Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resort. And while there are many resorts that fit this bill, opting for a luxury property means youll also likely get a stunning, serene beachfront, chic pool with a swim-up bar, impressive, The best part of booking an all-inclusive vacation is that everything food, drinks, activities, and accommodations is supposed to be included in the rate. 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. We sat outside on the terrace and the resort was so pretty lit up at night. . At the other Excellence guest-only eatery, we were pretty disappointed with the restaurant. If you have stayed in an Excellence resort before you know that the amenities on offer are always top class. Its architecture is in the Contemporary Caribbean style, and twenty pools wind through our . THE ROOMS. Its luxurious rooms and suites make for the ideal romantic getaway and this property caters to honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversary. For those who wish to explore down the beach, Tropical Treasures also has great beach side massages and souvenirs. An Italian offering that serves up all of the staple dishes you would expect from your local Italian. 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. Flavour Market is ideal for those who want to try a bit of everything without filling up too much on one thing! After one or two many drinks the night before we liked nothing more than getting up and getting some fresh fruit into our bodies. Excellence El Carmen: Truly Excellent! What is VIP Service? Our top recommendations for dishes here are the patatas bravos and the Spanish meatballs. Its easily 20 x 15 feet (my mom and I tried measuring with our bodies), warm, and gets the late morning and afternoon sun. I worry about hidden fees- is EVERYTHING Included in all inclusive? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Junior Suites can sleep up to three people, but the rest of the room types are for a maximum of two guests. This would be great for later in the evening, or even an early snack prior to a later dinner (if youre wanting to try it all!). The Excellence El Carmen is about a 45-minute drive from the airport. The question of club vs. non-club is asked all the time on the forums. The club pool at ERC had very few beds with umbrellas and being fair skinned i need shade, so found myself having to join in the early morning fight for a bed, it sounds like there will be plenty of club pools at EEC so I suppose that wouldn't be a problem. The waters were pretty calm, so if youre into ocean swimming this is the spot for you. (Feb 1, 2022). any chance you know if they have pickle ball courts? The food was top quality and the atmosphere was great. It never took longer than 5-10 minutes to walk to anywhere we wanted to go. You will find options everywhere you go and the nice thing is, if you choose to eat a certain way, you are in total control! There is a drinks service on the beach which makes spending a day sunning yourself so much more enjoyable. For anniversaries, you can receive this package up to 7 days before and 7 days after your anniversary, giving you lots of flexibility! If youre on a tight schedule or just want to get on with your day, the buffet is your friend. 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. Our first room was filthy. We have been three times now & always EC. Dont get us wrong, the steaks were well prepared and the burger we tried too was pretty good. Many of you have asked: there is no waiter service at these rooms but you have an entire minibar in your room and a minifridge which you can request to have stocked with what you like, or you can order room service for some sparkling wine if thats your thing, or even toddle over one of the many bars for some cocktails to bring back. Excellence El Carmen: Great hotel ! There is no option for that here, but you can purchase wine off a separate menu if you wish to splurge! 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. Theyre easy to pack and inexpensive and so worth having! Excellence El Carmen is very competitively priced. Check-in is a breeze and you are whisked to your room where your holiday can really begin. We are considering booking this resort for our anniversary in October. and loved it. 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. I understand and appreciate that tipping is subjective. Its totally free, so why not take advantage of it? If youre like me, I love knowing what dinner options are available before I go to a resort. The beach at the El Carmen resort is truly stunning. Its 492 modern suites have elegant interiors plus high-end features like free bottles of liquor and double jetted tubs overlooking private balconies. 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. 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 like sushi, maki, and noodle dishes, head to Spice! Excellence El Carmen suites are some of the most attractive that we've seen in the Punta Cana region. Room service is another great option for lunch, just keep in mind it takes about 45 minutes to arrive. My husband and I are looking into going to EEC and we are wondering if the Excellence Club is worth it. The Excellence chain of resorts is known to put out a very decent standard of food and the Excellence El Carmen is no different. If you want to be in a secluded spot and close to the beach then building 9 is your best bet. We went there for dinner and were a little disappointed with the food. The only restaurant that requires a reservation is Spice, which has limited seating at its teppanyaki counters. It makes a great all-inclusive resort option for those wanting luxury and comfort. The whirlpools are ideal for enjoying the views and a soak in rainy weather. The entire week we didnt have anyone above us either, which was awesome! . 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! Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. We brought these ones which were the perfect size, and were easy to inflate, and easy to pack up to bring home! I love the outdoor seating and the decor here. Weirdly enough we found that the food here in the Dominican was way better than the Excellence offerings in their Mexican location. From the Gym, tennis courts, beach volleyball, and water sports they have it all on offer. Hi David! Avoiding grains? Free water sports include kayaks and Hobie Cat catamarans. The service is excellent and the food is diverse. Ive talked to quite a few people during our time here about that experience. 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 . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. Im glad there were other couples there laughing, because some of you cant help but laugh! The only area that we felt a little let down on was the. In my opinion, Excellence Club is not worth it at Excellence El Carmen. Reviews/Suggestions. This category reimagines Dominican Republic resorts in an adults only oasis that delights the senses. A Lot of these are connected to the swim-up suites. depends on how you view 5 star - See 9,463 traveler reviews, 11,732 candid photos, and great deals for Excellence El Carmen at Tripadvisor. The expansive property seems large but its very walkable and manageable (as well as accessible). Dont get us wrong, there is more than enough space at the pools to get a sun lounger and to chill out in peace and quiet. 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. They will come up to you and place them on you without even asking. It's worth noting that most dinner restaurants have a casual elegance dress code, which means that t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, and beach sandals are not allowed. Fun vacation spot Lisa M on Feb 04, 2023 Q. 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. Appreciate it! 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. We accosted the minibar guy one day to give us kitkats, so just so you know, there is also chocolate! 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. ordered the flank steak and charcoal grilled chicken. ), and lobster tails. It looked like they had drinks and a canopy thing going on there. 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. 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. The marquee element of the park is the Hoyo Azul. The balcony was covered in cigarette butts when we checked in. Since Aroma opens at 7:00 am, its a great spot to enjoy a morning coffee. Related: What to Pack in a DIY Travel Medical Kit. The park also boasts a range of other activities including ziplines, animal parks, and the impressive surrounding forest. You can check it out on the resort map! Although theres no money involved it was a great way to mingle with the other guests. There are also a number of liquor bottles that are in the room too. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Related: 20 Best Cheap Travel Items Under $20 (that are actually useful!). The deal I can get right now makes the Junior Suite Pool View really affordable but the Club is just out of our reach. 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. You can also grab these at Las Olas when they have their Coco Loco drink station going! 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. Your bags will be taken by the staff and be delivered to your room. We also enjoy breakfast & some dinners at Magna the EC restaurant. If you are travelling from North America, you do not need to bring an adapter with you. I LOVE Excellence properties, and Excellence El Carmen is nothing short of an amazing resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Sorry such a technical question and really appreciate your in depth review of the place. In the past 30 days, there are 52 WorthEPenny members who reportedly saved an average of $16.22 on their purchase with Excellence Resorts coupon codes. It is so relaxing. The Dominican Republics minimum wage is the equivalent to $154 USD a month! 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. You can ask for more of certain drinks or snacks if you wish (plus a nice tip wouldnt hurt with that request!). There is also an extensive wine on offer if you dont fancy the house wine. There are tons of different hot (and cold!) The food here was top-notch. Are you a vegetarian? You can bring this right back to your palapa by the pool or beach to enjoy or eat on the terrace. Is Excellence Club at Excellence El Carmen worth it?