Excellence El Carmen, Punta Cana – A Luxurious All-Inclusive Escape
Our stay at Excellence El Carmen in Punta Cana was pure luxury! We booked a Beachfront Honeymoon Swim-Up Suite at the Excellence Club level, and I would absolutely do it again. Our group of 18 was split between a couple of buildings, but everything was close enough for us to meet up easily. Everyone in our group opted for the Excellence Club, which gave us access to Magna and the Excellence Club Lounge—totally worth it!
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Arriving in Style – VIP Airport Service
VIP Concierge
We flew direct from Orlando with Southwest Airlines and were greeted by a VIP hostess upon arrival. While some say the airport isn’t as busy post-renovations, I wanted to feel like I was on vacation the moment I stepped off the plane—so the VIP service was a perfect touch.
💡 Important Tip: If you book VIP service, only do it through the airport directly to avoid scammers. At the time of this writing, the cost was $118 per person.
⚠️ Beware of E-Ticket Scams: The Dominican Republic E-ticket is 100% free and can be obtained from your airline or travel professional. A friend’s boyfriend accidentally paid over $100 for it on a scam site—don’t be like him! 😊
With VIP assistance, we breezed through customs and were out to our car in no time. The departure VIP service isn’t necessary, as Excellence ensures you’re at the airport with plenty of time to spare.
Getting to Excellence El Carmen
Our group had pre-arranged Seasons Transfers, the complimentary black SUVs, which made the 45-50 minute drive smooth and comfortable. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with chilled towels and champagne, and check-in was a breeze right next to the Excellence Club Lounge, located upstairs to the right of the main entrance.
Honeymoon-Beach Front Swim Up Suite
Our Beachfront Swim-Up Suite
Our beachfront suite was incredible! The bellman delivered our luggage, and we immediately fell in love with the space.
- Swim-Up Pool: We hardly ever saw others in it! I brought an inexpensive float in my suitcase, which I passed on to a neighbor before leaving.
- Private Patio: Featuring a daybed, seating area, and an indoor whirlpool (with privacy shades!).
- Spacious Layout: The suite had plenty of room to spread out, including a walk-in closet that was perfect for keeping everything organized.
- Separate Living & Bedroom Areas: Sliding wooden doors divided the living space from the bedroom and living room, adding extra privacy. What I did not like too much was that the bathroom sink and shower was open to the rest of the bedroom between two mirrors over the sink. The living area had a comfy couch, matching chair, TV, and a long desk—perfect if you need to get some work done using the resort’s Wi-Fi. (I did!)
- Spacious Bathroom: Equipped with double sinks, a rain shower, and a spray wand.
- Luxury Toiletries: L’Occitane shower gel, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. I wasn’t fond of the smell so we didn’t use them.
- Fully Stocked Mini-Fridge: Replenished daily with beer, soda, water, snacks, and above on the shelf were 4 full-sized liquor bottles (which they replace upon request).
Since we were Excellence Club members, I requested champagne daily and orange juice to make mimosas—a fun way to start the day!
Room service: is available 24/7, making it easy to enjoy a meal anytime. When you’re done with your dishes, simply place them in the concealed cabinet located inside the wall next to your room door. Housekeeping discreetly retrieves them without disturbing you—so no need to worry about trays sitting outside your door! 😊
💡 One thing to note: You can drink at any bar on property except for the Excellence Lounge next to Magna. The same drink might taste different at different bars. Some bartenders make them stronger, some sweeter—so it’s a bit of a hit or miss depending on where you order.
💡 Feeling adventurous? Ask to try Mama Juana—a traditional Dominican spiced alcoholic drink made by infusing rum, red wine, and honey with tree bark and herbs. Warning:: It’s potent! We ordered it at the Martini Bar, and let’s just say… it packs a punch! And I hear that the residents of the DR call it the “Baby Maker”.😅
Eloy_Excellence-Club-Lounge
Dining & Nightlife
We tried several restaurants, but Magna was my absolute favorite. I asked for a lobster tail and ribeye without the usual meal extras, and they happily accommodated me. My vegetarian friend loved their options and even ordered two lobster tails!
In the evenings, the Sports Bar and Martini Bar were the go-to spots for fun. Don’t miss the huge Mozzarella sticks! They are so good. They are both on the room service menu and in the sports bar. But my favorite bartender (inside the Excellence Club Bar, Eloy, stole the show with his creative, Instagram-worthy drinks.
Best Massage Deal – Tropical Treasures
If you’re looking for a great massage, skip the resort spa and walk just past the next-door hotel to Tropical Treasures—a charming beachfront spot offering massages at a fraction of the price.
Tropical Treasures Massage – A Relaxing Experience
If you’re looking for a great massage, Tropical Treasures is a must-visit. It’s just a short walk down the beach from Excellence El Carmen, offering massages at a fraction of the resort spa’s price.
💡 Heads-up: The massage area is elevated one floor up—really just about six steps up—and is open from the front and the sides to the beach, so you won’t have total privacy. You’ll be on a massage table next to other guests, but the experience is incredibly relaxing.
I brought my husband and my friend, both first-timers, and they loved it! The sea breeze, the sound of the ocean—it’s all part of the experience. 🌊✨
Bonus: They also have a small shop selling souvenirs, apparel, and hand-painted artwork—perfect for picking up a unique keepsake! 🎨🛍️
Tipping & Cash Tips
If you like to tip, bring cash! The resort’s ATM only dispenses Dominican Pesos (DOP), which can be difficult to exchange and is also dispensed in larger bills. To stay organized, I brought colorful money envelopes, pre-filled with tips for each day:
✅ Housekeeping: $5 in a pink envelope each morning.
✅ Mini-Fridge Stocker: $5 daily and a note inside requesting any substitutions.
✅ Bartenders & Waitstaff: Tipped throughout our stay.
We were there for five days and only brought $400 in cash, yet still returned home with a little left over!
Final Thoughts
We had an amazing time, and I can’t wait to visit another Excellence resort in the future. Before the trip, I stocked up on lightweight, breathable outfits that met the resort’s restaurant dress codes while keeping me cool.
📌 Click here to see me model the outfits and find direct links to shop them for your next vacation!
