Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon

honeymoon passport picture | Miss Madeline Rosehoneymoon travel | Miss Madeline Rose

The morning after our wedding we woke up for an early flight to the beach with our passports in hand! We did a lot of research about where to go for our week long honeymoon and since I was starting back to school the next Monday and Chas having his first day of work that same day, we decided to stay fairly close and took a 4 hour direct flight to the Dominican!

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Honeymoon Door Banner | Miss Madeline RoseRomantic honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Our only requirements when searching for the perfect place to honeymoon were 1. the beach, 2. all-inclusive, 3. adult-only and 4. private. plunge. pool. (that was actually only on my wishlist) {wink}. We decided on Excellence El Carmen in Punta Cana. My parents went to Excellence Riviera Cancun and so many of my friends raved about Excellence Playa Mujeres, so we decided to do the newest location, El Carmen, that just opened last December!

Honeymoon suite with a couch | Miss Madeline Rose

Honeymoon Room Service | Miss Madeline RosePrivate plunge pool honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Let’s talk about the room! Oh my heavens, it had everything you’ll ever need from a private plunge pool (our favorite!), an outdoor canopy bed + a daybed, sectional couch, an indoor jacuzzi tub and two T.V.s (which we didn’t really use). They even stock the mini fridge each day with snacks (including Oreos!) and drinks. We requested the Terrace Suite with Plunge Pool, but we both agreed we hit the jackpot with the location. It was far enough away from the night life, but still had a beautiful, intimate view of the ocean. Most of the mornings we ordered room service for breakfast and the waffles + fresh fruit were my favorite!

Honeymoon Bed | Miss Madeline Rose

Jacuzzi tub honeymoon suite | Miss Madeline RoseDouble vanity honeymoon suite | Miss Madeline Rose

The bathroom has a double vanity, a dreamy rain shower and his + her slippers and robes.

What to wear on your honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Morning coffee at the beach | Miss Madeline RoseCanopy bed honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

private plunge pool honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

DIFF Eyewear Cruz Frames | Miss Madeline RoseExcellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

You can still use the code “MADELINE25” to get 25% off your own pair of DIFF Eyewear! I’m wearing the Cruz pair, but I also love the Barry frames.

private plunge pool | Miss Madeline Rose

classy one piece white swimsuit | Miss Madeline RosePunta Cana, Dominican Republic | Miss Madeline Rose

There are a few pools around the property. We were surprised at how quiet and calm everything was! There were not a lot of people there when we went in late May, beginning of June. The weather was beautiful for our stay – there was a rainstorm on the last day, but we were thankful to have sunshine for the majority of the trip! And every bride needs a white one-piece for her honeymoon!

Honeymoon couple | Miss Madeline Rose

Honeymooners | Miss Madeline RoseExcellence El Carmen Activities | Miss Madeline Rose

Newlyweds | Miss Madeline Rose

Yellow gingham set | Miss Madeline RoseMonogrammed sandals | Miss Madeline Rose

One of my favorite honeymoon outfits was this yellow gingham set. The day before my wedding my mom gave me these darling Marley Lilly sandals with my new monogram on them!

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | Miss Madeline Rose

What to wear on your honeymoon | Miss Madeline RoseExcellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Selfie-stick beach picture | Miss Madeline Rose

I recommend bringing a selfie-stick with you on your honeymoon – it came in quite handy for those days where you can’t find a sweet stranger to take your picture.

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline RoseRed gingham high-waisted swimsuit | Miss Madeline Rose

Another one of my favorite high-waisted gingham swimsuits last seen in this post.

Name in the sand | Miss Madeline Rose

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline RoseExcellence El Carmen Restaurant | Miss Madeline Rose

We dressed up for dinner each night (p.s. – the humidity in the Dominican is real! It was pointless to even try and style my hair haha) and tried some of the 12 restaurants they have to offer throughout the week we were there. Agave, the restaurant pictured on the right had yummy Mexican food!

White Flowers | Miss Madeline Rose Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

So many beautiful plants and flowers that dressed the grounds of the resort.

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Cute honeymoon coverup | Miss Madeline Rose Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

This was the perfect beach bag (which is currently on sale for $16!) + white caftan coverup to take down to the pool!

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline RoseWhite coverup for honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Each day by the pool there was some kind of activity wether it be a frisbee contest or water aerobics (one of the more entertaining ones to watch). They also have kayaks that you can rent for free and take out into the ocean.

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Honeymoon dinner outfit | Miss Madeline RoseNewlyweds | Miss Madeline Rose

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon Chez Isabelle Restaurant | Miss Madeline RoseExcellence El Carmen Honeymoon Chez Isabelle Restaurant | Miss Madeline Rose

Chez Isabelle was by far my favorite restaurant. The black and white checkered tile and Parisian inspired ambiance created an elegant evening.

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Planter Boxes | Miss Madeline RoseExcellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon Aroma Coffee Shop | Miss Madeline Rose

Everyday (okay maybe 2-3 times a day) we ventured to the cute coffee shop, Aroma, which has a number of yummy baked goods, but I just went for the gelato! With an all inclusive mindset I had no regrets getting multiple cookies + cream cones.

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline RoseExcellence El Carmen Gelato | Miss Madeline Rose

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Excellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline RoseExcellence El Carmen Honeymoon | Miss Madeline Rose

Emerald Cut Engagement Ring and Bands | Miss Madeline Rose

Such a special week with my husband. I’m so thankful to get to do life together everyday now.

We loved our stay at Excellence El Carmen + can’t wait to plan our next trip to try out another Excellence resort! Feel free to email me or leave a comment below if you have any questions!

bloom & grow forever,
Mr. + Mrs. Taylor


 

  • Briana August 10, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    So beautiful girl! I love this whole post! Congrats on your marriage!

    Briana
    https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/

    • Miss Madeline Rose August 11, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      You are so kind! Thank you, Briana! Happy weekend! Xx

  • Bethany August 10, 2017 at 10:55 pm

    LOVE this post! Your pics are stunning and you guys look so happy! The timing of this post is crazy because I scrolled by it on insta while I was taking a break from researching all the different Excellence resorts! My husband and I are taking our late honeymoon in Dec and I’m trying to decide which one to book. I think your post just sealed the deal, but do you have any complaints or anything on this one or was it as fabulous as it looks?! Thanks! Congrats!! Xo

    • Miss Madeline Rose August 11, 2017 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Bethany!! Thank you so much! — it truly was the best trip. That’s so funny that you were just looking! We could not recommend it enough! I would highly suggest a room like the one we got just because the “swim-up suites” didn’t seem as intimate, but it’s just a personal preference! If you have any more specific questions feel free to email me! Happy honeymooning! Xx

  • Haylee Douglass August 11, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    I have been waiting for this post! Your week looks absolutely dreamy- and what a beautiful newly wed couple! Love you!!

    • Miss Madeline Rose August 11, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      YAY! Haha me too! Better late than never! Love you and hope to see you soon! Xx