TomTravel2

Dreams resorts are family friendly “luxury included” resorts in the Amresorts family of brands along with Secrets Resorts and Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts. The Dreams properties are similar in concept and execution to Secrets in terms of the cuisine and amenities (including the same restaurant concepts for the most part). The main difference is that Dreams are all about the kiddies. Each Dreams resort has a dedicated kid’s program called Explorer’s Club  that makes a vacation more like a summer camp experience for the kids but with a really nice room and great food for Mom and Dad. Now that I am a grandpa, I cannot wait to go to this resort when my little darling is just a bit older!

The grounds of this resort are lush and inviting. I personally look for a green garden setting as one of the most important features of a tropical vacation stay. I am not getting on an airplane to visit someplace that feels like home (and i am rather fond of my home here in Arizona). Dreams Tulum scratched that oh so tropical itch for me very nicely.

To the right in this picture is the new addition to Dreams Tulum which has some nice features. The rooms are slightly larger in this section, and the entry is through an enclosed hallway as opposed to the open air access in the older section. Booking a block of rooms in this section gives one the ability to create a suite with keyed access just for your party. This is a great asset to those traveling with children but wanting separate rooms and the ability to have easy access to the kids.

The main lobby building is nicely appointed with modern flair. Dreams Tulum features French, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, steak house, sushi, and a continental buffet. There are six bars including a nightclub, a lounge, poolside bar and beach bar. Of course all of your meals and top shelf beverages are included. There is no need to carry a wallet or cash at any time, just step up to the bar or show up at one the restaurants and order what you want. I like the freedom of this “luxury included” approach.

This is one of the room sections in the new part of Dreams Tulum. The doors at the ends of the hallways can be keyed to create a private suite of rooms that then can be left open to one another. This is a nice feature for families that want to stay together but not squeeze into one suite.

“Welcome home!” From the moment you arrive at a Dreams resort you are made to feel both welcome and at home. Rooms are spacious, modern and nicely appointed. Furnishings are comfortable and tasteful. Relax on the canopy bed and order room service 24/7 with no additional charges. Each suite includes a fully stocked mini-bar with no restocking charges. This is a super inclusive stay.

Dreams Tulum is a large property and has very lush landscaping and a very natural feeling. Lively water features are found throughout the resort. This resort feels peaceful and open.

This is the large beachside pool. The pool has a swim up bar and the nearby beach bar is also available. Dreams Tulum is one of the only resorts that offers bike tours to the ruins of Tulum. There is entertainment including movies on the beach, live shows, and theme parties. There is a state of the art fitness center for those who need to work out on vacation.

Open air dining and drinking with a view of turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. I like that. The excellent kids’ club means mom and dad can relax while the tots are having a blast with the professional Explorer’s Club staff. Families can spend as much time together as works for them. We were treated to a performance by kids who were having so much fun that it seems likely most kids would opt for staying at the club all day!

Every Amresorts property features a unique venue for destination weddings. Dreams Tulum has two and each is quite unique. How nice would the bride and groom look with the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea as their backdrop?

The other wedding venue is in this colonial chapel which is an actual Catholic Church. The interior is rustic and very charming. My photos did not do it justice.

Park yourself and your favorite book on a chaise by the blue waters, and enjoy food and beverage service from the always friendly staff. All included! The beach here was very nice. Soft white sand interspersed with rocky shoals made for some of the most lovely colored seas. Plenty of pure sand areas for easy swimming access, and enough rocks to make for interesting snorkeling for those so inclined. I am a beach lover and I loved the beach at Dreams Tulum!

This is the interior of the Explorer’s Club which is decorated with painted hand prints from past guests. It was very well stocked with games, arts and crafts to amuse the most finicky children.

There is a splash pool. a sports court, a rock climbing wall, and a stage for performances (one of which we enjoyed watching). This is a fun choice for a family vacation.

This soothing water feature welcomes you to the “Spa by Pevonia” where all sorts of relaxing treatments await you.

I was treated to a small sample during my site inspection and the foot massage was a treat after walking through all the resorts all day!

Dreams Tulum is my first choice for a luxury all inclusive family vacation. For those looking for more of an adult experience Secrets or Zoetry might be a better idea. I plan to return to this resort with my family in a few years when my granddaughter is old enough for the Explorer’s Club (ages three and up). A great compromise for mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa as well.

One caveat important to note is the location of this resort. Tulum is on the far southern end of the Riviera Maya. This makes it about a one hour drive from Cancun International Airport and the Cancun hotel strip. For some, this might make for too long of a journey after a flight. It also makes it challenging to get into Cancun for shopping or dining. Even Playa del Carmen is over half and hour away. It is very close to the ruins of Tulum and not far from Ixcaret water park and some of the smaller towns of the south coast of the Riviera Maya (although there is not much tourist infrastructure in those towns). If convenience to shopping is important this may not be the best choice. For a relaxing tropical paradise experience it is just right,

Click on the first image below to open a pop up slide show of all my pictures from Dreams Tulum:

Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort and Spa is an interesting property. Unlike most of the properties I visited on my FAM trip, this resort is in an almost suburban setting. it also is a mid rise tower and not a low slung resort. There are a number of other midrises almost adjacent to the hotel on the small cove that hold the beach.

The main draw for this property is it’s location adjacent to the port. While I would not make this my first choice for a relaxing tropical beach getaway, it is perfect for fishing or diving vacations. Your boat is a short stroll from your room. It also is super all inclusive or “luxury included” as a Dreams resort.

Next to the port is an upscale strip mall complex with dining and shopping galore. Threaded throughout the area is a dolphin park in a number of pools. This makes a fun distraction for the kids right at your doorstep.

I liked the mother dolphins swimming with their little ones. It was very cute. They also had some manatees, sea lions and other marine creatures on display. There are interactive activities with the wildlife available.

The compact layout of the resort puts the pool in the center of everything. It is a handy property to navigate as opposed to some of the more sprawling resorts in the area. Most rooms have a very nice view either of the port, the pool and beach, or down the coast in either direction.

View of the Caribbean and adjacent villas from the upper floors of Dreams Aventuras. As you can see there are different types of developments in this area from villas to mid-rise hotels and condos to shopping areas and the port facility itself. It is not an isolated resort on a lonely tropical beach. For those who want to be in the thick of things it fills that niche.

The port is the main attraction here, and this pool is nestled right against one of the port channels.

Like all Amresorts properties there are a plethora of drinking and dining options and service is always excellent. Dreams Puerto Aventuras features the full compliment of seven different dining venues and has a very nice modern nightclub as well.

We had a lovely Mexican lunch at the ocean side restaurant and this soup was as tasty as it was attractive. This is a high quality all-inclusive experience when it comes to food and drinks.

Rooms are spacious and well appointed. The decor is stylish and modern. The rooms are light and airy with some rather nice views from the higher floors. All or served by elevators, so I suggest booking the higher floors.

My other observation comes from the fact that I am a beach guy. The coastline here is mostly rocky. There is a small cove that has a swimmable beach, but the rest of the shore is rocky. I am sure there would be some very good snorkeling here for those who are so inclined. Take the mask and fins or check them out at the resort.

The rocky coastline does make for some scenic views. The water is many shades of blue here.

The small grounds are nicely landscaped and cabanas with chaise lounges are available on the large sandy area fronting the usable part of the beach. For those looking for a stay for a diving or fishing trip this would be a great choice. I would stay here for a fishing trip for sure. It also would work for those who want to be in the thick of things as far as shopping goes. Like all Dreams Resorts there is a dedicated kids’ program. You can let the excellent staff entertain the kiddies all day long if you like. Some guests drop off the kids in the morning and then pick them up for dinner. Dreams does an great job with their program for children.