Luxury Family Vacation
Ultimate Luxury - Ultimate fun

Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa, is a luxury kid vacation making it a dream for parents. "Ultimate Luxury, Ultimate fun" is theit motto. This hotel is rated 6 star golden by Apple Vacations and has become a preferred property of Vacationkids families.

Hotel Review...
WoW...So much has happened to this resort since we last visited in the spring of 2006 that we felt it was important to make another trip back in the fall of 2006. For those of you keeping track of all the changes Dreams Tulum is part of AMresorts. It used to be called Sunscape Tulum but over the past few months it has been given a multi million dollar incredible transformation. What was a beautiful, quiet luxury resort has now been elevated to a grand tropical six golden apple luxury oasis for families. This resort has long been a preferred property of the Vacationkids staff. Many of us have taken our own families here on vacation which says a great deal about our opinions of the place. But now, all we can say is Wow!!! Dreams Tulum is the sister property to the other fine AM resorts including the nearby Sunscape Puerto Aventuras Resort located about 20 minutes north in the Riviera Maya as well as Dreams Cancun. AMresorts also offers two family resorts in the Dominican Republic Sunscape The Beach and Sunscape Casa Del Mar. in LaRomana

At the six Star Golden Dreams Tulum, guests are met upon arrival with a "welcome home" greeting and refreshments as soon as they arrive. The management and staff want all guests to feel like this resort is their vacation-home away from home. As soon a guests arrive and check in they can immediately see the difference in service offered by this resort compared to other all inclusives. The first clue is that there are NO wrist bands at this resort so guests are not made to feel like a number. It's this attention to little details like this that will impress guests who stay at Dreams Tulum. Vacationkids Sally Black and Suzie Sturm were taken on a behind the scenes tour of all the latest and greatest at Dreams Tulum by General Manager Eric Van Der Kaaij.

The Dreams Tulum is located 75 miles south of Cancun airport and a 30 minute drive south from Playa Del Carmen. With regular airport transportation it takes over 2 hours to reach this property because the airport buses do make numerous stops at other hotels along the way. For an additional fee, non-stop van transportation to and from the airport is available to the Dreams Tulum which cuts the travel time to about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Vacationkids recommends this service to make your family's vacation more enjoyable, particularly for families with infants and toddlers. Believe us... it is absolutely WELL worth the extra transportation time to get to Dreams Tulum.

Due to it's location, Dreams Tulum tends is a bit isolated and to have a more relaxed personality. It's an absolutely paradise for families that want to RELAX, be pampered, "get away from it all" and spend some quality time together. Dreams Tulum offers plenty of resort activities and entertainment such as themed parties and dinners, nightly entertainment a weekly beach party and dance lessons. But if you're the type of family that needs constant excitement and wants to be near all the action and night-life just know life is a bit slower at Dreams Tulum. This resort boasts 2 miles of its own secluded sugary white sand beach perfect for enjoying sailing, catamarans, kayaks, windsurfing, iceburg water climb and ocean trampoline. The world's second largest barrier reef lies just offshore making this a perfect location for snorkeling. Waves here are usually fairly gentle but ocean swimmers will find some rocky areas. Vacationkids likes to give people the real scoop...Dreams Tulums Resort likes to be good neighbors when it comes to area ecology. This property is located amidst a protected sea turtle breeding area. If you're fortunate enough to travel in late summer or early fall, you may be able to watch baby turtles making their way from their nests to the sea one moonlit night. Sally did and it's an sight she will long remember! It's her understanding that the rocks help to camophlage the turtle babies. With respect to their neighboring turtle friends, the hotels does not want to dredge up any of the rocky areas and send the turtles packing. So speaking of packing, bring a pair of aqua shoes along and you'll have no worries.

Before there was one large pool at this resort. The existing pool has now become an adult pool. A place to relax and soak up the sun. A new large sprawling zero entry pool has been added, complete with a pool bar and even a special shallow splash area for the little ones.

If keeping in shape is important to you, Dreams Tulum offers a state of the art, air conditioned fitness center. When Sally and Suzie visited, the finishing touches were being put onto the brand new Metamorphosis Spa. We weren't allowed to take any photos while construction was being completed so you'll have to take our word for it when we say this new facility is extraordinary! And for the Kids....Just keep reading!
Dreams Tulum is also located less than five miles away from the Mayan ruins of Tulum. You can almost see the temple from the beach of Dreams Tulum. Mountain Bike tours to the Ruins are available from Dreams Tulum.

Originally this resort offered around 300 rooms but now it has grown to 424 finely appointed luxury suites and guest rooms. Compared to other area mega resorts, Dreams Tulum offers a more intimate sense of surroundings. This resort boasts its very own cenote located just next to the adult pool. A cenote is an underground river that bubbles up from a system of caves located underground. Guests at the Dreams Tulum can use this cenote area as a natural fresh water swimming pool or marvel at the many fish that call it home. In the photo, you'll notice the pre columbian stone hut at the entrance to the cenote. This is used today for special Maya spa treatments. Here guests can enjoy a holistic stone steam bath done in Mayan tradition followed by a cooling dip in the cenote. This is just one of the many unique features that separates this resort from all the rest!

Please keep in mind this entire resort is just a few years old so it does seem a bit odd to talk about it in terms of it's existing older rooms verses the new section. Older rooms are being upgraded with new amenities in keeping with the resorts luxury upgrade. Whether you choose rooms in the older or newer section their are 3 types of rooms...deluxe rooms which are bedrooms, Jr suites which are one large bedroom/sitting room combinations or larger suites (Honeymoon or Presidential). Room rates are determined by location, location....garden view rooms/jr suites (which are further back from the beach), ocean VIEW rooms/jr suites and OceanFRONT Presidential/honeymoon suites.

The resort's decor is a beautiful blend of elegant colonial style furnishings, complete convenience and true luxury amenities. Generally rooms will accommodate 3 adults OR two adults and two kids under the age of 12. Rooms at Dreams Tulum offer one king or two double beds just please know specific bedding and/or special requests are fulfilled based on availability and cannot always be guaranteed. Dreams Tulum offers private, furnished patios or balconies (some with hammocks), marble bathroom, vanity mirror, shower, bidet, scale, hair dryer, 29”satellite-TV, air-conditioning with in-room climate control, ceiling fan, direct dial telephone, wireless connection (additional cost), CD/DVD player, alarm clock/radio, electronic in-room safe, coffee maker, daily refreshed mini-bar with soft drinks, bottled water and beer, concierge service, iron and ironing board, twice daily maid service and 24-hour room service. Architecturally this resort offers many adjoining rooms so it's a good choice for family reunion groups that want to be together or families where parents would prefer some privacy and wish to purchase a separate room for their children. Families can be comfortable with a wide choice of accommodations....

DELUXE GARDEN VIEW - 1 King or 2 double beds, balcony or terrace with hammock and garden view.

DELUXE OCEAN VIEW - 1 King or 2 double beds, balcony or terrace with hammock.

JUNIOR SUITE GARDEN VIEW - King bed and sitting area, balcony or terrace with hammock.

JUNIOR SUITE OCEAN VIEW - King bed and sitting area, balcony or terrace with hammock.

HACIENDA SUITE - 1 King or 2 double beds, balcony or terrace with hammock

HACIENDA PRESIDENTIAL SUITE - 1 King or 2 double beds, Separate living room balcony or terrace with hammock.

NEW Section DREAMS JUNIOR SUITE GARDEN VIEW - Hacienda style, colonial decoration. One large room with King size bed or 2 double beds and a living area with a sofa, marble bathroom with shower and Jacuzzi bath tub, secret's box for room service, wireless internet access, and telephone extension in the bathroom.

New SectionDREAMS JUNIOR SUITE OCEANFRONT - Hacienda style, colonial decoration. One large room with King size bed or 2 double beds and a living area with a sofa, marble bathroom with shower and Jacuzzi bath tub, secret's box for room service, wireless internet access, and telephone extension in the bathroom.

DREAMS HONEYMOON SUITE, Hacienda style, colonial decoration. Four post King size bed and living area with a sofa, in either ocean view and garden view, marble bathroom with shower and Jacuzzi bath tub, double sink, hair dryer, vanity mirror, scale, Honeymooners VIP amenities, champagne upon arrival, secrets box for room service, wireless internet access, and telephone extension in the bathroom.

DREAMS PRESIDENTIAL SUITE, Hacienda style, authentic colonial decoration, bedroom with 4 post King size bed, marble bathroom with shower, double sink, bidet, and Jacuzzi inside the bathroom, walking closet, VIP amenities, champagne upon arrival, private concierge service, ocean front suite, private terrace which includes Jacuzzi, dining and living area, includes half bathroom, 29 inch color TV, cable channels, DVD/CD player, mini-fridge stocked daily with water, sodas, beers and juices, electronic safe box, air conditioning, ceiling fan, secrets box for room service, wireless internet access, and telephone extension in the bathroom.

There are 6 Restaurants at Dreams Tulum Riviera Maya serving some of the best food found in the Riviera Maya. Discriminating guests will immediately appreciate the level of quality dining offered here. All of these restaurants are part of the all inclusive program and NONE of these restaurants require reservations. Unlike other resorts, you can eat as many times as you like at any restaurant you choose. Unlimited premium beverages are included too.

World Cafe Main Restaurant - Casual attire: Continental breakfast 6:30a-7a, buffet breakfast 7a-10:30a buffet lunch 12:30p-3p, buffet dinner 6:30p-11p. Special Kids Corner Continental & Mexican cuisine with specialty items & classics

El Patio Restaurant - Casual attire: A la carte lunch 11a-5p, a la carte dinner 6:30p-10:30p Mexican cuisine in the evening...make sure you taste the corn cowder here and try the Mayan coffee!

Sea Side Grill Restaurant - Casual attire: A la carte lunch 12p-5p, a la carte dinner 6:30p-10:30p located on the beach light snacks or full meals for lunch & steakhouse for dinner

Portofino Restaurant - Neat attire (Long pants for men): A la carte dinner 6p-10:30p. Non-smoking Mediterranean & Italian cuisine

Himitsu Restaurant - Neat attire (long pants for men): A la carte dinner 6p-10:30p, non-smoking Asian cuisine serving a fusion of Chinese-Thai food.

Bordeaux Restaurant - Neat attire (long pants for men): A la carte dinner 6p-11p, romantic ADULTS ONLY serving French cuisine...sorry no kids are allowed in this restaurant. It's the best place for grown ups to escape for a romantic evening alone together!

There are Seven beautiful bars and lounges at Dreams Tulum where you can refresh, party and relax....

Rendezvous - Sip on domestic, international and tropical blends in the ambient main lobby. Open from 10:00 am to 12:00 am.

Desires Music Lounge - Enjoy domestic and international beverages in the sports bar. Casual attire. Open from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am.

Manatees Bar - Located in the main pool, this swim-up bar offers tropical drinks and wait service in the pool area. Open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Barracuda Bar - Located on the beach, our beach bar offers tropical drinks including wait service. Open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Sugar Reef Bar - Relax in the sun or shade at the main bar. This is a gathering place where guests can enjoy cool cocktails including international and national brands, juices, soft drinks and wait service at the pool deck. Open from 10:00 am to 1:00 am.

Revive Bar - Guests can relax at the spa after a wonderful treatment while enjoying cool and natural drinks. Open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Veranda Lounge - A perfect place to enjoy coffee or tea time. Open from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

From our photos and descriptions we trust that we can appreciate the elegance offered by Dreams Tulum. In the past, there has always been a huge difference between elegant resorts and resorts designed for families. Well we're pleased to say "NOT ANY MORE!" The final surprise that Dreams Tulum has to offer is one of the most outstanding kids clubs found in the entire Caribbean. Let us take you on a tour of the brand new Dreams Explorer's Club designed by our old pal Rod Gahr.

We'll let many of these photographs speak for themselves. This new Explorer's club is amazing with incredible indigenous artwork all done by a local artist Paco Paco. Sally had seen photos of this club while it was still under construction. She thought the photos she had been sent were mock ups done in photoshop! Seriously, this building, in and of itself is a beautiful work of art! Even if you visit Dreams Tulum without kids, make sure you check out the kids club because the artwork itself is amazing!!!

The Explorer club at Dreams Tulum was designed for their most important guests...the kids! Younger VIP's will be treated to their very own, safe and secure play area where they can explore, learn, make new friends and have lots of fun. Many AMresort fans know Rod as a general manager. Kids club is really not the best description. The Explorer's club is a complete fun zone for kids. It's whole complex of secure, safe building especially designed for children. Much of the Explorer's club is the brainchild of Rod Gahr. He poured his heart, soul and many years of experience into building the best kids club in the Riviera Maya. Sally & Suz really enjoyed the fact that the Explorer's club staff immortalized Rod as a cartoon on the wall of the Explorers club. We think this speaks volumes about our friend Rod!

Dreams Tulum Explorer club is open from 9am-9pm for kids ages 3-12. One important note to remember is that younger kids MUST be potty trained in order to participate in club activities. Kids are separated according to age appropriate activities...everything from games, arts, crafts, sports as well as learning about the local culture, flora and fauna.

Sally and Suzie were amazed as they entered the explorer's club but Eric and Rod were quick to point out a wall of certificates in the entrance. All of the Explorer's club staff have been certified in first aid and CPR according to the standards of the International Red Cross. Parents must register their children at the kids club and there is always a staff member guarding the supervising the door. For safety and security, adults are not allowed into the play areas. Beepers are available for parents who want to be notified if they are needed by their children. There are weekly family BBQ's hosted by the managers and this is the only time adults are allowed into the explorer club area. You'll notice in the check in area, each child has their own cubby to keep such things as a change of clothes, sun block etc as well as their very own Explorer's back pack filled with fun sun hats, activities and a passport. This passport is a record of all of their accomplishments during their stay in the Explorer's club. It can be kept as a rememberance souvenir and brought back on future Explorer club vacations as a way to earn extra surprises.

The Explorer's Club is open daily from 9AM until 9PM. Rod and the AMresorts staff have thought of just about everything to keep the children happy and entertained...

A huge, bright, specially designed arts & crafts studio filled to the rafters with plenty of paints, glitter, crayons and everything an inspired arteest would need...

A fun playground where kids can run and have fun in the sun and when it's time to cool off, their very own splash fountain designed with a special bottom to keep kids safe and sound...

An Explorer's club treehouse made for evening camp outs with telescopes for looking at the stars and binoculars for daytime bird watching. There are monkeys, parrots and lots of lizzards that little explorers can learn all about...

Or if the kids prefer something a bit more tame, they can play with the pet bunnies...

There is a theater where stars are born and a private kid's snack bar so that superstars never go hungry...

And for the very adventurous, there is even a world class rock climbing wall built with top of the line safety standards.

We could go on and on about all the little details that make the Dreams Tulum Explorer's club extrorinary. For example, Rod created a wall where kids can leave their handprint...something they and their parents can visit with each new vacation. Or perhaps the quiet room...here kids can rest and take a nap on mats while looking up at dozens of different animals painted into the clouds on the ceiling. With every vacation, it's the little things that impression you...those details are the things you remember...that's what makes this kids club special amongst all the rest!

Generally speaking, the kids club and entertainment staff coordinate activities so that parents can enjoy some alone time. Every evening there is a supervised family rated movie on the beach which runs from 7pm till about 9pm. This way parents can have the time to dine alone or choose to have popcorn with the kids. There is also a weekly camp out night for the Explorer Club Kids with stories and a campfire.

If parent's prefer to have one on one supervision, after hour's care or child care for younger toddlers and infants, private babysitting can be arranged by the concierge 24 hours in advance starting at $15 per hour.

Every evening, after 9:30PM when the little ones clear out, the Explorer's club is open to teens. Here the teens have their very own room complete with internet access so they can keep in touch with friends back home. They can kick back and hang out with new friends, shoot some pool and have some snacks. The teen center is completely supervised by entertainment staff members and is open until 1AM.

Whew! There is so much to see an do at Dreams Tulum that you and your family simply have to visit and see for yourself. Sally & Suzie have done there best to hit all the highlights, but it would take volumes to include every little feature that makes this resort so unique. But please, just don't take our word for it. We recently sent the Hollahan Family to Dreams Tulum Resort and they returned with these words to say...

Bottom-line, many thanks to you Suzie! You hit the ball out of the park on this one...just what we ordered....Dreams Tulum was fantastic!

OH yes, one last tip...book early as this resort often sells out very quickly compared to others in the Riviera Maya.

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