Resort Review- Excellence El Carmen
We had previously visited Excellence Playa Mujeres (EPM) and Excellence Oyster Bay (EOB), and our friends were finally catching on to how awesome these resorts seemed. So, we decided to plan a group trip to another Excellence Property and landed on Excellence El Carmen in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Hotel: The hotel boasts a very modern and chic style, with marble, which seems to be a standard across Excellence Resorts. The main lobby reminded me of EPM with its dramatic staircase and Martini Bar. The landscaping was meticulously planned out and gorgeous. However, the layout of the resort is narrower than EPM or EOB. There were several buildings up front that housed Club Level rooms, but the buildings extended pretty far back into the property. If you were in a room towards the back, it would be a bit of a walk to the beach.
Transportation/Airport: We took advantage of the included Seasons transfer to the Resort, enjoying the privacy it offered. The resort was about a 45-60 minute drive from the airport. Additionally, at the airport, we made use of VIP arrival and departure services. Upon arrival, we were greeted as we departed our plane and escorted past the customs line to a lounge, where we were served drinks and had our passports processed by a customs agent. On departure, an agent escorted us to the front of the baggage check area, through a private area to customs and security, and finally to a lounge where we could enjoy food and drinks before our flight.
Pool: Surprisingly, the main pool area was my least favorite of the Excellence resorts I’ve visited. It was smaller than EPM or EOB and tended to be quite crowded. The entertainment was also hit or miss. However, there was a swim-up bar in the pool. Unlike EOB, EEC doesn’t have a club pool. However, there are a lot more swim-up pools here, and we found those to be more enjoyable than the main pool area.
Beach: The beach area was spacious, although during our visit in July 2023, there was a lot of seaweed, which seemed to be an issue throughout the Caribbean that year. The staff did their best to clear it away, but it was still a bit of a nuisance when swimming. The Excellence Club area had amazing Bali Beds available, and we loved hanging out there as it never felt overly crowded. There was also a small store and a massage place just down the beach, which offered affordable oceanfront massages.
Room: EEC offered similar room options to EPM. We opted for the Excellence Club Level Two-Story Rooftop Terrace Suite, the same room type we had at EPM. The main floor had everything we needed, including a spacious walk-in closet, a bathroom with a shower, a comfy bed, a cozy living area, a convenient desk space, and a jacuzzi tub with a view. The furnished balcony was a fantastic spot to unwind, and we also had our very own rooftop terrace with a lounge bed, plunge pool, outdoor shower, and additional seating. For an ocean view with this room type, Excellence Club is the way to go. Three of our friends had the same room type as us, but we had one friend who opted for an Excellence Club Swim-Up Ocean Front Room. The layout was similar, but having a patio right off a swimming pool was wonderful, and it became our group's hangout spot most days, just steps from the beach.
Spa: We thoroughly enjoyed the spa at EEC. As guests of the Excellence Club Suite, we were treated to a complimentary Aqua Hydrotherapy Session, which was absolutely amazing. They offered various hot and cold therapies both in the water and out. Even if you didn't book the Excellence Club, you still received a Hydrotherapy Session with each spa service purchased. One difference with this spa compared to EPM or EOB is that the spa is located upstairs off the main lobby, rather than on the ground level.
Food: The food at the resort was really good, with smaller portions served, but since it was all-inclusive, we often ordered multiple dishes. With over 10 different restaurants on-site, we had plenty of options to choose from, similar to those at EPM and EOB. Despite being a group of 8 people, we never really had to wait for a table, although we did utilize the concierge to help with reservations (technically not done at the resort, but if you are Excellence Club, just ask the concierge).
Drinks: We had some fantastic drinks during our stay. Our room was stocked with various options that were replenished regularly. At the bars, they had menus, but they were more than happy to accommodate any requests.
Entertainment: Every night, there was some form of nighttime entertainment, ranging from live music to shows, silent discos, and even casino nights. During the day, they had games and live music at the main pool area, although sometimes the scheduled events didn't materialize. The main evening entertainment area was located near the main lobby building, and it tended to be quite hot in the evenings, being far from the beachfront with no breeze.
Price: One of the reasons we keep coming back to Excellence Brand Resorts is because the price is so reasonable for the level of service and overall elevated luxury the resort offers. You really can’t beat it!
Overall: This being our third visit to an Excellence Resort, we thoroughly enjoyed it! If you are traveling with a group, this would be a great option. Additionally, the two Excellence Resorts in the DR are usually significantly less expensive than those in Mexico and EOB in Jamaica, making it a fabulous budget-conscious option. However, we did find ourselves preferring EOB and EPM over EEC. Therefore, it's not a resort we would likely return to frequently. There is another Excellence Resort in Punta Cana, Excellence Punta Cana (EPC), and if we were to return to the DR, we would be interested in checking that resort out, as it is just down the beach from EEC.
