Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Cancun's Newest All-Inclusive Hotel is Near Playa del Carmen
Oct 19, 2009
The shape of the newly opened Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa resembles the letter W. It probably wasn't intentional but the design could stand for Wow. The Mexican Caribbean's all-inclusive 485-room resort is a luxurious addition to the Riviera Maya, located close to Playa del Carmen and tiny Puerto Morelos. Add in only a 25-minute drive to the Cancun International Airport and this spot is a winner.
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa History
It took less than 18 months to build the gated resort, which was granted a building exception for the Mayan area – the resort could have five floors. The result is superb views of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding areas from the hotel’s upper floors. Unlike other Cancun hotels that stand side by side in the Hotel Zone, Dreams Riviera is away from that action. It’s reached by a short drive off the main highway and through a semi-residential area. Since it's located in a national park area and along a stretch of white sand beach in the Riviera Maya with the Mesoamerican Reef (the world's second largest barrier reef) just offshore, water activities are controlled by the resort.
While other area hotels have a Mayan look and feel, Dreams Riviera was designed with a Mexican- and Thai-style influence. The building that houses the lobby and ancillary services is a mammoth structure with a marble staircase and resembles a temple.
All rooms have an octagonal floor plan, some with views of the ocean, a king-size or two double beds and a balcony or terrace. The Preferred Guest plan offers a plunge pool outside the room's sliding glass doors.
A Different Kind of "All Inclusive" Resort
The all-inclusive label often denotes poor quality such as all meals are buffet, most liquor is sub-standard and colored wristbands determine a guest's level of service. At Dreams Riviera, no one wears a wristband; well-prepared meals can be taken a la carte in all six restaurants and only international premium liquor brands are served. "Everyone is a VIP here," said Hagen Sommer, sales manager of Dreams Riviera Cancun, at the resort's opening ceremony.
Three meals are standard fare and all-day snacks are available at the World Cafe (and can be taken away for a day trip). Room service is 24 hours and the mini-bar is refreshed daily. Theme parties, oceanfront bars and entertainment are other amenities.
A variety of inclusions are: salsa lessons, Spanish lessons; fitness center; aqua aerobic classes and even movies on the beach.
Dreams Riviera Cancun is Family-Friendly
What to do with the kids is answered here. The Kids' Explorer Club is available for ages 3-12 and manned by Red Cross certified personnel. There's no charge for the daytime service (extra babysitting fee for evenings) that includes video games, a pyramid-shaped climbing wall, nature excursions and more. Parents who leave the hotel grounds are given a beeper to stay connected with the club and with their children. And since the resort is so spread out, there’s never the feel of noisy children underfoot.
What's Nearby Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Cancun is the gateway to the Mayan World, which is considered one of the world's most advanced cultures. Its history includes the walled city of Tulum, located not far from Dreams Riviera. Xplor is a vast underground of stalactites and stalagmites turned into an adventurer's park with zip lines, rafts and amphibious vehicles. Tours can be purchased at the hotel for numerous sightseeing trips, water sports and other activities.
Contact information
Dreams Riviera Cancun can be contacted through Dreams Resorts or 1-866-2DREAMS. For city and surrounding area information, contact the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau .
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