is excellence club worth it el carmen is excellence club worth it el carmen

I understand its how they make money, but they can be quite pushy, so be prepared. This Asian eatery serves up the most famous dishes from Japan, Thailand, China, and Vietnam. The menu has your typical bar food favorites such as nachos, burgers, and Pizzas. Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. This post contains affiliate linkswhich means I earn compensation when you click on the links at absolutely no extra cost to you! The Excellence El Carmen is about a 45-minute drive from the airport. There is a drinks service on the beach which makes spending a day sunning yourself so much more enjoyable. 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. When we eventually secured a table this place didnt disappoint. A terrace lay just outside the sliding doors with your own entrance to a pool that runs alongside the back of the building. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Although there is no golf course in the resort there are a few options within driving distance of the resort. You can bring this right back to your palapa by the pool or beach to enjoy or eat on the terrace. By far, our favourite dinner was at the Grill. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. They do not serve their drinks with straws, so bring your own if you wish! The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. I LOVE Excellence properties, and Excellence El Carmen is nothing short of an amazing resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. They typically start serving these from around 11 am onwards and are so refreshing. Note: Bring your swimsuit with you for hydrotherapy! If you want to be in a secluded spot and close to the beach then building 9 is your best bet. What is the entertainment/music like during the day at the pool?! There is a beautiful swan-neck fountain in the corner of the pool which adds to the ambience. Just dont go with a wet bathing suit! Excellence is known for their corporate responsibility and they look after their staff, and it shows through the service you receive. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The resort does a wonderful job of keeping the EC things hidden. Were not whiskey drinkers, but we do love tequila. Average. Im not kidding people were shocked when they saw the photos. The Excellence chain of resorts is known to put out a very decent standard of food and the Excellence El Carmen is no different. Note that none of the bars are open 24/7. Re: Club vs non-Club at Excellence El Carmen, Get answers to your questions about Punta Cana, Check-list - Canadian travel to the DR-PC - UPDATED, Explanation Of The Bahia Resorts in Punta Cana -Revised, Luxury & Grand Bahia Principe Room & A La Carte Email Requests Updated, Resort (Brands) COVID Policies -Quarantine, Testing, Etc - As of March 1, 2022, How do I fill out the new DR E-Forms for Immigration and Customs? You can ask for more of certain drinks or snacks if you wish (plus a nice tip wouldnt hurt with that request!). Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. Pricier Excellence Club upgrades add pillow menus, Bulgari toiletries, loaner beach bags, and minibars with top-shelf liquor. The beach at Excellence El Carmen is long its a beautiful, soft, and golden stretch of beach when there is no seaweed. Avoiding grains? Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. and loved it. I understand and appreciate that tipping is subjective. 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 got to give a shout-out to Adriano who served us every day at the beach. There are 23 pools and 9 jacuzzis at Excellence El Carmen seriously! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. We ended up trying the cheese sticks, croque monsieur, and Asian chicken salad to share and it was all tasty. On both occasions, the food came within 20 minutes and arrived hot, which is always the worry with room service. It was one of my favourite dinner places and had multiple dishes I wanted to try and had excellent service. Insight/Feedback on Monkeyland and Other Animal Attractions? This resort was beautiful!!!! Flavour Market is a great spot for tapas, sharing, and light bites. You can also get this type of room without Excellence Club. Excellence Club is described as the best adults-only all-inclusive resort experience in the Dominican Republic, with upscale service and elevated offerings. Other activities include ping-pong, pool tables, and a life-size chess board. 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. Im the type of person that pretty much tips every time. These bottles do come at an additional cost, but youre on holiday, treat yourself. 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! 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. As a previous Excellence Resorts guest, I couldn't imagine how the service could get any better! So, in our opinion, they are always worth that extra cost. 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. 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. Excellence El Carmen Punta Cana is located along a gorgeous sandy beach in Uvero Alto, a quiet beach area that's a far cry from the more touristy beach zones. 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. You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. 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. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. I am big on details from big to small so this review will cover a lot. A Lot of these are connected to the swim-up suites. Note: we had someone come by our room every morning around 8:00-8:30 am to clean the pool from the outside. You have three bottles of alcohol in your room as a standard: Stolichnaya Vodka, rum, and whiskey. Resort kids clubs - do they enforce/check ages? The two beachfront beauties are almost neighbors you can get from one gated entrance to the next in a five-minute drive. Ecological park with flamingos and macaws on-site. Smooth as can be. When my lovely friends invited me to their destination wedding at Excellence El Carmen, how could I say no? 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. It didnt bother me, but if youre expecting a pristine, white sandy beach, you wont find it here. Required fields are marked *. The seafood, in particular, was spectacular. Dont have time to read this review of Excellence El Carmen right now? If you ask very nicely and youre feeling lucky you can also get food delivered from the restaurants. As they fill up quickly. I am SO happy we decided to book this room, and quite honestly I dont think I can book any other room type now. The only room type that has a private garden with a pool bigger than a plunge pool is the Imperial Suite. Excellence El Carmen: Excellence Club WORTH IT - See 7,654 traveler reviews, 9,969 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Ive been looking forward to staying here, and now that Ive fully absorbed all that this stunning resort has to offer after a relaxing getaway, Im excited to share this review with you! The best part? 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. And, if youre even more like me, food is very important to you! Our top recommendations for dishes here are the patatas bravos and the Spanish meatballs. It really is a top option for an all-inclusive. If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110442921', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Excellence El Carmen? The gym at this resort is very well stocked. It boasts white- and golden-sand beaches, swaying palm trees protected by the government, turquoise waters, and pleasant year-round temperatures. THE ROOMS. Rounds here range from $100 $150 depending on the time of day you play and the season. Find it on the Apple Store or Google Play! It is the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in a really cool location. Excellence calls it casual elegance.. We are considering booking this resort for our anniversary in October. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Spice also has a fun option for groups and for a live cooking show: the Hibachi! Excellence Playa Mujeres: Mexicos Best Adults-Only Resort! 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 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. The live music is so relaxing in the evening, and is a great way to pass the before and after dinner before the shows. Your minifridge will be stocked with four bottles of water, club soda, tonic water, fanta, orange juice, coke, and Presidente beer (regular and light). Excellence El Carmen review: the Property. It was the best thing we ate all week! 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!). If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It was awkward drinking Coco Locos without them! If you stay in an Excellence Club room those bottles are upgraded. 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. The staff work so hard, and provide excellent service with a smile. What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable! Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct. Just something that you might not have considered that might help you decide. Excellence El Carmen is very competitively priced for the standard of the resort, food, and service that you get. 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. Getting to beautiful Saona Island takes an hour and 15 minutes and requires a drive followed by a boat ride. The lounge is comfortable with the L-shaped couch, perfect for morning room-service breakfast, or cocktails before heading out for the evening. It showed which restaurants were open the following day, which activities were scheduled throughout the day, and what the evening entertainment was. 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 . . The whirlpools are ideal for enjoying the views and a soak in rainy weather. 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. Excellence resorts are just that: Excellent! Just a note on classes: if you have your heart set on doing one, get there early! They will want to take a photo of you with them (or you phone, too! It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. We did not try Oregano, Spice, Flavour Market, or Basmati during this trip because we ran out of time. Its open at 7:00 am and you have the choice to eat inside or out. - See 9 464 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. . 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. I ordered a rib-eye steak and to be honest there was way too much fat compared to the ribeyes I usually eat. Room service is another great option for lunch, just keep in mind it takes about 45 minutes to arrive. We were not excellence club. I like a mix of $1s, $5s and $10s when we travel to all-inclusive resorts. Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. ), Cuban sandwich (also really good! ), and lobster tails. A. Are you kidding me!? ), classes by the beach, live music at lunch, live music behind the theatre in the evening, live music at the Martini Bar, plus the evening shows and more! The butter chicken was really good. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. It almost feels like you have been whisked to the streets of Barcelona with the standard of food here. We accosted the minibar guy one day to give us kitkats, so just so you know, there is also chocolate! If beaches are a priority for you then Excellence El Carmen is the resort for you. We highly recommend doing this as the pools they have for this are really nice. Other than that, you will surely have a beautiful stay at a great resort. When we stayed there was a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka, Anejo Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, and a bottle of red wine. Overall the food here was a pretty good standard for an all-inclusive. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. They have it all from the top-shelf liquor options to local beers and spirits. 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. Paper straws are biodegradable and inexpensive. When we stayed in early 2020 we went through the travel agent Sunwing that is based out of Canada. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. The Cocotal Golf and Country Club. I know they have tennis and their activities list pickle ballbut do they actually use pickle ball nets? . 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. It's like VIP at the airport. Excellence El Carmen is very competitively priced. 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. Youll also get a 15% discount on photo and spa packages! This resort is a wonderful place for adults to relax and de-stress, and the Excellence Club in my opinion is absolutely worth it. You can grab a coconut at the swim up bar most days where you can have any drink you want inside of it. And since its the second-largest country. There is also a Teppanyaki experience that is in Spice. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Nightly entertainment like live music, Michael Jackson impersonators, dance performances, and the weekly Dominican beach party (held indoors during inclement weather) get mostly positive reviews. If youve never tried Indian cuisine, I recommend branching out and trying some new dishes! Junior Suites can sleep up to three people, but the rest of the room types are for a maximum of two guests. Best Adult Only All Inclusive in Punta Cana? 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. Even an extra dollar or two goes a long way in improving their quality of life. The beach at the El Carmen resort is truly stunning. The entire week we didnt have anyone above us either, which was awesome! ), or you can be served over by your palapa. Like other Excellence properties, guests can splurge on upgraded Excellence Club packages. There are bars dotted all throughout the resort. The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. 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). We also only book an Excellence Club Honeymoon Beachfront Swim-Out Suite. 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 also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. ago Excellence Club is a nice-to-have but no must-have. 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. Access to a private beach area. We have been to EPC 8 times, and we always do the EC, mainly because we prefer the upgraded, less crowded beach area. The rest of the pools are either for guests staying in Swim-Up units or exclusive for Excellence Club guests. The poolside service was always quick, the entertainment staff were a blast, the waiters were so courteous and attentivethe list goes on. Anytime we had finished a drink or a meal the staff were on hand to refill or clean away our empty glasses or plates. Re the alcohol in the room, on our last visit, we didn't touch it. The Blue Hole, a cenote with gorgeous turquoise water, is also around a 30-minute drive from the property. It was packed when we arrived and we actually walked away the first time because we thought we wouldnt get in. Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. If you want a lighter bite, head over to the La Placita food truck at the X-Lounge terrace! My favourite spots included Aroma, the Revive Bar, Magna (for Excellence Club), and the Lobster House. I would recommend the hydrotherapy, plus you may even be given an additional spa discount for another service after. The all-inclusive package is very good here. Make your vacation a little more special with this upgrade and receive upgraded amenities and more! Im sure if we couldnt get an EC room we would still have a great time though. Free daily classes like yoga and stretching are available, and personal training sessions are included in nightly rates as well. There is a newly-placed birm out in the ocean to prevent the seaweed from coming ashore, but there was still a ton of it on the beach. 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! You will be greeted at the main door with a glass of prosecco and a smile. 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. Related: What to Pack in a DIY Travel Medical Kit. Our food was delivered hot, and was set up right in our room. The room is spacious and modern with a HUGE hidden walk-in closet with plenty of hangers, shelving, robes, a steamer, and a safe. We only experienced the massage included in the hydrotherapy this time, so I cant speak to the couples massage or any other treatments, but I have heard amazing things about the services offered and if the full body massage is anything like the 10 minute one we got, I would be in heaven! Our wait was very short and we were guided to our room, where our bags were already waiting for us. To be honest I can't say I thought it was really worth the extra. We love the Club benefits but have gone without it and had a great time. 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. I tried the braised beef wrap and it was delicious. 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. 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. There is also Las Olas a beautiful setting on the beach to grab a drink and enjoy the ocean breeze and views. We found this place the most difficult to get a booking for at peak times. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! 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. There are entirely separate menus for that. The service here gets a 5-star rating from us, it was literally impeccable. The vanity has a double sink and there are numerous towels, hand towels, and facecloths, along with a hairdryer. Yes, even though you didnt consent to it. Valet parking is free at the resort and theres free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Bike tours, Spanish lessons, beach volleyball, archery, pool games, water aerobics, poker tournaments, and bingo are scheduled regularly. An Italian offering that serves up all of the staple dishes you would expect from your local Italian. So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. There are tons of bars throughout the resort. 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Aroma is open until 10:00 and also offers sandwiches, fruit cups, pastries, macarons, cookies, and gelato. Excellence El Carmen: Truly Excellent! 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. 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. 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). We are going to EEC to celebrate our anniversary in mid September. There are so many restaurants at Excellence El Carmen. 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. A French offering that is set in a beautifully designed spot. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. Excellence Club WORTH IT: Excellence El Carmen - See 7,750 traveller reviews, 10,047 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. 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. Lobster doesn't cost extra either. We also liked the Excellence Club lounge to have a pre-dinner drink. Who has had experience with the Excellence Club at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? . 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. 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. . The people (and pets) are so fun. They also have a range of pastries and sandwiches on offer. Its architecture is in the Contemporary Caribbean style, and twenty pools wind through our . For starters, its absolutely stunning. From the Gym, tennis courts, beach volleyball, and water sports they have it all on offer. If you don't have it that's not going to ruin your vacation, but if you can swing it it will enhance the experience. There are blinds to draw down for privacy if you wish. 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! From the housekeeping, service at the bars to the concierge. or just the tennis net. 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!). This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. We really got the feeling of 5-Star luxury once we walked in. Just as an FYI if youre walking around indecently with the blinds open. The buffet, Kitchen Table, has options for everyone Id be shocked to learn if someone couldnt find something they liked. We also found that most people chill out on the beach, so the pools were never too busy.