Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa

Resort was fantastic! staff amazing! Myself, wife & 3 daughters loved the experience so much. Activities during day excellent, dinner choice in evening exceptional. Dreams entertainment team the BEST!

We have stayed at 4 and 5 star resorts in Mexico before, and have always been treated amazingly well. As travelers, we appreciate how hard the resort staff works. From the front desk, right to wait staff, house keeping, grounds keeper, bar tenders, kitchen staff and laundry. (and anyone else I've missed) When we are on a holiday, we just appreciate how hard everyone works. Well, I didn't know it was possible to do any better, but Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort did just that. Everything was above and beyond anything we have ever experienced! Such friendly staff thru out the whole resort! Delicious food! Big beautiful rooms! The things that we have paid extra for at other resorts were included with this one. No bracelets! That was nice, not having to wear a plastic bracelet for 10 days. 24 hour room service included.Every morning we would order coffee and pastries to be delivered to our room so we could enjoy them on our balcony. It never took more than 15-20 minutes for it to be delivered. And there were a LOT of people taking advantage of this in the mornings. One of the best features we felt, was no reservations for the a la cart restaurants. They had two seating times. If you wanted to get a table for the first seating, you got there early and waited in line. We actually preferred this as we could go when we felt like it. And if worst came to worst and the restaurant was full, you could go eat at the buffet. (which was always delicious) Like most resorts there are signs that tell you that you cannot save a palapa or chair at the pool. What they do at this resort is keep an eye on towels that have been left for more than 2 hours with no one at the spot. I'm not quite sure why, but some people drop off towels and never show up! So it is nice that they actually follow thru somewhat with the rule. (in their binder they actually state that it is a half hour, so they give you ample of time to go get something to eat etc. and get back to your spot... I think I was the only one that read their binder on services etc.) You also didn't need a towel card which was also quite convenient. This resort is a bit smaller which my husband and I prefer. You get to meet people and see them frequently walking to and from the different areas. The only bummer... and this is not in the control of the resort, are the weeds that wash in non stop. Our resort did it's best to remove them thru out the day. But it did deter people from swimming.

My first visit to Mexico and chose Dreams Riviera because it looked like a great place to visit. I must admit my first impression when we turned of the 307 dual carriage way wasn't good you drive down a road about 800 metres long with what looked like a swamp on 1 side, then you turned right and again impression wasn't good then we approached the hotel. I believe in impressions and my saying is you don't get a second chance to make a first impression, if I was the hotels in that area I would club together to improve that route in. Getting back to the Dreams Riviera Hotel. The staff was superb and worked tirelessly to do what ever was needed. The rooms are lovely and well equipped although I booked a deluxe garden view and it was that a view of palm trees so I paid to upgrade to a preferred sea view at the cost of 90$ extra per night and got a fantastic room 1551 and what a sea view if I go again I would want this room. See first picture. The food was superb also Dreams don't have wrist bands or you can only book 2 al a carte meals while you are there, they have numerous restaurants. World cafe- specialising in international cuisine Seaside grill- grilled favourites in a open location El Patio- Mexican cuisine Bordeaux- French cuisine Himitsu- Pan Asian delicacies Pirtofino-Italian-Mediterranean cuisine Oceans-freshest gourmet seafood dishes Barefoot Grill-light lunch specialities Coco Cafe-Premium coffee and deli snacks You can visit these restaurants as many times as you want and all of them are superb and run a fixed menu. Some of the menus are included in this review. The beach is great and the staff are tireless and do anything you ask. Carlos, Victor, Johnny are the lads names I can remember from the beach staff they are fantastic and work extremely hard. Francisco from Himitsu was another waiter who worked hard to do whatever is needed as long as the holiday maker is happy. We had Juan & Pedro from the Seaside grill who again work extremely hard to please the holiday makers. There are more staff I would like to commend but cannot remember their names both worked in the Himitsu restaurant during the week and both these girls are very happy people who never got flustered under the pressure and did everything with a smile. If I had any criticism it would be the location of the evening entertainment see picture 6 it is in the long reception come entertainment lounge. To sum up a truly great hotel, the food was top notch, the staff work unbelievably hard, rooms a great if you get the sea views.

It was hard to get a good place to lounge on the beach and servers came maybe once a day to take your order. I liked the food, but it was hard to get into the restaurants at dinner time, waiting for an hour each night for dinner is not my idea of a great vacation. We paid for a beach front room that was kinda beach front at an angle. Very nice room design and layout but a few broken bits here and there.

Perfect Vacation with Kids ages 10, 5, and 3 Practically perfect!  We are a family of 5 and vacationed mid July.  The pictures do not do this place justice...BEAUTIFUL!  We are huge international travelers with the goal of this trip to be relaxing.  Resort is not huge so navigating is easy. They are sold out this week and we have counted 5 weddings taking place. However, you would never know it by the crowds.  We have never felt cramped in the pools nor had to wait for a table at any restaurant. Travel Tips:  We went to Dollar Tree and stocked up on Sand Toys and Beach Floats.  Our goal was to save money and not have to purchase them there. We also plan to gift them to another family when we leave...Also, we were unsure of the variety that they'd have. Well worth it.  The one gift shop that sells beach toys is beyond expensive. Case in point $24 for a regular size of Sunscreen or 2 for $40...So, bring plenty of that too.  We also stocked up on cheap sunglasses, Aloe Vera (just in case), and coloring books/crayons.  The coloring is because we enjoy a sit down meal  and like any relaxing restaurant on vacation it might take awhile.  Our kids were content with coloring (oldest doing puzzles/word searchs). Only one restaurant (Oceana) provided coloring for the kids.  BUG SPRAY!  You are in paradise in the middle of the jungle.  There are mosquitos.  Resort does their best but don't be miserable bug spray is something easy to bring so you don't have to be eatin' alive.  Room:  We travelled with my mother/stepfather and had connecting plunge pool rooms.  When booking we were unsure if this was necessary.  We LOVED it...and by we I mean the kids.  Night Night Swims became a ritual and the plunge pools are much larger than they seem. Rooms were clean and smelled fresh everyday.  My husband was most thrilled about the huge walk in shower.  Grab pool towels or you'll be using bath towels. Food/Drinks:  Try everything, it's included. You have to make reservations to Himitsu for the Hibachi style tables. If you've been before and it's not a favorite than this won't be special. We saw it as an opportunity to expose our kids with out the additional cost of going in the US.  Per a recommendation we showed up at 3pm to wait for the 4pm opening of reservations.  You can't make them in advance and you must go the day that you want to dine. We sat and read while we waited. At 330pm they let us in to sit in the AC (a good size line at this point).  The chef had some sushi and snacks along with water. At exactly 4pm they started taking reservations.  Note that there is only 2 hibachi tables.  Also, the Hibachi style is a set menu.  Only restaurant negative is Portofino...the food and menu is on point and delicious.  But, the restaurant is HOT.  They can't seem to get it cool so as much as we enjoyed the food when we did return we were sweating before we could get drinks.  We left...Hopefully, this is resolved before your visit.  On Wednesday and Saturdays at 130pm they have Coco Locos at the pool.  They are huge coconuts with a drink concoction.  We loved the concept but the drinks weren't for us.  Talking about drinks don't be shy asking for a specific rum, tequila, etc.  They won't mind giving it to you but if you don't specify than you get the house liquor  which I can't tell a difference. Kids Club: We are used to kids clubs on the Disney Cruise. This is not Disney but they do a fantastic job.  Suggest looking at the Sundial (flyer of daily events that's put into your room the night before) for activities in the Explorers Club.  If the activity is not of interest there isn't much else to do.  Once we had conversations with our kids and let them go during their approved activities they were happy.  Some activities that our kids loved was the ice cream eating contest, piñata party, video games, and the beach campout. Kids have to be potty trained and the Explorers Club is ages 3-12.  More geared to the younger crowd but my oldest still had fun. Beach:  Our first day the beach was magical.  Waves were nonexistent almost cove like with Crystal clear water.  Kids enjoyed looking at the small fish and playing in the sand. After that first day the seas were rougher.  That brought seaweed and lots of it.  The resort does their best to clean it.  Tips Please TIP:  The staff will treat you amazing no matter what. But, tip and you'll be royalty. For the 5 of us we tipped $10USD for sit down lunch and $15USD for dinner. We tipped $1 a drink including kids smoothies. Also we left $3 for the housekeeper and another $3 for the mini bar attendant.  For these small acts we had plenty of fresh towels and the mini bar was stocked with our favorite drinks.  You've kept with me this far...a few more things... We met the resident falcons.  How cool! Kids got to hold them too.  Their job at the resort is to keep pesky birds away so your not dodging poop or fighting to keep your food.  Luz at the concierge desk...She is a gem and such a special addition to the team here.  My stepfather is diabetic and ran out of test strips.  She worked with a lot of local pharmacies to arrange delivery of the test strips.  When this didn't work she went herself to find them. She never seemed put out.  She could have easily said no but she was determined to help. She is amazing and we hope that the Dreams Management Staff recognize her for her commitment to us the guests. Carla Ortiz and the online Facebook team need a huge kudos as well.  When planning and waiting for our trip we liked the Resorts Facebook page.  Our kids were so excited to be able to order "anything they wanted".  Which translates to smoothies and ice cream.  But, my oldest loves crab legs and threw me a curve ball.  "I cant wait to eat crab legs!"...shoot do they even serve those?  I inquired to the Facebook team.  The crab legs are not included as part of the all inclusive but they were determined not to tell my son "No."  So, they worked with the Executive Chef and got him crab legs at dinner one night.  Hospitality at its finest! This resort is super special!  We can't wait to return!