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! Resort recs for relaxing, great beach, hot tub? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It didnt bother me, but if youre expecting a pristine, white sandy beach, you wont find it here. All of these rooms come with the option of having an ocean view. It was the best thing we ate all week! Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. - See 9,459 traveler reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Lobster doesn't cost extra either. They do have a dress code for the Grill but we saw many people in cover ups and flip flops. Does Excellence El Carmen have a club? For all your caffeine needs, Aroma is a coffee shop where you can pick up your morning pick me up. Its totally free, so why not take advantage of it? This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. There are tons of bars throughout the resort. Rooms have one king bed or two queen beds that are framed by boxy nightstands and telescoping chrome reading lights. Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! It is so relaxing. It boasts white- and golden-sand beaches, swaying palm trees protected by the government, turquoise waters, and pleasant year-round temperatures. Another Mexican offering this spot serves up some really top-quality eats. While interiors are sharp, it's the hotel's lush grounds that give this property its away-from-it-all atmosphere. We also liked the Excellence Club lounge to have a pre-dinner drink. Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. (Feb 2022), Are inclusive resorts vs day pass and independent excursions, Ocean El Faro VS Grand Bavaro Princess VS Royalton Bavaro, Thanks for the advice on Punta Cana Princess All Suites. Right behind the main pool is a smaller lap pool which they use for the water activities and games which is always fun to participate in (or watch!). Your bags will be taken by the staff and be delivered to your room. They do advise that you ring before your trip to check availability. This is obviously down to the staff who were so proactive in making sure the place looked tidy. 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. 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. Tech features are solid and include iHome docks, wall-integrated USB plugs, and big smart TVs with satellite channels. Like other Excellence properties, guests can splurge on upgraded Excellence Club packages. Find it on the Apple Store or Google Play! any chance you know if they have pickle ball courts? 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. Each restaurant has numerous options for lighter fare. Alternatively, you may use, Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. Excellence resorts are just that: Excellent! The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. Hi David! In addition to receiving a welcome letter, fruit, and a bottle of sparkling wine upon arrival, you will also receive a special turndown service, champagne breakfast in bed and a romantic dinner at one of the restaurants. Subscribe and get my Travel Safety Checklist! Its non-stop! At the Excellence Club, every detail of your stay has been upgraded with seamless perks and over-the-top offerings. Once inside, it's all about sharp neutral decor, tranquil vibes, and breezy ocean views. 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. 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. I gave up asking in the end! 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. 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! Of course there is the Excellence Club lounge bar; an intimate and quiet setting to relax at. . 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. 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. Its listed on their website that they have 23 pools and 9 outdoor hot tubs on offer and while this is the case. There is a massive king-sized bed which is super comfortable. Its open at 8:00 am and the view of the azul-blue pools and swaying palm trees along the beach cant be beat. The Blue Hole, a cenote with gorgeous turquoise water, is also around a 30-minute drive from the property. Throughout the resort there is a huge volume of staff, so no matter where you are there is always some close by that can offer you assistance. What let the side down here was the quality of the meat. Excellence El Carmen, The Most Stunning Beach Towns in the Dominican Republic, Le Sivory Punta Cana By PortBlue Boutique, On a beautiful, palm tree-lined beach with few vendors, All-inclusive rates include premium alcohol and a la carte meals, Elegant suites have free minibars, balconies, and double jetted tubs, Many suites have swim-up access or private pools, 23 pools and nine hot tubs means there are few crowds at the main pool, 11 restaurants include Asian, French, Indian, and Mexican options, A fast-food truck, juice bar, and 24-hour room service, Large, modern gym with free daily yoga and aerobics classes, Attractive spa includes salon services and a free hydrotherapy circuit, Daily entertainment program, plus live music and evening shows, Excellence Club upgrades offer private pool, restaurant, and beach area, Multiple lively bars, plus a nightclub for dancing, Indoor and outdoor event space, plus full business center, Fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the resort, Some reports of minor wear and tear in rooms, Restaurants get mixed reviews and dress code is required at some, No 24-hour bars (but 24-hour room service available). What is the entertainment/music like during the day at the pool?! ), and then charge you a ridiculous amount for it. 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. Bvlgari toiletries. All are part of the hotel's all-inclusive rates, as is 24-hour room service. We also only book an Excellence Club Honeymoon Beachfront Swim-Out Suite. The gym at this resort is very well stocked. This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. We went for 7 days and flew out of Toronto. The Dominican Republic has a really beautiful landscape and the Hoyo Azul at Scape Park is a spectacular sight. 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. Our top recommendations for dishes here are the patatas bravos and the Spanish meatballs. Yes literally everything here is included! Horseback riding, biking, tennis, and quality excursions (some fees) Free Wi-Fi throughout. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "How much is the excellence club upgrade" | Check out 5 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. The vibrant colors of the Caribbean are the inspiration behind the dcor at both resorts. I would recommend the hydrotherapy, plus you may even be given an additional spa discount for another service after. Getting to beautiful Saona Island takes an hour and 15 minutes and requires a drive followed by a boat ride. I love the outdoor seating and the decor here. You have three bottles of alcohol in your room as a standard: Stolichnaya Vodka, rum, and whiskey. THE ROOMS. Your minifridge will be stocked with four bottles of water, club soda, tonic water, fanta, orange juice, coke, and Presidente beer (regular and light). This category reimagines Dominican Republic resorts in an adults only oasis that delights the senses. Stop by the Food Shark food truck, right at the theatre for tacos, burgers, hot dogs, fries and more! There are entirely separate menus for that. The main pool is located quite close to the beach and then two additional pools are located near buildings 12-16. 74 . Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. 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. Bavaro Express Bus Information? Yes, Wi-Fi is included in your package. They will come up to you and place them on you without even asking. . As soon as you enter the resort you really are put at ease. If you stayed for a week you wouldnt be able to visit them all, unless you visited more than one a night! 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! We have been to EPC 8 times, and we always do the EC, mainly because we prefer the upgraded, less crowded beach area. Fun vacation spot Lisa M on Feb 04, 2023 We did ours at 9:00 am and we had to nap after because it made us tired haha! The beach does accumulate seaweed on the shoreline, but the staff works tirelessly to keep it off. We had the grilled lobster and the lobster ravioli and the lobster for both dishes was a little bit chewy. That is important to us, as we are "beach people" who spend the day from 8am until 6 pm on the beach. El Carmen has one huge advantage in regards to our dining experience: The coffee shop. 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! We had some insightful conversations with some of the employees there and they really love their jobs and are grateful for them. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable! There are water and cold towels available in the gym and personal trainers on-site if you need motivation. . 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. When we stayed in early 2020 we went through the travel agent Sunwing that is based out of Canada. We accosted the minibar guy one day to give us kitkats, so just so you know, there is also chocolate! There are blinds to draw down for privacy if you wish. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The lounge is comfortable with the L-shaped couch, perfect for morning room-service breakfast, or cocktails before heading out for the evening. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. From the housekeeping, service at the bars to the concierge. You will never have an issue getting a spot at the beach. Hmm. Rooms are elegant in both resorts, but Excellence El Carmens are slightly bigger and more swish. The staff really do put their best foot forward in making it an entertaining getaway for the guests. You will also have some snacks: crackers, oreos, and peanuts. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I will second Thomasgran for all of the reasons he stated. Basmati is one restaurant Im sad to have missed on this trip! The room is spacious and modern with a HUGE hidden walk-in closet with plenty of hangers, shelving, robes, a steamer, and a safe. Discover a world of rewards with The Excellence Collection Rewards benefits program. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". We (once again!) This is the only restaurant at Excellence El Carmen where you need a reservation. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. 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. We also found that most people chill out on the beach, so the pools were never too busy. 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. This was pretty much the only time that we had any issues with the service throughout our stay. Luxury runs through every one of Excellence Punta Cana's 461 suites and Excellence El Carmen's 492. by Adrian updated July 31, 2021, 2:41 pm. The best part? We spent our mornings at the main pool with their (only) swim up bar, Blue. 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. Pricier Excellence Club upgrades add pillow menus, Bulgari toiletries, loaner beach bags, and minibars with top-shelf liquor. It felt like a newer resort. The beach is the real gem in this resort and we will delve into that in a bit. However! Tip: bring your own floaties with you! Just something that you might not have considered that might help you decide. The club package includes a private beachfront dinner, some spa treatments, etc. The sushi was actually really good and the ramen broth was packed with flavor. 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. This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. He just appeared. When we eventually secured a table this place didnt disappoint. The resort does a wonderful job of keeping the EC things hidden. ), burgers, fish and chips, quesadillas, fries and more! The marquee element of the park is the Hoyo Azul. Excellence Club provides additional benefits, but is it really worth it? Its architecture is in the Contemporary Caribbean style, and twenty pools wind through our . I understand that spa services and tipping are not, but are all the restaurants, drinks and room service included? If youve been to Excellence Playa Mujeres or Riviera Cancun, there is an additional Wine Cellar you can dine in privately. Yes, even though you didnt consent to it. 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! The price including flights, airport transfers, and the all-inclusive came out to $3,000 USD for the complete stay. Our first room was filthy. By the end of day one, he had our drinks orders ready before we even had to ask. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The steamer in the walk-in closet works great, but its advisable to use bottled water for it. Help choosing a resort for my 80 year old aunt. HELP - Secrets Royal Beach or Secrets Cap Cana - price/room. 73 reviews of Atelier Playa Mujeres "A M A Z I N G !!!!! This is a must-visit if youre a fan of Indian food. We found the signal to be very good throughout the resort. Insider tip: Dont miss the hidden gem by building 10! So all in all, is it worth it, no not for us! 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). To some it definitely seems like the EC is worth it, but by the sounds of it to me and the wife, I think we'll be just fine with our first room choice even though the EC is not an option. We went on the day they had tacos and it was SO good. I tried the braised beef wrap and it was delicious. 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. I am big on details from big to small so this review will cover a lot. 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. 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. There are only a few tables though, so you have to book the morning you want to eat to get a reservation. Related: What to Pack in a DIY Travel Medical Kit. By far, our favourite dinner was at the Grill. To cooking lessons where the chefs will teach you how to make local Dominican food and sushi. There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. It was one of my favourite spots to go to and they open at 8:00 am. 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. Dont have time to read this review of Excellence El Carmen right now? Aroma is open until 10:00 and also offers sandwiches, fruit cups, pastries, macarons, cookies, and gelato. The Dominican Republics minimum wage is the equivalent to $154 USD a month! 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 Dominican Republic has shops selling sundries and beach attire, a medical clinic (fee to use), and an ATM. We did take a Spanish class which was a lot of fun, and we also painted one afternoon and you get to take your painting home! Flavour Market is a great spot for tapas, sharing, and light bites. After one or two many drinks the night before we liked nothing more than getting up and getting some fresh fruit into our bodies. Woodie and I went to Excellence El Carmen, Dominican Republic in December 2021 and absolutely loved the resort! If youre part of the Excellence club you will have the likes of Absolut Vodka, Johnny Walker Black Label, and Anejo Rum. We did two excursions when we visited. When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. You certainly will never go thirsty here! Excellence always nails it with their Martini Bars and how its the focal point from when you first arrive and look down the stairs. Since my mom and I were on a girls trip (which we hardly ever get to do!) 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. 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.