Rounds here range from $100 $150 depending on the time of day you play and the season. We even had a decent signal on the beach. 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. 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!). 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. There is also room service! You can also pop into the Sports Bar for some infamous cheese sticks and a place to grab a tasty bite during the day or late in the evening. We did take a Spanish class which was a lot of fun, and we also painted one afternoon and you get to take your painting home! Our top recommendations for dishes here are the patatas bravos and the Spanish meatballs. Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. We are going to EEC to celebrate our anniversary in mid September. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. There were tons of loungers and palapas available, with great poolside service. Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. It was one of my favourite spots to go to and they open at 8:00 am. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. Feel free to custom make your own! When we ate there we went for the classics with a Burrito and a quesadilla and they were very tasty. I love the beach, but Im not much of a beach swimmer since I was young. We went there for dinner and were a little disappointed with the food. ), burgers, fish and chips, quesadillas, fries and more! If youre celebrating your anniversary or honeymoon, be sure to take advantage of that at Excellence El Carmen! 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. Horseback riding, biking, tennis, and quality excursions (some fees) Free Wi-Fi throughout. Excellence El Carmen, which reopened successfully on November 28, has that vibe, too, but this property is more like a night in the city. All rooms also provide safes, umbrellas, irons, and ironing boards. The perfect spot to sink a few beers and watch some sports. 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. 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. We did two excursions when we visited. Excellence calls it casual elegance.. Youll never be bored. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. An Italian offering that serves up all of the staple dishes you would expect from your local Italian. Thats what I love about the food here. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Youll have a great view of the pool and ocean and a nice breeze to enjoy your dinner with. You could jump from activity to activity all day long and you still wouldnt be able to participate in all of them. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. There are tons of delicious vegetarian dishes (along with non-veg options) you can order you wont miss the meat! Junior Suites can sleep up to three people, but the rest of the room types are for a maximum of two guests. The options are endless. 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. Getting married here seems to be a very popular choice. However, the dress code is one of the reasons why we love Excellence. The Revive Bar is a delicious choice for those who love liquid breakfasts. 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. Make your vacation a little more special with this upgrade and receive upgraded amenities and more! 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. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. We love to tip, and I feel like everyone should tip, even a little bit! Weirdly enough we found that the food here in the Dominican was way better than the Excellence offerings in their Mexican location. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thank you for supporting my blog! Theyre very quiet and also have their own bars. After dinner, there was always something going on. Resort kids clubs - do they enforce/check ages? When booking if you want to be close to the action we would advise requesting a room in buildings 4 and 6. The sauce was rich yet balanced and the beef literally melted in the mouth. 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. We ended up trying the cheese sticks, croque monsieur, and Asian chicken salad to share and it was all tasty. The steamer in the walk-in closet works great, but its advisable to use bottled water for it. The best part? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We have been to ERC twice, once non club, then went club for our honeymoon. These bottles do come at an additional cost, but youre on holiday, treat yourself. This one of the Excellence chains has three offerings in the Dominican Republic. We (once again!) 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. If youre not already a member of Welcome to Excellence El Carmen on Facebook I highly recommend you join there are a ton of Q&As in there! The nightclub stays open late and has a DJ who takes request. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. If you stayed for a week you wouldnt be able to visit them all, unless you visited more than one a night! . 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. You will also have some snacks: crackers, oreos, and peanuts. We had some insightful conversations with some of the employees there and they really love their jobs and are grateful for them. Our food was delivered hot, and was set up right in our room. The evening cleaning was more of a turndown service. 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!!! There are blinds to draw down for privacy if you wish. If you want to be in a secluded spot and close to the beach then building 9 is your best bet. You will be treated the same, eat the same, and have largely the same drinks. A. 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. You can check it out on the resort map! Its totally free, so why not take advantage of it? I never not tip at a meal, and I will leave tip money throughout the week for housekeeping, turndown service, and the minibar. Just dont go with a wet bathing suit! The beach is public which means vendors can have full access to guests, wherever theyre sitting on the beach, to ask them to buy what theyre selling. : Excellence El Carmen - See 9,462 traveller reviews, 11,732 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Smooth as can be. This resort was beautiful!!!! 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! 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. Ive talked to quite a few people during our time here about that experience. Excellence Club upgrade provides a private pool, beach, lounge, and restaurant. This is the only restaurant at Excellence El Carmen where you need a reservation. I like a mix of $1s, $5s and $10s when we travel to all-inclusive resorts. We are considering booking this resort for our anniversary in October. THE ROOMS. For all your caffeine needs, Aroma is a coffee shop where you can pick up your morning pick me up. 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. You always have the option for room service if you want to just veg out at night, too! Dreams resorts All your questions answered! The spa is always one place I love to check out at Excellence Resorts. As these pools are not heated, they were very cold during the day. 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. This obviously doesnt matter, but its just an observation. We also found that most people chill out on the beach, so the pools were never too busy. We also liked the Excellence Club lounge to have a pre-dinner drink. I also visited DR this year and I can only say it is a wonderful country. They do have a dress code for the Grill but we saw many people in cover ups and flip flops. This was super convenient, as we could plan out our day for when our room was being cleaned. All are part of the hotel's all-inclusive rates, as is 24-hour room service. And since its the second-largest country. The club rooms do have a better coffee maker, little cakes delivered every night which were a nice touch, also fruit delivery every day, which we didn't eat and a daily US newspaper - not much use for us as we're British. It is so relaxing. (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. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. A. Today we are sharing a best food and worst food review of Excellence Club El Carmen, Punta Cana Dominican Republic. As Excellence Club guests, we were given a free hydrotherapy session to use during our stay, which is always a must for me to experience! You can always go to the Revive Bar for a smoothie if you dont want to spoil your dinner. 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. Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. 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!). 20 people arrived and the rest had to be turned away. 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. ), but some of my favourites were the Circus Show, Michael Jackson, Queen, and the fire show (do not miss that!). 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. The Mile spa is located just off the main reception area. The service is excellent and the food is diverse. Some rooms add semi-private swim-up pools or completely private rooftop pools. 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. Those spots, along with the Kitchen Table for the buffet, and room-service, are your breakfast options. ), and lobster tails. If you want those photos, just be prepared to haggle hard. At every Excellence Resort, the Excellence Club represents the ultimate in luxury, privacy and service. (Feb 1, 2022). 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. I called twice and went to the Excellence Club lounge (as they requested), and by the second day in the afternoon they sent someone. The views at Oregano are lovely (as its located on the other side of the Lobster House) and it makes a great setting with the ocean breeze at night. 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! You can grab a coconut at the swim up bar most days where you can have any drink you want inside of it. For anniversaries, you can receive this package up to 7 days before and 7 days after your anniversary, giving you lots of flexibility! Was it worth it for you? It was one of my favourite dinner places and had multiple dishes I wanted to try and had excellent service. Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. Since you mentioned your anniversary, look at the anniversary packages that you would get for free if you travel over your anniversary and stay for 7 nights. Guests staying at Excellence El Carmen can book excursions to nearby attractions through the concierge. The staff work so hard, and provide excellent service with a smile. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. The Excellence El Carmen is about a 45-minute drive from the airport. Eating low carb? When we eventually secured a table this place didnt disappoint. In my opinion, Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen. The gym at this resort is very well stocked. The only restaurant that requires a reservation is Spice, which has limited seating at its teppanyaki counters. Unfortunately, there are some guests who havent been to all-inclusives before that dont know that isnt the norm, and pay it. Our wait was very short and we were guided to our room, where our bags were already waiting for us. Bvlgari toiletries. A private lounge, pool, beach, and restaurant are available exclusively for Excellence Club guests, while luxe, in-suite offerings such as private check-in, daily in-suite fresh fruits and petit fours, in-suite sparkling wine and fresh flowers, and complimentary shoe shine . I would still go. Request this at your time of booking and bring proof its your honeymoon or anniversary (like a copy of your marriage certificate). You will see it the second that you arrive. You can do that here no problem. The food here was good, but nothing to write home about. 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! . 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. Excellence Club is described as the best adults-only all-inclusive resort experience in the Dominican Republic, with upscale service and elevated offerings. We often started our days with a couple glasses of mimosas and you will never be far from your next drink. 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. Relaxing mid winter break Dave-Jerseyboy (Wells, United Kingdom) on Feb 04, 2023 This was our 5th visit to DR and the Excellence was a very modern and stylish hotel to spend 9nights all inclusive. The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. Im sure if we couldnt get an EC room we would still have a great time though. When it comes to adults-only luxury, Excellence El Carmen in the Dominican Republic has it down to a science. Seaweed blooms are seasonal and also change daily. When we stayed there was a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka, Anejo Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, and a bottle of red wine. 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. We were not excellence club. An Excellence resort AND a wedding? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Just a note on classes: if you have your heart set on doing one, get there early! It is brand new so it was not crowded at all. The menu has your typical bar food favorites such as nachos, burgers, and Pizzas. Hmm. It felt like a newer resort. You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. That does mean that there arent many things to do near Excellence El Carmen, and guests will have to rely on cabs or car rentals should they want to explore outside of the resort. Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. 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). You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. 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. Free water sports include kayaks and Hobie Cat catamarans. When we stayed in early 2020 we went through the travel agent Sunwing that is based out of Canada. Were not whiskey drinkers, but we do love tequila. Excellence El Carmen review: the Property. Check out their website to see what is actually included. Now the bathroom is one of which many people question. 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. This bar is also a great place to go after dinner. Other activities include ping-pong, pool tables, and a life-size chess board. The Miil Spa is an attractive and quiet space offering massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and salon services. There is also a beachfront massage option if you wish to listen to the crashing waves against the shore. Every time we travel I always bring an extra couple hundred dollars in tips and its well worth it! The wait isnt long, so stick around (or maybe have a drink first or head to the Flavour Market next door for some tapas!). The club package includes a private beachfront dinner, some spa treatments, etc. If youve never tried Indian cuisine, I recommend branching out and trying some new dishes! Since my mom and I were on a girls trip (which we hardly ever get to do!) 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. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. This is a must-visit if youre a fan of Indian food. 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. 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. They will want to take a photo of you with them (or you phone, too! Once inside, it's all about sharp neutral decor, tranquil vibes, and breezy ocean views. This category reimagines Dominican Republic resorts in an adults only oasis that delights the senses. I also realize there is a lot of confusion with tipping at all-inclusive resorts, since technically, your package includes gratuities. And while there are many resorts that fit this bill, opting for a luxury property means youll also likely get a stunning, serene beachfront, chic pool with a swim-up bar, impressive, The best part of booking an all-inclusive vacation is that everything food, drinks, activities, and accommodations is supposed to be included in the rate. Each restaurant has numerous options for lighter fare. Your bags will be taken by the staff and be delivered to your room. The 23 freshwater pools are scattered throughout the resort and include a main pool with ocean views and two accessible ramps. As you walk through the doors there is an impressive view down to the main bar area and you really get the feeling of luxury and grandeur. If you love Indian food, Basmati is a fun option to try. Our rooms were cleaned twice a day and the housekeeping staff was great at staying consistent in regards to the timings they would clean our room. The hydrotherapy circuit takes about an hour to complete and is well worth doing. My mom and I had big ambitions to participate in some of the physical activities, like aerial yoga on the beach (how fun right?!) So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! If you ask very nicely and youre feeling lucky you can also get food delivered from the restaurants. Not sure if it was Excellence El Carmen in particular or if this is true at all Excellence properties, but I felt it to be less crowded (even though the hotel was near full occupancy) and quieter than the 2 Secrets resorts I went to. . As well as a nice selection of ice creams for your midday treat. The sand is powdery soft and the oceanfront is lined with palm trees, lounge chairs, and thatched umbrellas. I understand its how they make money, but they can be quite pushy, so be prepared. 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. That, of course, is no fault of the hotel. Is Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen worth it? 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. 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). Its listed on their website that they have 23 pools and 9 outdoor hot tubs on offer and while this is the case. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. Excellence Club WORTH IT: Excellence El Carmen - See 7,750 traveller reviews, 10,047 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Feel free to read mydisclosure policy. A nice L-shaped couch that made the perfect midday lounging area. We actually skipped lunch this day just so we could fill up. When it comes to the food at Excellence El Carmen, there is something for everyone. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: See 9,457 traveller reviews, 12,158 photos, and cheap rates for Excellence El Carmen, ranked #3 of 7 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. My husband and I are looking into going to EEC and we are wondering if the Excellence Club is worth it. From fitness-based classes such as Yoga, tennis, and water aerobics. I gave up asking in the end! hirako83 7 mo. Excellence Club upgrades come with private lounge and restaurant access, an exclusive area on the beach, and daily in-room treats. The Excellence chain of resorts is known to put out a very decent standard of food and the Excellence El Carmen is no different. You will never have an issue getting a spot at the beach. Thanks in advance. I ordered a rib-eye steak and to be honest there was way too much fat compared to the ribeyes I usually eat. Your minifridge will be stocked with four bottles of water, club soda, tonic water, fanta, orange juice, coke, and Presidente beer (regular and light). Will we be sorry not booking the club? Free daily classes like yoga and stretching are available, and personal training sessions are included in nightly rates as well. The park has a number of sinkholes and caves that can be explored. If you want to swim, I would recommend bringing water shoes to protect your feet! A. If you have stayed in an Excellence resort before you know that the amenities on offer are always top class. 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. If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. At the Excellence Club, every detail of your stay has been upgraded with seamless perks and over-the-top offerings. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! 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. They serve food here too, but we never ate there. For Excellence Club guests, dont miss Magna! It doesnt have to be much, and the tips are also very appreciated. We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. This is also the place you can get fresh coconuts. The Lobster House is what I imagine to be the best spot for a breakfast choice. There are many options: We never had an issue with the water, from bottled, ice, restaurant water, or brushing our teeth. 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! If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. The food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. If beaches are a priority for you then Excellence El Carmen is the resort for you. Everyone greeted us with an Hola and a smile and you felt welcomed. We went to Sanoa Island and Hoyo Azul.