excellence punta cana food

2021/05/21

From pastries, ice creams, and sandwiches. On a few occasions for midday snacks and then on the day we were leaving because it was an early morning flight and the restaurants werent open yet, we ordered room service for breakfast. Its open for lunch and dinner and has a pretty relaxed dress code. If youre looking for a modern aesthetic we recommend checking out the Excellence El Carmen. Electronic panels control room temperature and do-not-disturb signs. We had the Cobb salad and the Cuban sandwich one night and they were pretty average. For us, the Excellence El Carmen has more of a modern aesthetic and we found that there was a little less wear and tear throughout the resort. You can also get alcoholic drinks delivered with your order, so make sure to make the most of that. Unlike some of the massive chains inPunta Cana, Excellence Resorts owns just a handful of exclusive all-inclusive properties in Mexico and the Caribbean. The Grill serves a la carte burgers, sandwiches, and salads in a thatch-roof palapa. The main area serves an al-a-carte menu. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Excellence Punta Cana is located on a huge, sandy stretch of Macao Beach. Does the Excellence Punta Cana offer a shuttle service from the Airport. It was the Excellence chain of resorts first offering. cana punta tripadvisor excellence We stayed in this resort in early 2020 and our review is based on our experiences. Room service is available 24/7, and Excellence Club guests have a larger menu with more selections. Although gratuities and tax are included in the price of the all-inclusive, its common courtesy to tip the staff for their service. Open for breakfast and dinner there is a mixture of cuisines on offer. Excellence Punta Cana isn't a party resort by any means, but it does have a fun and lively vibe -- and guests usually have a cocktail in hand. For suites with ocean views and private whirlpools, check rates at the modern sister resort down the road, Excellence El Carmen. We have been to other all-inclusive resorts where its advertised as a 5-star resort when in reality it was close to a 4-star experience. The mixed Paella was also a winner and worth trying. Room service including alcoholic beverages and wine is included in your Excellence Punta Cana stay, along with a fully stocked mini bar offering unlimited juices, soft drinks and premium alcoholic beverages.v There are also swim-up suites with private pool access. The Lobster House is one of the most popular restaurant choices for breakfast and dinner, since it has a plethora of seafood and lobster dishes. Kids under the age of 18 aren't allowed here, so the ambience is quiet and relaxed. To do this you need to go to the Spice entrance at a set time in the morning. With 12 bars on the resort, there is a cold beverage available around every corner you turn. The service, food, beach, and communal areas are all very similar to the other resorts. With beers, sodas, sweet treats, mixers as well as a nice choice of bottled liquor and wine. There was always a sun lounger and an umbrella available which was good to see. Straddling either side of Cuba about 1,200 miles apart, An all-inclusive resort often seems like the obvious choice when planning a budget-friendly vacation. When we stayed in early 2020 we went through the travel agent Sunwing that is based out of Canada. In general, for an all-inclusive. From Sushi, pad thai, ramen, and curries they have a lovely selection of dishes on offer. The second pool is in a garden setting, and has a waterfall infinity edge. From pasta, steak, and seafood we found that it was basically the better dishes from a lot of the other restaurants. by Adrian updated July 22, 2021, 9:36 pm. Digging deep into our data, we found the most sought-after all-inclusive resorts around the world. For the Excellence Punta Cana vs the Excellence El Carmen, it really comes down to the difference in price. A. There was more than enough equipment with loads of cardio machines, free weights, machine weights, and a studio area. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Two of these are available to all guests and the other two are only available to Excellence Club members. And room service is always available 24 hours a day. Although that may not seem like enough for a resort this size. The seafood style restaurants, The main steakhouse of the resort. Free Parking is available at the resort. The restaurant has a minimal Japanese design to its decor and had a humming atmosphere the two nights we went there. To make sure that you arent in one of these rooms go for a sea view room. Save room for dessert.Breakfast open from 7:00 am - 11:00 amLunch open from 12:00pm - 4:00 pmDinner open from 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm, A popular trattoria-style restaurant serving simple but delicious fare including pizza--from traditional to unpredictable--calzones, pastas and a selection of sweet treats. Technically it's considered Higuey, an area that is largely associated as Punta Cana but is, in fact, just slightly north of it. Shorts, Bermudas, sarongs, and t-shirts are welcome. When you book it will say that Taxes and gratuities are included in the price you pay, but as we will talk about the tipping section. We were pretty disappointed with the offering here. Additional tips should be taken into consideration when planning a trip to any all-inclusive. Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be worn. It is like taking a mini trip to Spain and back in a night. There was a range of entertainment that was put on in the evenings. Similar to the aesthetic of the rooms, the equipment and feel of the gym are on the older side. The Jalapeno Margarita was delicious. This does come at an additional cost though. We went through the whole process in about 2 minutes and were brought directly to our room and our bags arrived shortly after. Yes, Wi-Fi is included in the price of your package. Weve been to nearly all of the Excellence offerings now and its been hit and miss to whether theres a benefit in going for the Excellence Club. This was definitely the restaurant that we found it most difficult to get a booking in. The staff accepts any currency, but US Dollars are the easiest option for them. We set out to find the best of the best when it comes to luxurious all-inclusive resorts along the beach in the Caribbean. We did manage to find a few which we outline below. For dinner, our gourmet chef serves paella, veal, beef, seafood and a variety of tapas dishes.Dinner open from 6:00pm - 10:30 pm, Dinner at Chez Isabelle, Punta Cana signature French restaurant, is as alluring as a night in Paris. The food here is actually very authentic and the restaurant was buzzing with atmosphere. Right on the beach, this restaurant is overlooking the expansive beach and ocean. Whats your pleasure? There is a really nice outdoor seating area here, which was our chosen spot for breakfast. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We had no issues streaming Netflix at the pool and making Facetime calls from our room. So we advise checking out the El Carmen resort first. Kids aren't allowed, so expect a peaceful scene at the spacious beach, two outdoor swimming pools, and two-story luxe spa with a hydrotherapy circuit. Jetted tubs are mostly placed near the beds, adding a romantic touch. The dishes we got served the night we visited were pretty average. Almost all units feature king-size beds, though there are a few rooms with two double beds. Everything is (supposedly) included, so (supposedly) what you pay upfront is the only fee youll incur, and you can (supposedly) drink, dine, and play till your hearts content. For drinks, we typically tipped a dollar per drink and $5-10 for meals, depending on the service. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In resorts such as the Finest or Excellence Playa Mujeres in Cancun where the beach area is pretty small, we think the Excellence club is 100% worth it for the privacy and ease of getting a sun lounger. The room was cleaned twice a day. This is more a tip for arriving in Punta Cana in general. A. Excellence Club guests are escorted to a private lounge where they complete registration paperwork at a desk. There was a little bit of seaweed that sometimes washed up on the beach, but the staff did a great job of keeping the beach clean. Although this resort is called the Excellence Punta Cana, in reality, its about a 40-minute drive from the main area. With the EC youre in room liquor and the bottles on offer in the EC loungers are premium options. Overall, the architecture and landscaping are evocative of the Caribbean with pastel colors, swaying palm trees, and manicured grounds. This is an adults-only offering is a perfect place to wind down and relax. The Excellence does offer a shuttle to and from the airport. If you want to be in a secluded part of the resort we suggest going for buildings 3 or 14. The portion sizes also were the best, so we left dinner a little peckish. With luxury service, food and amenities we found it very hard to find faults in this resort. Best of all, reservations are never required so decide what restaurant to try when the mood strikes you. 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, Have you ever booked a luxurious Caribbean island getaway promising delicious restaurants, posh rooms with high-end amenities, and a plethora of included features, only to feel like you overpaid at the end of a disappointing stay? Serving up all of the traditional dishes you would expect to be served on the streets of Seville. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Both al fresco and indoor air-conditioned seating can be had. So, be sure to book early to ensure you can get a table. Wedding groups are popular (there are a few key spots around the property for ceremonies). 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. The Lobster House serves up tasty a la carte continental breakfast menu. Each one of our Excellence restaurants has an extensive food and wine menu. From Montego Bay to St. Lucia,, Travelers wanting a beautiful island setting with a grown-up vibe should book a stay at one of the numerous adults-only resorts in the Caribbean. The vibe we got from it was that for the evening meals you were not allowed to show up to restaurants with shorts and a tank top on. Lifeguard stations are scattered along the sand, but they aren't always manned with lifeguards. The other great thing to do is a day trip to Saona Island, which is a picture-perfect beach that is well worth the trip. Each day the spa will offer discounted treatments that are usually advertised on a board outside the spa as well as the information sheet delivered in the turn down service. The price of the resort when you compare it to the other Excellence resorts in the area is appropriately priced for the experience. Open for breakfast and dinner.Breakfast open from 08:00 am - 12:00pmDinner open from 6:30 pm -11:00pm, Enjoy the surf, sun and a bite at Las Olas snack grill. With the morning clean being the primary one and the afternoon clean being more of a turndown. Stocked minibars have free beer, wine, liquor bottles, and snacks, plus there are espresso machines. Its even better when theyre describing a picture-perfect resort in the Caribbean. The sand was so fine and beautiful and the sea was really nice. We were really impressed with the quality of food here. The minibars here are stacked full of goodies. Note that treatments cost extra, but all guests can use the hydrotherapy circuit for free. For info on these editor-selected items, click to visit the sellers site. Part of the Excellence chain of resorts, it was built in 2000. We went for a few dips throughout the week and it was really calm and relaxing. Haute French or fine northern Italian? There is also a $10 fee that must be paid when travelling entering Punta Cana airport. Once arrived, guests mostly stay put on the property. The main buffet area of the resort. A French-style restaurant that serves French Onion soup and all of the classics. But if the sun, Playas Uvero Alto, Punta Cana 23000, Dominican Republic. Lobster and premium alcohol are included at the 12 bars and 10 gourmet restaurants -- only the teppanyaki restaurant requires reservations. It's open from late afternoon to late evening. The main pool literally stretches the length of the beach. Our signature French restaurant is located near the casino in a colonial-style building with a romantic courtyard terrace. Kitchen Table is the impressive buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch. Check in is at 3pm here and check out is at 12pm. Excellence Punta Cana restaurants are part of the all-inclusive rate. These will be the likes of Grey Goose, Johnny Walker Black Label, Absolut Vodka to name a few. The volume of choices can be a little overwhelming, to be honest. The decor at Chez Isabelle is the real winner here. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Footwear must be worn at all times. But not all-inclusives are created equal. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The attached yoga studio has floor mats for stretching, as well as daily yoga and Pilates classes. For dinner, the restaurant turns into a wonderful destination for all things lobster. Bathrobes and slippers are provided. The Excellence Punta Cana is a luxury offering at a competitive price. The chain has seen a huge expansion since 2000 and now has three resorts in the Punta Cana region alone. This is where you'll find the animation team organizing games and blasting pop music -- but there's ample space to get away from the party if you prefer. There's no need to claim sun loungers at the beach or two pools (there's a third private pool and dedicated beach area for Excellence Club guests) since the main pool runs the entire length of the resort and the beach is spacious, allowing plenty of room for everyone. The beach here is also sprawling and private, but we will dive into that a little more in the beach section. The price including flights, airport transfers, and the all-inclusive came out to $3,000 USD for the complete stay. We both had the quesadilla and they were delicious. From tribute acts, to themed nights, dance performances, and karaoke. The premium drinks offering is also a big thing for us. It's away from the main action of the resort, at the front of the property, so that sleeping guests aren't disturbed by reggaetone music. There is a lot on offer. The Excellence Punta Cana Dominican Republic's brand-name Miile Spa is a retreat in itself, with two floors, several treatment rooms, a hair and nail salon, peaceful courtyard, and the special Bridal Suite. Staff can arrange romantic private dining throughout the resort, with advance notice and for a fee. Our top recommendations are the Hoyo Azul, which is a magnificent sinkhole and national park. Most of the food you can get in the other restaurants throughout the resort is available in the buffet. Tapas is one of our favorite styles of food and Flavour market didnt disappoint. Beaches Turks and Caicos Everything you need to know, Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres A Comprehensive Overview. Marble bathrooms are large with dual sinks, spacious showers with rain showerheads, generous toiletries, and separate toilets. There's a bar for just about any mood: a martini bar in the lobby, swim-up bars, beach bars, garden bars, and an air-conditioned sports bar with flat-screen TVs. Take a look at our, Aerial View of Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort/Oyster Vacationing at an all-inclusive resort is one of the best ways to truly relax. Q. Shout out to Joel who is looking after us there. One of the best elements of the Excellence Punta Cana is the stellar service so from our point of view tipping should be considered mandatory. So, if youre looking for a bargain this might be the spot for you. Premium alcohol doesn't cost extra, which is pretty rare in Punta Cana. From all of the usual sporting options such as a jogging trail, tennis courts, ping pong tables, pool tables, and even a mini-golf course. Both resorts are comparably priced, but we did notice that the price fluctuated down at times a little more for the Excellence Punta Cana resort. Its a really lovely spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Be aware that the casino was removed during the renovation, though daytime activities, live music, and evening shows provide entertainment. This is the place in Punta Cana for exquisite shellfish dishes prepared to your tastes. We found that Chez Isabelle and Spice to be the ones where a reservation was beneficial as they get pretty busy at peak hours. So when you start plotting your 2019 escape, consult, A new year brings new beginnings, new adventures, and fortunately, even new hotels. Las Olas offers casual beachfront dining overlooking the waves, but just for lunch. This is also the spot for late-night dining, as it's open well after midnight. Located on the beach with selection of fast food, salads, wood-oven pizzas and grilled favorites.Open from 12:00 pm - 04:00 pm, Step into the world of pan-Asian delights with exotic specialties from Japan, China, Vietnam and Thailand and choose the degree of spice thats right for you.Open from 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm, Buon Appetito at Toscana Restaurant, where the wondrous flavors of Italy come alive. Open from 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm, Located in open-air thatch-roof palapa with a tropical atmosphere and a garden view. The great thing about an all-inclusive is that there is food available 24/7, so even though we were a little disappointed with the dinner we had a lovely snack from the. We used this a few times throughout our stay. There is a dress code for some of the restaurants in the resort. So be prepared to wait once you touch down and make sure that you have all of the necessary documentation on hand before leaving. There's not much outside of the complex's gates, but organized excursions are available, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, zip-lining, and horseback riding. Although there is no golf course in the resort there are a few options within driving distance of the resort. For dinner, youll discover inventive spins on traditional favorites. Order from an extensive menu of tapas dishes paired with premium wines recommended by our sommelier. Things you buy may earn us a commission. Enjoy an extensive selection of snacks, entrees and beverages--with the soundtrack of lapping waves and the scent of salt-air breezes. The food on offer here is actually very good. For the Excellence Punta Cana because of the sheer size of the beach, there is not much value in this benefit. How far is Punta Cana Airport to Excellence? From fitness, cooking, and dance classes. Small plates deliver big flavor in this cozy gourmet restaurant. The property offers sprawling grounds and upscale amenities such as a top-notch spa, yoga, and a seemingly never-ending pool area; couples will find, Eden Roc at Cap Cana is a luxury hotel with a swish oceanfront beach club in Punta Canas posh Cap Cana enclave. Be sure to check the times and show up early as the places can be tough to get. The layout of this resort is a little unique. When we stayed we went for a couples massage, which was on special offer. You are greeted by a staff member that takes your bags off you. Sports Bar is the place for giant flat-screen TVs and pub fare. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Although we were staying in an Excellence club room and had access to a private area, we found that the main part of the beach was never too busy and no matter what time of day you went. People who want a prime beach without the crowds can relax and enjoy the setting here, or walk closer to Bavaro Beach for slightly calmer waves to swim in. With a wide range of local drinks, international beers, and premium liquors they are bound to have your favorite tipple. Don't forget about the fun disco with a DJ and late night dancing. A. So if youre checking out at 12pm and your flights are not until the evening, you will still be able to use the resort, until the time you leave the resort on the day youre checking out. There are also free activities like 30 minutes of horseback riding, tennis lessons, bike tours, Spanish lessons, and intro to SCUBA. The main pool runs almost the entire length of the resort and fronts the ocean, and allows swim-up access from some suites, plus it has a swim-up bar. There is also a large selection of drinks available in your room. The staff was super prompt in tidying up. Its 60 air-conditioned units are a mix of beachfront units with sophisticated European interiors and more classically styled villas with king beds, flat-screen, One of four Paradisus resorts in Punta Cana, the luxury, 554-room Paradisus Palma Real is an affordable all-inclusive resort with a romantic Caribbean setting along a stellar beach. In addition to the nine restaurants, snack bars and lounges, gourmet room service is available 24 hours a day at Excellence Punta Cana Some have ocean views, swim-up access, or private pools. If you plan on doing a treatment in the spa, make sure to check out the offers that they have on the day. Dotted throughout the resort are a range of bars. Its not only honeymooners here, and the partiers in celebration mode add some fun and liveliness to the resort. The private pool area is pretty good here as there is really only one large pool for non-EC members. The bar staff are also super talented and put on an amazing show in the preparation of these drinks. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you want to do the Hibachi experience you must make a reservation to get a spot at a table. Were pleased to offer these fine dining choices: Excellence Punta Cana is the ideal place to sample authentic Mexican food and Tex-Mex favorites like burritos and fajitas--as mild as you like or as spicy as you can handle. An Italian trattoria-style restaurant is located with a lovely view of the ocean. The only real downsides are the 45-minute drive from the airport and that the ocean can be too rough for swimming. Staff are polite and there's rarely a wait for alcohol. If you like Margaritas and Mexican food, this is the spot for you. Having never been to a Hibachi experience like this we found it to be a great show and the food was top notch too. 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. Nightly entertainment rotates on a weekly basis, so there should be a different show every night for seven days. Your best option is a 35-minute drive from the resort. Dont expect anything special from the food department here, but it serves up all your traditional bar food favorites. Oregano overlooks the main pool and serves a casually elegant spread of pizzas, pastas, and salads. The beach here is really what distinguishes this resort. Kudos to Sonia at the Spa for making our experience top-notch. This Asian restaurant serves up an amalgamation of all of Asias most popular dishes. Every time we have arrived we have waited between 1-2 hours to get through immigration and customs. Check out the newsletter delivered to rooms each day for the schedule. There is a huge slate of classes and activities that are on offer throughout the week. The check-in process itself was very swift. Some are subpar spots with disappointing amenities, while others exceed expectations and deliver the most bang, While some New Years resolutions focus on getting fit and saving money, other goals (like ours) are geared toward travel. This is an adults-only resort, if youre looking for a quality resort that is on the same level as the Excellence Punta Cana, but you can bring the kids then we suggest checking out the Finest Playa Mujeres which is a sister hotel to the Excellence. For non-Excellence club members, the bottles on offer will be the likes of Jose Cuervo Tequila, Bacardi rum, a bottle of Vodka, and a red wine bottle. There are two pools for all guests, and a private pool for Excellence Club guests (though we didn't see staff questioning anyone's credentials on our visit, and none of the pools were crowded enough for it to matter). So, you have no issues getting a relaxing spot. For more on the Excellence wedding offerings, be sure to check out the section on their website here. You can also ask in the spa reception, but its well worth doing as the discounts are pretty good. The Excellence Punta Cana hit it out of the park with the service. For alfresco dinner, the sizzle of prime steaks, chicken and shrimp searing on an open flame tips you off that youre in for an exceptional meal.Lunch open from 12:00pm -6:00 pmDinner open from 6.30 pm-11:00 pm, Try something different for dinner. The course is well designed and challenging and the upkeep of the course was very good. What it lacks in a modern aesthetic, it makes up for with a cheaper price. There are alot of smaller buildings dotted throughout the resort where the rooms are located. There are a number of rooms that are facing a delivery road at the back of the buildings where the rooms are located. The Cocotal Golf and Country Club. Spice serves specialties from Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand and has teppanyaki tables for live cooking. When any delivery happened large trucks would drive past the suites, which was quite noisy and off-putting. The ribeye steak here was very good and perfectly cooked. Excursions can be booked for a fee. It also has a gorgeous partially open-air hydrotherapy circuit with a jetted pool, sauna, steam room, cold shower, and plunge pools. Although this is not a restaurant there are a few tasty treats available here. Also, all of the use of the amenities, the non-motorized water sports, and the entertainment that is put on is included in your package. Pasta selections, as you like it.meat and seafood dishes infused with fresh ingredients and artfully prepared to five star standards. The resort boasts a huge range of amenities. The variety of choices is a little overwhelming with dozens of food stations. The atmosphere here was popping and it was a lot of fun here. Think of it as a bit of the Old World in Punta Cana.Open from 6:00 pm - 2:00 am. Popular drinks include hollowed-out fresh pineapples and coconuts with rum poured into them, offering that truly tropical vacation feel. There are two parts to this restaurant. I dont think I saw a piece of rubbish at all during our stay. There are a wide variety of treatments available. You do need to make reservations for some of the restaurants here. All rooms come with furnished terraces or balconies, coming with either garden, mountain, or ocean views. But unfortunately, some hotels that bill themselves as all-inclusive have plenty of caveats:, There are three words that we love to see together: luxury, all-inclusive, and beach. If youre a couple, I wouldnt let the fact that this is a family resort put us off. On offer here are pizzas, grilled meats, and veggies. Tableside entertainment is a fun touch. Guests can lounge on comfy loungers under thatch umbrellas, and there are nearby bars for coconut cocktails and beer. This will most likely be the restaurant that you frequent the most. There is a large selection of room choices available here. The food here is also not too bad. It is available throughout the resort and we found that the strength to be very good. There Is an extensive gym on offer here. With the Finest Punta Cana opening its doors in 2021, there are now three resorts owned by the Excellence chain of resorts in this region of the Dominican Republic. To beach volleyball, wine tastings, and bingo there is a lot to do at the Excellence Punta Cana. The grilled red tuna was top quality and we highly recommend trying if fish is your thing. We were a little disappointed with the Pizzas here as the base of the pizza was a little undercooked.