Review of Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa - 1 star

This is my review of my vacation at Dreams Riviera. Before anyone asks: no, my spouse and child did not drink the tap water and they did not have noro - my wife is actually still extremely ill almost 6 days after initial symptoms. We are home and getting tests done.

1 star

On this trip, there were 3 of us: 2 adults and a toddler (almost 2). 2 out of 3 of us got food poisoning right away. However, that is not the only factor in this review. 

The Good: 

• We were preferred room members so we had a separate check in and check out which was nice. We were greeted with champagne. There was a private area for a special buffet and bar (we only went once - may have been the cause of the sickness). 

• Employees were super helpful and courteous. 

  • However, housekeeping was suppose to be 9am-5pm and 2 days in a row came at 8am which was not helpful since we were still asleep (but still needed fresh towels and the trash emptied). 

• The kids splash pool was fun and great for kids to play in. 

  • It was, however, very dirty (even if you are the first in the pool in the morning). 

• We rented the cabanas for the entire stay and the little bit we enjoyed them was great for relaxing. For awareness, they are $100 a day and you get a bottle of alcohol with them. 

  • However, the service at them wasn’t the greatest. I think the first day, it took over 3 hours to be noticed. 
  • Also, the cabanas by the Activity Pool has a narrow walkway and on one side, there is a slick dance floor. My poor spouse slipped and fell on it…. Not sure why a 5x5 dance floor was there but okay. 

• The Laundry Service was pretty efficient. Due to some…unpleasant issues for my toddler, we had to wash some of her clothes. 

  • However, they are scented just as a warning for those sensitive to smells.

• The resort doctor was extremely kind and came quickly.

  • My daughter needed a shot of Zofran and drops for vomiting… it was $520 USD. However, they overcharged me so I may have to dispute that CC charge. TBD on that. 
  • Also, she did not wipe the injection site with alcohol wipes first so that was off-putting but I may be overthinking that. 

The Bad:

• The Food: was NOT good. Granted, we only got to experience the Barefoot Grill, Seaside Grill, and the World Buffet (which may be the culprit). But it wasn’t anything special. 

  • I would have also liked if the World Buffet posted their menu themes somewhere. For example, we attempted to visit it again for dinner during a break from food poisoning episodes and it was Indian and Sushi night…. Wouldn’t have even bothered had I known. 

• The Room Service: 

  • The food was HORRIBLE. I’m a midwesterner. I’m not fancy. So the fact that I hated it says something. And we had to survive on it for 3 days thanks to the food poisoning. 

• The Room:

  • The bed was the WORST mattress I have ever slept on and I have been to some really bad hotels in my life. It is hard as a rock. On top of food poisoning, my spouse also dealt with back issues due to the bed. The first night, it triggered my sciatica which was pleasant. 
  • The closet was a bit small compared to some of the rooms you may see when watching video reviews. Not a huge deal as there were only 3 of us and we were only there for essentially 3 full days but if you were to come for a week, it may not be great (unless you prefer never to unpack). 
  • There is 0 privacy when it comes to the toilet so you better be secure in yourself or your relationship! It is just a glass door. 
  • Lastly, there is NO soundproofing with the room door. We had a sound machine which helped but even though the machine was at max volume (just white noise) and 1 ft from my head, I could hear everything in the hallway. I didn’t care that it was loud due to kids or adults as I know we go to bed early due to a toddler but at 2am hearing service carts and employees talking loudly in the halls over the sound of a sound machine is insanity. Super 8 has better sound proofing.