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). For an authentic Dominican town, the hamlet of Higuey is home to a famous cathedral, local market, and shops, and takes around 50 minutes to reach by car. This spot does Tapas really well. The staff work so hard to give us a relaxing and memorable holiday the least we can do is show our appreciation! All of these rooms come with the option of having an ocean view. Read a full Excellence Punta Cana vs Excellence El Carmen face-off, here. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: 9,457 Hotel Reviews, 12,158 traveller photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen, ranked #3 of 7 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Valet parking is free at the resort and theres free Wi-Fi throughout the property. 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. The spa at Excellence El Carmen was a bit different (for me) since it was located off the main lobby and not in a separate building, like at Excellence Playa Mujeres or Riviera Maya. And there is no need to bring toiletries there is body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even toothpaste! This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. When we stayed in mid-2019 we paid $2,800 USD for 7 days. They have a lovely Gazebo overlooking the water which looks like the perfect spot to exchange vows. how do floodplains jeopardize the livelihoods of agricultural workers. The waters were pretty calm, so if youre into ocean swimming this is the spot for you. - See 9 464 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. 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. This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. If you like sushi, maki, and noodle dishes, head to Spice! If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. 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. Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. Is Excellence Club Worth it at Excellence El Carmen? I understand that spa services and tipping are not, but are all the restaurants, drinks and room service included? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The main pool is located quite close to the beach and then two additional pools are located near buildings 12-16. Woodie and I went to Excellence El Carmen, Dominican Republic in December 2021 and absolutely loved the resort! Sorry such a technical question and really appreciate your in depth review of the place. Rooms have one king bed or two queen beds that are framed by boxy nightstands and telescoping chrome reading lights. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This Asian eatery serves up the most famous dishes from Japan, Thailand, China, and Vietnam. We have booked to stay at EEC for 2 weeks from opening day! I called twice and went to the Excellence Club lounge (as they requested), and by the second day in the afternoon they sent someone. 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. I tried the braised beef wrap and it was delicious. Mexico Resorts Excellence Playa Mujeres Excellence Riviera Cancun Beloved Hotel Playa Mujeres Caribbean Resorts Excellence Punta Cana 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. 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 Access to twelve private pools and seven jacuzzis (hot water) in the pool area. 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 . 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! Im not kidding people were shocked when they saw the photos. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. I gave up asking in the end! There are tons of different hot (and cold!) If you want a lighter bite, head over to the La Placita food truck at the X-Lounge terrace! French, Indian, Spanish, and Mexican restaurants are also open. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Best Adult Only All Inclusive in Punta Cana? Your minifridge will be stocked with four bottles of water, club soda, tonic water, fanta, orange juice, coke, and Presidente beer (regular and light). 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 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. 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. If you love seafood, be sure to hit up the Lobster House! I worry about hidden fees- is EVERYTHING Included in all inclusive? Its available 24/7 and the menu is very extensive. It seats up to 8 and there is a set menu. - See 9,457 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Note: we had someone come by our room every morning around 8:00-8:30 am to clean the pool from the outside. After youre finished eating, you can place your dishes in the X-Box located right at your door. We knew we'd go back so I thought I would do . If youre an Excellence club guest you will have a complimentary Hydrotherapy session during your stay. 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. Im with the mindset that if we can afford to travel, we can afford to tip. There is also Las Olas a beautiful setting on the beach to grab a drink and enjoy the ocean breeze and views. 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. Those wanting their own private pool can book a range of other suite types, including the Excellence El Carmen Terrace Suite with Plunge Pool, Junior Suite with Plunge Pool, and any of the Two-Story Rooftop Terrace Suites available. So, in our opinion, they are always worth that extra cost. Excellence El Carmen: Truly Excellent! Chez Isabelle is a quiet restaurant to visit for a romantic meal and the decor is beautiful. This is why I love the Excellence app so much you can go on there and check out the menus ahead of time to decide on which places to eat at each night (you know, if youre into that sort of thing). Bar-wise, Excellence El Carmens 16 options include swim-up pool bars, a sports bar, a martini lounge, a beach bar, and a made-to-order juice bar with fresh fruits and veggies. We highly recommend doing this as the pools they have for this are really nice. Excellence Club WORTH IT: Excellence El Carmen - See 7,750 traveller reviews, 10,047 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. We brought these ones which were the perfect size, and were easy to inflate, and easy to pack up to bring home! Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen Built as an exclusive haven within a world-class resort, the Excellence Club unlocks a host of upgraded amenities, added perks, intuitive service, and exclusive areas. 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. 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. Hi David! Opting to eat healthier during your stay? Reviews/Suggestions. I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). It was pure heaven. Theres a small shopping strip within a five-minute drive, while Bavaro -- the most famous spot in the area -- takes 25 to 30 minutes to reach by car. That is important to us, as we are "beach people" who spend the day from 8am until 6 pm on the beach. There is also room service! The shows start later 9:30 pm (most nights at home Im in bed by then!!! If you find there are any other questions you have that I dont cover, feel free to get in touch with me! The perfect spot to sink a few beers and watch some sports. The entertainment crew really does make a solid effort in keeping everyone entertained with a wide range of activities going on throughout the day. Excellence El Carmen, which reopened successfully on November 28, has that vibe, too, but this property is more like a night in the city. 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. Some people have said they have asked upwards of $80 USD for these photos. If youre celebrating your anniversary or honeymoon, be sure to take advantage of that at Excellence El Carmen! If it would be a financial hardship, just pass on it because you will still have a great time. The food here was the best we had in the resort and the minimalist Japanese decor really added to the experience. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. 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). Every time we travel I always bring an extra couple hundred dollars in tips and its well worth it! I love the outdoor seating and the decor here. It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. The sauce was rich yet balanced and the beef literally melted in the mouth. The service here is really top-notch and the wages in the Dominican Republic for these roles are not high, so these tips can go a long way. For beachside dining, head to Las Olas. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We have zero complaints and hence the shortest section on this review! ), or you can be served over by your palapa. Excellence El Carmen: 5 star? We LOVED the look of the Martini Bar. Sunny yellows, lush flora greens, and ocean blues set the scene for a transfixing mix of island charm and elegance. Resort kids clubs - do they enforce/check ages? This was pretty much the only time that we had any issues with the service throughout our stay. The food at Spice is the real star here, so if you have done Teppanyaki before we advise you to give it a miss. Premium alcohol and specialty beers are included. 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. The club package includes a private beachfront dinner, some spa treatments, etc. Although theres no money involved it was a great way to mingle with the other guests. Spice also has a fun option for groups and for a live cooking show: the Hibachi! We visited these during our other Excellence trips and loved them. 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 are not in Excellence Club, you can swap out one bottle of alcohol per day. 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. Honestly, though the room service menu is so large that you probably wont need to do this. Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Couple that with some onion bhajis and you cant go wrong. These are two of my favourite things! Their guacamole was delicious! Excellence Club upgrade provides a private pool, beach, lounge, and restaurant. We are going to EEC to celebrate our anniversary in mid September. Located in the Uvero Alto area of the Dominican Republic. Excellence now has their own app you can download to research everything either ahead of time, or to keep up with it during your stay! We have been to ERC twice, once non club, then went club for our honeymoon. However, the dress code is one of the reasons why we love Excellence. There are many options: silicone straws, metal straws (which keep your drinks cold) or paper straws. by Adrian updated July 31, 2021, 2:41 pm. or just the tennis net. The building that we were in had faced the sun in the late afternoon, so the swim-up suite wasnt too much use. There are bars dotted all throughout the resort. Feel free to custom make your own! but then drinks happened and we ended up just lazing by the pool. However! any chance you know if they have pickle ball courts? Do not miss the Grill for lunch! The Lobster House is what I imagine to be the best spot for a breakfast choice. Re: Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? It was a toss up between a room with a private pool or a two-storey rooftop with plunge pool, but by the time I finally booked the private pool room was the only one left. These bottles do come at an additional cost, but youre on holiday, treat yourself. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. NEW riu palace bavaro ----opening when?????? Since my mom and I were on a girls trip (which we hardly ever get to do!) 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. Rounds here range from $100 $150 depending on the time of day you play and the season. At every Excellence Resort, the Excellence Club represents the ultimate in luxury, privacy and service. With all Excellence offerings, they are typically priced on the premium side when you compare it to the average price of other resorts, but for that somewhat premium price you are definitely getting a premium experience. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Lets start off by saying all of the rooms at this resort are massive, so space will never be an issue. There is also a plug inside your safe should you choose to charge your devices while theyre kept away (which I thought was neat!). The atmosphere is always buzzing. Luxury runs through every one of Excellence Punta Cana's 461 suites and Excellence El Carmen's 492. The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. Others have said all I have is $5 and they take it. There is also a beachfront massage option if you wish to listen to the crashing waves against the shore. Before dinner every night we perched ourselves at the Martini bar for a few pre-dinner drinks. Are you kidding me!? We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. The 23 freshwater pools are scattered throughout the resort and include a main pool with ocean views and two accessible ramps. I understand its how they make money, but they can be quite pushy, so be prepared. The balcony was covered in cigarette butts when we checked in. This was super convenient, as we could plan out our day for when our room was being cleaned. We also liked the Excellence Club lounge to have a pre-dinner drink. You can break large bills at the front desk for ones if youre running low. Excellence is known for their corporate responsibility and they look after their staff, and it shows through the service you receive. For honeymoons, you can get this package for free for up to 3 months following your wedding. I am SO happy we decided to book this room, and quite honestly I dont think I can book any other room type now. As they fill up quickly. Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. The only room type that has a private garden with a pool bigger than a plunge pool is the Imperial Suite. The park also boasts a range of other activities including ziplines, animal parks, and the impressive surrounding forest. : Excellence El Carmen - See 9,462 traveller reviews, 11,732 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Booking through Westjet Vacations, we took a shared bus to the hotel, which wasn't as good as the SUV car service that the hotel provided. This resort was beautiful!!!! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. You will be treated the same, eat the same, and have largely the same drinks. They typically start serving these from around 11 am onwards and are so refreshing. Not sure if it was Excellence El Carmen in particular or if this is true at all Excellence properties, but I felt it to be less crowded (even though the hotel was near full occupancy) and quieter than the 2 Secrets resorts I went to. Your bags will be taken by the staff and be delivered to your room. 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. 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. My advice is, if it's not a financial hardship, the club area is the "cherry on top" of a great vacation. Its a little cubby that can be accessed by room service staff from the outside to retrieve your dishes. The Excellence Punta Cana is located a short 6-minute drive from the El Carmin offering, as well as the Finest Punta Cana which is their latest offering and is located a 5-minute drive from the El Carmen. 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.