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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. However, there are some subtle differences worth considering before booking. - See 9,459 traveler reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. 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. 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. Q. (Feb 1, 2022). Although theres no money involved it was a great way to mingle with the other guests. Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. You will never have an issue getting a spot at the beach. All rooms also provide safes, umbrellas, irons, and ironing boards. : Excellence El Carmen - See 9,462 traveller reviews, 11,732 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. . A steakhouse in an all-inclusive is not normally a good pairing and sadly the Grill at the Excellence El Carmen was no different. Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. Excellence resorts are just that: Excellent! We have been to ERC twice, once non club, then went club for our honeymoon. When booking if you want to be close to the action we would advise requesting a room in buildings 4 and 6. 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. He just appeared. 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). 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. 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. The butter chicken was really good. 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! If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. A. , Just an FYI the room service coffee was a bit strong and potent. There is also one daybed in the shade and another one closer to the steps of the private pool, tucked away in its little alcove. The beach does accumulate seaweed on the shoreline, but the staff works tirelessly to keep it off. This is probably the most important part about the vendors: there are some men who walk around with parrots, monkeys, and iguanas. 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. Lobster doesn't cost extra either. . The building that we were in had faced the sun in the late afternoon, so the swim-up suite wasnt too much use. Excellence calls it casual elegance.. You are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. For beachside dining, head to Las Olas. 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. All food, snacks, room service, fully stocked mini-bar drinks, and a variety of classes and amenities are included in the package. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Few vendors prowl the floury-soft sand in this part of Punta Cana. If you stay in an Excellence Club room those bottles are upgraded. Ive talked to quite a few people during our time here about that experience. 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. This man was hilarious and was really entertaining. Im sure if we couldnt get an EC room we would still have a great time though. So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Tons of free activities like pool games, Mamajuana making, and evening shows. Subscribe and get my Travel Safety Checklist! By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Club level had upgraded spirits in the room, were not big drinkers, not indoors anyway, so both times we have been, the spirits were left untouched. Dont have time to read this review of Excellence El Carmen right now? Who has had experience with the Excellence Club at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We have been three times now & always EC. You can read more about my impressions of Excellence Club at this resort on my other blog post, which I felt deserved one of its own, if youre really into details! The Excellence El Carmen adults-only all-inclusive resort opened in late 2016 and has one of Punta Canas most modern and hip vibes. We got to give a shout-out to Adriano who served us every day at the beach. We went there for dinner and were a little disappointed with the food. You can view your cuts of meat if youre unsure of what you want to order. In reality, there are really three main pool areas. Plan your next vacation using these tools! Book flights: SkyScanner Book hotels: Booking.com Book car rentals: RentalCars.comBook tours: GetYourGuide Local food experiences: EatWithFavourite travel item: Packing cubesFavourite travel bag: Osprey 40L Fairview ESims: Airalo DIY Travel Medical Kit 20 Cheap Travel Items Under $20. Woodie and I went to Excellence El Carmen, Dominican Republic in December 2021 and absolutely loved the resort! We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. During our first night, we visited Agave, which is always my go-to! Read a full Excellence Punta Cana vs Excellence El Carmen face-off, here. The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. Some rooms add semi-private swim-up pools or completely private rooftop pools. If you stayed for a week you wouldnt be able to visit them all, unless you visited more than one a night! Once the info sheet is delivered try and book the treatment for the next day to grab a bargain. Just something that you might not have considered that might help you decide. No amount of milk or sugar was going to save that, so we just waddled over to Aroma later on for a caffeine drink. Sunny yellows, lush flora greens, and ocean blues set the scene for a transfixing mix of island charm and elegance. We were not excellence club. It was pure heaven. 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. The Miil Spa is an attractive and quiet space offering massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and salon services. You alternate between hot and cold pools, steam rooms and saunas, jet-oriented water experiences and more! When we stayed there was a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka, Anejo Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, and a bottle of red wine. It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. Feel free to custom make your own! 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. Junior Suites can sleep up to three people, but the rest of the room types are for a maximum of two guests. Its a scam. We did two excursions when we visited. If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. Check-in is a breeze and you are whisked to your room where your holiday can really begin. There is also a beachfront massage option if you wish to listen to the crashing waves against the shore. This was super convenient, as we could plan out our day for when our room was being cleaned. Theyre easy to pack and inexpensive and so worth having! The actual check-in process took less than 3 minutes. 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. Thats what I love about the food here. It really is a top option for an all-inclusive. If youre an Excellence club guest you will have a complimentary Hydrotherapy session during your stay. They even put your flip flops in a warmer for your feet afterwards! Tech features are solid and include iHome docks, wall-integrated USB plugs, and big smart TVs with satellite channels. There are items on the menu at Magna that feel more premium than the other menus (but believe me, all of the food is scrummy). 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. And, if youre even more like me, food is very important to you! We had some insightful conversations with some of the employees there and they really love their jobs and are grateful for them. This is a must-visit if youre a fan of Indian food. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct. Those on our bus who had Excellence Club rooms were taken to those rooms while everyone else was taken to a normal check-in area . Dont forget Aroma! They will want to take a photo of you with them (or you phone, too! 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! We were not excellence club. We ended up trying the cheese sticks, croque monsieur, and Asian chicken salad to share and it was all tasty. Those spots, along with the Kitchen Table for the buffet, and room-service, are your breakfast options. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. This Asian eatery serves up the most famous dishes from Japan, Thailand, China, and Vietnam. . If you want a little pick-me-up, there are fruit cups, snacks, and gelato here, too! This is what I normally tip but remember, this is completely discretionary! For Excellence Club guests, you have the option to dine at Magna. 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 . NEW riu palace bavaro ----opening when?????? The live music is so relaxing in the evening, and is a great way to pass the before and after dinner before the shows. 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. There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. Aroma is open until 10:00 and also offers sandwiches, fruit cups, pastries, macarons, cookies, and gelato. They also have a range of pastries and sandwiches on offer. If you love Indian food, Basmati is a fun option to try. The resort has tennis courts and free lessons. Excellence El Carmen is a large, and fairly new (2016) all-inclusive resort with a modern and tropical vibe. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. The only room type that has a private garden with a pool bigger than a plunge pool is the Imperial Suite. The only area that we felt a little let down on was the. I recommend a one-piece for this, ladies! When we visited we brought US Dollars and tipped a dollar for each drink we ordered and then $10 dollars for waiters for any of the meals that we had. I would still go. Luxury runs through every one of Excellence Punta Cana's 461 suites and Excellence El Carmen's 492. The whirlpools are ideal for enjoying the views and a soak in rainy weather. 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. The food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. 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! Smooth as can be. Every time we travel I always bring an extra couple hundred dollars in tips and its well worth it! We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. You can get a bottle of the house wine included in your package. I never not tip at a meal, and I will leave tip money throughout the week for housekeeping, turndown service, and the minibar. Our food was delivered hot, and was set up right in our room. Its a lovely experience. I piggybacked on another guests recommendation of the Power Smoothie + strawberries and it tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! This is obviously down to the staff who were so proactive in making sure the place looked tidy. Appreciate it! It never took longer than 5-10 minutes to walk to anywhere we wanted to go. I thought the additional cost was worth it overall but would have probably had a good time without it also if I had never experienced EC level. 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! Paper straws are biodegradable and inexpensive. The only restaurant that requires a reservation is Spice, which has limited seating at its teppanyaki counters. Its always a favourite spot to gather before and after dinner to enjoy a cocktail. Its listed on their website that they have 23 pools and 9 outdoor hot tubs on offer and while this is the case. The sand is powdery soft and the oceanfront is lined with palm trees, lounge chairs, and thatched umbrellas. Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. Junior Swim-Up Suites, located on the ground floor, offer access to long pools with private nooks outfitted with a swan-neck jet. It was awkward drinking Coco Locos without them! For anniversaries, you can receive this package up to 7 days before and 7 days after your anniversary, giving you lots of flexibility! Opting to eat healthier during your stay? We also saw one of the wedding parties using the X-lounge for after the reception. 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. Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary. There is also Las Olas a beautiful setting on the beach to grab a drink and enjoy the ocean breeze and views. The atmosphere is always buzzing. 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. The beach is the real gem in this resort and we will delve into that in a bit. There are plenty of plugs throughout the room, including two USB ports for charging on either side of your bed. Our wait was very short and we were guided to our room, where our bags were already waiting for us. The wait isnt long, so stick around (or maybe have a drink first or head to the Flavour Market next door for some tapas!). Best things to do in Punta Cana.your top 3. Yes, Wi-Fi is included in your package. I love the outdoor seating and the decor here. We LOVED the look of the Martini Bar. These cookies do not store any personal information. The EC beach areas, room locations, access to Magna and location of the EC bars (even for non-alcoholic drinks) made it worthwhile to us. Rounds here range from $100 $150 depending on the time of day you play and the season. Today we are sharing a best food and worst food review of Excellence Club El Carmen, Punta Cana Dominican Republic. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. I definitely would like to stay at this resort. With 16 different bars in the resort, you are never too far away from a drink. We have been to EPC 8 times, and we always do the EC, mainly because we prefer the upgraded, less crowded beach area. Your best option is a 35-minute drive from the resort. Just dont go with a wet bathing suit! The Cocotal Golf and Country Club. 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. An Italian offering that serves up all of the staple dishes you would expect from your local Italian. We had an additional bottle of vodka (Absolut), tequila (Agavita) and gin (Tanquerey). There is a drinks service on the beach which makes spending a day sunning yourself so much more enjoyable. If beaches are a priority for you then Excellence El Carmen is the resort for you. Eating low carb? We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. We hit up this spot every single day. Does Excellence El Carmen have a club? This is $699 USD, or complimentary with 6 nights or more in any Excellence Club room category! Discover a world of rewards with The Excellence Collection Rewards benefits program. So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! The bartender Emilio was great fun and served up the best Margaritas at the resort. If youre sharing with a friend or a family member (like my mom and I did), we just called out to each other that we were indecent and to avert your eyes. Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. There are tons of delicious vegetarian dishes (along with non-veg options) you can order you wont miss the meat! This spot does Tapas really well. Save it for later! 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 loved the Caribbean Eggs with plantain and fried cheese. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Related: What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable!). 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. The deal I can get right now makes the Junior Suite Pool View really affordable but the Club is just out of our reach. Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Puerto Vallarta for Food, Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Los Cabos for Food. The service wasnt particularly good the day we went as it took over an hour for us to get our main courses. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. Its open at 7:00 am and you have the choice to eat inside or out. As well as the staple options such as an omelet station for breakfast and a burger station for lunch and dinner. ), or you can be served over by your palapa. This is the only restaurant at Excellence El Carmen where you need a reservation. From fitness-based classes such as Yoga, tennis, and water aerobics. Do not miss the Grill for lunch! 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! A. Will we be sorry not booking the club? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. 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. One comment I will make that really deterred me from being on the beach, is the vendors. 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. Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. The X lounge was our other most frequented spot. Other than that, you will surely have a beautiful stay at a great resort. The vanity has a double sink and there are numerous towels, hand towels, and facecloths, along with a hairdryer.

Curious George Games Mix And Paint, Methodist And Protestant Difference, Ochre Court Wedding Cost, Brooklyn And Bailey Eating Disorder, Which Cruise Ports Are Closed 2022, Articles I