All Adults - At Excellence El Carmen you are secluded but not isolated. 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. I would still go. The resort has tennis courts and free lessons. We also only book an Excellence Club Honeymoon Beachfront Swim-Out Suite. This and the Cielo bar are the only areas that you can get the Top tier liquor on offer to the Excellence club members other than your room. Now the bathroom is one of which many people question. 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. Are you a vegetarian? As well as a nice selection of ice creams for your midday treat. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. We also found that most people chill out on the beach, so the pools were never too busy. So I am just checking to see if there was any extra fees that arent included! There is also the Silent Disco. Its easily 20 x 15 feet (my mom and I tried measuring with our bodies), warm, and gets the late morning and afternoon sun. and loved it. Our two favorite spots were the Martini bar which is the main lobby bar and the X Lounge. They will come up to you and place them on you without even asking. The Excellence El Carmen is about a 45-minute drive from the airport. Its important to remember the Excellence dress code! Its definitely on the premium side when you compare it against other resorts in the Punta Cana area, but for what you get it is definitely worth the additional cost. We passed so many doors with celebratory banners on them, and its not hard to understand why: Excellence El Carmen offers a great price point and value for money, and is known to provide a top-tier stay in a tropical paradise. I understand its how they make money, but they can be quite pushy, so be prepared. Its expansive with loads of loungers and areas to relax. 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. Your best option is a 35-minute drive from the resort. We heard from a few of our fellow guests that if you ask very nicely that you can potentially order some of the dishes from the restaurants to be delivered to your room. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Feel free to read mydisclosure policy. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. Oddly enough, it was never too busy when we went there and we put it down to people not loving Tapas as the food here was top-notch. 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. Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. We went on the day they had tacos and it was SO good. This one of the Excellence chains has three offerings in the Dominican Republic. ), or you can be served over by your palapa. The club pool at ERC had very few beds with umbrellas and being fair skinned i need shade, so found myself having to join in the early morning fight for a bed, it sounds like there will be plenty of club pools at EEC so I suppose that wouldn't be a problem. 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. This is always a favourite for me but I had to sacrifice my desire for sushi to try some other restaurants! Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. We loved the Caribbean Eggs with plantain and fried cheese. The expansive property seems large but its very walkable and manageable (as well as accessible). The all-inclusive package is very good here. To tribute acts and musical entertainment. This is obviously down to the staff who were so proactive in making sure the place looked tidy. more. 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!). Youll never be bored. Will we be sorry not booking the club? The food at Spice is the real star here, so if you have done Teppanyaki before we advise you to give it a miss. The sand is powdery soft and the oceanfront is lined with palm trees, lounge chairs, and thatched umbrellas. We had an additional bottle of vodka (Absolut), tequila (Agavita) and gin (Tanquerey). Re the alcohol in the room, on our last visit, we didn't touch it. Your minifridge will be stocked with four bottles of water, club soda, tonic water, fanta, orange juice, coke, and Presidente beer (regular and light). Other activities include ping-pong, pool tables, and a life-size chess board. Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. It's worth noting that most dinner restaurants have a casual elegance dress code, which means that t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, and beach sandals are not allowed. The Dominican Republic has a really beautiful landscape and the Hoyo Azul at Scape Park is a spectacular sight. Since Aroma opens at 7:00 am, its a great spot to enjoy a morning coffee. Sorry such a technical question and really appreciate your in depth review of the place. Bike tours, Spanish lessons, beach volleyball, archery, pool games, water aerobics, poker tournaments, and bingo are scheduled regularly. There is a bar by every pool and by both Excellence Club beaches on either end of the resort, which made it quite handy wherever we were walking. 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. The only restaurant that requires a reservation is Spice, which has limited seating at its teppanyaki counters. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This Asian eatery serves up the most famous dishes from Japan, Thailand, China, and Vietnam. Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. 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. From fitness-based classes such as Yoga, tennis, and water aerobics. The building that we were in had faced the sun in the late afternoon, so the swim-up suite wasnt too much use. It felt like a newer resort. Today's best Excellence Resorts coupon is up to 62% off. We nearly missed it and it was our favourite lunch! And since its the second-largest country. Just a note on classes: if you have your heart set on doing one, get there early! The staff work so hard, and provide excellent service with a smile. My husband and I are looking into going to EEC and we are wondering if the Excellence Club is worth it. Tons of free activities like pool games, Mamajuana making, and evening shows. 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 are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. Its open from 9:00 am 4:00 pm and has all kinds of fruit smoothies and juices to try. The room service here at the Excellence El Carmen is really good. Located in the Uvero Alto area of the Dominican Republic. French, Indian, Spanish, and Mexican restaurants are also open. If you stayed for a week you wouldnt be able to visit them all, unless you visited more than one a night! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. It is brand new so it was not crowded at all. Weirdly enough we found that the food here in the Dominican was way better than the Excellence offerings in their Mexican location. 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. 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. The seafood, in particular, was spectacular. At the Excellence Club, every detail of your stay has been upgraded with seamless perks and over-the-top offerings. . Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. Its a scam. The Excellence chain of resorts is known to put out a very decent standard of food and the Excellence El Carmen is no different. Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service. If those are things that you would have done anyway and spent money on, I would consider doing the club level for those freebies plus all the other added daily perks of being club. Excellence El Carmen: Excellence Club WORTH IT - See 7,882 traveller reviews, 10,176 candid photos, and great deals for Uvero Alto, Dominican Republic, at Tripadvisor. If youre part of the Excellence club you will have the likes of Absolut Vodka, Johnny Walker Black Label, and Anejo Rum. We have celebrated our past 5 anniversaries at Excellence Group resorts (Excellence Riviera Cancun and The Finest). Club is the icing on the cake as they look after all guests extremely well, However, the EC package at EEC has the most to offer of all the other Excellence Resorts as you have multiple EC pools, bars and even a restaurants. The vanity has a double sink and there are numerous towels, hand towels, and facecloths, along with a hairdryer. . Ive talked to quite a few people during our time here about that experience. Im glad there were other couples there laughing, because some of you cant help but laugh! The perfect spot to sink a few beers and watch some sports. These bottles do come at an additional cost, but youre on holiday, treat yourself. Check-in is a breeze and you are whisked to your room where your holiday can really begin. My mom had the pork ribs with sweet potato mash and the meat was so tender. It was the best thing we ate all week! It's definitely not a party resort with guests pounding shots -- the vibe is more towards sipping martinis. We spent 8 days at Excellence El Carmen, in a Ocean View Club suite. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "Between the excellence punta Cana and the." | Check out answers, plus 8,668 reviews and 12,158 candid photos Ranked #3 of 9 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. Junior Swim-Up Suites, located on the ground floor, offer access to long pools with private nooks outfitted with a swan-neck jet. Stop by the Food Shark food truck, right at the theatre for tacos, burgers, hot dogs, fries and more! 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. If youre like me, I love knowing what dinner options are available before I go to a resort. Excellence El Carmen is very similar in terms of amenities to its sister property Excellence Punta Cana, which is just a five-minute drive away. If you do not like those, or want to swap them out for something else, you can do that too! The Excellence El Carmen adults-only all-inclusive resort opened in late 2016 and has one of Punta Canas most modern and hip vibes. At every Excellence Resort, the Excellence Club represents the ultimate in luxury, privacy and service. 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). But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Excellence Punta Cana is a luxury offering at a competitive price. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. These cookies do not store any personal information. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. There are too many food stations to even mention. Our food was delivered hot, and was set up right in our room. The bed is comfortable but if you choose to switch out your pillows, there is a pillow menu (on the Excellence app) if you want to try another one by calling the concierge. Other than that, you will surely have a beautiful stay at a great resort. Youll have a great view of the pool and ocean and a nice breeze to enjoy your dinner with. In my opinion, Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen. Today we are sharing a best food and worst food review of Excellence Club El Carmen, Punta Cana Dominican Republic. The atmosphere is always buzzing. Over the 7 days that we visited the Excellence, there were two weddings that we saw going on. If you want to be in a secluded spot and close to the beach then building 9 is your best bet. - See 9,457 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. 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. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. The location of the resort is also pretty secluded, so its not the best if you want to get out and about to explore local towns and things to do. There is no dedicated Excellence Club pool at Excellence El Carmen, but there are plenty of suites with their own private pools, swim ups, or plunge pools to pick from! 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. 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. 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. They do have nets as of the beginning of this month! This was pretty much the only time that we had any issues with the service throughout our stay. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. The Martini bar is a great place to grab a cocktail and watch the world go by. So, in our opinion, they are always worth that extra cost. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The entire week we didnt have anyone above us either, which was awesome! Dont forget Aroma! There are bars dotted all throughout the resort. Even an extra dollar or two goes a long way in improving their quality of life. 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. After dinner, there was always something going on. Related: What to Pack in a DIY Travel Medical Kit. The actual check-in process took less than 3 minutes. Drink service is on offer at the pools and beach. During our first night, we visited Agave, which is always my go-to! Regardless! We love to tip, and I feel like everyone should tip, even a little bit! There is a daily room keeping as well as turndown service which is always nice to come back to: slippers by the bed, sheets drawn back, beside lights on, bottles of water on the nightstands, and flower petals or towels done up in some cute display. 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. 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. We visited these during our other Excellence trips and loved them. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Excellence El Carmen: Excellent! 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). The Hoyo Azul is also known as the blue hole and is their most famous one. This is what I normally tip but remember, this is completely discretionary! 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. You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. We stayed at the Excellence El Carmen in mid-2019 and our review is based on that experience. Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. We hit up this spot every single day. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. It is so relaxing. 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. Insider tip: Dont miss the hidden gem by building 10! Your bags will be taken by the staff and be delivered to your room. 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!). 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. To some it definitely seems like the EC is worth it, but by the sounds of it to me and the wife, I think we'll be just fine with our first room choice even though the EC is not an option. You will never have an issue getting a spot at the beach. If you like sushi, maki, and noodle dishes, head to Spice! 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.