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). Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. These are two of my favourite things! I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. They typically start serving these from around 11 am onwards and are so refreshing. Excellence El Carmen: Perfection!! When we stayed in early 2020 we went through the travel agent Sunwing that is based out of Canada. Its open at 7:00 am and you have the choice to eat inside or out. There are many options: We never had an issue with the water, from bottled, ice, restaurant water, or brushing our teeth. Excellence Playa Mujeres: Mexicos Best Adults-Only Resort! A. The Excellence El Carmen is just a 40-minute drive from Punta Cana international airport. I piggybacked on another guests recommendation of the Power Smoothie + strawberries and it tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! You will see it the second that you arrive. That, of course, is no fault of the hotel. A steakhouse in an all-inclusive is not normally a good pairing and sadly the Grill at the Excellence El Carmen was no different. Our food was delivered hot, and was set up right in our room. There is also a plug inside your safe should you choose to charge your devices while theyre kept away (which I thought was neat!). The Dominican Republic has a really beautiful landscape and the Hoyo Azul at Scape Park is a spectacular sight. Its open from 9:00 am 4:00 pm and has all kinds of fruit smoothies and juices to try. Those spots, along with the Kitchen Table for the buffet, and room-service, are your breakfast options. 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. Excellence calls it casual elegance.. I also realize there is a lot of confusion with tipping at all-inclusive resorts, since technically, your package includes gratuities. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "Can anyone who upgraded to Excellence club upon." | Check out 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. Its non-stop! There are a wide array of cuisines on offer in this resort with 12 restaurants and one additional restaurant that is available to Excellence club members only. Are you kidding me!? Note: Bring your swimsuit with you for hydrotherapy! Pricier Excellence Club upgrades add pillow menus, Bulgari toiletries, loaner beach bags, and minibars with top-shelf liquor. Im glad there were other couples there laughing, because some of you cant help but laugh! It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. I understand its how they make money, but they can be quite pushy, so be prepared. I would still go. Couple that with some onion bhajis and you cant go wrong. The honeymoon package also was meant to include a rose petal filled bath in the room after dinner on the beach, which never happened, despite telling concierge 3 times, on each night we went back to the room in the hope for the bath to be filled, but nope, never happened. As they fill up quickly. There is also room service! 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. They do have a dress code for the Grill but we saw many people in cover ups and flip flops. 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 Their feature menu changes daily and its a great place to visit if you want a quick, self-service bite to eat. If you are willing to change it you might get a bargain. The pool is HUGE. Once inside, it's all about sharp neutral decor, tranquil vibes, and breezy ocean views. We stayed at the Excellence El Carmen in mid-2019 and our review is based on that experience. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. Our two favorite spots were the Martini bar which is the main lobby bar and the X Lounge. When it comes to the food at Excellence El Carmen, there is something for everyone. Just another site is excellence club worth it el carmen I love the different dishes and flavour combinations. They will want to take a photo of you with them (or you phone, too! We also liked the Excellence Club lounge to have a pre-dinner drink. Free water sports include kayaks and Hobie Cat catamarans. We were handed a Coco Loco when we walked in and had a great view of the live music. You always have the option for room service if you want to just veg out at night, too! If you love seafood, be sure to hit up the Lobster House! If you want to swim, I would recommend bringing water shoes to protect your feet! 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. 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. From fitness-based classes such as Yoga, tennis, and water aerobics. Its important to remember the Excellence dress code! 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. Located in the Uvero Alto area of the Dominican Republic. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. They take you off the resort to see some interesting things nearby. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. I gave up asking in the end! The seafood, in particular, was spectacular. We also only book an Excellence Club Honeymoon Beachfront Swim-Out Suite. The Miil Spa is an attractive and quiet space offering massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and salon services. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. It is so relaxing. All restaurants, with the exception of Oregano and the Lobster House were located off the main lobby, making everything centrally located in one spot. Excellence El Carmen Dominican Republic has shops selling sundries and beach attire, a medical clinic (fee to use), and an ATM. My husband and I did Excellence Playa Mujeres last year. Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. Just a note on classes: if you have your heart set on doing one, get there early! 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. Travelers wanting a beautiful island setting with a grown-up vibe should book a stay at one of the numerous adults-only resorts in the Caribbean. One comment I will make that really deterred me from being on the beach, is the vendors. I understand that spa services and tipping are not, but are all the restaurants, drinks and room service included? Does Excellence El Carmen have a club? In my opinion, Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen. Even an extra dollar or two goes a long way in improving their quality of life. There is also the Silent Disco. Is Excellence Club Worth it at Excellence El Carmen? Wood-Fired pizzas, rich and creamy pasta dishes, and some really nice seafood options too. You are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. 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. Since Aroma opens at 7:00 am, its a great spot to enjoy a morning coffee. The sushi was actually really good and the ramen broth was packed with flavor. If youre an Excellence club guest you will have a complimentary Hydrotherapy session during your stay. The food here was the best we had in the resort and the minimalist Japanese decor really added to the experience. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We have booked to stay at EEC for 2 weeks from opening day! For a more serene atmosphere, dont miss the pools by buildings 11-16. There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. Excellence El Carmen is a large, and fairly new (2016) all-inclusive resort with a modern and tropical vibe. When booking if you want to be close to the action we would advise requesting a room in buildings 4 and 6. To be honest I can't say I thought it was really worth the extra. This one of the Excellence chains has three offerings in the Dominican Republic. We found this place the most difficult to get a booking for at peak times. Check out their website to see what is actually included. (Feb 28, 2021), Which Airlines Are in Terminal A & B? After one or two many drinks the night before we liked nothing more than getting up and getting some fresh fruit into our bodies. The sauce was rich yet balanced and the beef literally melted in the mouth. Note: we had someone come by our room every morning around 8:00-8:30 am to clean the pool from the outside. This is a must-visit if youre a fan of Indian food. ), but some of my favourites were the Circus Show, Michael Jackson, Queen, and the fire show (do not miss that!). Dont have time to read this review of Excellence El Carmen right now? Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "What's is the difference between the regular." | Check out 8 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. We had the grilled lobster and the lobster ravioli and the lobster for both dishes was a little bit chewy. Its a little cubby that can be accessed by room service staff from the outside to retrieve your dishes. Dont get us wrong, the steaks were well prepared and the burger we tried too was pretty good. Will we be sorry not booking the club? This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Do not miss the huge savings! Will we miss out on a lot if we do not book the Club Level? My advice is, if it's not a financial hardship, the club area is the "cherry on top" of a great vacation. Feeling hungry late at night? 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. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. Check-in is a breeze and you are whisked to your room where your holiday can really begin. If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. Bike tours, Spanish lessons, beach volleyball, archery, pool games, water aerobics, poker tournaments, and bingo are scheduled regularly. All are part of the hotel's all-inclusive rates, as is 24-hour room service. I realize this may be a dumb questions-but I have never done all inclusive and after a lot of research, it seems that sometimes all inclusive isnt really all inclusive and actually has a lot of extra hidden fees. We had just as much fun watching everyone as those who participated in it. You will never have an issue getting a spot at the beach. . At the Excellence Club, every detail of your stay has been upgraded with seamless perks and over-the-top offerings. An Excellence resort AND a wedding? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We are considering booking this resort for our anniversary in October. The options are endless. The rooms are choicely designed with a great aesthetic. The room service here at the Excellence El Carmen is really good. These cookies do not store any personal information. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. Hats off to Chef Masood and his team that churns out some really top-quality cuisine. 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. Thats part of the reason why we love all-inclusive resorts so much! 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. Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. Hmm. The blanket was dirty, showerhead was rusty, the air vent in the bathroom was clogged with dust and hair. After dinner, there was always something going on. Other options include an extensive buffet with live-cooking stations and small selection of Dominican specialties; the open-air eatery Oregano that specializes in pizza and pasta; and the Lobster House for seafood specialties overlooking the beach. Best things to do in Punta Cana.your top 3. 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 menus denote which dishes are grain free. Tons of free activities like pool games, Mamajuana making, and evening shows. 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. Book Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto on Tripadvisor: See 9,464 traveler reviews, 12,158 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen, ranked #3 of 9 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. We went for 7 days and flew out of Toronto. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. I definitely would like to stay at this resort. It boasts white- and golden-sand beaches, swaying palm trees protected by the government, turquoise waters, and pleasant year-round temperatures. 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. . Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. Smooth as can be. There are tons of bars throughout the resort. Getting married here seems to be a very popular choice. Rooms have one king bed or two queen beds that are framed by boxy nightstands and telescoping chrome reading lights. If youre celebrating your anniversary or honeymoon, be sure to take advantage of that at Excellence El Carmen! Hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, scales, robes, and slippers come standard. So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! Unfortunately, there are some guests who havent been to all-inclusives before that dont know that isnt the norm, and pay it. Discover a world of rewards with The Excellence Collection Rewards benefits program. When it comes to adults-only luxury, Excellence El Carmen in the Dominican Republic has it down to a science. You can always go to the Revive Bar for a smoothie if you dont want to spoil your dinner. 1 year ago Save We have been three times now & always EC. We ate in our bathrobes and drank mimosas and it was glorious. Fun vacation spot Lisa M on Feb 04, 2023 Theres always some type of entertainment going on. 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. . We did two excursions when we visited. There are too many food stations to even mention. 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. 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. . Its a lovely experience. 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. A. I love the outdoor seating and the decor here. You will find options everywhere you go and the nice thing is, if you choose to eat a certain way, you are in total control! What let the side down here was the quality of the meat. Subscribe and get my Travel Safety Checklist! 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. And there is no need to bring toiletries there is body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even toothpaste! A. Today we are sharing a best food and worst food review of Excellence Club El Carmen, Punta Cana Dominican Republic. My favourite spots included Aroma, the Revive Bar, Magna (for Excellence Club), and the Lobster House. The bartender Emilio was great fun and served up the best Margaritas at the resort. . 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!). The all-inclusive package is very good here. Re the alcohol in the room, on our last visit, we didn't touch it. All food, snacks, room service, fully stocked mini-bar drinks, and a variety of classes and amenities are included in the package. 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. what happened to ayesha nicole smith,