Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf and Spa Resort - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

683 reviews

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  Beautiful Resort, but a Disconnected Experience — Honest Review as a Guest and Travel Professional

  We’ve stayed at several Dreams Resorts and other properties within the Hyatt Inclusive Collection, both personally and in our role as travel professionals who frequently recommend these resorts to clients. The consistency, hospitality, and detail we’ve experienced in the past have made us loyal to the brand — which is why we were genuinely excited to visit Dreams Estrella del Mar in Mazatlán. This stay, however, left us frustrated and disheartened. While the property itself is beautiful and the frontline staff is genuinely kind, the overall experience lacked coordination, clarity, and the high service standard we’ve come to associate with the Dreams name. Sadly, it confirmed that this resort is not ready to be recommended — especially at the price point it demands. ⸻ LOCATION: Stunning, but Very Inconvenient The grounds are beautiful and well-maintained, but the resort is extremely isolated. It’s located far from the city of Mazatlán, and unless you have your own car or rent one at the airport, you’ll find yourself completely dependent on the resort. Transport services are limited and expensive, and there’s nothing within walking distance. This isn’t inherently bad — but it’s important to know in advance, especially if you enjoy exploring the surrounding area when traveling. Additionally, though beachfront, the ocean is not swimmable year-round due to strong currents and safety restrictions. Swimming is prohibited. The resort has done a good job offering several pools and water activities as compensation, but the beach experience is simply not part of the equation here — something that may be surprising for many first-time guests. ⸻ DINING: Surprisingly Inconsistent for a Dreams Property Dining was one of the biggest letdowns of our stay. Restaurants operate on a rotational closure schedule, and on several nights, there was only one restaurant open. This limited variety significantly — especially for families or longer stays. While the food itself wasn’t bad, it also didn’t match the quality or diversity we’ve experienced at other Dreams resorts. It felt basic and limited. That said, the restaurant and bar staff were outstanding. We want to especially thank Miguel, Lucio, Jorge, Giovanni, Samuel, and Jaqueline, who provided friendly, attentive service every day. Their warmth and energy were some of the highlights of our entire stay. ⸻ PREFERRED CLUB: A Mixed Bag We booked a Preferred Club room, which is something we often do, as it usually provides enhanced service and convenience. In this case, it was a partial success: • The snacks and drinks in the Preferred Lounge were actually quite good. This was one of the few features that met expectations. • However, the lounge was located far from the Preferred rooms, making it inconvenient to access regularly. • More importantly, there was no concierge presence most of the time. For any questions or requests, we had to go to the main front desk — something that defeats the purpose of the Preferred upgrade. So while the lounge itself was fine in terms of offerings, the overall Preferred experience lacked the service, proximity, and personalized attention that it should include. ⸻ SERVICE & HOUSEKEEPING: The Weakest Link This area of the stay was, without question, the most frustrating and disappointing. • Upon arrival, our room was nicely stocked with coffee, bottled water, and a few snacks. However, these were never replenished after the second day. When we asked about it, we were told to “call 0 if we wanted more.” That response really surprised us. Why offer these amenities initially if you’re going to stop without explanation? We didn’t mind calling, but it felt inconsistent and poorly thought out. • Turndown service, which is advertised as part of the Dreams experience and has been a staple at every other property we’ve stayed at, only happened once during our 7-night stay. We never declined the service or hung a “do not disturb” sign. It simply stopped after night one. No communication. No explanation. Just silence. It was such a noticeable drop-off in service that it left us wondering whether the staff simply forgot — or whether there is no system in place for quality control. • Midway through our trip, we decided to extend our stay by three nights. We confirmed this at the front desk a full day in advance. Yet on what would have been our original checkout day, housekeeping knocked three separate times to ask when we were leaving. It was clear that no one had informed them of the extension. Again — a lack of internal communication that made us feel like a number, not a guest. This kind of disconnection between departments — between front desk, housekeeping, concierge, and guest services — consistently disrupted our experience and made the resort feel like it was struggling behind the scenes, even if the setting looked polished on the outside. ⸻ FAMILY FEATURES: A Standout Element The Kids Club was excellent, and the staff were warm, engaging, and professional. Our children loved their time there and felt safe and entertained. The water slides were a highlight, and not just for the kids — adults enjoyed them too. If you’re traveling with family, this is one area where the resort does deliver. It’s clear the team running the kids’ programming is passionate about what they do. ⸻ SPA: Strong Treatments, Weather-Limited Hydrotherapy We booked massage services during our stay and were very happy with the treatments. The spa staff were professional, the facilities clean, and the locker rooms well designed. However, the hydrotherapy area is entirely outdoors, which was a big disappointment. We visited on multiple windy days and found the experience uncomfortable and even unpleasant. This is a strange design choice for a premium resort. For many guests, the hydrotherapy circuit is an expected and relaxing part of the spa experience — but here, it only works when the weather cooperates. ⸻ CHECKOUT: A Final Frustration That Left a Bitter Taste This was, unfortunately, the moment that confirmed our decision not to return. On the morning of our departure, I inquired at the front desk about a late checkout, and was told we could check out at 2:00 PM for $25 USD per hour. We agreed. However, when we checked out at 2:00 PM, we were suddenly told that we had not been charged, and therefore we were no longer allowed to access any restaurants or facilities. This directly contradicted everything we had been told earlier that day — both by the front desk and even by the bellboys when we dropped off our luggage. We were traveling with two kids. We hadn’t eaten. And we had over two hours to wait before our airport transfer. The staff showed no empathy, no flexibility, and no accountability for the miscommunication. It was a harsh and impersonal end to our stay — and unfortunately, it left us with a very bitter final impression. ⸻ FINAL THOUGHTS: Not Worth the Price — And Not a Dreams-Level Experience This resort is not terrible. But for the price we paid and the brand we trusted, it was deeply underwhelming. The experience felt more like a stay at a generic hotel with a few friendly waiters, not a polished, world-class all-inclusive. As travel professionals, we visited to evaluate the resort for future client recommendations. We chose not to disclose our role to ensure we’d receive the same treatment as any guest would. Now we know: we cannot recommend Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán — not until there are major improvements in communication, service delivery, and operational consistency. We’ll continue to recommend other Dreams resorts — many of which offer truly outstanding experiences — but this one simply isn’t ready to be part of that list.

  May 12, 2025
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  Relaxing May Getaway – Excellent Stay with a Few Minor Hiccups

  We spent the first week of May at the Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Resort and had a wonderful experience overall. Since this marked the beginning of the slow season, the resort felt like it was operating at only about 20% capacity, which was perfect for us. Restaurants and pool areas were never crowded, and there were always poolside seats and fresh towels available—shade included! The first five days of our stay were fantastic. We arrived on a Saturday and left the following Saturday. The resort was somewhat busy over the weekend, but by Sunday night, it noticeably quieted down. Monday through Thursday morning was very relaxed. Things began to pick up again by Thursday as new guests arrived, but it never felt overcrowded. Housekeeping was consistent for most of the week, with turndown service each evening while we were at dinner. However, this stopped on Thursday night. On Friday, housekeeping didn’t come at all during the day—we had to call around 4 PM to request service. Prior to that, we always returned to a fresh room after spending the day in the sun, which was a nice touch. The food overall was above average. Each restaurant had standout dishes and a few that were less impressive. Our family especially enjoyed Oceana and Portofino. From the Portofino patio, you can even catch some of the evening entertainment. The New York steak and catch of the day (Mahi Mahi) at Oceana were favorites—although we noticed some inconsistency: one night the fish was fantastic, another night it was dry. At Portofino, our daughter loved the short-rib “adult” spaghetti, and I had the lamb ossobuco twice because it was so good. We were lucky to be there for a special Cinco de Mayo celebration, which featured a festive dinner and dance performance. On Friday, there was another outdoor dinner with fire performers—that was the entertainment highlight of the week, with Cinco de Mayo a close second. Our daughter was also a huge fan of the Dolce Ice Cream Parlor, stopping by two or three times a day. They offered hard scoop ice cream with toppings, soft serve (though it wasn't always working), and popsicles. The Barefoot Grill was convenient and quick—perfect for poolside bites. The fish and chips (tilapia) were surprisingly good, and our daughters enjoyed the cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and plenty of fries throughout the week. The World Café was closed for dinner all week except for Saturday, likely due to low occupancy. Breakfasts there were decent, although offerings were more limited on slower days (e.g., bacon and smoked salmon were missing on one day each). Breakfast was better on busier days like Sunday and the following Saturday (Mother’s Day at the resort). One notable downside was the lack of fresh fruit. Pineapple appeared only once, and mango wasn’t available at all. Watermelon and honeydew were the only consistent options. For better fruit, we had to visit the Preferred Club—which also could have offered more variety in this area. Room service took the advertised 45–60 minutes, and our daughter said the food was great. We didn’t use the spa, as the pricing in USD felt steep coming from Canada. The fitness center was clean, well-equipped, and modern. However, it was disappointing that our teenage daughter (who works out regularly) couldn’t use it, as it’s restricted to guests 18 and over. It would be great if they allowed teens with adult supervision or had designated family hours, similar to the Core Zone in the afternoon. They also have two waterslides that are perfect for kids and teenagers—ours had a blast! As for adults… let’s just say I should’ve tried the slide before eating all week. I hit the bottom pretty hard, so slide at your own risk. The lazy river was also a lot of fun, and they provide basic floaties if you need them, which was a nice touch. The Core Zone for teenagers was a great space with video games, arcade machines, air hockey, foosball, and card games. That said, it wasn't fully operational during our visit. Our daughter was especially eyeing the slushy and popcorn machines, which unfortunately weren’t up and running yet. They also offer a turtle sanctuary tour, which we would highly recommend. It was a highlight of our trip—so much so that my younger daughter loved it enough to go a second time! They also offer bike tours and golf lessons, which we didn’t take advantage of—but it was nice to see those options available. Check-in and check-out were smooth and easy. We upgraded to the Preferred Club, although we didn’t fully take advantage of the perks. We did enjoy the private bar, hors d'oeuvres, and self-serve beer and water. There’s also a private pool and hot tub for Preferred Club guests (18+), which we didn’t use. The rooms seemed similar to standard ones, with the addition of a balcony bathtub, if that’s your preference. Security is taken seriously at the resort, which was reassuring. The location is convenient—just 10–15 minutes from the airport. That said, it’s about a 30–45 minute trip into Mazatlán if you’re planning to explore the town. Overall, a stellar vacation at a great resort. My only suggestions would be to improve the consistency of housekeeping and consider gym access for teens under adult supervision. Also, breakfast would be significantly improved with a wider selection of fresh fruits. Five stars for the first five days—our overall rating is 4 stars due to the drop in service during the last two.

  May 12, 2025
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  Again, Fabulous!!

  We returned to this place after just 7 months and it did not disappoint!! The slides were working everyday (prior complaint of ours was that they weren't operational everyday due to maintenance). The "Corezone" area was now open to kids of all ages and our kids loved it!!!! I was personally sad to see that Enrique was no longer working in the pool area as he was the HIGHLIGHT last year!!! I asked around and was told that he was now at the World Cafe. The next morning, we went to the World Cafe and saw Enrique. As soon as he saw me, he remembered my drink from the pool area the previous year!!!!!!! Needless to say, my family (kids included), love Enrique! I mentioned to him my love for the bread pudding and he brought out Chef Christian to talk about the ingredients and discuss how it was made. The food at World Cafe is unbelievable for breakfast and make sure to wait for the egg station. Shout out to Sandra there. Also, a shout out to Karely-Yunue as the hostess and Arturo. Oceania, overall, has the best food at this resort, hands down!! The fish is fresh and the food is delicious!!! We would definitely stay here again!!!!

  May 02, 2025
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  Meraki Restaurant

  Amazing dinner! Amazing service with Pablo and Giovanni :) Everything was delicious and they were both fantastic! We can’t wait to come back! ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

  Apr 28, 2025
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  Great Experience All Around

  We spent one week at the Dreams Resort in Mazatlán with our family. We had two adults and four children. The food was excellent and there was no waiting in line at any of the restaurants which was nice. This resort doesn’t allow you to “save” pool side chairs in the morning, you have to stay with them or they will pile your belongings and remove the towels which is a way better way to do it. It saves you from having others take chairs and never use them. There were spots on and off all day long. A couple shout outs to the activities workers, Antonio Morales for always making beach volleyball a great time, and Gill for having karaoke and making a second night of karaoke, that was not originally scheduled, because it was so popular!!! Another shout out to one of the best servers poolside, Giovanni, he was always attentive and friendly each day we talked to him. Lastly a shout out to Omar, the swim up bar bartender who was the best ever. He was in Mazatlan only temporarily because they needed the week covered and that was definitely our gain. He generally works at the Dreams resort in Punta de Mita and we will definitely try to make it there next. The Dreams is lucky to have all of these individuals working for them.

  Apr 28, 2025