is excellence club worth it el carmen

Its a really nice option if you dont feel like getting into your evening clothes and instead just chilling out in the room. . 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. This category reimagines Dominican Republic resorts in an adults only oasis that delights the senses. The hydrotherapy circuit takes about an hour to complete and is well worth doing. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. A few of our friends went on a bike tour (free!) Our two favorite spots were the Martini bar which is the main lobby bar and the X Lounge. Those on our bus who had Excellence Club rooms were taken to those rooms while everyone else was taken to a normal check-in area . I am SO happy we decided to book this room, and quite honestly I dont think I can book any other room type now. What is VIP Service? In Excellence El Carmen, a Popular Brand Accomplishes the - Islands Thats part of the reason why we love all-inclusive resorts so much! However! My mom had the pork ribs with sweet potato mash and the meat was so tender. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. Access to Excellence Club's Magna Restaurant and exclusive bars. Excellence resorts are just that: Excellent! Best things to do in Punta Cana.your top 3. The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. 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). A French offering that is set in a beautifully designed spot. Now the bathroom is one of which many people question. They even put your flip flops in a warmer for your feet afterwards! And there is no need to bring toiletries there is body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even toothpaste! There is also a plug inside your safe should you choose to charge your devices while theyre kept away (which I thought was neat!). It never took longer than 5-10 minutes to walk to anywhere we wanted to go. ), Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen, 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are. The live music is so relaxing in the evening, and is a great way to pass the before and after dinner before the shows. The wide and varied selection continues in your room with a packed mini-bar and a number of premium liquor bottles available. . I understand its how they make money, but they can be quite pushy, so be prepared. This is the only restaurant at Excellence El Carmen where you need a reservation. I LOVE Excellence properties, and Excellence El Carmen is nothing short of an amazing resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 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! There are lots of antipasto dishes at Oregano, along with risottos, custom pasta dishes, and pizzas to satisfy your carb craving. Is Excellence Club worth it? : r/PuntaCana - reddit We knew we'd go back so I thought I would do . 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. For anniversaries, you can receive this package up to 7 days before and 7 days after your anniversary, giving you lots of flexibility! 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! If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. They also have a range of pastries and sandwiches on offer. Seaweed blooms are seasonal and also change daily. ATELIER PLAYA MUJERES - 655 Photos & 73 Reviews - Supermanzana 3 Although we stayed pre-COVID, as we mentioned the resort was exceptionally clean. Re the alcohol in the room, on our last visit, we didn't touch it. Guests are mostly honeymooners and couples celebrating wedding anniversaries from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The vanity has a double sink and there are numerous towels, hand towels, and facecloths, along with a hairdryer. We visited these during our other Excellence trips and loved them. Overall the food here was a pretty good standard for an all-inclusive. There is a daily room keeping as well as turndown service which is always nice to come back to: slippers by the bed, sheets drawn back, beside lights on, bottles of water on the nightstands, and flower petals or towels done up in some cute display. Although theres no money involved it was a great way to mingle with the other guests. Yes literally everything here is included! Its open at 7:00 am and you have the choice to eat inside or out. The course is well designed and challenging and the upkeep of the course was very good. 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. 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 room service here at the Excellence El Carmen is really good. I piggybacked on another guests recommendation of the Power Smoothie + strawberries and it tasted like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! 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. You are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. After one or two many drinks the night before we liked nothing more than getting up and getting some fresh fruit into our bodies. The lounge is comfortable with the L-shaped couch, perfect for morning room-service breakfast, or cocktails before heading out for the evening. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. THE ROOMS. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. - Read 9,463 reviews, view 11,732 photos, and find great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor The service is amazing as it always is at Excellence Resorts. I dont know what it was about that cheese but I fell in love with it and cant stop eating it. The staff really do put their best foot forward in making it an entertaining getaway for the guests. Excellence Club WORTH IT - Review of Excellence El Carmen Average. The people (and pets) are so fun. 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. You could jump from activity to activity all day long and you still wouldnt be able to participate in all of them. Over the 7 days that we visited the Excellence, there were two weddings that we saw going on. 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. 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. Now, that is what their website states, but we saw many people in flip flops and tank tops, so Im not sure how much the dress code is enforced. Im the type of person that pretty much tips every time. Plus, the addition of the Excellence Club lounge and bar makes it a great hangout spot before or after dinner. You can break large bills at the front desk for ones if youre running low. Members of the WorthEPenny community love shopping at Excellence Resorts. 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. We have booked Excellence in Playa Mujeres and in El Carmen for 2016 both non club rooms. Find it on the Apple Store or Google Play! 5 star? depends on how you view 5 star - Review of Excellence El Carmen Answer 1 of 6: My husband and I are looking into going to EEC and we are wondering if the Excellence Club is worth it. We have booked Excellence in Playa Mujeres and in El Carmen for 2016 both non club rooms. and loved it. Make your vacation a little more special with this upgrade and receive upgraded amenities and more! However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. There is a beautiful swan-neck fountain in the corner of the pool which adds to the ambience. Truly Excellent! - Review of Excellence El Carmen Excellence calls it casual elegance.. The two beachfront beauties are almost neighbors you can get from one gated entrance to the next in a five-minute drive. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. What is the entertainment/music like during the day at the pool?! The service is excellent and the food is diverse. Excellence El Carmen Review (Punta Cana All Inclusive COVID-19 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. 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. They have a large menu with all of the smoothies combinations under the sun. 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. 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). 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. 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 rest of the pools are either for guests staying in Swim-Up units or exclusive for Excellence Club guests. Rooms have one king bed or two queen beds that are framed by boxy nightstands and telescoping chrome reading lights. ), burgers, fish and chips, quesadillas, fries and more! We brought these ones which were the perfect size, and were easy to inflate, and easy to pack up to bring home! It was our first DR vacation but we have stayed at 20 . 62% OFF Excellence Resort Top Promo Codes & Coupons - Mar. 2023 ), and lobster tails. You will see it the second that you arrive. Excellence Club | Excellence Punta Cana We did ours at 9:00 am and we had to nap after because it made us tired haha! We went there for dinner and were a little disappointed with the food. It seats up to 8 and there is a set menu. This post contains affiliate linkswhich means I earn compensation when you click on the links at absolutely no extra cost to you! Our favorite thing was definitely the casino night. ), but some of my favourites were the Circus Show, Michael Jackson, Queen, and the fire show (do not miss that!). When we eventually secured a table this place didnt disappoint. This one of the Excellence chains has three offerings in the Dominican Republic. 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. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. You can purchase drinks at the airport to make the ride a little more fun, and perhaps a bit quicker? 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. Note: They do not serve their drinks with straws, so bring your own if you wish! We often started our days with a couple glasses of mimosas and you will never be far from your next drink. I love the beach, but Im not much of a beach swimmer since I was young. I heard a few people talking about that and then we forgot when we went to steam our dresses. The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. This made it great for evenings if you wanted to grab a drink at the bar first, then walk to a restaurant closeby, then back to the theatre for a show. While Excellence isn't the largest resort in Punta Cana, it certainly packs in a mega-resort's worth of features -- and its most exceptional are outdoors. 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. 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! The beach at the El Carmen resort is truly stunning. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "What's is the difference between the regular." | Check out 8 answers, plus 8,660 reviews and 12,158 candid photos Ranked #3 of 7 hotels in Uvero Alto and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. We ate in our bathrobes and drank mimosas and it was glorious. Excellence El Carmen is a luxury adults-only all-inclusive resort that sits along an idyllic beach in Punta Canas laid-back Uvero Alto. Bvlgari toiletries. My favourite spots included Aroma, the Revive Bar, Magna (for Excellence Club), and the Lobster House. Excellence Club WORTH IT - Review of Excellence El Carmen This adults-only resort is the perfect place to have a relaxing break in the beautiful surroundings of the Dominican Republic. Excellence Punta Cana - A Comprehensive Review (2021) We used tap water and some of the water shot out and left some white rings on our clothes, which, If your bathing suit is white, or lightly coloured, it. By far, our favourite dinner was at the Grill. He just appeared. The bar service is also better on the EC part of the beach. All of these rooms come with the option of having an ocean view. The food was top quality and the atmosphere was great. During our first night, we visited Agave, which is always my go-to! Getting married here seems to be a very popular choice. There are tons of delicious vegetarian dishes (along with non-veg options) you can order you wont miss the meat! I have seen others tip generously to get their preferred alcohol, or have had them all swapped out at onceIm not sure what the real case is here, but nonetheless youll have alcohol in your room. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. The perfect spot to sink a few beers and watch some sports. So, in our opinion, they are always worth that extra cost. Tip: bring your own floaties with you! This is definitely the best restaurant location with stunning views of the ocean and a nice outdoor setting where you can feel the cool sea breeze. 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. Our experience with Excellence El Carmen in Punta Cana - reddit But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Smooth as can be. It doesnt have to be much, and the tips are also very appreciated. 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! As you walk through the doors there is an impressive view down to the main bar area and you really get the feeling of luxury and grandeur. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. We ordered all the seafood here crab cakes, lobster bisque, lobster risotto (we shared this, and its AMAZING get it! Each restaurant has numerous options for lighter fare. We arrived 30 minutes early for our painting session for which they had 8 easels. 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. 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. A. I understand that spa services and tipping are not, but are all the restaurants, drinks and room service included? Excellence El Carmen is very competitively priced. Its fun to watch the cook prepare your food right in front of you! 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). It was packed when we arrived and we actually walked away the first time because we thought we wouldnt get in. 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. Excellence Club | Excellence El Carmen We dined outside on the patio with a beautiful view of the palm trees (not of the ocean, since Magna is located within the Excellence Club lounge right off the lobby). Excellence Club guests get private access to a top-notch restaurant that opens for breakfast and dinner. 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 weather was a little windy at times however that's just one of the challenges of trav. You will be treated the same, eat the same, and have largely the same drinks. This is one of the more popular restaurants on the resort. Love Happens at Excellence Punta Cana & El Carmen If youve never experienced it before, its a must-do! The seafood, in particular, was spectacular. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct. For honeymoons, you can get this package for free for up to 3 months following your wedding. Perks include upgraded rooms; upgraded room-service menus, minibars, and toiletries; and access to a private lounge with concierge services. 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. Insider tip: Dont miss the hidden gem by building 10! we decided to splurge and upgrade to Excellence Club Junior Suite with Private Pool. Excellence El Carmen Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stay - Oyster.com I never not tip at a meal, and I will leave tip money throughout the week for housekeeping, turndown service, and the minibar. There are plenty of lunch options for you to try during your stay, and you wont go hungry! There is a drinks service on the beach which makes spending a day sunning yourself so much more enjoyable. There are entirely separate menus for that. If youre in a private pool or swim-up suite. By the end of day one, he had our drinks orders ready before we even had to ask. Premium alcohol and specialty beers are included. We ended up trying the cheese sticks, croque monsieur, and Asian chicken salad to share and it was all tasty. It was one of my favourite spots to go to and they open at 8:00 am. Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. 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. Excellence Club WORTH IT - Review of Excellence El Carmen Insight/Feedback on Monkeyland and Other Animal Attractions? Great hotel ! - Review of Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto, Dominican I gave up asking in the end! It is the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in a really cool location. Like other Excellence properties, guests can splurge on upgraded Excellence Club packages. , Just an FYI the room service coffee was a bit strong and potent. We went for 7 days and flew out of Toronto. Just as an FYI if youre walking around indecently with the blinds open. Related: What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable!). Does the Excellence El Carmen offer a shuttle service from the Airport. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The Excellence El Carmen is another top-class offering from the Excellence chain of resorts. Ive talked to quite a few people during our time here about that experience. You can grab a coconut at the swim up bar most days where you can have any drink you want inside of it. If youre celebrating your anniversary or honeymoon, be sure to take advantage of that at Excellence El Carmen! 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. This is obviously down to the staff who were so proactive in making sure the place looked tidy. The resort has tennis courts and free lessons. Other activities include ping-pong, pool tables, and a life-size chess board. The expansive property seems large but its very walkable and manageable (as well as accessible). 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 beach at Excellence El Carmen is long its a beautiful, soft, and golden stretch of beach when there is no seaweed. There is also one daybed in the shade and another one closer to the steps of the private pool, tucked away in its little alcove. All are part of the hotel's all-inclusive rates, as is 24-hour room service. We had a fabulous time the first time we went to ERC, which was non club, so much so we went back for our honeymoon. 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. Huge walk-in closets are fully shelved and big enough to unpack a steamer trunk with room to spare. How much is the excellence club upgrade - tripadvisor.ie Mexico Resorts Excellence Playa Mujeres Excellence Riviera Cancun Beloved Hotel Playa Mujeres Caribbean Resorts Excellence Punta Cana Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? - Tripadvisor - See 9,457 traveller reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. The food here was the best we had in the resort and the minimalist Japanese decor really added to the experience. The food, the staff, and the feel you get as you walk through the resort are 5-star. There are tons of bars throughout the resort. All Adults - At Excellence El Carmen you are secluded but not isolated. 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. You will be greeted at the main door with a glass of prosecco and a smile. We have to give a shout-out to Felix the bartender here. There is also a really nice Coffee shop where you can grab a pick me up and a sweet treat. We are considering booking this resort for our anniversary in October. The park also boasts a range of other activities including ziplines, animal parks, and the impressive surrounding forest. ), and then charge you a ridiculous amount for it. Your email address will not be published. Your minifridge will be stocked with four bottles of water, club soda, tonic water, fanta, orange juice, coke, and Presidente beer (regular and light). We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. My advice is, if it's not a financial hardship, the club area is the "cherry on top" of a great vacation. We nearly missed it and it was our favourite lunch! Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. Resort recs for relaxing, great beach, hot tub? 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! 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. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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.