Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa review: What it’s like to stay at this Mexican hotel

What is Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa?

How to book Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa

I enjoyed my two-night stay in the hotel’s Preferred Club Ocean View King room. Guests pay a little bit extra for a Preferred Club room, but it comes with additional perks, which definitely elevated my vacation experience (more on this later).

When booking Hyatt hotels, prices vary based on peak or off-peak season. For example, I completed my stay in April, a popular time to travel to Mexico; therefore, this room cost about $523 per night. If you book the same room type (Ocean View King Bed) but don’t opt for Preferred Club, the price is about $450 per night.

However, if you book in the fall of 2024, you can find the same Preferred Club room for about $400 per night. If you don’t care about Preferred Club access or an ocean view, standard rooms can cost as low as $320 per night, depending on when you book.

Unlike major hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton, which use dynamic pricing, Hyatt still operates using an award chart. Utilizing points can save you a ton of money when booking at this resort. Dreams Riviera Cancun is classified as a Category C hotel, so a standard room will cost between 21,000 and 29,000 Hyatt points per night, depending on peak, off-peak or standard award rates. For a Preferred Club suite, you will spend between 29,000 and 37,000 points.

If you have Globalist status with Hyatt, you will automatically be upgraded to Preferred Club access.

A spacious, octagonal room layout

Whether your room looks over the manicured courtyard, the pool area or the beach, there is no bad view when vacationing at Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort. Instead of a traditional rectangle layout, these hotel rooms are in an octagon shape, which makes the room feel more spacious.

Inside the 443-foot Ocean View suite, you’ll find a small couch, a 50-inch LED TV, an in-room safe, a fully stocked minibar (featuring bottled water, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Dos Equis, and orange and apple juice), snacks (including Pringles, peanut M&M’s and apples) and sparkling wine. There is also both a coffee and a tea maker, robes and slippers, a full-sized shower and separate soaking tub, as well as in-room bathroom amenities like shampoo, body lotion, toothpaste, dental kit, shower cap, sewing kit, bug spray and more.

Though this room was classified as an Ocean View room, it faced the pool area, and the ocean view was a side view; therefore, not all Ocean View rooms will overlook just the ocean. Outside on the balcony, my room also had a hot tub, a perk I took full advantage of.

Unsurprisingly, the hotel is a popular wedding destination with its lush landscape and beautiful ocean views. There were about three weddings per night during my two-night stay at this property. Since my room overlooked the main pool area, I found it quite noisy at night, specifically on the first night when I tried to go to bed before 11 p.m. Since a wedding reception was taking place right at the pool area, there was music blasting until at least 11 p.m. For those who like to go to bed early or who have young kids, multiple wedding events just outside your hotel room balcony might be a bit of a nuisance, which is just something to keep in mind.

Multiple pools for both kids and adults to enjoy

If spending the day poolside is your vibe, you’ll fall in love with Dreams Riviera’s three pools. Each pool brings a different element to cater to guests of all ages. There is a kids pool that features a small splash park with kid-friendly waterslides and an aquatic jungle gym. This is a great option for parents with young kids.

There is a medium-sized pool for activities like pool volleyball or a relaxing dip.

The biggest pool on the property, which also features a swim-up bar, is the infinity pool that overlooks the beach. Whether you choose to lie on a built-in, partially submerged lounger or relax with a drink in hand at the bar, this expansive pool is certainly a highlight; plus, it makes for the best views and photo ops.

While there are several pools to choose from, unfortunately, there was limited poolside seating during my stay. When walking around the resort at 7 a.m. to grab a coffee, I noticed a lot of pool chairs already being “claimed” for the day — people go down early and put their beach towels on a chair to snag a spot. When I went to the pool at 10 a.m., my boyfriend and I could not find two chairs next to each other at any of the three pools. Not seeing any chairs available that early in the day was frustrating, so we opted to go to the beach instead.

Cabanas are not included in the all-inclusive price. A cabana at the main pool costs $250 for the day and includes a bottle of alcohol such as Moet. The cabanas in the courtyards are $100 for the day and include a bottle of alcohol of your choosing from the provided list.

Family-friendly and adult activities daily

During my two-night stay at Dreams Riviera, there was a plethora of daily activities for guests, including fitness-focused classes like yoga and Zumba, dance lessons, bracelet making, volleyball, blackjack, in-pool games, archery and bocce ball. And there were guests of all different ages partaking in each activity. For example, one of the in-pool games was throwing a football through a target, and both kids and adults tried their hand at this game as people watched and cheered. It definitely created a fun and energetic atmosphere.

For parents wanting a bit of alone time, there is a fully supervised Explorer’s Club for kids, which features a rock climbing wall and a fully sectioned-off play area with activities.

For those wanting to continue their fitness journey on vacation, there is a gym above the spa which features two rooms, one with treadmills, yoga mats, dumbells and more. The other fitness room seems to be where daily classes (such as yoga) are held and has several stationary bikes, lighter weights and large yoga balls. I liked doing a quick Pilates workout on my phone in that room as it was empty, so I had more privacy and space during my workout.

If you want to engage in water sports, you can rent kayaks and small catamarans. To rent, you have to pay $3 for a wristband.

You will also have to pay extra for off-property excursions, such as visiting the famous cenotes or snorkeling, but you can book these extracurricular activities right on the property. For example, my boyfriend and I were quoted $150 per person to visit three cenotes, including transportation and entry costs. While booking excursions on-site is convenient, it is a bit pricey, especially if you have several family members.

The nightly activities also didn’t disappoint, as each night featured different shows. My favorite show chronicled the story of Indigenous Mexican culture. The outfits, music and fire routines brought an authentic element to the resort.

When the kids go to bed or if you’re just looking to extend the party, a DJ plays each night at the Desires Lounge, which is like a sports bar.

Plenty of food options

With nine on-site dining outlets, this hotel had no shortage of food options, even for the pickiest eaters. While I didn’t have a chance to dine at every restaurant during my two-night stay, there were some highs and lows, and it’s no secret that food at all-inclusive resorts can sometimes be hit or miss. Additionally, the portion sizes for most of the food items were not too big, which allowed me to order and try more dishes throughout my stay.

Oceana

Oceana is an a la carte poolside restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner and serves a variety of seafood dishes.

When I arrived at the hotel, I dined at the poolside seafood restaurant before my room was ready. I enjoyed the fried octopus ceviche with cucumber, serrano chili, avocado and red onion. I also found the tuna tiradito served with ponzu sauce and creamy avocado to taste fresh.

I would skip the shrimp cocktail and fish tempura tacos on my next trip. Personally, I like cocktail sauce to have a bit of spice and a vinegar taste, but this was overly sweet for my liking. The tempura tacos felt a bit heavy, and I would have preferred them without the breading.

Barefoot Grill

A casual quick-service spot by the pool, Barefoot Grill is perfect for those wanting a bite to eat without sitting at a restaurant. You can choose from items like guacamole and chips, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries and pizza. As someone who grew up in what Northeast locals call the tri-state area (New Jersey, New York and Connecticut), where pizza reigns supreme, I didn’t have super-high expectations for pizza at an all-inclusive resort. However, my barbeque chicken pizza and shrimp pizza slices were pretty good, a deliciously welcoming surprise.

Himitsu

Himitsu is an a la carte restaurant specializing in Pan-Asian cuisine and hibachi. You can either dine inside the restaurant or make a reservation for hibachi. I decided to try out the hibachi experience at Himitsu. However, we were informed during our hotel check-in that you must make a reservation for hibachi two days in advance. Since I was only staying two nights, I almost couldn’t get a reservation. Thankfully, the hotel concierge squeezed me in for the last reservation, a 9:45 p.m. timeslot. Yes, it was a very late dinner, but I was happy to try out the culinary experience.

With hibachi, you are limited to a fixed menu. The dinner consisted of miso soup, which was a bit undersalted for my liking, three pieces of sushi and fried rice with grilled vegetables and chicken, beef and shrimp. The fried rice and grilled vegetables were the highlight of this meal with large portions and umami flavoring. However, they didn’t provide any sort of yum-yum or similar dipping sauce for the meal.

I was not a fan of the sushi rolls at Himitsu as there was too much rice, which had an overly sweet flavor and was mushy, and there was not enough fish.

Overall, while it is a fun experience that is great for those dining with kids or a large crowd because of the “hibachi show,” I would probably skip making a reservation for hibachi and dine at this restaurant again via the a la carte service.

El Patio

Unsurprisingly, the Mexican cuisine was delicious and a favorite during my stay at the resort. El Patio is a dinner restaurant that features flavorful dishes from different regions of Mexico. I loved that the restaurant leaned into its authenticity and featured dishes such as beef tongue stew tacos.

If you’re a cheese lover, a must-get is the breaded Oaxaca cheese with green sauce, which is similar to a giant mozzarella stick. The roasted poblano pepper cream soup with panela cheese was also a major highlight. The simple dish had a lot of flavor with a delicate balance of salt, cream and a bit of spice.

I also tried the pork pastor tacos with roasted pineapple, onion and Mexican-style sauce, as well as chicken and beef fajitas with peppers and onions on corn tortillas. For dessert, I had to try the churros covered in chocolate sauce; they were perfectly crispy on the outside with a soft center. The dishes didn’t disappoint and made El Patio a standout restaurant.

Seaside Grill

Situated next to Oceana, Seaside Grill is a sit-down restaurant that serves breakfast (for Preferred Club members only), lunch and dinner. For those who don’t love seafood enough to dine at Oceana, Seaside Grill may be a great lunch spot for casual food as it serves items such as burgers and chicken fingers. During dinner service, the restaurant turns into a steakhouse. However, I did not dine at Seafood Grill for lunch or dinner.

But, since I was in a Preferred Club room, I did dine during breakfast hours. The menu featured items such as waffles, pancakes, seasonal fruit, eggs Benedict and enchiladas. The atmosphere was idyllic as I drank my cappuccino overlooking the ocean, and it was a lot less noisy compared to the buffet.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is an adults-only French restaurant that’s a good option if you want to enjoy a romantic dining experience. While the meal was tasty, specifically the rack of lamb with mashed potatoes and ratatouille, the escargot lacked that extra bit of flavor to really make it stand out. Also, the creme brulee tasted more like vanilla pudding than the traditional dessert.

Overall, Bordeaux is a nice experience, especially if you’re looking for a more upscale place to dine on the property, away from the crowds.

Coco Cafe

This small cafe is a great spot to grab a morning coffee or ice cream. While Coco Cafe does serve small pastries, breakfast rolled oats and parfaits, I would skip this quick service and just come here for a cup of coffee. I tried the rolled oats, but it lacked any sweeter and tasted a bit sour.

World Cafe

Like most all-inclusive resorts, the buffet at Dreams Riviera did not disappoint in terms of the amount of food options available. The World Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring everything from waffles and pancakes to make-your-own omelet stations. There’s a salad bar, charcuterie bar, sushi bar (available for lunch and dinner), juice bar, bread bar, dessert bar, multiple hot stations (with your choice of meat, fish sauteed vegetables, paella, fried rice, etc.), pasta and much more.

The buffet definitely draws the crowds, and sometimes, you may have to wait in line for your morning omelet. While I didn’t prefer the sushi at the buffet — it was similar to Himitsu — I liked that the buffet provided me with plenty of options, and the food items I tried were flavorful. While I preferred my breakfast at Seaside over the precooked options at the buffet, I really enjoyed my lunch here. Specifically the fish dishes, including the paella and seafood medley in a cream sauce.

If you are traveling here with kids, an entire section is dedicated to children called Kid’s Korner. Lunch and dinner options included cupcakes, finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, chicken nuggets, fish sticks and more.

Portofino

Portofino is an Italian and Mediterreanean a la carte restaurant open for dinner. I did not dine here during my two-night stay.

Room service

If you want to enjoy breakfast in bed or wish to eat a late-night snack, Dreams Riviera offers room service for all guests, which features a limited selection of menu items. Though I didn’t order food from room service, I ordered water bottles one night, which took about 25 minutes to arrive. If you order food, expect room service to take upward of an hour.

Are Club Preferred rooms worth the extra money?

As previously mentioned, I stayed in a Club Preferred room. You get additional resort perks if you book a Club room. During check-in, instead of waiting in the lobby, you are assisted to a private Club lounge, which offers amenities such as light snacks and a bar. Though I was assisted immediately, there were a couple of people waiting for a concierge person to become available. Therefore, you may still have to wait to check in if there is not an available attendant to assist you.

Whether you have Club access or are checking in at the lobby, the staff will hold your luggage if your room is not ready. You can opt to have it brought to your room or take it yourself.

While the check-in process is fairly similar to that of a non-Club room, what really made the experience worth it in my mind was the additional beach perks. If you stay in a Club room, you have access to a designated beach area. As I mentioned, finding chairs at the pool was very difficult, so I decided to go to the beach. Though the area was still crowded, I was able to claim a spot. This area also has beachside waiter service, but the frequency of how often they came around was dependent upon how busy the area was. Luckily, there is a beachside bar at the entrance of the Club beach so it was easy to get a drink.

Additionally, I also preferred the quiet sit-down breakfast at Seaside Grill, which is only available to Preferred Club guests.

Accessibility

The Dreams Riviera Resort is a mostly wheelchair-friendly property, offering ramp and elevator access throughout. However, there are no chair lifts in the pool areas.

While this resort does offer two accessible rooms, which feature wheelchair-friendly doorways and accessible amenities like a roll-in shower with an in-shower bench, they are subject to availability (and there are only two!), so it is advised to call the resort directly to inquire about availability before making your booking.

Why Dreams Riviera Cancun may not be for you

If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic vacation, this family-friendly resort may not be for you; you may be better suited to one of Hyatt’s adults-only properties. Plus, this hotel is an extremely popular wedding destination, so it gets very crowded.

At night, a couple decided to pay extra for a romantic dinner on the beach for two, a common dining option at resorts. However, while I was walking past the couple, I noticed three beachside wedding events taking place around them. Therefore, instead of listening to the ocean, this couple heard a Billboard Hot 100 list played through the speakers.

While Dreams is an all-inclusive resort, what is not included in the hotel price can be pretty costly. There is a poolside stand that sells sunscreen, beach gear for kids, pool floats and more. But the prices are extremely inflated for each item. For example, a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen will set you back about $40. So, while the hotel sells a lot of additional products and everyday items (even in the gift shop), it can be expensive.

Bottom line

If you’re traveling with family and friends and looking for a resort close to Cancun but away from the popular Hotel Zone, Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort may be your perfect getaway. With so many decent food options, multiple pools, activities and entertainment, there is no shortage of fun to be had at this hotel. Plus, if parents wish to spend time away from the kids, there is supervised child care.

Since this hotel is bookable with points, I can easily transfer my Ultimate Rewards points from my Chase Sapphire Reserve to my Hyatt account to help cut the cost on my next vacation here. I can book a stay for just 21,000 Hyatt points per night, which I’d say is a pretty good deal.

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