Help choosing a resort for my 80 year old aunt. HELP - Secrets Royal Beach or Secrets Cap Cana - price/room. A French offering that is set in a beautifully designed spot. Rooms have one king bed or two queen beds that are framed by boxy nightstands and telescoping chrome reading lights. Their feature menu changes daily and its a great place to visit if you want a quick, self-service bite to eat. I understand and appreciate that tipping is subjective. The expansive property seems large but its very walkable and manageable (as well as accessible). . They do have nets as of the beginning of this month! 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. Lunch at the Lobster House and Oregano have the most amazing views. 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. If you want to swim, I would recommend bringing water shoes to protect your feet! 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Its open from 9:00 am 4:00 pm and has all kinds of fruit smoothies and juices to try. This obviously doesnt matter, but its just an observation. Its open at 8:00 am and the view of the azul-blue pools and swaying palm trees along the beach cant be beat. There are entirely separate menus for that. . Our top recommendations for dishes here are the patatas bravos and the Spanish meatballs. The options are endless. 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. 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. Your bags will be taken by the staff and be delivered to your room. 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. Love Happens at Excellence Punta Cana & El Carmen 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! We arrived 30 minutes early for our painting session for which they had 8 easels. Does the Excellence El Carmen offer a shuttle service from the Airport. The nightclub stays open late and has a DJ who takes request. Do not miss the huge savings! Your minifridge will be stocked with four bottles of water, club soda, tonic water, fanta, orange juice, coke, and Presidente beer (regular and light). My favourite spots included Aroma, the Revive Bar, Magna (for Excellence Club), and the Lobster House. Its basically like a little bit of all of the restaurants on the resort in one. , Just an FYI the room service coffee was a bit strong and potent. The cleaning in the morning was the main clean of the day and lasted about 15 minutes. We did not try Oregano, Spice, Flavour Market, or Basmati during this trip because we ran out of time. The pool is HUGE. If you want a lighter bite, head over to the La Placita food truck at the X-Lounge terrace! We actually skipped lunch this day just so we could fill up. You do not need to bring an adapter with you if you are travelling from North America. We spent our mornings at the main pool with their (only) swim up bar, Blue. Once a week, Excellence El Carmen holds a Dominican Night, where you can enjoy dishes unique to the Dominican Republic and enjoy live music and dancing. 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. 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. And since its the second-largest country. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Read a full Excellence Punta Cana vs Excellence El Carmen face-off, here. If beaches are a priority for you then Excellence El Carmen is the resort for you. The menu for the room service was very extensive. You will also have some snacks: crackers, oreos, and peanuts. The main pool is located quite close to the beach and then two additional pools are located near buildings 12-16. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. There are tons of bars throughout the resort. 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! I am big on details from big to small so this review will cover a lot. ), burgers, fish and chips, quesadillas, fries and more! Eating low carb? It was the best thing we ate all week! Excellence Club upgrade provides a private pool, beach, lounge, and restaurant. The wide and varied selection continues in your room with a packed mini-bar and a number of premium liquor bottles available. 20 people arrived and the rest had to be turned away. El Carmen has one huge advantage in regards to our dining experience: The coffee shop. There is no option for that here, but you can purchase wine off a separate menu if you wish to splurge! White linen table cloths and a wonderful aesthetic give Chez Isabelle a sense of class as you dine. If youve never experienced it before, its a must-do! By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Just something that you might not have considered that might help you decide. 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. From the housekeeping, service at the bars to the concierge. We got to give a shout-out to Adriano who served us every day at the beach. We have been to ERC twice, once non club, then went club for our honeymoon. Glass-walled stand-up showers feature massive rainfall showerheads and all bathrooms include generous toiletries. Maybe Im just getting older, but I dont like the rough feeling of wet, sandy feet against flip flops or sand in my bits after a day on the beach. You can break large bills at the front desk for ones if youre running low. There are tons of different hot (and cold!) If youre not already a member of Welcome to Excellence El Carmen on Facebook I highly recommend you join there are a ton of Q&As in there! . There are so many restaurants at Excellence El Carmen. You have a set of headphones with a few choices of music to dance to, and then youre off in your own little world. Located in the Uvero Alto area of the Dominican Republic. There are blinds to draw down for privacy if you wish. Yes, Wi-Fi is included in your package. 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! It is so relaxing. If those are things that you would have done anyway and spent money on, I would consider doing the club level for those freebies plus all the other added daily perks of being club. As they fill up quickly. Alternatively, you may use, Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. While interiors are sharp, it's the hotel's lush grounds that give this property its away-from-it-all atmosphere. The Excellence El Carmen is about a 45-minute drive from the airport. The beach at Excellence El Carmen is long its a beautiful, soft, and golden stretch of beach when there is no seaweed. We have to give a shout-out to Felix the bartender here. Fooding and Drinking outside the resort (El Hoyo/Fruisa), Holidaying with a 10 month old from UK. There are items on the menu at Magna that feel more premium than the other menus (but believe me, all of the food is scrummy). Note: They do not serve their drinks with straws, so bring your own if you wish! Flavour Market is a great spot for tapas, sharing, and light bites. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When we stayed in early 2020 we went through the travel agent Sunwing that is based out of Canada. It really is a top option for an all-inclusive. That, of course, is no fault of the hotel. We have been three times now & always EC. This is $699 USD, or complimentary with 6 nights or more in any Excellence Club room category! There is also Las Olas a beautiful setting on the beach to grab a drink and enjoy the ocean breeze and views. You will be greeted at the main door with a glass of prosecco and a smile. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. At every Excellence Resort, the Excellence Club represents the ultimate in luxury, privacy and service. Its totally free, so why not take advantage of it? Luxury runs through every one of Excellence Punta Cana's 461 suites and Excellence El Carmen's 492. Even an extra dollar or two goes a long way in improving their quality of life. You are greeted with a glass of bubbly and a cold towel. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We knew we'd go back so I thought I would do . 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. Excellence Club provides additional benefits, but is it really worth it? We had an additional bottle of vodka (Absolut), tequila (Agavita) and gin (Tanquerey). 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 hit up this spot every single day. Related: What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable!). Save it for later! Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Excellence El Carmen: Excellent! We stayed at the Excellence El Carmen in mid-2019 and our review is based on that experience. We have booked to stay at EEC for 2 weeks from opening day! Valet parking is free at the resort and theres free Wi-Fi throughout the property. 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. You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. We did two excursions when we visited. Excellence El Carmen, Uvero Alto: "Can anyone who upgraded to Excellence club upon." | Check out 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 balcony was covered in cigarette butts when we checked in. I was confused because were in an EC building, and its the room we booked, but apparently not all of building 9 is EC. Excellence El Carmen Dominican Republic has shops selling sundries and beach attire, a medical clinic (fee to use), and an ATM. Bvlgari toiletries. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Keep in mind there may be a separate wine list at the restaurants where you can opt to purchase bottles of winebut we drank the house all week and we loved it! Insider tip: Dont miss the hidden gem by building 10! We were not excellence club. What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation (Plus Free Printable! This is obviously down to the staff who were so proactive in making sure the place looked tidy. Excellence El Carmen: Excellence Club WORTH IT - See 8,945 traveller reviews, 11,222 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. They take you off the resort to see some interesting things nearby. Its a really nice option if you dont feel like getting into your evening clothes and instead just chilling out in the room. Between the excellence punta Cana and the What's is the difference between the regular The blanket was dirty, showerhead was rusty, the air vent in the bathroom was clogged with dust and hair. The price including flights, airport transfers, and the all-inclusive came out to $3,000 USD for the complete stay. We visited these during our other Excellence trips and loved them. but then drinks happened and we ended up just lazing by the pool. There is also a beach area reserved for them, as well as several pools and whirlpools. Over the 7 days that we visited the Excellence, there were two weddings that we saw going on. NEW riu palace bavaro ----opening when?????? 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). 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. This is probably the most important part about the vendors: there are some men who walk around with parrots, monkeys, and iguanas. You can do that here no problem. I loved having this option for an afternoon pick-me-up (since you know, doing nothing all day is so exhausting ). The wait isnt long, so stick around (or maybe have a drink first or head to the Flavour Market next door for some tapas!). Im not a huge pizza or pasta fan when theres tons of other things to try that I cant get at home (or want to make at home, more like!). Its a lovely experience. In Excellence El Carmen, a Popular Brand Accomplishes the - Islands However, the dress code is one of the reasons why we love Excellence. Sunny yellows, lush flora greens, and ocean blues set the scene for a transfixing mix of island charm and elegance. If you stayed for a week you wouldnt be able to visit them all, unless you visited more than one a night! This is one of the more popular restaurants on the resort. 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? . The room we stayed in when we visited was a junior swim-up suite. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Free water sports include kayaks and Hobie Cat catamarans. Tip: bring your own floaties with you! A Lot of these are connected to the swim-up suites. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. 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. 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. by Adrian updated July 31, 2021, 2:41 pm. 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. 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 gym at this resort is very well stocked. It does not store any personal data. Im sure if we couldnt get an EC room we would still have a great time though. 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. The waters were pretty calm, so if youre into ocean swimming this is the spot for you. Junior Suites can sleep up to three people, but the rest of the room types are for a maximum of two guests. For Excellence Club guests, dont miss Magna! If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. Access to private Excellence Club lounge (7:00 am to 11:00 pm) with concierge service, smart buffets, and bar service. 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 Will we be sorry not booking the club? Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Make sure to make use of the room service, not only do they serve an extensive range of food, but if you fancy a midday cocktail they will also bring that to your room too. 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. Best Adult Only All Inclusive in Punta Cana? 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. 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. This is also the place you can get fresh coconuts. I heard a few people talking about that and then we forgot when we went to steam our dresses. Opting to eat healthier during your stay? . Once inside, it's all about sharp neutral decor, tranquil vibes, and breezy ocean views. The poolside service was always quick, the entertainment staff were a blast, the waiters were so courteous and attentivethe list goes on. 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. Its open at 7:00 am and you have the choice to eat inside or out. This resort is a wonderful place for adults to relax and de-stress, and the Excellence Club in my opinion is absolutely worth it. Avoiding grains? 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. They will come up to you and place them on you without even asking. Theyre easy to pack and inexpensive and so worth having! Pricier Excellence Club upgrades add pillow menus, Bulgari toiletries, loaner beach bags, and minibars with top-shelf liquor. We have celebrated our past 5 anniversaries at Excellence Group resorts (Excellence Riviera Cancun and The Finest). We arrived in the morning and our room wasnt ready yet, so we went and grabbed a cocktail at the main bar. We found this place the most difficult to get a booking for at peak times. They do advise that you ring before your trip to check availability. Wood-Fired pizzas, rich and creamy pasta dishes, and some really nice seafood options too. Chez Isabelle is a quiet restaurant to visit for a romantic meal and the decor is beautiful. The EC beach is similar to the non EC but you get the loungers made up for you & concierges to look after you. From the Gym, tennis courts, beach volleyball, and water sports they have it all on offer. For a more classic Caribbean beachfront all-inclusive with similar amenities, rates are comparable at the nearby sister resort,Excellence Punta Cana. There are lots of things to see and do locally, for a comprehensive list we suggest checking out this really great article by PuntaCanaTravelBlog.com, by Adrian updated February 4, 2023, 10:21 am, by Emma updated January 30, 2023, 8:40 pm, by Emma updated January 25, 2023, 8:49 am. : Excellence El Carmen - See 9,462 traveller reviews, 11,732 photos, and cheap deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. Were not whiskey drinkers, but we do love tequila. The all-inclusive package is very good here. 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. Quite frankly, aside from the private, frosted-glass door for the toilet, its all open air. Plan your next vacation using these tools! Book flights: SkyScanner Book hotels: Booking.com Book car rentals: RentalCars.comBook tours: GetYourGuide Local food experiences: EatWithFavourite travel item: Packing cubesFavourite travel bag: Osprey 40L Fairview ESims: Airalo DIY Travel Medical Kit 20 Cheap Travel Items Under $20. One of the best elements of the Excellence chain of resorts is their extensive drinks selection. At all of the Excellence resorts, the check-in process is really an experience. 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. 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). The Dominican Republic has a really beautiful landscape and the Hoyo Azul at Scape Park is a spectacular sight. Your best option is a 35-minute drive from the resort. This is a must-visit if youre a fan of Indian food. If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. 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. 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 plenty of lunch options for you to try during your stay, and you wont go hungry! Q. 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. We like the Beachfront Honeymoon rooms & these are all EC. I love the different dishes and flavour combinations. There is a massive king-sized bed which is super comfortable. Is the bathroom private? If youre part of the Excellence club you will have the likes of Absolut Vodka, Johnny Walker Black Label, and Anejo Rum. They have a large menu with all of the smoothies combinations under the sun. 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 too many food stations to even mention. I also visited DR this year and I can only say it is a wonderful country. The staff work so hard, and provide excellent service with a smile. The course is well designed and challenging and the upkeep of the course was very good. Club vs non-Club at Excellence El Carmen - Punta Cana Forum It takes roughly 45 minutes for it to show up at your room but I loved the freedom it gave us with getting ready and not having to get froofrooed up, as my mom says. If you want a little pick-me-up, there are fruit cups, snacks, and gelato here, too! You can grab a coconut at the swim up bar most days where you can have any drink you want inside of it. Horseback riding, biking, tennis, and quality excursions (some fees) Free Wi-Fi throughout. 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. So I am just checking to see if there was any extra fees that arent included! Serving up all of the traditional dishes there are the classics and some dishes that you probably have never heard of before. This restaurant is a Mexican offering and we really enjoyed our night at Las Olas. Excellence Playa Mujeres: Mexicos Best Adults-Only Resort! Is Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen worth it? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We had the grilled lobster and the lobster ravioli and the lobster for both dishes was a little bit chewy. 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. Jan 12, 2023 - Wondering if Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen in Punta Cana is worth it? You will likely not even realize what you are "missing" being non club. It felt like a newer resort. This was very close to being our favorite as the food here was very authentic and delicious. You can purchase drinks at the airport to make the ride a little more fun, and perhaps a bit quicker? The only area that we felt a little let down on was the. Youll have a great view of the pool and ocean and a nice breeze to enjoy your dinner with. There were tons of loungers and palapas available, with great poolside service. 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. Best things to do in Punta Cana.your top 3. The weather was a little windy at times however that's just one of the challenges of trav. Excellence El Carmen- Excellence Club, worth it? - Punta Cana Forum Excellence Club | Excellence El Carmen The entertainment crew really does make a solid effort in keeping everyone entertained with a wide range of activities going on throughout the day. In the video we tell you how we planned o. The entire week we didnt have anyone above us either, which was awesome! Casual wear (no wet swimsuits) is acceptable elsewhere for breakfast and lunch. Excellence El Carmen Review (Punta Cana All Inclusive COVID-19 You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I would still go. ago Excellence Club is a nice-to-have but no must-have. If youre in Excellence Club, try Magna for breakfast at least once! Secrets resorts All your questions answered! we decided to splurge and upgrade to Excellence Club Junior Suite with Private Pool. is excellence club worth it el carmen - anmolsahota.com We did EC when we went a month ago for the first time. There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. The service here gets a 5-star rating from us, it was literally impeccable. It opened its doors in 2016 and has been a firm favorite for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean.
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