Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa

Awakening from the perfectly idyllic dream is such unpleasant disappointment. We realize we are not in our castle-in-the-sky fancy, but rather, home, under the comforter, with an overfed cat. Our whimsical visage fades away and is quickly replaced by the humdrum certainties of the daily bore.

Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa is your Mexican Sandman, drink in hand, lulling you back to blissful sleep. Cancun's newest resort is a dream turned reality, one that even Freud would have no problems analyzing. His prognosis? Sleepwalking into harmonious elation.

Completed in late autumn 2009, and opened on the first of October of that same year, Dreams hails by their tagline Unlimited Luxury®. Room count is 485 and categorized by their size, proximity to the Ocean, and availability of a Jacuzzi and or plunge pool. Dreams is centrally located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, and is only a half-hour ride from their aeropuerto internacional.

Alojamiento (Accommodations)

Each suite has been thoughtfully decorated and it is clear that no shortcuts were used in either the building materials or the room's functionality. Gone are the typical floral bedspreads, linoleum floors and obtuse pastel reprints hanging on every wall. In its stead are marbled-tiled flooring, smoothed marble dual sink tops and a generous splash of deep wooden accents. The design is quite European throughout.

Heavy wooden shutters that extend to the ceiling serve as a sort of headboard in many of the rooms. On the opposite side are the dual sinks, and behind them a separate shower and water closet, both spacious and matching in stone tile. Hardware is stainless, hearty and modern. The showerhead is removable and adjustable in flow, always useful in dousing away the sugar white sands from the day's activities.

I was impressed by the above, as well as what I found in the closet. Some of the hangars were large and padded in white satin. Knowing that Dream's mujeres and niñas will be bringing their finest summer dresses, they have provided hangars fit for a wedding dress. A simple amenity to overlook, but one that shows considerate forethought nonetheless.

Rooms have your standard fare of amenities, along with a few nice touches, including a jetted whirlpool bathtub, bathrobes and slippers, clock radio with i-pod port, CD/DVD player, in-room programmable safe and daily refreshed mini-bar with Coronas, bottled spring water, juices and Coca-Cola. Preferred Club members will also enjoy the complementary newspaper in English or Spanish, an upgraded mini-bar, free internet access, as well as entry to lounges that serve hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, desserts and fine liquors.

Glass doors to the shower and commode are frosted, although a 2-inch small perimeter around the door remains see-through. This may be a concern for those who are rooming together but perhaps not at ease practicing their shower or washroom routines in front of one another. Again, European in design and in inhibitions as well I suppose.

Sliding doors open to a furnished patio or balcony. Plunge pools accompany most of the lower level suites, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy a small, personal pool that has both a shallow section, ideal for the partially submerged lounge chair Dreams provides, and a deeper section, for the plunging of course. The pools are not private, save for some native flora and a little decorative bamboo, but do allow for a fantastic view of the surroundings. Another advantage of this is that the bar maître d's eagerly come by and request your drink orders. An excellent way to spend a humid afternoon away from the buzz of the pool area.

The plunge pool is an extension of the patio and has no barrier; parents with young children will want to be aware of this. The sliding glass doors are equipped with an elevated lock however.

Diversión de la Familia (Family-Friendly)

Dreams is a family resort, and caters well to that moniker. The Explorer's Club is the hub for the supervised children's activities, open to those 3 to 12 years in age. Daily programs include sandcastle competitions, crafts, big-screen movies at the beach, playgrounds, an ocean trampoline and a rock wall that is ironically iceberg shaped, and a weekly tent campout. The club is open throughout the day and into the evening.

I observed that the club was well staffed, and the activities made me question whether an adult could play too! Unfortunately, due to the high winds during our visit, the ocean trampoline and rock wall were moored at the beach.

On one occasion, I was sadly surprised to see the attention of the staff wandering from their charge. A group of girls was playing on the beach and in the ocean. For that day, the posted flag color was yellow, indicating an undercurrent caution. Yet a group of three very young girls had made their way well out into the ocean, and the staff member was thoroughly occupied with assisting another young girl with a sand castle. I felt obligated to stay in the ocean, nearby, until they were called out. There is a lifeguard, but I did not see him on this day.

Prior to our visit, I had kept up with my reading of the reviews on various sites, as well as Dream's own Facebook site. Many of the guests had expressed strong complaints about the rowdy behavior of the young children, making them out to be the second coming of Blackbeard and Calico Jack, pillaging and hording the native's blue floaties and roaming the galleon at all hours of the night.

Happily, I can report otherwise. One's patience is generally thickened some after they have children of their own, and the behavior of other children becomes less bothersome. To those who have no children, if the occasional cry, whine or raucousness common to kids bothers you, then an adults-only resort should be your destination. Overall, the staff was prompt in addressing the few concerns that arose near the pool area.

Piscinas y la Playa (Pools & Beach)

Guests can enjoy one of any three sizeable pools. The Showtime pool is the hotspot for most of the water activities, including the daily aerobics, water volleyball and basketball, and the diving clinics. A large platform that juts into the center of the pool serves as a stage for Dream's engaging nighttime shows.

Opposite the Showtime Pool is the Kid's Pool, easily the largest kid's pool I had ever seen. No more than a few feet deep in some spots, to a few inches in others, this oversized pool was a favorite for the very young and infants. A wooden bridge splits the pool down the center, and the pool is easily accessible from all sides.

The Infinity Pool with the swim-up Manatees Pool Bar is the main watering hole for Dream's thirsty and sun-drenched guests. The crystal water in the Infinity Pool's ocean side seamlessly spills over and is cycled back into the pool from below, giving the pool its apt name. While in the pool, the view of the beach is obscured. Because of this, though a few swaying palms may break up the visage, the water seems to transcend and merge with the ocean in the background. Truly an eternal sight.

On my first trip down into the Infinity Pool, I did not realize that after a few paces, the water level suddenly deepens. Other than a white line on the submerged step, there is no indication of this. Embarrassingly, I stumbled and jettisoned half my french fries. I made sure I plucked up the waterlogged fries, then waded over to the bar where I learned that quite a few others made this same mistake. Dreams would be served well by posting a friendly sign.

Stone inclines jut out of the water on the hotel side of the pool, where it is only a few inches deep. With a foam float propped against it, and a drink next to you, we found this to be a first-rate way to soak rays and stay cool.

The Manatees Bar is to the pool's left. The barkeeps there were attentive, funny and kept the action going. Drinks were made expeditiously and top-shelf liquors were easily provided upon request. The "donkey-shot" is a house favorite, a creamy mixture of what tasted like Kahlua and vanilla pudding, with a squirt of Hershey's. Soggy tips were readily accepted!

Dreams also has two Jacuzzi pools, kept nicely warm and frothy. Large enough to hold 10 couples comfortably, each Jacuzzi is situated away from the main boardwalks, allowing a nice respite among fastidiously manicured gardens and rattan lounges.

I was impressed by the amount and variety of chairs and lounges that surrounded the pools and lined the beach. Each pool had an ample set of chairs, complete with shared tables and umbrellas, which the staff generously asked if they could open or close for you. In addition to the chairs, there are a handful of four posted thatched huts. Each had a large cushion, very much like a double sized mattress, covered in cream-colored linen. Other huts were similar, but circular in shape, and instead of a thatched roof, they had a retractable "dome" that closed off half of the bed to the sun's rays. Throw pillows galore, these huts were a guest favorite. I would say the only drawback of these were their cleanliness. Only after a few months use, the linens were visibly stained with food and drink. I imagine a darker color may be in the works.

Other ergonomic wicker lounges were strategically placed closer to the rooms and among the lush lawns. Down at the beach, more lounge chairs could be found. These were wooden and nicely padded, not the plastic variety where your skin feels like its squeezing through an onion grater. Closer to the Infinity Pool, more chairs were lined up on a deck, and the first row of chairs were rocking chairs!

The beachfront at Dreams was wide and long. More huts were available on the beach, and the staff kept us well hydrated. Notably, other than a few passing locals with their ware, no bothersome tour guides were permitted on the beach. A hut was set up, just outside Dream's property line, and one could walk over to them for comparable prices on scuba, snorkeling, fishing and the like. Of course, Dreams provides all of this and more at their easily located Towel and Water Sport Center. The world's second largest barrier reef lies about a quarter mile offshore and holds a wonderful underwater experience.

I'm an early riser, and the thought of sunrises over the ocean stirred me for morning jogs on the beach. To the north, a few other resorts can be found. The southern end of the beach is home to smaller beachfront condos and haciendas. A few piers thrust out into the belly of the sea, and are a preferred resting spot to squadrons of pelican-like birds.

I was disappointed at the amount of refuse washed up along the beaches outside of Dream's property line. Man continues to treat our earth's waters as his own garbage pit; the ocean continues to spit out all we throw into her. Seaweed as well lay in giant heaps, and no shells could be found. Dreams however, has a large tractor with a clawed baler that cleans the beach frontage nicely. The resulting groomed sand was gorgeous and the constant ocean breeze kept us from boiling over.

Servicios (Services)

From our first minute of arrival, to our last moments in the lobby, we were constantly contented. The satisfaction of Dream's guests is obviously of utmost importance, and the staff works extremely hard to ensure you are happy and satisfied.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted with champagne and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Normally, we would not think of combining these two treats, but at Dreams, these comforts went down smooth. Our check-in was equally smooth, and we had our choice of our free upgrade to a plunge pool or an oceanfront. The last thing the concierge told us before turning us over to the gentleman who showed us to our room was "welcome home." Perhaps confusion on the translation, but it was a nice touch either way.

Within a half hour, our bags were unloaded and we were sipping the drink of the day on the beach.

We also noticed that no one attempted to brand us with one of those indestructible all-inclusive bracelets. If you are at Dreams, then you are supposed to be there. Security in and out was tight, and we generally were asked for our room number at the restaurants and for other services. The staff immediately confirmed us. It was a pleasant relief not to have the bracelet on all week.

We were there to celebrate an anniversary. Prior to our arrival, at the advice of one of the hotel's administrators, I had emailed the head concierge to alert her to this fact. We were asked to bring a copy of our marriage license, although the staff waved off wanting to see it when I mentioned it. The second day, I mentioned it again to concierge, who then asked if we would be out of our room that night. We were, and so after returning from dinner, we were disappointed to see our room unchanged.

After a few more days, I stopped by the lobby and inquired of a different staff member as to what Dreams does for such occasions. He mentioned that the room is "decorated." I again mentioned that we had yet to receive anything; I felt bad having to remind the staff that we were due yet another free amenity. They had worked so hard to please us up to that point. That night however, rose petals and candles lined our whirlpool tub, more petals lay heart-shaped on the bed, champagne idled in the ice bucket and was flanked by a plate of gourmet chocolates. Superb.

I cannot say enough about the exceptional service provided by the entire staff, especially at the restaurants. The attention we were given far outweighs what we receive even at the most swankiest eateries back home. Chairs were pulled out and napkins were placed in our lap. Drinks were immediately filled and refilled. Empty dishes were instantly removed. Tables were set to the most rigid etiquette. We were served from the right and cleared from the left. My wife's napkin fell to the floor and was replaced with a different colored one. I was surprised when the waiter replaced mine as well. When I gave a puzzled look, he replied, "So that they match." As we thanked our waiters for various things, the reply was invariably, "it's a pleasure." And it clearly was.

I also cannot say enough about the expectation that all guests should have regarding leaving a tip. The staff at Dreams is meticulously diligent at their jobs, and should be thoroughly recognized. We were appalled at the individuals who got up from what would easily be a gourmet $150 meal, glance about, and then shuffle out. We brought a wad of singles the size of a softball and distributed them throughout. For the ala carte restaurants, we left at least $10. We tipped the maid daily. My wife even tipped some of the gardeners who were assiduously caring for the verdant vegetation all day under the hot sun. They were ecstatic.

Dreams offers a romantic dinner for two on the beach, something we inquired of when we arrived. Through our booking agent, we were given a resort credit of $200, which we could partially use towards this service, as well as on wines and spa treatments. The price for the dinner on the beach was $200 or $250, depending on the menu. A surprisingly high price for a lavish meal that you could essentially receive for free 100 yards up at the restaurants. We did see another couple taking advantage of this; although beautifully decorated in candles and silk awnings, the constant wind clearly made the dinner a challenge.

The days are kept busy, and Dream's guests are free to choose the amount of activity that they want, or can engage in, depending on the number of Mango-Tangos they've consumed. A giant chessboard with three-foot pieces is adjacent to the Water Sport Center. A ping-pong table lies in the Kid's Pool. Bicycles are available. Texas Hold'em, shooting lesson, archery, batting practice. Dance and cooking lessons are offered; we learned how to make Pico de Gallo, Spanish for "rooster's beak," although I'm happy to say no fowl beak was used by our chef!

The Fitness Center was modern, open at convenient hours and very clean. Plenty of cardio machines looked down on the resort's gardens. The choice of weight machines and free weights allows one to keep the integral parts of their workout intact.

We also spent a few hours at Dream's Spa by Pevonia. Located in a separate building off the lobby and away from the action, Dream's spa is incredibly comforting and soothing. The staff struck a perfect balance between unintentional neglect and overly saturated attention. In other words, they were there when you wanted them and left you alone for your quiet moments of relaxation.

The spa is absolutely stunning, inside and especially in the gardens. The steam room was intense; thick steam was lit up by colored lights as the water dripped slowly from above. The massage treatment was delightful in every way. Hydrotherapy baths, cold plunge baths, Swiss showers, Swedish saunas, garden Palapas, fresh juices and snacks, and a warm cascading outdoor Jacuzzi. Excepcionales!

The shops at Dreams were of the standard variety. Jewelry shop, photo shop, cocoa café (for some very well made specialty coffee drinks), and cigar shop. Dream's gift shop was small; we walked to the hotel next door for a much larger selection. Different desks were set up in Dream's lobby for concierge, tours, car rental, food and wines, and weddings. This breakdown was nice. As a result, the front desk remained available for general needs.

Restaurantes y Bares (Restaurants and Bars)

Guests may choose from six ala carte restaurants, the buffet venue and 24-hour room service. Seven bars serve up premium blend drinks.

None of the restaurants required a reservation. This is a lovely reprieve from other resorts where we have been forced to awake at sunrise in order to try to negotiate seating for that evening. At Dreams, you simply put your name in, and if a table was not ready, a beeper is provided. We almost hoped that a table would not be available, so we could spend time at the Lobby's open Rendezvous bar, overlooking the greens below.

Dress code for the evening meals is referred to as "casual elegant." Slacks for the gents, closed shoes and a polo or button up shirt. The ladies wore dresses. More than one time, I saw the host "remind" some of the guests of this requirement, and they were sent back to change. The dining experience thus remained chicly top-notch.

All of the restaurants are open late, 11:00 pm, although not all are open each day. At night, as part of your turndown service, you will receive Dream's agenda for the next day, called the Sundial. This will give you information as to the next day's activities, nightlife and restaurants.

We took the opportunity to dine at all six restaurants, and can easily say that each one was absolutely outstanding in their menu selection, presentation and service. El Patio served up delectable Mexican cuisine. Oceana had a very nice selection of native seafood dishes. Portofino's menu was predominately Italian.

Himitsu, according to Dreams, serves a "fusion of Pan-Asian delicacies." This was the only restaurant that required an advanced seating request in order to sit at the hibachi table. We made our reservation, but when we arrived, we quickly canceled our indoor hibachi seat in favor of one of the outdoor bamboo booths. The outdoor décor was very private and authentically Asian.

I ordered a sashimi plate off a separate menu. The sashimi was very good and very fresh. I was surprised at the generous amount given to me; each selection was piled high and not draped over a clump of rice. Rather, the rice was served separately and I was filled simply by the sashimi, let alone my appetizer, miso soup and tender pork entrée.

Bourdeaux, Dream's French restaurant, was our favorite, as well as many others. Adults only, the menu choices here fell into the succulently tender category. Let's get away from the over the top adjectives and say just plain yummy. Portions are appropriately smaller, which is very French. A perfectly prepared filet mignon, a juicy braised duck and an encrusted lamb half-rack were all marvelous.

Seaside Grill, the steak and seafood restaurant, was equal to its name as well. The rib eye there was enormous. We had inquired at the dinner concierge desk about the availability of lobster. Dreams does serve a warm water tail, for an extra charge. We also asked about crab and were delighted when a special arrangement was made for us to have two plates of king crab, on the house, in addition to our regular meal. The crab itself appeared to have been broken up first, then boiled, which of course is opposite in preparation. The resulting meat was fused to the shell and difficult to remove, but we nevertheless give kudos to the extra effort afforded to us.

Closer to the beach, Dream's Barefoot Grill served up typical afternoon fare of burgers, fries, hot dogs and the like. Needless to say, this was the place to eat for the kids.

Above the Explorer's Club, Dreams also has a sports bar. Walking in, we were startled to see that indeed, it was very much a sports bar, with a little disco thrown in. Pool table, a long stooled bar, TVs in abundance, huge projector screen with NFL games playing in front of a dance floor. The only thing missing were the Buffalo Wings, which they actually serve, and no, they don't taste like Buffalo wings. Outside of Buffalo , there really are no Buffalo Wings. An outside deck off the bar overlooks the Explorer's Club. A fantastic place to have a drink, socialize and keep an eye on your children.

We dined at the buffet only for our breakfasts; with so many gourmet restaurants it was hard not to. The buffets were lovely however. We inquired of a number of guests who had nothing but positive things to report.

I could go on, but I think the impression I wish to leave you with is clear. Dreams has more than lived up to their Unlimited Luxury® mantra. Our visit there was superior, and sadly short-lived. We have been won over and will certainly return to this dream vacation.