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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). For beachside dining, head to Las Olas. We arrived 30 minutes early for our painting session for which they had 8 easels. how do floodplains jeopardize the livelihoods of agricultural workers. ), 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! Its fun to watch the cook prepare your food right in front of you! The Masala beef was the best we have ever had. Since Aroma opens at 7:00 am, its a great spot to enjoy a morning coffee. Youll never be bored. 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. There is a huge pastry/bread section, a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, gorgeous fruit and colourful juices, an omelette station, and some traditional Dominican foods, too! 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. If you want to swim, I would recommend bringing water shoes to protect your feet! The Dominican Republics minimum wage is the equivalent to $154 USD a month! 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. We visited these during our other Excellence trips and loved them. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The beach at the El Carmen resort is truly stunning. 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. . This was definitely the spot we frequented most for lunch. There is music by the pool bar, too! From what we have read from the reviews the Excellence has really stepped up its game in creating a clean and safe environment in these uncertain times. We often started our days with a couple glasses of mimosas and you will never be far from your next drink. You have three bottles of alcohol in your room as a standard: Stolichnaya Vodka, rum, and whiskey. Each night in your turn down service the housekeeping staff leave an information sheet with the activities for the next day as well as the special offer for the spa for the next 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 food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. Regardless! Members of the WorthEPenny community love shopping at Excellence Resorts. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110442921', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Excellence El Carmen? You can read more about my impressions of Excellence Club at this resort on my other blog post, which I felt deserved one of its own, if youre really into details! At our other Excellence Resorts trips, Ive emailed ahead of time to request a certain bottle in our rooms, which you can certainly do, but I left it until we got here this time. Part of our club honeymoon package was to get a free couples pamper session at the spa, but this was only available at certain times in the evening, which didn't suit us, so we ended up paying for spa treatments during the day. The sauce was rich yet balanced and the beef literally melted in the mouth. 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! Its open at 8:00 am and the view of the azul-blue pools and swaying palm trees along the beach cant be beat. If youre in a private pool or swim-up suite. 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. . The food here was very good. Q. Who has had experience with the Excellence Club at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? When it comes to food, the resorts 11 restaurants offer numerous options from casual spots to fine-dining. There are so many restaurants at Excellence El Carmen. We found the signal to be very good throughout the resort. 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. 73 reviews of Atelier Playa Mujeres "A M A Z I N G !!!!! Over the 7 days that we visited the Excellence, there were two weddings that we saw going on. Casual wear (no wet swimsuits) is acceptable elsewhere for breakfast and lunch. The service is excellent and the food is diverse. You do not need to bring an adapter with you if you are travelling from North America. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The spa is always one place I love to check out at Excellence Resorts. The resort has tennis courts and free lessons. 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. hirako83 7 mo. You can do that here no problem. The live music is so relaxing in the evening, and is a great way to pass the before and after dinner before the shows. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. However! Its always a favourite spot to gather before and after dinner to enjoy a cocktail. Smooth as can be. We have celebrated our past 5 anniversaries at Excellence Group resorts (Excellence Riviera Cancun and The Finest). Excellence El Carmen is a large, and fairly new (2016) all-inclusive resort with a modern and tropical vibe. If youre sharing with a friend or a family member (like my mom and I did), we just called out to each other that we were indecent and to avert your eyes. We ate in our bathrobes and drank mimosas and it was glorious. If you want those photos, just be prepared to haggle hard. Alternatively, you may use, Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. 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. I would recommend the hydrotherapy, plus you may even be given an additional spa discount for another service after. 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. Lets start off by saying all of the rooms at this resort are massive, so space will never be an issue. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The whirlpools are ideal for enjoying the views and a soak in rainy weather. You certainly will never go thirsty here! Thanks in advance. Are you a vegetarian? I ordered a rib-eye steak and to be honest there was way too much fat compared to the ribeyes I usually eat. Request this at your time of booking and bring proof its your honeymoon or anniversary (like a copy of your marriage certificate). If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. 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. We ordered all the seafood here crab cakes, lobster bisque, lobster risotto (we shared this, and its AMAZING get it! Aroma is open until 10:00 and also offers sandwiches, fruit cups, pastries, macarons, cookies, and gelato. Youll also get a 15% discount on photo and spa packages! We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. We love the Club benefits but have gone without it and had a great time. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. 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. While interiors are sharp, it's the hotel's lush grounds that give this property its away-from-it-all atmosphere. Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. 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! Lobster doesn't cost extra either. by Adrian updated July 31, 2021, 2:41 pm. If youre in Excellence Club, try Magna for breakfast at least once! There are bars dotted all throughout the resort. 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. Rooms have one king bed or two queen beds that are framed by boxy nightstands and telescoping chrome reading lights. Its expansive with loads of loungers and areas to relax. Just another site is excellence club worth it el carmen The weather was a little windy at times however that's just one of the challenges of trav. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This is what I normally tip but remember, this is completely discretionary! By far, our favourite dinner was at the Grill. The Mile spa is located just off the main reception area. The atmosphere is always buzzing. You can ask for more of certain drinks or snacks if you wish (plus a nice tip wouldnt hurt with that request!). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You will be greeted at the main door with a glass of prosecco and a smile. Yes, Wi-Fi is included in your package. You can also grab these at Las Olas when they have their Coco Loco drink station going! We also only book an Excellence Club Honeymoon Beachfront Swim-Out Suite. The staff really do put their best foot forward in making it an entertaining getaway for the guests. From the housekeeping, service at the bars to the concierge. Out of these, 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. 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. Feel free to custom make your own! 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. 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. 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. You will also use the Excellence app for ordering at the restaurants they have shifted away from the hard-copy menus to digital (although Im sure you could request one if you preferred it). Some people have said they have asked upwards of $80 USD for these photos. Adults-Only Luxury at Excellence Riviera Cancun, What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation, The Best Adults-Only Resorts in Mexico for a Romantic Getaway, What to Include in a DIY Travel Medical Kit, Why You Need to Stay at El Dorado Casitas Royale, Mexico, 20 Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are actually useful!). Everyone greeted us with an Hola and a smile and you felt welcomed. Thats part of the reason why we love all-inclusive resorts so much! And there is no need to bring toiletries there is body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even toothpaste! The vanity has a double sink and there are numerous towels, hand towels, and facecloths, along with a hairdryer. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. We actually skipped lunch this day just so we could fill up. Re: Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? (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. When we stayed there was a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka, Anejo Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, and a bottle of red wine. . Chez Isabelle is a quiet restaurant to visit for a romantic meal and the decor is beautiful. . Sorry such a technical question and really appreciate your in depth review of the place. or just the tennis net. We nearly missed it and it was our favourite lunch! All of these rooms come with the option of having an ocean view. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Tech features are solid and include iHome docks, wall-integrated USB plugs, and big smart TVs with satellite channels. I have to avoid raw onions, but I didnt have to sacrifice taste! Our wait was very short and we were guided to our room, where our bags were already waiting for us. 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. The Excellence El Carmen is just a 40-minute drive from Punta Cana international airport. So, in our opinion, they are always worth that extra cost. There is also Las Olas a beautiful setting on the beach to grab a drink and enjoy the ocean breeze and views. On both occasions, the food came within 20 minutes and arrived hot, which is always the worry with room service. Few vendors prowl the floury-soft sand in this part of Punta Cana. 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. 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. It is the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in a really cool location. You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. To cooking lessons where the chefs will teach you how to make local Dominican food and sushi. If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. We really cant fault the Excellence EL Carmen for its cleanliness. 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. Will we miss out on a lot if we do not book the Club Level? Went with two of my girlfriends and we were speechless!!! We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. 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. Avoiding grains? I thought the additional cost was worth it overall but would have probably had a good time without it also if I had never experienced EC level. The balcony was covered in cigarette butts when we checked in. My mom had the pork ribs with sweet potato mash and the meat was so tender. However, there are some subtle differences worth considering before booking. Sunny yellows, lush flora greens, and ocean blues set the scene for a transfixing mix of island charm and elegance. 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). 7 de junio de 2022; where to buy used bicycles near me So, to avoid disappointment, arrive early, and maybe grab a drink and enjoy the views while youre waiting! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. White linen table cloths and a wonderful aesthetic give Chez Isabelle a sense of class as you dine. We had the grilled lobster and the lobster ravioli and the lobster for both dishes was a little bit chewy. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We went on the day they had tacos and it was SO good. Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. Related: What to Pack in a DIY Travel Medical Kit. Are you kidding me!? The park has a number of sinkholes and caves that can be explored. There are too many food stations to even mention. 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. 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. There is no need to be rude to the vendors, but learn to say no, and then to avoid eye contact if they keep not taking no for an answer. We have zero complaints and hence the shortest section on this review! 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. Appreciate it! 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 marquee element of the park is the Hoyo Azul. The perfect spot to sink a few beers and watch some sports. 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! 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. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. 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. When it comes to adults-only luxury, Excellence El Carmen in the Dominican Republic has it down to a science. Each restaurant has numerous options for lighter fare. 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. Bike tours, Spanish lessons, beach volleyball, archery, pool games, water aerobics, poker tournaments, and bingo are scheduled regularly. Excellence Club provides additional benefits, but is it really worth it? All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. This is a must-visit if youre a fan of Indian food. 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. You alternate between hot and cold pools, steam rooms and saunas, jet-oriented water experiences and more! We found this place the most difficult to get a booking for at peak times. If it would be a financial hardship, just pass on it because you will still have a great time. We loved the Caribbean Eggs with plantain and fried cheese. Good to know: In our previous trips to Excellence Playa Mujeres and Excellence Riviera Cancun, we looked forward to the copy of Excellence Times on our bed at turndown. Help choosing a resort for my 80 year old aunt. HELP - Secrets Royal Beach or Secrets Cap Cana - price/room. If you want a lighter bite, head over to the La Placita food truck at the X-Lounge terrace! It showed which restaurants were open the following day, which activities were scheduled throughout the day, and what the evening entertainment was. Excellence Club upgrades come with private lounge and restaurant access, an exclusive area on the beach, and daily in-room treats. Excellence resorts are just that: Excellent! Many rooms at the Excellence Resort El Carmen feature direct access to a pool, private or shared with other guests in the same room category. If you want a little pick-me-up, there are fruit cups, snacks, and gelato here, too! - Read 9,463 reviews, view 11,732 photos, and find great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor The sushi was actually really good and the ramen broth was packed with flavor. From the moment you get out of bed and slip into the private pool outside your Junior Suite your day is going to be electric and jam-packed with fun, romance, action and entertainment. As a previous Excellence Resorts guest, I couldn't imagine how the service could get any better! Today we are sharing a best food and worst food review of Excellence Club El Carmen, Punta Cana Dominican Republic. 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. To be honest I found the whole club thing a bit snooty and always felt a bit uncomfortable when dealing with club concierge, we paid a lot of money to stay club as we were there for 2 weeks and didn't really feel like we were treated any different than non club, which I suppose is a good thing, but I would have hoped that being a returning guest on honeymoon, the club concierge should have spoilt us and put more of an effort in than they did. I dont know what it was about that cheese but I fell in love with it and cant stop eating it. With 16 different bars in the resort, you are never too far away from a drink. Basmati is one restaurant Im sad to have missed on this trip!