thought was neat!). He just appeared. 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 are lots of things to see and do locally, for a comprehensive list we suggest checking out this really great article by PuntaCanaTravelBlog.com, by Adrian updated February 4, 2023, 10:21 am, by Emma updated January 30, 2023, 8:40 pm, by Emma updated January 25, 2023, 8:49 am. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. All food, snacks, room service, fully stocked mini-bar drinks, and a variety of classes and amenities are included in the package. 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. When we stayed in mid-2019 we paid $2,800 USD for 7 days. 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 food here was top-notch. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. To tribute acts and musical entertainment. Weirdly enough we found that the food here in the Dominican was way better than the Excellence offerings in their Mexican location. It felt like a newer resort. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. ), but some of my favourites were the Circus Show, Michael Jackson, Queen, and the fire show (do not miss that!). Perks include upgraded rooms; upgraded room-service menus, minibars, and toiletries; and access to a private lounge with concierge services. It never took longer than 5-10 minutes to walk to anywhere we wanted to go. There is also a beach area reserved for them, as well as several pools and whirlpools. But, if youre sitting on the bed, the bathroom is behind you so you cant see anything. The Dominican Republics minimum wage is the equivalent to $154 USD a month! 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. At the other Excellence guest-only eatery, we were pretty disappointed with the restaurant. Excellence El Carmen | Hotels & Resorts | The Excellence Collection Excellence Club WORTH IT - Review of Excellence El Carmen Its a scam. ago Excellence Club is a nice-to-have but no must-have. We really cant fault the Excellence EL Carmen for its cleanliness. This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. Check-in is a breeze and you are whisked to your room where your holiday can really begin. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors.