‘For couples, and couples with children’ is written right on the key cards at Dreams Huatulco resort, which is a great summary of why all types of vacationers feel at home at this all-inclusive property in the sun-soaked region of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Situated along the golden shores of Tangolunda Bay along the Pacific Coast, Dreams does a fantastic job of appealing to many ages and group types.
Those travelling with little ones in tow will find amenities like child-friendly pools, activities, a playground and kids club, while adults in search of rest and relaxation can retreat to the quiet adult-only pools, fine dining restaurant, bars and tranquil spa.
When we visited, guests were a good mix of young families, larger groups of middle-age sun seekers, and retirees.
We spent nearly a week at the Dreams in Huatulco on a babymoon along with our one-year-old daughter, enjoying one last vacation as a family of three before welcoming baby #2.
Our getaway turned out even better than hoped thanks to the impeccable service, absolutely stunning views and the fantastic beach where even our toddler could enjoy the gentle surf.
Far removed from the commercialization of spots like Cancun, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, it felt like we were in ‘real’ Mexico with the conveniences of an all-inclusive resort, and getting to Huatulco was straightforward thanks to direct flights on WestJet from many Canadian cities.
Here’s everything you need to know about what it’s like to stay at Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa.
Overview of Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa
The Dreams resort chain is well established, with properties around Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. It’s part of the Hyatt Inclusive collection, and closely tied with the adult-only Secrets brand which also has a Huatulco location about five minutes away from Dreams.
The resort is a good size in that there are lots of rooms, restaurants and amenities, but not so big that it ever feels overwhelming.
The layout is so straightforward that even directionally-challenged folks like myself can’t get lost, and you won’t find yourself silently cursing as you trudge back to your room from the beach like at some mega resorts.
There’s really only one property in Huatulco that would be considered ‘luxury’ (the Camino Real Zaashila next door, which has more elevated decor); however, Dreams is consistently considered one of the best resorts in Huatulco. In fact, during our trip we met several couples who have visited the area numerous times and stayed at different hotels, and all of them said that Dreams was their favourite resort and one of the nicest.
Keep in mind that if you’re into partying or nightlife this won’t be your spot; Huatulco is a better fit for families and empty-nesters looking to relax and enjoy excursions like whale watching, waterfall hikes or cultural tours in the nearby towns.
Conveniently, a lot of the attractions are only a 10-20 minute drive from Dreams, and there’s even a cluster of local shops and restaurants right across the street for those who want to do a bit of shopping or nosh on some authentic street tacos in Tangolunda.
Rooms at Dreams in Huatulco, Mexico
Dreams Huatulco has more than 400 rooms and suites spread out over six floors, and the buildings form a U-shape around the central plaza leading to the restaurants, beach and pools. This means that the majority of rooms have fantastic ocean views overlooking Tangolunda Bay, and they’re not obscured either!
Keep in mind you won’t be able to see as much of the water if you select a room on the lower levels, so ideally you’ll want to reserve a Partial/Ocean View one on floors 4-6.
There are some rooms on the outer side of the buildings called ‘Tropical View’ which look out at the arid Sierra Madre Mountain range instead.
While you won’t see the ocean from these, one perk is that they’re typically much quieter since it gets very noisy in the plaza at night due to the themed dinners and entertainment, and the sound carries into every ocean view room which even the hum of the fan/air conditioning can’t drown out.
Every single room has a large balcony with a table and chairs, king-size or two double beds, desk, closet, mini-bar, a bathroom with a shower and good blackout curtains.
Some rooms also have their own outdoor hot tubs, the adult-only Junior Suites include a separate seating area, and there’s a Presidential Suite with a massive terrace, larger bathroom, walk-in closet, living room and dining room.
One improvement I’d like to see the resort take on is making in-room outlets more accessible, since there are very few and they’re tough to find. Another is to add more hooks in the bathroom (there was only one in ours) and no drawers which means using all of the counter space for toiletries.
This is exactly why I always use a toiletry kit with a built-in hanger, to hang it on a shower door or towel rack if needed.
The housekeeping service was fantastic, and they came twice a day to refresh our room including a turn-down service. The mini-bar is restocked daily with drinks and snacks, and 24-hour room service is included.
A final quick note on the lack of soundproofing: I suggest requesting a room that doesn’t have a door linking it to the adjoining suite (like the one we stayed in). We could hear absolutely everything our neighbours were doing next door like conversations, the TV and alarm clocks, and when their room phone rang it was so loud that I actually picked ours up thinking someone was calling us.
We also had our daughter’s sound machine going which still didn’t drown it out…so I guess I’d also recommend bringing ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper.
Pools and the beach at Dreams Huatulco
My favourite thing about Dreams Huatulco is the incredible beach and pools— arguably the most important considerations when planning a winter getaway in Mexico.
The pools
There are five large pools: three of them are infinity pools overlooking the water, another one is a quieter adults-only pool, and the fifth is geared more toward families and even has adorable kid-size loungers.
One of the infinity pools is adults-only, the one in the middle is where you’ll find activities like water volleyball and Aquaerobics classes throughout the day, and the third one is best for kids/families.
I absolutely love how each of them has a wide, very shallow platform leading into it; you can put a lounger on them or sit down in the few inches of water to cool off a bit without having to submerge yourself in the pool, and it was perfect for our toddler to wade around in.
You won’t find any waterslides or a splash park here, so that’s worth noting as it might be a deal breaker for families with older, adrenaline-fuelled kids who prefer to spend their days on slides versus hanging around a pool.
The beach
I still can’t get over how great this beach is (and having visited 100 countries, trust me when I say I’ve been to a lot of beaches).
The scenery is absolutely stunning with unique rock formations framing the bay, and it’s all open to the public so you can go for a longer walk past the neighbouring Barcelo resort if you’d like.
Tangolunda Bay has soft golden sand, which is very clean and free of debris like rocks, shells and sargassum. The cove is a bit sheltered so the surf isn’t too intense compared to most places on the Pacific, and the water is a comfortable temperature that doesn’t feel too cold.
Small children should wear a floatation device in the water as there’s a bit of a current, but it was calm enough along the shoreline that we were comfortable letting our daughter splash around within arms reach.
The resort also has a lifeguard keeping watch, and I was impressed to see him proactively patrolling right along the shore when the waves kicked up a bit more than usual.
A really cool feature is that there are large schools of fish swimming right along the shoreline–I overheard one guest describe it like ‘walking through a koi pond.’ You can simply stand there and they’ll circle around you, and chances are you might even feel a couple brush up against your legs.
Globe Guide note: Please, please don’t feed the fish! I saw way too many people doing this and it’s so unnecessary as the fish are drawn to the shoreline regardless of whether there are snacks or not. Last time I checked their usual diet does not include bananas and soda crackers, so please respect the wildlife and simply observe them.
Loungers and amenities
While there are no swim-up bars, don’t fret: it’s really easy to get a beach-or-poolside bevy, thanks to three conveniently located bars and lots of servers walking around all day long.
There are a few different places to grab fresh towels (no annoying towel cards required!), and an info desk to help with things like inflating pool floaties.
While there are lots of loungers around each pool and on the beach, it still felt a bit like the Hunger Games to secure a spot each day. Most chairs were claimed by 8 AM, so you’ll definitely want to put some towels and belongings down before breakfast (I recommend bringing beach towel clips).
Staff are quite accommodating in trying to help if nothing’s available, and I did see them remove towels from loungers that had been unattended for a while. Ideally, Dreams would find a way to add additional loungers and umbrellas so there’s more flexibility for guests.
Activities at Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa
If you manage to pull yourself away from the pool, there are plenty of activities around the resort including a gym, tennis courts, a pickleball court, ping pong, basketball hoop, life-size chess board and beach volleyball.
Guests can take part in daily yoga classes, archery, sailing lessons, bingo, guided walks and Spanish classes just to name a few, and water sports like kayaks and paddleboards are also offered.
Jet skiing, fishing and diving are offered for an additional fee, and the concierge can assist with arranging tours for things like catamaran trips and horseback riding.
Another random thing I’d consider an amenity is that Dreams Huatulco doesn’t require guests to wear ugly plastic bracelets all week like many all-inclusives do–woohoo!
Globe Guide tip: Download the Hyatt Inclusive Collection app, which has extensive info about the resort like maps, room service menus, spa services, the list of daily activities and pricing for additional services like laundry and private dinners.
Dreams Spa
An absolute gem tucked away inside the resort is the Dreams Spa, which offers treatments such as relaxing massages, manicures, pedicures and body treatments like rejuvenating facials.
The highlight is the spacious hydrotherapy circuit which flows beautifully between indoor and outdoor spaces, with its main feature being a large pool surrounded by lush foliage and includes a rock bed entry to help improve circulation.
The Revive Bar serves up tea, healthy snacks and fruit-infused water, steps away from a set of loungers and two hot tubs. There are also Swiss showers, a bucket for cold plunging, steam room and sauna.
Access to the hydrotherapy area is included with treatments, or can be booked on its own as an hour-long session for about $65.
Preferred Club
When reserving a stay at Dreams Huatulco, guests can opt to pay a bit extra for Preferred Club privileges (which is what we had). Along with being an elevated room category, it has perks like a separate seating area at the beach, concierge service and upgraded mini-bar and bath amenities.
I’d say one of its best features—and why it’s an especially good option for couples—is access to the Preferred Club lounge on the sixth floor. A continental breakfast is set up here every morning, while hors d’oeuvres, dessert and premium beverages are served throughout the day.
There are a couple of seating areas and half a dozen tables with dedicated servers, which makes this a more relaxed and intimate setting compared to other bar and buffet areas on the resort.
Dining at the Huatulco Dreams resort
Speaking of dining, there’s no shortage of options here:
- World Cafe: The main buffet which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Barefoot Grill: A snack spot near the pools
- Portofino: An elevated, adult-only Italian dining experience
- Himitsu: Asian cuisine like pad thai and sushi
- El Patio: A la carte Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine
- Oceana and Seaside Grill: Seafood restaurants near the waterfront
There are also special themed dinner nights in the plaza, such as Oaxacan Night featuring a buffet of regional specialties and entertainment from local dancers and singers.
Conveniently, no reservations are required and there aren’t restrictions on how many times you visit any of the restaurants during your stay. We found the quality hit or miss depending on where you went and what you ordered, which in my experience is pretty standard for Mexican all-inclusives.
Culinary experiences are also offered for an additional fee such as private dining in the wine cellar, a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach, and the Seafood Lovers one we tried which was a multi-course meal complete with drink pairings.
The one space that got me most excited is the Coco Cafe, because one complaint I have about a lot of resorts is a lack of proper lattes (no, an automatic machine doesn’t count).
The baristas at Dreams Huatulco serve up all types of custom crafted coffee and espresso drinks along with fresh fruit smoothies, ice cream, sandwiches and snacks. Grabbing my hazelnut latte then heading to the beach every morning was one of the best parts of the day!
For cocktails there’s a bar down at the beach, two near the pools, one in the lobby (which has lovely views if you continue out to the deck behind it) and a sports bar.
There’s also a daily Mezcal tasting set up across from the gift shop where guests can sample premium mezcals from around Oaxaca and learn more about this signature smokey liquor.
Dreams Huatulco review: Family-friendly inclusions
As mentioned, Dreams doesn’t specifically cater just to families which means kid-less groups fit in just as well here. That said, it has a number of features that make the trip a bit easier for those with little ones in tow.
Along with the two pools geared toward children and activities around the resort, there’s a playground and the Explorers’ Club for those ages 3-12 which is staffed by employees certified by the American Red Cross in CPR.
This fully supervised children’s program includes activities like arts and crafts, storytelling, movie nights, an indoor game room and treasure hunts, where kids can blow off some energy while parents enjoy some well-deserved relaxation time.
While we weren’t able to make use of that as our daughter is too young, Dreams offers a few services for babies like setting up cribs in the room, high chairs in the restaurants, and a special room service menu where you can order fruit and veggie purees.
Private babysitting services are also available and arranged through the concierge, which cost about $40/hour for one child, or $50/hour for two kids.
Things to do in Huatulco
The state of Oaxaca is one of the best regions in Mexico for art, culture and gastronomy, which you can experience first hand in the small towns around Huatulco.
An easy excursion is heading to La Crucecita to stroll through the main square, duck into handicraft shops and meet the artisans, and stop in at one of the mezcal bars. Don’t miss the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is famous for having the largest mural in Latin America on its ceiling.
It’s easy enough to explore on your own as the town is just a 10 minute taxi ride from Dreams, or you can book this guided tour which includes a couple of activities and scenic stops.
Huatulco has 36 beaches on nine secluded bays, so another good option is to reserve one of these boat tours to do some beach hopping:
If you’re an early riser, opt for a sunrise boat tour like this one we did with Paraiso Huatulco.
Watch the soft light illuminate the rock formations around Santa Cruz Bay while keeping an eye out for wildlife like pods of dolphins; during our morning out we saw numerous humpback whales, a sea turtle bobbing in the waves and a manta ray bursting out of the water!
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Up for a bit more adventure? Go rafting on the Copalita River, or cool off with a swim in the crystal clear waters under one of the many cascading waterfalls near Huatulco by booking here:
How to get to Huatulco
Canadians are in luck when it comes to getting to Huatulco (HUX), with direct flights from Calgary (year round), Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver with WestJet. Air Canada also operates a seasonal route between Toronto and HUX.
There are a few domestic flights from Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, as well as two from the USA (Chicago and Dallas).
Considering it’s a small airport I was surprised to find lots of seating, a few stores, a lounge and a handful of eateries, and it only takes 20 minutes to drive from the airport to Dreams which is fantastic.
You can book a stay at Dreams Huatulco directly through their website, via a third party like Expedia, or book through WestJet Vacations for a package deal including accommodation, flights and transfers.
Overall, our trip to Dreams in Huatulco was a perfect choice for our family getaway thanks to the gorgeous scenery, attentive service, fantastic pools and beach which kept us having fun in the sun all week long.
Globe Guide experienced Dreams Huatulco as a guest of the property, and flights were kindly covered by WestJet. As always, hosts have no editorial influence on coverage.
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