Dreams Playa Mujeres - REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: Hyatt
Posts: 100
Dreams Playa Mujeres - REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Hello friends. I hope you are all having an enjoyable summer. God/Allah/Zeus be with any and all of you braving through airports in search of fun and sun. Even as we curse the scourge of inflation, let us spend while we can before the global synchronized recession really harshes our mellow. I for one am weeping as I write this. My vacation savings bucket filled with crypto can now only buy half of a trip. Boohoo for me.
TLDR:
When they say all inclusive, they aren’t kidding around. They throw in alot with the price of admission, which is not cheap. Gorgeous aqua blue waters and white sand beach front. Waterslides. Lazy rivers. Huge pool complex. Adjacent adults only resort. Various restaurants. Ice cream parlor. Food is good to very good. Drinks were terrible. Lots of groups and weddings. Preposterous and annoying early morning hunger games to reserve umbrellas and cabanas by the pool. Overall good impersonal service. 3 Nights was plenty. Both postmodern consumer paradise and surreal dystopia. If you like AI, I recommend. I enjoyed it but was happy to leave for Mayakoba.
In Detail
The Beach
The beach here is wonderful. Wide and long white sand with blue waters. NO SEAWEED. They have two gigantic inflated floaties in the water. One day I was just splashing about and noticed fish swimming by. I scanned the waters and the fish were countless. In fact as I walked down the coastline, this migration of fish stretched as far as I could see. Never seen this many fish before. To my total puzzlement, the beach got no love and there were always plenty of cabanas.
Booking:
Booked on points. ~38K per night. Peak/Off peak pricing was in effect. Cash rates for the stay ~$900 per night. It was a good redemption
Globalist Recognition:
Received upgrade to partial oceanview room and access to Preferred club benefits. So what is the deal with this preferrred club?
Lounge access: indoor and outdoor seating. Drinks all day and various small plates and desserts throughout the day. This bar was better than others.
Preferred club cabanas at pool and beach. This is a big benefit. People wake up with the sunrise to place their junk on seats and cabana to reserve them. Saw a poor family laying down towels under a tree and sitting there for shade. Unacceptable. However, if you have this club status there are club staff at the pool that will set you up with a cabana. Also, there is a separate area at the beach with many palapas and dedicated service.
Lazy river access. But no one checks this. So really anyone can use it. There was a good fresh smoothie stand there.
Plated, seated full service breakfast at Mares. The buffet is the only other breakfast option. If you want something calmer and relaxing, then breakfast at Mares is for you.
The food and drinks:
The food was surprisingly good. Lots of choices. There is a grab and go salad/sandwich store. Pool side grill, which made a really good fried chicken sando. We had fine meals at the brazilian bbq and at the asian restaurant and the seafood restaurant. Didn't even get to try the bars and restaurants at the adults only next door. The buffet was overall good. The ice cream parlor /coffee shop was a real treat. The drinks however were terrible. I believe they have made choice, based upon the desires of the guests, to prioritize quantity over quality.
Because my friends, apparently to us North Americans, vacation means eating and drinking and getting sunburned and having fun all day, everyday. This ethos makes for a lively crowd. There were many groups at the resort having a good ole time with their friends and family. One night I witnessed three weddings popping off simultaneously. One of which partied close to midnight with the dj bumping to the very end. And why not?
But wait there is still more fun to be had. There is an activity squad at one level of the pool organizing pool volleyball, water aerobics, games etc. And because you paid for everything to be included Dreams also throws in afternoon concerts staged on a raised platform above the pool area. Under the blazing summer sun, I witnessed a large Mariachi band which even included cute kids singing Si Nos Dejan. And even better was the ‘90s cover band that had everyone, including me, singing “Spiderwebs”.
While still humming No Doubt, I went down the waterpark quality waterslide. These slides are what they have at waterparks. Its just as big. The only difference is they have turned down the water pressure to slow down the ride. Fun fo sho!
One evening we went to the theatre by the lobby and watched what could best be described as interpretive dance mixed with some cirque du soleil type acrobatics scored by rock music. Free flowing bar included.
Many of you will be like “No way am I using my ever diminishing buying power to go to this Wall-E prison paradise.” And others will be like, “Don’t be such a critical snob. That place sounds great. Easy, all inclusive fun for everybody. And besides, if you really looked under the hood of any of these paradise vacation, well you know, best not look.”
I for one had a good time but three days of it was enough for me. I prefer a chill, do nothing type of beach vacation. Before we checked out, we had a final lunch at the seafood restaurant. One side is all glass, which gives a view of the pool area. The waitress without asking brought me an extra beer for my fish tacos. A diner next to me ordered a cheeseburger and asked if calamari could be substituted for the french fries. Indeed it could. And while I was munching on some crispy spicy goodness and downing my extra beer I watched with wonder the other guests outside doing a pool workout. They were moving there arms in unison to some music I could just barely hear. One of the participants was a lady holding a drink while moving her arms side to side. And with each rhythmic thrust of her arms she would take a slurp of her drink as the cup went by her head. Amazing. I had eaten, drank, and done more than my part to hasten the global ecological collapse. Cue the travelling music. Time to hit the road.
My apologies. Not too many photos for this review. I made an effort to unplug and just be with my family. I have included a link to a travel agent's youtube review that really gives a comprehensive look at the property.
As always, fun and safe travels.
View from room
Pool cabana
Funtimes
Ice cream. They have breakfast pasteries, lunch sandwiches, and desserts
Random popup outdoor bar
Charcruterie at dinner buffer
Same night
Dessert on same night
There was much more at the buffet
TLDR:
When they say all inclusive, they aren’t kidding around. They throw in alot with the price of admission, which is not cheap. Gorgeous aqua blue waters and white sand beach front. Waterslides. Lazy rivers. Huge pool complex. Adjacent adults only resort. Various restaurants. Ice cream parlor. Food is good to very good. Drinks were terrible. Lots of groups and weddings. Preposterous and annoying early morning hunger games to reserve umbrellas and cabanas by the pool. Overall good impersonal service. 3 Nights was plenty. Both postmodern consumer paradise and surreal dystopia. If you like AI, I recommend. I enjoyed it but was happy to leave for Mayakoba.
In Detail
The Beach
The beach here is wonderful. Wide and long white sand with blue waters. NO SEAWEED. They have two gigantic inflated floaties in the water. One day I was just splashing about and noticed fish swimming by. I scanned the waters and the fish were countless. In fact as I walked down the coastline, this migration of fish stretched as far as I could see. Never seen this many fish before. To my total puzzlement, the beach got no love and there were always plenty of cabanas.
Booking:
Booked on points. ~38K per night. Peak/Off peak pricing was in effect. Cash rates for the stay ~$900 per night. It was a good redemption
Globalist Recognition:
Received upgrade to partial oceanview room and access to Preferred club benefits. So what is the deal with this preferrred club?
Lounge access: indoor and outdoor seating. Drinks all day and various small plates and desserts throughout the day. This bar was better than others.
Preferred club cabanas at pool and beach. This is a big benefit. People wake up with the sunrise to place their junk on seats and cabana to reserve them. Saw a poor family laying down towels under a tree and sitting there for shade. Unacceptable. However, if you have this club status there are club staff at the pool that will set you up with a cabana. Also, there is a separate area at the beach with many palapas and dedicated service.
Lazy river access. But no one checks this. So really anyone can use it. There was a good fresh smoothie stand there.
Plated, seated full service breakfast at Mares. The buffet is the only other breakfast option. If you want something calmer and relaxing, then breakfast at Mares is for you.
The food and drinks:
The food was surprisingly good. Lots of choices. There is a grab and go salad/sandwich store. Pool side grill, which made a really good fried chicken sando. We had fine meals at the brazilian bbq and at the asian restaurant and the seafood restaurant. Didn't even get to try the bars and restaurants at the adults only next door. The buffet was overall good. The ice cream parlor /coffee shop was a real treat. The drinks however were terrible. I believe they have made choice, based upon the desires of the guests, to prioritize quantity over quality.
Because my friends, apparently to us North Americans, vacation means eating and drinking and getting sunburned and having fun all day, everyday. This ethos makes for a lively crowd. There were many groups at the resort having a good ole time with their friends and family. One night I witnessed three weddings popping off simultaneously. One of which partied close to midnight with the dj bumping to the very end. And why not?
But wait there is still more fun to be had. There is an activity squad at one level of the pool organizing pool volleyball, water aerobics, games etc. And because you paid for everything to be included Dreams also throws in afternoon concerts staged on a raised platform above the pool area. Under the blazing summer sun, I witnessed a large Mariachi band which even included cute kids singing Si Nos Dejan. And even better was the ‘90s cover band that had everyone, including me, singing “Spiderwebs”.
While still humming No Doubt, I went down the waterpark quality waterslide. These slides are what they have at waterparks. Its just as big. The only difference is they have turned down the water pressure to slow down the ride. Fun fo sho!
One evening we went to the theatre by the lobby and watched what could best be described as interpretive dance mixed with some cirque du soleil type acrobatics scored by rock music. Free flowing bar included.
Many of you will be like “No way am I using my ever diminishing buying power to go to this Wall-E prison paradise.” And others will be like, “Don’t be such a critical snob. That place sounds great. Easy, all inclusive fun for everybody. And besides, if you really looked under the hood of any of these paradise vacation, well you know, best not look.”
I for one had a good time but three days of it was enough for me. I prefer a chill, do nothing type of beach vacation. Before we checked out, we had a final lunch at the seafood restaurant. One side is all glass, which gives a view of the pool area. The waitress without asking brought me an extra beer for my fish tacos. A diner next to me ordered a cheeseburger and asked if calamari could be substituted for the french fries. Indeed it could. And while I was munching on some crispy spicy goodness and downing my extra beer I watched with wonder the other guests outside doing a pool workout. They were moving there arms in unison to some music I could just barely hear. One of the participants was a lady holding a drink while moving her arms side to side. And with each rhythmic thrust of her arms she would take a slurp of her drink as the cup went by her head. Amazing. I had eaten, drank, and done more than my part to hasten the global ecological collapse. Cue the travelling music. Time to hit the road.
My apologies. Not too many photos for this review. I made an effort to unplug and just be with my family. I have included a link to a travel agent's youtube review that really gives a comprehensive look at the property.
As always, fun and safe travels.
View from room
Pool cabana
Funtimes
Ice cream. They have breakfast pasteries, lunch sandwiches, and desserts
Random popup outdoor bar
Charcruterie at dinner buffer
Same night
Dessert on same night
There was much more at the buffet
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,120
Great review. Although I'm not sure which parts are tongue-in-cheek and which are true . We're trying to get to the Riviera Maya this fall so I'm interested in the newly added All Inclusives.
Do you know if adults are allowed to use any of the amenities or dining options at the adjacent Secrets resort? I thought I'd read this somewhere, but now I can't find details at the AMR website.
Do you know if adults are allowed to use any of the amenities or dining options at the adjacent Secrets resort? I thought I'd read this somewhere, but now I can't find details at the AMR website.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 174
Very entertaining review! I have never been to an AI, but we are booked for Secrets Maroma in February. I knew Dreams would be too rowdy for me, and Secrets might be too. Zoetry seemed like a good fit but reviews of those properties just didn't seem up to snuff.
#5
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,506
One interesting item about this property - and the Secrets next to it has a similar quirk - is that there is zero reason to redeem for a standard suite on points if the club room is available on points. The standard suite is just one step up from a standard room - junior suite garden view (room) vs jr suite pool view (std suite). The club room that's 6-8k less per night is a jr suite ocean view in the Preferred Club. All 3 room types have a similar layout, but with some better amenities for the club room (suite doesn't have them).
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,474
#7
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,506
One interesting item about this property - and the Secrets next to it has a similar quirk - is that there is zero reason to redeem for a standard suite on points if the club room is available on points. The standard suite is just one step up from a standard room - junior suite garden view (room) vs jr suite pool view (std suite). The club room that's 6-8k less per night is a jr suite ocean view in the Preferred Club. All 3 room types have a similar layout, but with some better amenities for the club room (suite doesn't have them).
To answer some of the questions here, adults at both resorts have full cross-resort access to restaurants and I believe club guests at each get access to the other side's club amenities.
Overall, it was a decent resort and having Dreams next door as the 'rowdier' resort meant that we could go over there when we wanted a more upbeat vibe or stay at Secrets if we wanted to chill. good value for 21k/night offpeak.
Last edited by lowfareair; Oct 25, 2022 at 8:17 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: Southwest, AA, Starwood, MR
Posts: 42
How was Secrets Maroma Beach? We're considering going in January.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
Posts: 267
Extra person fee while on points stay?
We are looking into booking at this hotel using points. 2 adults, a 4 years old, and a 1 year old.
Has anyone added kids to a points reservation? Was wondering how much it costs per night and what is the age they start charging. Thanks
Has anyone added kids to a points reservation? Was wondering how much it costs per night and what is the age they start charging. Thanks
#11
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
I took my family there and added my 2 kids (6 and 3) to a points reservation. The hotel charged $80/night for each kid.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 581
Looking at book here with my wife and (then) 5 year old daughter - when I use points the only option I get is junior suite pool view king for 63000 points a night, but if I change it to just two of us- the junior suite king (which looks like the same room) is available for 30,000 points - any idea why that isn't available for three persons?