You Will LOVE This New Dreams Resort In Mazatlan! • Dreams Estrella Del Mar • Opening April 2024

[@niecy6102]

This resort looks beautiful, have never been to that area of Mexico before. It reminds me of that time you went to the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, it looks like the same aesthetic which I think is very relaxing and calming. The love the look of the modern buildings too.

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi Niecy! It's a really interesting area and I was very surprised how clean it was. Like, no garbage on the streets clean (I'd challenge you to find a neighbourhood here in Vancouver that has streets as clean as theirs!). And lots of interesting stuff to see & do too. Yes - all new resorts have that same coloring and sort of sparse design to them. I like it but some say it's too plain. It's definitely going to be one to check out!

[@rachellelynn9406]

I’m excited. I’ve always wanted to go to mazatlan but I like traditional all inclusive which they really don’t have besides Riu which I’m not a fan of rius. Hoping I can book first April 2025 for my 25th wedding anniversary!!

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi Rachelle! Yeah they haven't had much for choices so that's why I think this Dreams is going to be such a hit! If this is your first time to Mazatlan, here are a few tips for you: * Look up cruisemapper.com to find out when ships are in - this is the ONLY time the cliffdivers are jumping (except maybe the evening but we weren't out then). * Restaurant across the street from here & a bit south (Sinaloense) is EXCELLENT - try any shrimp dish there. * BBQ Ribs restaurant (Roys) (there are 2, one out by Riu and one by the marina) is amazing. Deals certain days of the week - check their FB page for details. * Malecon is stupidly long but interesting to see. Better at night lit up. Take a pedi-cab to get closer to the downtown area for a cheaper cab ride back to the resort (the pedi cabs are all lit up & play fun music - reminds me of the bike cabs in San Diego) * Fishermans is a fun bar along the malecon on the beach - live bands (really good ones) at sunset. * Mazatlan bathrooms are VERY hit & miss. All restaurant banos above are acceptable. * Bandas are everywhere (live tuba bands) & very loud. Just get used to it - it's a cultural thing. * Downtown was very clean and a very interesting cultural area by the theatre. * Be sure to check out the market downtown. Everything from raw fish & chicken to embroidered napkins to traditional Mexican candies to souvenirs. Hope that helps!

[@rachellelynn9406]

@@ChristineTurner thank you so much for all that info. Yes I’ve heard a lot of bad comments on the bandas… not a fan from anyone I’ve chatted with. We prefer traditional Mexican when in Mexico … street tacos etc as much as we can get! No seafood for us. ;) we would def need to cab it around as hubby has bad back issues so we def wouldn’t be able to do the whole malecon if it’s that long..

[@ChristineTurner]

@@rachellelynn9406 Well, if you're staying at Dreams, there aren't really a ton of other hotels nearby, so you might not hear them as much there. You definitely want to get a pedi-cab to see all of the malecon artwork. It's quite something to see and is much more enjoyable than walking the whole way - it's really long!!!

[@rosemaryf8177]

@@ChristineTurner Oh, that makes me feel so much better. I really wanted to see the divers, but since there were were no way I could get there from Dreams, I could not see them. So it is good to know that I would not have been able to see them anyway if I had been able to get to town, since they only perform when the ships come into port.

[@ChristineTurner]

@@rosemaryf8177 Well if they perform more frequently, I guess I just missed them but I went past that area maybe 5 or 6 times! Never at night though, so that's probably when they were out! Who knows? 🤷‍♀

[@deedeethedog05]

Good timing, we were just looking at trying out a Dreams resort next winter. We did Hyatt the last 3 years and figured it was time to check out something different. Also, I watched enough Dora the Explorer to be pretty confident that it's "estraya." Thanks Dora.

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi DeeDee! Oh I think you will really enjoy Dreams. That used to be my preferred resort chain but then Hyatt won me over. I would recommend booking Preferred Club - you’re a Club person at Hyatt so you’ll definitely miss those privileges if you book a regular room. Let me know what your short list is and I can help you narrow it down - I’ve been to all the ones in Mexico! And thanks for the clarification on ‘estraya’!!

[@SeaLegJourneys]

Another great place to vacation!

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi SeaLegJourneys! I'm pretty excited about this one and the new Hyatt Vivid Grand Island in Cancun - both sound amazing! Thanks for watching! BTW - where are you off to next?

[@jasonhiggins605]

Genuinely curious if this is going to be a resort that most gringos will want to go to. Kinda like how Dreams Acapulco is more of a Mexican resort vs Cabo or Cancun. It looks beautiful!

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi Jason! Hard to say because it's in the opposite direction of the main hotel area but because it's upscale, I think it will do well. The free golf round option is compelling too. I think the main reason Dreams Acapulco fell off the radar is all the cartel activity, which basically mean most airlines stopped flying there. To this day, I think the average person would hesitate to go there because there's been no marketing or media push to say that it's safe again (assuming it is - I honestly haven't kept an eye on things there). I'm excited about this one and would be very interested in checking it out!

[@epihvny]

Is the beach is swimmable ?

[@ChristineTurner]

I did this video before they opened and haven’t been to the resort yet so I couldn’t speak to the beach but most beaches in the area are swimmable.

[@briannwo1900]

We have never been to mazatlan but have always wanted to go. Problem is there was never a resort in the area that interested us. Hopefully that has changed with this new resort ? Sure hope so. Thanks for the video.

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi RAS! Yeah when we were there earlier this year, we booked just the 1st week and had 3 reservations for the 2nd. Went out the day after arrival to check the options I’d booked and ended up cancelling them all. I mean, the Pueblo Bonito is an option for something more 4 or 5 stars, but it’s even farther out than the Riu. Hopefully transport from this place to downtown is easy - I’m seriously considering going down for opening to check it out!

[@katem4993]

What airport do you fly into?

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi Kate! It's the Mazatlan International Airport (MZT) which is quite close to the resort. It's a very small airport, so it was quick to get processed.

[@rosemaryf8177]

Hopefully by the time you come, the shuttles and taxis will know where the hotel is. The hotel is the opposite direction that the town of Mazatlan, but my shuttle driver did not realise this, so it took me 2 hours for the shuttle to drop me off because the driver dropped off everyone who stayed in Mazatalan first, eventhough the resort is only a few minutes away from the hotel. Other people on my tour that took taxis had similar experiences due to the taxi drivers being unaware of where the hotel was.

[@ChristineTurner]

@@rosemaryf8177 Yes this is always a concern with a resort in a new area. Hopefully things improve this week! Good luck with watching the eclipse tomorrow - let us know how it goes!

[@rosemaryf8177]

@ChristineTurner Yes, I would never choose a new resort or a maiden voyages for cruises. At the time I booked this tour over a year ago, I had no idea of where we would be staying. When I heard that the resort was still under construction, I was very worried. But I must say that it is really a great resort - very helpful staff that goes far and beyond to help. They makes up for the minor inconveniences of a new resort. There are 1000 staff working here for 220 rooms. So that is a great Staff per guest ratio.

[@ChristineTurner]

@@rosemaryf8177 wow are you serious?! That many staff? Wow. Well I’m glad it seems to have mostly worked out. Have a great time tomorrow!

[@camvworld5674]

Do you know when they will begin accepting Hyatt point booking?

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi Cam! No, sorry - I have no idea about bookings with points but it looks like they're pushing regular reservations out to May now. If you're trying to book right after opening, this could be the reason you're not able to use points right now.

[@rosemaryf8177]

I think they want to wait until the resort is totally finished before accepting regular reservations. I am staying there now as part of an Eclipse tour. There are two Eclipse tours staying here and the hotel opened for us on April 5. There are some growing pains. The staff is wonderful, but they are still learning - for example you get different answers from waiters in the same restaurant at the same time concerning what items on the menu are available. There are still about 300 construction workers on the premises, some of the venues are not open taxi drivers tend not to know where to get here. Tour companies will not pick up at the hotel since it is out of town. They will accept extensions for the Eclipse guests who are already here, but I doubt that they will accept new reservations until the hotel is finished.

[@ChristineTurner]

@@rosemaryf8177 Oh wow that'll be something to see tomorrow! Agreed - all new resorts have growing pains as the staff learns their jobs and the details of the resort. It's great to go there and get cheaper rates but you certainly have to know what you're getting into. Tricky with the taxis too - in the past, I've often told them of a common place nearby so they at least know which area to go to - that said, I'm not sure what's in the area - maybe the golf course?

[@kmbuford]

Although family friendly will they have an AO section?

[@ChristineTurner]

Yes they will have an adult only section.

[@CherylGalindo-n3u]

thanks for the info. Can you tell me if the beach is swimmable?

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi Cheryl! Yes - to my knowledge there are no areas in this region which are not swimmable. The beaches tend to be hard-packed and the water color and clarity can vary, but you can definitely get in!

[@CherylGalindo-n3u]

Thank you.

[@robertmartin5308]

Not new…been there 25 plus years,Moe own there

[@ChristineTurner]

Hi Robert. Well it used to be an empty lot and now it's a building with pools and waterslides, so I think you're mistaking this place for somewhere else.

[@robertmartin5308]

@@ChristineTurner nope, Estrella Del Mar, out by the airport and walking distance to Stone island