TIPS ON TRIPS: Dreams Cancún Resort and Spa, at Cancún, México

By Julie Picknell, Travel Special to La Prensa

Ann Arbor: Sitting in front of my computer one frosty autumn morning, while watching the leaves trying to change on my trees, an intense thought sparked into my brain…I need a vacation, and I want it warm!

Being a mother of four children with extremely varying ages, not to mention a wife in desperate need of a vacation with her husband, I needed a get-away that not only included activities for children (and teenagers) in all age groups, but also allowed for peace and solitude (and perhaps romance?) for adults. 
 

Julie Picknell

I wanted a luxurious setting that included activities, food, and beverages of all types, readily available as part of the price, but I wanted to be on land rather than on a cruise ship. I wanted to wake up every morning to the ocean, off of my balcony, while sipping coffee brought to me by room service.  

Quality snorkeling and diving was a must, but I also longed for culturally enriched excursions for the whole family not too far away from where we were staying.  Oh, and yes…I wanted all of this to be affordable. 

Was there such a place? 

I turned back to my computer screen and the internet and un gran google search and started typing key search engine words.

Of all the Five Star All-Inclusive resorts that popped up from my search, Dreams Cancún Resort and Spa caught my attention by matching my criteria the closest.  Located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, México, on one of its most desirable ocean front locations, Dreams boasted of romance, beauty and catering towards the entire family.  [www.mexico-dreaming.com/dreams-cancun.htm]

The price looked extremely reasonable (starting at $150/adult per night with reduced rates for children), especially considering that this cost included all food and beverages found at a variety of quality restaurants and bars throughout the resort.

SOLD!  I booked out non-stop flights and started to pack.

Upon arriving at the resort, I immediately noticed the fine quality of service, as a smiling caballero brought us bottled water, as we advanced toward the check-in area. 

The lobby was stunning and registration was quick and painless. We weren’t even required to put on wrist bands to identify us as resort guests, which is a standard policy for most all-inclusive resorts.  Ten minutes later, we were unpacking in our room.
 

After freshening up, we decided to dine at one of the restaurants Dreams offered. Being fond of Japanese cuisine, the Himitsu won, and off we went. 

It is difficult to adequately describe the dining experience that awaited us.  Not only was the quality of food incredible, but the ambience and view had taken our breath away!  The Himitsu has both indoor and covered outdoor dining that overlooks the Gulf of México, and there happened to be a wedding ceremony underway on Dreams Cancún’s private beach just yards in front of us. 

While we dined, we watched Mayan dancers in the starlight, playing music and sharing customs with two newlyweds and their bridal party and guests (everyone dressed in white), with the sound of waves gently rolling in from the distance.  After a mere two hours at Dreams Cancún Resort and Spa, we had no doubt that we had chosen wisely!

In addition to the Himitsu, Dreams has: the no. 1 world café—a buffet style restaurant which has a wide variety of food and dessert selections, with certain entrées made to order in front of you; the Oceana—a fresh seafood restaurant which also faces the ocean; the seaside grill—a steak house for adults only; and the Paloma Bonita—a restaurant not part of the all-inclusive, but available with authentic fine Mexican cuisine. 

There were also snack bars and grills located throughout this sizeable resort.  The quality of comida was top notch, whichever restaurant that you chose to dine at.
 

Resort activities
 

Dreams Resort and Spa has activities available throughout the day such as Spanish lessons, water aerobics, bungee trampoline, tennis lessons, dancing lessons, and snorkeling tours.  These daily activities are brilliantly and energetically carried out by an entertainment staff that is so wonderful you end up considering them new-found friends.

There is a large, fully-staffed, private children’s area called the Explorers Club, which has daily events and activities lined up, beginning at 9:30AM and ending at 9:30PM.  Your children will love the piñata party, treasure hunts, art projects, swimming games, and disco parties.  This very organized and carefully run club is for children 12 and under.

Evening entertainment is also covered with nightly shows, outdoor movies, and dancing in the resort lagoon area, themed dinners, and after-hour parties in which the entertainment staff accompany Dreams’ guests to popular local night clubs. 

For parents with children, there are fully trained and thoroughly screened staff members available for in-room babysitting for an additional cost.

Sales Director Ramón Rabelo
 

When sitting down with Ramón Rabelo, Dreams Cancún Resort and Spa’s Director of Sales, I was very impressed with the level of professionalism and sincerity that he and his entire staff felt towards pleasing their resort guests.  A great amount of pride was apparent by the quality of their service; an ongoing goal of keeping their guests happy and satisfied was the constant role played by all of the staff. 

I was also informed that Dreams Cancún Resort and Spa is widely known for focusing on romance and relaxation, and that a large amount of their guests were either honeymooners or people celebrating anniversaries.  A beautiful pagoda (overlooking the ocean) on a cliff was clearly a favorite spot for weddings or renewals of vows.

 Sara Gonzáles assist Ramón Rabelo, Dreams Cancún’s Director of Sales

While the resort itself has enough activities to keep you happily busy your entire stay, the outside excursions are easy to arrange, and well worth it.  My family chose Xcaret, a magical Eco-park only about a one hour drive from Dreams.  There, we enjoyed a lush park that looked more like a rainforest, learning more about the Mayan culture and climbing the ruins, snorkeling in natural underground rivers, and viewing and actually feeding tropical wildlife.  It was truly amazing.

By far, Dreams Resort and Spa is one of the nicest, well-rounded vacations that my family has been blessed to take.  Everything is well organized and convenient, while not compromising the quality of your experience.  From the “day at the spa,” to kayak tours, to the cocktail making contest…there is truly something for everyone!  My only complaint is that I wish that it had lasted longer!

I am now sitting at my computer in Michigan, looking out of the window at trees with NO leaves and at a sky that’s threatening snow. I daydream of my friends at Dreams Cancún Resort & Spa.

Lodging at Dreams Cancún

Daniella Castillo

Dreams Cancún’s Entertainment Staff includes: Victor Brito, Zairy Rozado, & Ronnie Flores.

Cecilia Rangel and Sara González are part of Dreams Cancún Dream Team.