The price including flights, airport transfers, and the all-inclusive came out to $3,000 USD for the complete stay. For Excellence Club guests, dont miss Magna! We loved the Caribbean Eggs with plantain and fried cheese. 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!). Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. We are considering booking this resort for our anniversary in October. Or jump to your topic. It felt like a newer resort. I definitely would like to stay at this resort. Excellence Club Amenities A Tailored Experience at the Best Adults Only Resorts in Punta Cana Private check-in & check-out / Late check-out & early check-in (subject to availability) Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service Bavaro Express Bus Information? Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Puerto Vallarta for Food, Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Los Cabos for Food. This obviously doesnt matter, but its just an observation. The expansive property seems large but its very walkable and manageable (as well as accessible). Yes, a shuttle service from the airport can be requested. This all sounds very negative, but I suppose what I'm trying to say is no it's not worth it, hopefully you will have a brilliant time wherever you stay. The steamer in the walk-in closet works great, but its advisable to use bottled water for it. If you want a little pick-me-up, there are fruit cups, snacks, and gelato here, too! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Free daily classes like yoga and stretching are available, and personal training sessions are included in nightly rates as well. Hmm. We only managed two meals a day most days because we were so full from breakfast, so having a smoothie to tide us over was perfect. The EC toiletries are Bvlgari & lovely but not really important to us. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. We often started our days with a couple glasses of mimosas and you will never be far from your next drink. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. We actually skipped lunch this day just so we could fill up. Its open at 8:00 am and the view of the azul-blue pools and swaying palm trees along the beach cant be beat. Seaweed blooms are seasonal and also change daily. 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. by Adrian updated July 31, 2021, 2:41 pm. These cookies do not store any personal information. Yes literally everything here is included! If youre in Excellence Club, try Magna for breakfast at least once! 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. 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! If you want to swim, I would recommend bringing water shoes to protect your feet! I first thought it was broken since I couldnt turn the dial under it, but then I realized there was a button right at the staircase into the pool which doesnt quite look like a button that turns it on for about 5 minutes at a time. You can purchase drinks at the airport to make the ride a little more fun, and perhaps a bit quicker? We have been to EPC 8 times, and we always do the EC, mainly because we prefer the upgraded, less crowded beach area. Request this at your time of booking and bring proof its your honeymoon or anniversary (like a copy of your marriage certificate). If you find there are any other questions you have that I dont cover, feel free to get in touch with me! My favourite spots included Aroma, the Revive Bar, Magna (for Excellence Club), and the Lobster House. The whirlpools are ideal for enjoying the views and a soak in rainy weather. Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. 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. As well as a nice selection of ice creams for your midday treat. We did EC when we went a month ago for the first time. Our top recommendations for dishes here are the patatas bravos and the Spanish meatballs. Required fields are marked *. Youll find all kinds of entertainment throughout the day, from water activities and games (you may even be roped into it, but dont feel like you have to attend! My husband and I did Excellence Playa Mujeres last year. 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). 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. 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. 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. Its fun to watch the cook prepare your food right in front of you! Few vendors prowl the floury-soft sand in this part of Punta Cana. Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. 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. However,, Aerial View of Excellence Punta Cana/Oyster The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean and for good reason. The evening cleaning was more of a turndown service. The biggest question when youre considering an all-inclusive resort is the quality of the food. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Hats off to Chef Masood and his team that churns out some really top-quality cuisine. 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. Anytime we had finished a drink or a meal the staff were on hand to refill or clean away our empty glasses or plates. It was pure heaven. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. I piggybacked on another guests recommendation of the Power Smoothie + strawberries and it tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Youre greeted at the front desk, then taken by elevator upstairs, where youre shown your locker room and given a pair of flip flops. 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? We brought these ones which were the perfect size, and were easy to inflate, and easy to pack up to bring home! We had an additional bottle of vodka (Absolut), tequila (Agavita) and gin (Tanquerey). Valet parking is free at the resort and theres free Wi-Fi throughout the property. I heard a few people talking about that and then we forgot when we went to steam our dresses. Access to twelve private pools and seven jacuzzis (hot water) in the pool area. The room we stayed in when we visited was a junior swim-up suite. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. I would still go. When we stayed there was a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka, Anejo Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, and a bottle of red wine. Resort recs for relaxing, great beach, hot tub? Luxury runs through every one of Excellence Punta Cana's 461 suites and Excellence El Carmen's 492. 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. If you have been to the Excellence chain of resorts you will be aware of the restaurants as they are the same across the resorts. Every staff member that we dealt with was great. For those who wish to explore down the beach, Tropical Treasures also has great beach side massages and souvenirs. Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. However, big waves and strong undertow make it unsuitable for swimming. If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. 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. I understand and appreciate that tipping is subjective. Another Mexican offering this spot serves up some really top-quality eats. We frequented this little shop to get specialty coffee drinks, browse the different pastries and macaroons that were constantly available, and grab an ice cream cone. A French offering that is set in a beautifully designed spot. We always stay in the club area to take advantage of the club anniversary package. Since Aroma opens at 7:00 am, its a great spot to enjoy a morning coffee. As you walk down the hallways, it's common to see the doors of these couples' rooms decorated with banners celebrating their occasion. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! 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. 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. They have a large menu with all of the smoothies combinations under the sun. Pricier Excellence Club upgrades add pillow menus, Bulgari toiletries, loaner beach bags, and minibars with top-shelf liquor. Secrets resorts All your questions answered! how do floodplains jeopardize the livelihoods of agricultural workers. The atmosphere is always buzzing. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Many of you have asked: there is no waiter service at these rooms but you have an entire minibar in your room and a minifridge which you can request to have stocked with what you like, or you can order room service for some sparkling wine if thats your thing, or even toddle over one of the many bars for some cocktails to bring back. 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. There are water and cold towels available in the gym and personal trainers on-site if you need motivation. With 16 different bars in the resort, you are never too far away from a drink. Re the alcohol in the room, on our last visit, we didn't touch it. The best part? Was it worth it for you? If you stay in an Excellence Club room those bottles are upgraded. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 73 reviews of Atelier Playa Mujeres "A M A Z I N G !!!!! Is Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen worth it? So, in our opinion, they are always worth that extra cost. As they fill up quickly. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. A. There are blinds to draw down for privacy if you wish. You definitely get better value for money in the Dominican Republic compared to the likes of Mexico. You can also get this type of room without Excellence Club. 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. The Dominican Republic has a really beautiful landscape and the Hoyo Azul at Scape Park is a spectacular sight. If you are willing to change it you might get a bargain. 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!!! The vibrant colors of the Caribbean are the inspiration behind the dcor at both resorts. 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. Excellence El Carmen is a quick 25 minute car ride or 40 minute bus ride from Punta Cana International Airport or 70 minutes from La Romana International Airport. Dont forget Aroma! 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! Thats what I love about the food here. There are so many restaurants at Excellence El Carmen. If you like sushi, maki, and noodle dishes, head to Spice! 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. It really is a top option for an all-inclusive. ordered the flank steak and charcoal grilled chicken. ), burgers, fish and chips, quesadillas, fries and more! Its open from 9:00 am 4:00 pm and has all kinds of fruit smoothies and juices to try. 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. but then drinks happened and we ended up just lazing by the pool. We also liked the Excellence Club lounge to have a pre-dinner drink. . 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. . Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. I LOVE Excellence properties, and Excellence El Carmen is nothing short of an amazing resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We found the signal to be very good throughout the resort. 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. For all your caffeine needs, Aroma is a coffee shop where you can pick up your morning pick me up. He just appeared. There is a beautiful swan-neck fountain in the corner of the pool which adds to the ambience. Im not kidding people were shocked when they saw the photos. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. (Feb 1, 2022). It is brand new so it was not crowded at all. Their feature menu changes daily and its a great place to visit if you want a quick, self-service bite to eat. 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. Will we be sorry not booking the club? 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. Its a scam. You can also grab these at Las Olas when they have their Coco Loco drink station going! The only area that we felt a little let down on was the. Do yourself a favor and try the Excellence resorts for your next stay! We had some insightful conversations with some of the employees there and they really love their jobs and are grateful for them. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. The staff work so hard, and provide excellent service with a smile. 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. You will also have some snacks: crackers, oreos, and peanuts. The resort has tennis courts and free lessons. Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. Oddly enough, it was never too busy when we went there and we put it down to people not loving Tapas as the food here was top-notch. Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. 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. The Revive Bar is a delicious choice for those who love liquid breakfasts. 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. There are too many food stations to even mention. 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. Insight/Feedback on Monkeyland and Other Animal Attractions? Access to the business center is available for a fee, and there is also 4,800 square feet of event space. The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. A. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. They take you off the resort to see some interesting things nearby. Excellence calls it casual elegance.. I also realize there is a lot of confusion with tipping at all-inclusive resorts, since technically, your package includes gratuities. Bvlgari toiletries. We did this one night and got food from Chez Isabella. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. This was pretty much the only time that we had any issues with the service throughout our stay. For starters, its absolutely stunning. 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. If you stayed for a week you wouldnt be able to visit them all, unless you visited more than one a night! French, Indian, Spanish, and Mexican restaurants are also open. We spent 8 days at Excellence El Carmen, in a Ocean View Club suite. Club is the icing on the cake as they look after all guests extremely well, However, the EC package at EEC has the most to offer of all the other Excellence Resorts as you have multiple EC pools, bars and even a restaurants. 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! We highly recommend the Irish coffee they serve for a great morning wakeup and hey, your own holidays, what better way to start the day than with alcohol and caffeine. There are lots of antipasto dishes at Oregano, along with risottos, custom pasta dishes, and pizzas to satisfy your carb craving. When my lovely friends invited me to their destination wedding at Excellence El Carmen, how could I say no? The Excellence Punta Cana is a luxury offering at a competitive price. If youre an Excellence club guest you will have a complimentary Hydrotherapy session during your stay. It was one of my favourite spots to go to and they open at 8:00 am. 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. They also have a range of pastries and sandwiches on offer. Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. You will see it the second that you arrive. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. However! This was super convenient, as we could plan out our day for when our room was being cleaned. Once the info sheet is delivered try and book the treatment for the next day to grab a bargain. We sat outside on the terrace and the resort was so pretty lit up at night. Horseback riding, biking, tennis, and quality excursions (some fees) Free Wi-Fi throughout. Its always a favourite spot to gather before and after dinner to enjoy a cocktail. . depends on how you view 5 star - See 9,463 traveler reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Free water sports include kayaks and Hobie Cat catamarans. Excellence Club upgrade provides a private pool, beach, lounge, and restaurant. The Excellence El Carmen is just a 40-minute drive from Punta Cana international airport. 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. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. Our favorite thing was definitely the casino night. The room is spacious and modern with a HUGE hidden walk-in closet with plenty of hangers, shelving, robes, a steamer, and a safe. Located right above one of the pools and overlooking the beach, this is the perfect spot for some pre-dinner drinks while you listen to the lapping waves. Eating low carb? This is probably the most important part about the vendors: there are some men who walk around with parrots, monkeys, and iguanas. When it comes to adults-only luxury, Excellence El Carmen in the Dominican Republic has it down to a science. 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. 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. It almost feels like you have been whisked to the streets of Barcelona with the standard of food here. This spot does Tapas really well. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. . These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. They will come up to you and place them on you without even asking. Other activities include ping-pong, pool tables, and a life-size chess board. A Lot of these are connected to the swim-up suites. Men are to wear long pants and closed-toed shoes for dinner and collared shirts, and women in dresses/capris/skirts with elegant shoes (no flip flops permitted). Excellence El Carmen is a luxury adults-only all-inclusive resort that sits along an idyllic beach in Punta Canas laid-back Uvero Alto. Excellence El Carmen: Excellent! You can break large bills at the front desk for ones if youre running low. 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. . We arrived 30 minutes early for our painting session for which they had 8 easels. One comment I will make that really deterred me from being on the beach, is the vendors. Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. Do not miss the huge savings! . This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. ), and then charge you a ridiculous amount for it. 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. Members of the WorthEPenny community love shopping at Excellence Resorts. The park also boasts a range of other activities including ziplines, animal parks, and the impressive surrounding forest. 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. You do not need to bring an adapter with you if you are travelling from North America. 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!). Paper straws are biodegradable and inexpensive. I would still go. If you are looking for the quality of an Excellence resort and are looking for a cheaper option compared to their Cancun and Jamaica offerings then the El Carmen is the resort for you.