As a family we tend not to return to the same place. There’s a big wide world to explore and vacation time is precious. However, I confess we are about to visit Dreams Tulum Hotel, Mexico for the third time (eek!). The lure has proved too difficult to ignore and so we are going back. Here are 10 reasons why:
TO RELAX
To choose to do nothing but watch pelicans fly past or read a book. To swim in the sea or the pool. To do as much or as little as we choose. No schedule, no timetable, no watches. 2 miles of beach and 44 acres of garden. Pure relaxation #Bliss
KIDS CLUB
My daughters love the Explorers Club. They like making friends, they like the range of activities from beach camp outs to crafts, trampolining to talent shows. The club is open 9am to 10pm and we have had to wrestle our children out of there to spend time with us! Children can also have lunch and dinner with the club if they wish. We let our children go to the kids club dinner a couple of times as it means we can have a romantic meal for two!
I can’t claim credit for this hairstyle, the kids club nannies did it before they took the children out to dinner.
NATURE
Iguanas, birds, fish that eat bananas out of your hands in the sea, pelicans flying past. Once an iguana jumped on my daughter’s sun lounger and stole a cookie from her. It could have been this culprit:
TO SNORKEL
20 minutes from Dreams Tulum is Akumal Beach, where you can snorkel straight from the shore and see turtles, rays and lots of fish. When my children were little we would hire a snorkel guide and he would give them a tow, with them holding on to a rubber ring.
THINGS TO DO
There is plenty to do, although I choose to do very little! Sports, water games, foam parties and evening entertainment are available should you wish to join in. If you don’t want to, grab a hammock and a book and chill out.
RESTAURANTS
The resort does not take reservations for its various restaurants, unless you are a large group, and there are no restrictions on where you dine. Our favourites are the Italian and the Seaside Grill but I can’t resist the guacamole from the Mexican Restaurant. We also love Coco’s, a colonial style coffee shop, for iced coffees and it’s also the place to get Baileys! I blame this hotel for my daughters’ partiality to a virgin mojito.
SPEND TIME TOGETHER
The bananas they are taking into the sea are to feed the fish! When I can tear my girls away from the Explorers Club we like to spend time at the pool together or go out for the day – there’s a lot to do in the area.
SMALL HOTEL
Many hotels on the Riviera Maya are huge with thousands of rooms. Dreams Tulum has just over 400 rooms. If you want 10 swimming pools and 20 bars, this isn’t the place for you. If you want a more relaxed, intimate and friendly resort in a beautiful location then it’s perfect.
TULUM
The ruins of Tulum are a short taxi ride away. Famous for their picturesque location on a clifftop overlooking the sea, you can visit both ruins and beach easily from the hotel.
Tulum Beach is a wonderful soft sandy beach with boutique hotels, watersports and turquoise seas.
Xel-Ha is a a huge, natural aquarium and water park near the hotel. Zipwire, jump off cliffs, swing on ropes, go down a lazy river, snorkel, swim in cenotes, watch wildlife pass by, cycle through the jungle. It’s a fantastic day out and we love it. I haul myself away from the beach and pool and my kindle to spend a day there doing water based activities. I have never yet quite plucked up the courage to jump off the cliff of courage (5m high) – will this be the year?!
We return to Dreams Hotel, Tulum in May – bring it on! What’s your happy place you return to again and again?
PIN FOR LATER
WHERE JO GOES OTHER LUXURY REVIEWS
Luxury Beach Holidays: Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Orlando, Florida/Captiva Island Florida
LINKING UP WITH
#fearlessfamtrav
Well that looks like a perfect piece of paradise and not at all what I expected Tulum to be.. sadly high rises and crowds featured in my imagination. I’d love to take the family to Mexico. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
I haven’t been to Riveria Maya since I was in high school, back then… cough, cough, ahem in the early 90’s… it wasn’t even called Riveria Maya yet! Playa del Carmen was a SLEEPY little town and the resorts hadn’t started crawling down from Cancun. But I do remember THAT beach was the finest most gorgeous sand I’d ever seen. And the water so clear and stunning. I can absolutely see why you would keep returning! And I’d prefer the smaller resort as well. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
We don’t tend to return to the same places either so I’m always fascinated by the places that somehow compel us to revisit. That sea and sand look wonderful and I love somewhere that you can go snorkelling from the beach. Mexico is somewhere I’m desperate to visit. Thanks for sharing this on #FarawayFiles
This looks like a great place to take the family! So many activities, and food, wildlife and beautiful water. I also love that the historical ruins are so close too, what an all round brilliant experience. One to save for later, me thinks! #FarawayFiles
Author
You can swim off the beach at the ruins which is a lovely way to cool off after the heat!
I’ve been considering a trip here as I’ve never been to Mexico, partially because I’m not wanting to stay at a giant resort… lovely photos! #farawayfiles
So, here’s a confession for you – I really didn’t rate Tulum. We went many years ago, before kids. Reading your post, I don’t really recognise it: this hotels looks great for kids, the beaches look great and the ruins looks spectacular. If I get chance to go back, I’ll give it a second chance! #farawayfiles
Author
We never went into Tulum town so I can’t comment on that!
Don’t know much about Tulum, but the ruins and Xel-Ha look awesome! And the mischievous iguanas and other wildlife made me smile. 🙂
I just did a day trip to Tulum when I was son a cruise and I loved it. Such a beautiful area, I would love to go back and spend more time there. The resort looks great so will definitely keep that in mind. Important to know they have good guacamole – that is definitely a big selling point for me. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
I miss Tulum and Xel-Ha and the beautiful turquoise waters of Mexico. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Looks like a great place for a family vacation. I love Mexico, and have so many areas, including Tulum, that I’ve yet to visit!
#TheWeeklyPostcard
I’ve heard so much about Tulum, Mexico and this hotel looks amazing! I’ve always wanted to try one of those floating water ball thingys! Will definitely be pinning this! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Author
Zorbing!
Oh my god, that sounds incredible. I wish I hadn’t read this, as our kids are lucky if they get to go camping! I need to start playing the lottery! Enjoy your holiday!
#MarvMondays
This looks fantastic – the kids club looks fab! I’ve never been to Mexico but am definitely interested! #MarvMondays
We don’t go back to the same places often either – especially now that it’s mostly just the two of us. But one thing that’s nice about going back to someplace again is that you can relax and focus on family. You know what’s there, you know what to expect (mostly), so you can focus on each other more than the new things you’re seeing. And Xel-ah looks awesome! We didn’t do that when we were in Cancun, but may go to Tulum next for the ruins and the park. 🙂 Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Author
Thanks Rob and Ann for hosting and for reading!
This looks like a lovely place to stay and relax. I like all the water activities you mentioned.
I LOVE Tulum!!! Looks like you had an unforgettable visit too 🙂
Author
Yes we just got back this week from another trip – sunshine and sea!
I have the same thoughts. I want to visit new places but certain places I have been keep calling me. I have been to Tulum and would go again in heartbeat. There is more of Mexico I want to see but the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the places I love with all my heart. #wkendtravelinspiration
Don’t worry, I won’t judge. Some places are just to good to not return to, for a variety of reasons! Thanks for linking up! #wkendtravelinspiration
It looks like a hotel dreams are made of. I can see why you would want to return
Thanks for linking to #fearlessfamtrav
This sounds just perfect. A kids club the kids love and those beautiful white beaches plus some culture to boot. My type of place. I’m not surprised you want to go back again and again. #fearlessfamtrav
Tulum sounds magical! What a wonderful time you all had. We’ve never been to Mexico. I think we need to move it up our list!
I would go back too! Looks like heaven. There are certain places we like returning to again and again too and I think it’s great to have those places, even though there’s so much to explore. Nothing wrong with having your happy place. #fearlessfamtrav
This looks INCREDIBLE! I will definitely be checking it out when (not if!!!) we got o Tulum. #fearlessfamtrav