Dreams Cancun offers some of the most exciting family activities in all of Mexico. None more so than the Delphinus Dolphin experience, where a limited number of guests swim and play with dolphins in the 13-foot-deep seawater lagoon. The Delphinus experience includes a brief orientation and 45 minutes of swimming, longer than any other “swimming with the dolphins” experience we came across in Mexico. Adults and children, at least 3 feet 6 inches tall, may swim with the dolphins on their own. Note: Smaller children can participate if accompanied at all times by a paying adult.
All rooms and suites in the Dreams Pyramid or Preferred Club Tower are deluxe with private terraces and sweeping views. Top View: The exclusive Dolphinview rooms overlooking the resort’s private lagoon. Note: Dreams Cancun is on the northeastern tip (Punta Cancun) of Cancun Island, about 12 miles from Cancun International Airport, which services private jets.
Dreams’ spa provides treatments from the traditional to the unusual, incorporating native, nutrient-rich fruits, and flora and techniques. Outdoor spa gardens and beachside massages allow guests to enjoy the elements of nature. Children can also get in on the action with Kid Karma and Teen Tantra treatments.
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| Azul Sensatori suites have heated Jacuzzis for two in the lazy river off the terrace. |
Of the hotel’s five restaurants, Paloma Bonita, adjacent to the resort, is considered elite. It is open to locals and provides an authentic Mexican dining experience. Kid Tip: For children, the Explorer’s Club holds daily fully supervised programs on science, nature and exploration, as well as a weekly campout adventure where they sleep in tents on the beach or at the club. Luxury travel advisors should contact Chief Concierge Sabyna Ferreira (chief [email protected]; 011-52-998-848-7000) for more information and bookings.
At Azul Sensatori Hotel By Karisma, it’s no surprise that the most requested rooms are the Premium Jacuzzi Swim-Up Suites. They have outdoor heated Jacuzzis, while a lazy river meanders in front of the room. These suites are suitable for families of four. Hint: If you are booking for larger families, recommend a connecting Jacuzzi Ocean View Suite. These suites can accommodate six and are ideal for extended families vacationing together. Amenities include air conditioning, a 32-inch plasma TV, DVD player, iPod docking station, a hydro-jet Jacuzzi and marble bathrooms with rain forest showerheads. Luxury travel advisors should contact Sales Manager Alexia Muralt (amuralt@azul; 011-52-998-287-2153) for more information.sensatori.com
Top Digs: the Presidential Suite, also built into the premium section. This suite has ample space for the entire family and their guests, with a private living room and master-bedroom suite. The Presidential Suite also has an in-suite Jacuzzi. Special services, such as pre-arrival concierge services, pillow menu, aromatherapy menu and private area concierge, are standard in both the Premium Jacuzzi Swim-Up Suites and the Presidential Suite. Getting There: Azul Sensatori Hotel is a 20-minute drive south of Cancun International Airport. Luxury ground services can be arranged through Lomas Travel, Azul Sensatori’s partner tour operator, which has an extensive menu of luxury cars.
Spa Time: The hotel’s 11-treatment-room, Zen-inspired spa and fitness center includes a VIP couple’s massage room, hydrotherapy areas, on-site bridal and kids’ suites, a relaxation lounge and a steam and sauna room. Nice Touch: There is an entire menu devoted to children’s spa treatments.
Cenotes, or underwater caves, are scattered throughout Mexico, but Hacienda Tres Rios is the only hotel that has its own private ones. Its guests-only Tres Rios Park is just right for families seeking to snorkel in the cenotes and discover the flora and fauna.
Of the hotel’s 273 suites, the best is Room No. 1122, a Casa Grande, which accommodates six people. It has a king bed with a Jacuzzi next to it, along with a dining area. Eco Note: The hotel has been recognized as a model resort by the Mexican government for its conservation practices and sustainable tourism development.
It’s also noted for its A-list sightings: Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover and Rush Hour’s Chris Tucker have been spotted there. Luxury travel advisors should contact Tour and Travel Sales Manager Juan Carlos Gonzalez (jcgonzalez@haciendatresri os.com; 011-52-984-877-2400).
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| The Pool at Hacienda Tres Rios has VIP and adult-only areas. |