It may be summer, but we have spent a lot of time lately planning our winter vacations. When the winter hits, we will all be looking to book some warm weather travel in the coming months. While life is also super busy, travel is a big part of our life, and we always to try to squeeze in a few trips here and there no matter the time frame. It’s been many many years since I have been to an all-inclusive, so we thought it was time to book a quick 4 day getaway to the Dreams Macao Beach in Punta Cana. While we love to travel with the kids, this trip was an adults only trip for 2! Don’t worry, we always have the kids in mind, so we made sure to check out everything the resort to offer!
Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana is a Hyatt hotel and is located about 40 minutes from the airport. I suggest pre-booking a taxi to take you to the hotel so your don’t have to worry when you get there. While there are lots of companies at the airport, it’s easier to plan ahead to know that you have nothing to worry about.
Preferred club at the Dreams Macao Beach
As you arrive at the Dreams Macao Beach in Punta Cana, you will find helpful staff who will welcome you to the resort. They will take your belongings and you won’t see them again until you get to your room. At the Dreams Macao Beach, they have the option to book the Preferred Club. We went back and forth on this for a while and decided that it was the right choice for us on this trip. When you book Preferred club, you get a prioritized check-in and check out, daily continental breakfast service, afternoon hot & cold hors d’oeuvres in the preferred club, access to the Preferred club lounge and bar as well as complimentary computer access.
In addition to these amenities, you will be put in contact with your own personal concierge who will check in on you frequently. We exchanged what’s app information when we arrived so that we were always able to reach him. He was in charge of booking our dinner reservations or putting our name down ahead when they didn’t take reservations. Additionally, if we needed anything during our stay, he was just a quick call or text away to assist us.
Lastly, the preferred club has access to its own pool and restaurant. Both the pool and restaurant are quieter than the rest of the resort so getting a spot at the pool or the restaurant was never an issue. All in all, the preferred club was worth the extra cost.
Accommodations
The accommodations were quite beautiful. The rooms were clean and well kept and the decor was very modern. There was ample space to hang our clothes and drawers for our belongings. Each room comes with a safe for your personal belongings as well. Our room had a balcony overlooking the pool area at the resort. We were on the 3rd floor so there was no issue with noise.
Many of the rooms on the main floor offer a swim up pool attached to the room, however this was not something we wanted as my concern is that it can be too loud with all of the action at the pool. Our balcony came equipped with its own bathtub. While I enjoyed sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine, I opted to keep my clothes on and didn’t hop in the bath!
The only issue we noticed was that the shower only had cold water. There was a big tub in the shower as well which ran hot water, so we used that tub water during the shower! Not ideal, but we were able to make do.
Where to Eat
Each morning, we started our day at the Preferred club restaurant. For lunch, there were a few choices:
- Barefoot Grill is a casual dining restaurant, open for lunch and an early dinner (11am-6pm) as well as late night bites (11pm-6am). This is your go to restaurant for burgers, hot dogs, nachos, fries and more.
- The other place to get burgers and fries is the Macao Bites Food trucks located by the water slides (yup, they have water slides!) at the front of the resort. While you won’t see the trucks when you are at the main pools, it’s just a short walk away. The trucks are open from 3-6pm so for late lunch or an early dinner, which is great for the kids!
- If you are travelling with kids, the other important place to know about is The World Cafe, which is the buffet. This is open from 6-7am for a continental breakfast, 7-11am for breakfast, 12:30-3:30pm for lunch and 6-10:30pm for dinner. They have both a local and international buffet to meet all of your families needs.
Now, for the fine dining options for dinner!
- Seaside Grill is the place to go if you life grilled meats, fish and hamburgers. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is lovely. The dress code is casual elegance. This mean no shorts for men, no flip flops and no tank tops. While it is casual, it is a step up from your daily casual wear.
- Next up is Portofino which is gourmet Italian, yum! The dress code is casual elegance as well.
- For Seafood lovers, you will want to go to Oceana. You can tell by the name, that this place has the best fish at the resort!! Eat dinner here in your causal elegance wear!
- If French food is your jam, you will want to make a reservation at Bordeaux, however, note that this is an adults only restaurant, so you will need to find some entertainment for the kids!
- Il Patio is filled with authentic Mexican food that is pure deliciousness.
- Last but not least, the restaurant at the top of our list was the Teppanyaki restaurant, Himitsu. The food was delicious and the chef was very entertaining! They don’t take reservations, so make sure to put your name down as soon as they open so that you don’t miss it. We also learned that they were very willing to accommodate any food restrictions at this restaurant.
Now for the fun!
One of the benefits of this resort is the waterpark. In a separate area, there are many waterslides for both adults and kids to enjoy! Even without the kids, we enjoyed this part of the hotel. I am sure that we would have set up at the waterslide park daily with the kids and enjoyed the food trucks. This was a fun area to hang out! Additionally, for younger kids, they have a great splash pad with little slides.
During the day, Dreams Macao Beach in Punta Cana offers an array of activities designed to keep families entertained and engaged. Parents and children alike can enjoy the stunning beach with its soft sands and crystal-clear waters, perfect for building sandcastles or swimming. The resort features multiple swimming pools, including a kids’ pool with water slides, ensuring fun for all ages.
Adventurous families can partake in various water sports such as kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. For those seeking relaxation, the resort provides yoga classes and a tranquil spa. Additionally, the Explorer’s Club offers supervised activities for children, including arts and crafts, treasure hunts, and beach games, giving parents some well-deserved downtime. With such a diverse range of daytime activities, Dreams Macao Beach ensures that every family member finds something to enjoy.
We spent most our days at the preferred club pool since we were there without the kids. Had the kids been there, we would have been partaking in all the activities at the main pool. There were always staff at the pool having fun with the kids, dancing and playing games. There was also a ping pong table by the pool which guests made good use of. They also have a rock climbing wall and basketball courts for all guests to enjoy.
Entertainment
Dreams Macao Beach in Punta Cana offers a vibrant and family-friendly nightlife that ensures parents can unwind and enjoy their evenings while still keeping the kids entertained. The resort hosts a variety of nightly shows that cater to all ages, from captivating live music performances and cultural dance shows to spectacular themed parties and movie nights under the stars. Parents can relax and enjoy a cocktail at one of the elegant lounges or beachfront bars, knowing that the resort’s supervised Explorer’s Club is keeping the younger guests engaged with their own fun activities. Whether you prefer a laid-back evening with soft melodies or an energetic night with lively performances, Dreams Macao Beach delivers an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Capturing Memories
At the end of a vacation all you have left are the memories. We decided to do a photoshoot with the onsite photographer. If this is something you might do, take a look at the shots we got! Spoiler alert: Be prepared to spend. Once they take your photos, it’s hard to walk away without them. They charge by the photo or you can buy them all for a pretty penny, so make sure you budget it in if you want the pictures!
In conclusion, Dreams Macao Beach Resort in Punta Cana stands out as an exceptional destination for families seeking a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and entertainment. With its pristine beaches, luxurious accommodations, and a wide range of activities tailored for both adults and children, the resort ensures a memorable vacation for everyone. Whether you’re soaking up the sun by the pool, exploring the vibrant underwater world, or enjoying the nightly shows, every moment at Dreams Macao Beach is crafted to provide unparalleled joy and comfort. It’s a place where families can create lasting memories together, making it the ideal choice for your next family getaway.
