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. We went to Sanoa Island and Hoyo Azul. It is brand new so it was not crowded at all. This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! The Dominican Republic has a really beautiful landscape and the Hoyo Azul at Scape Park is a spectacular sight. We found the signal to be very good throughout the resort. To cooking lessons where the chefs will teach you how to make local Dominican food and sushi. 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 . If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. There is also a plug inside your safe should you choose to charge your devices while theyre kept away (which I thought was neat!). Excellence Club upgrades come with private lounge and restaurant access, an exclusive area on the beach, and daily in-room treats. Room service is another great option for lunch, just keep in mind it takes about 45 minutes to arrive. Its expansive with loads of loungers and areas to relax. ordered the flank steak and charcoal grilled chicken. 20 people arrived and the rest had to be turned away. The only room type that has a private garden with a pool bigger than a plunge pool is the Imperial Suite. 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. Another Mexican offering this spot serves up some really top-quality eats. You can either wade over to it and grab a seat there (we did this, but wear sunscreen because chances are youll start talking to someone and be there for a while! 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. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. If youre in a private pool or swim-up suite. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. We have zero complaints and hence the shortest section on this review! Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. 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. That, of course, is no fault of the hotel. Junior Swim-Up Suites, located on the ground floor, offer access to long pools with private nooks outfitted with a swan-neck jet. Thats part of the reason why we love all-inclusive resorts so much! Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. The people (and pets) are so fun. Check out their website to see what is actually included. Nothing beats having a warm ocean breeze while dining and there are loads of choices to satisfy everyones taste buds, from pizza and pasta to healthier options like salads. We stayed at the Excellence El Carmen in mid-2019 and our review is based on that experience. 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. The park also boasts a range of other activities including ziplines, animal parks, and the impressive surrounding forest. It was one of my favourite spots to go to and they open at 8:00 am. We ate in our bathrobes and drank mimosas and it was glorious. - Read 9,463 reviews, view 11,732 photos, and find great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor If you love seafood, be sure to hit up the Lobster House! This is $699 USD, or complimentary with 6 nights or more in any Excellence Club room category! Paper straws are biodegradable and inexpensive. Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. 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. Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. 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. We went in ours so we just had to take our coverups off. . The deal I can get right now makes the Junior Suite Pool View really affordable but the Club is just out of our reach. There is no need to be rude to the vendors, but learn to say no, and then to avoid eye contact if they keep not taking no for an answer. I am SO happy we decided to book this room, and quite honestly I dont think I can book any other room type now. 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. We are considering booking this resort for our anniversary in October. The rooms are choicely designed with a great aesthetic. We ordered room service twice, once for dinner in the evening and once for breakfast. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Yes, a shuttle service from the airport can be requested. Excellence Club provides additional benefits, but is it really worth it? If beaches are a priority for you then Excellence El Carmen is the resort for you. Nespresso coffeemakers and free minibars stocked daily with beer, water, soda, and snacks (plus full bottles of whisky, rum, and vodka) are also available in all rooms free of charge. 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. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. 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. Is Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen worth it? In the past 30 days, there are 52 WorthEPenny members who reportedly saved an average of $16.22 on their purchase with Excellence Resorts coupon codes. Its a little cubby that can be accessed by room service staff from the outside to retrieve your dishes. ), Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen, 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are. 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! The menu has your typical bar food favorites such as nachos, burgers, and Pizzas. The expansive property seems large but its very walkable and manageable (as well as accessible). 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). Bar-wise, Excellence El Carmens 16 options include swim-up pool bars, a sports bar, a martini lounge, a beach bar, and a made-to-order juice bar with fresh fruits and veggies. Im glad there were other couples there laughing, because some of you cant help but laugh! Dont have time to read this review of Excellence El Carmen right now? 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. Other than that, you will surely have a beautiful stay at a great resort. 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). 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. Theyre easy to pack and inexpensive and so worth having! Secrets resorts All your questions answered! My husband and I did Excellence Playa Mujeres last year. Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. We highly recommend the scallops and the Tuna steak. Bvlgari toiletries. Yes literally everything here is included! 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!). I worry about hidden fees- is EVERYTHING Included in all inclusive? We spent our mornings by the pool, where you have access to their swim up bar, Blue. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Their feature menu changes daily and its a great place to visit if you want a quick, self-service bite to eat. This is always a favourite for me but I had to sacrifice my desire for sushi to try some other restaurants! You can grab a coconut at the swim up bar most days where you can have any drink you want inside of it. Although a lot of travel websites and places that you book will say that tips are included in your all-inclusive price, we highly recommend that you bring cash with you to tip the staff in person. However, big waves and strong undertow make it unsuitable for swimming. That is important to us, as we are "beach people" who spend the day from 8am until 6 pm on the beach. If you find there are any other questions you have that I dont cover, feel free to get in touch with me! 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. . When booking if you want to be close to the action we would advise requesting a room in buildings 4 and 6. . The resort does a wonderful job of keeping the EC things hidden. Its open at 7:00 am and you have the choice to eat inside or out. The nightclub stays open late and has a DJ who takes request. El Carmen has one huge advantage in regards to our dining experience: The coffee shop. Every staff member that we dealt with was great. If youre in Excellence Club, try Magna for breakfast at least once! You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. As for swimming pools, Excellence Punta Canas main pool is bigger, but Excellence El Carmen has more rooms with swim-up access or private pools. Maybe Im just getting older, but I dont like the rough feeling of wet, sandy feet against flip flops or sand in my bits after a day on the beach. 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. The bartender Emilio was great fun and served up the best Margaritas at the resort. The staff really do put their best foot forward in making it an entertaining getaway for the guests. Required fields are marked *. Do not miss the huge savings! It seats up to 8 and there is a set menu. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. ), and then charge you a ridiculous amount for it. Once the info sheet is delivered try and book the treatment for the next day to grab a bargain. 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. 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. Like other Excellence properties, guests can splurge on upgraded Excellence Club packages. There are 23 pools and 9 jacuzzis at Excellence El Carmen seriously! You will be treated the same, eat the same, and have largely the same drinks. You will also have some snacks: crackers, oreos, and peanuts. Glass-walled stand-up showers feature massive rainfall showerheads and all bathrooms include generous toiletries. In reality, there are really three main pool areas. You can bring this right back to your palapa by the pool or beach to enjoy or eat on the terrace. A few of our friends went on a bike tour (free!) An Italian offering that serves up all of the staple dishes you would expect from your local Italian. Eating low carb? We often started our days with a couple glasses of mimosas and you will never be far from your next drink. Like all of these offerings, it can be hit and miss and there definitely was some inconsistency in terms of the dishes we were served. 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. A Lot of these are connected to the swim-up suites. There are plenty of plugs throughout the room, including two USB ports for charging on either side of your bed. 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! We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. Tons of free activities like pool games, Mamajuana making, and evening shows. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Others have said all I have is $5 and they take it. . I love the beach, but Im not much of a beach swimmer since I was young. The main eatery of the resort, this buffet is really impressive. 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. 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. Access to the business center is available for a fee, and there is also 4,800 square feet of event space. A. 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. If youre part of the Excellence club you will have the likes of Absolut Vodka, Johnny Walker Black Label, and Anejo Rum. We (once again!) They typically start serving these from around 11 am onwards and are so refreshing. Note that none of the bars are open 24/7. You definitely get better value for money in the Dominican Republic compared to the likes of Mexico. We loved the Caribbean Eggs with plantain and fried cheese. 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. We hit up this spot every single day. Its architecture is in the Contemporary Caribbean style, and twenty pools wind through our . Keep in mind that you are in the Dominican Republic but the food here is far better than other resorts Ive been to while travelling here. . Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. The sand is powdery soft and the oceanfront is lined with palm trees, lounge chairs, and thatched umbrellas. The park has a number of sinkholes and caves that can be explored. There is music by the pool bar, too! . We have been to ERC twice, once non club, then went club for our honeymoon. Even so, there's nightly entertainment ranging from live music and circus shows to Michael Jackson impersonators. The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. We accosted the minibar guy one day to give us kitkats, so just so you know, there is also chocolate! Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. Sorry such a technical question and really appreciate your in depth review of the place. What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable! 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. You also get access to a private lounge, which we only used to check in/out or to book our free dinner on the beach. Our first room was filthy. So, in our opinion, they are always worth that extra cost. 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! Excellence El Carmen is very competitively priced for the standard of the resort, food, and service that you get. Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. Your minifridge will be stocked with four bottles of water, club soda, tonic water, fanta, orange juice, coke, and Presidente beer (regular and light). There are too many food stations to even mention. Basmati is one restaurant Im sad to have missed on this trip! You could jump from activity to activity all day long and you still wouldnt be able to participate in all of them. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. The best part? 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 bar is also a great place to go after dinner. Feel free to read mydisclosure policy. Were not whiskey drinkers, but we do love tequila. These cookies do not store any personal information. The shows start later 9:30 pm (most nights at home Im in bed by then!!! Of course there is the Excellence Club lounge bar; an intimate and quiet setting to relax at. What is the entertainment/music like during the day at the pool?! 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. There are only a few tables though, so you have to book the morning you want to eat to get a reservation. You can ask for more of certain drinks or snacks if you wish (plus a nice tip wouldnt hurt with that request!). THE ROOMS. 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. Once inside, it's all about sharp neutral decor, tranquil vibes, and breezy ocean views. 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!). For those who wish to explore down the beach, Tropical Treasures also has great beach side massages and souvenirs. - See 9,457 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. All restaurants, with the exception of Oregano and the Lobster House were located off the main lobby, making everything centrally located in one spot. There is a huge pastry/bread section, a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, gorgeous fruit and colourful juices, an omelette station, and some traditional Dominican foods, too! Everyone greeted us with an Hola and a smile and you felt welcomed. The evening cleaning was more of a turndown service. If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. Even an extra dollar or two goes a long way in improving their quality of life. A steakhouse in an all-inclusive is not normally a good pairing and sadly the Grill at the Excellence El Carmen was no different. Or jump to your topic. 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. or just the tennis net. So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! Access to a private beach area. 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. Excellence El Carmen: Excellence Club WORTH IT - See 8,945 traveller reviews, 11,222 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor.