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Editor’s note: Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica provided TPG with a complimentary two-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.
Costa Rica is a popular destination for tourists seeking beach relaxation, jungle adventures and prime wildlife viewing opportunities. It also happens to be one of our top destinations of 2024 because of its sustainable travel opportunities and a smattering of new hotel openings.
While Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica isn’t a new property — it opened in 2014 — it’s one that deserves recognition for its stunning pools and family-friendly environment. Not to mention, it has a multitude of on-site activities and entertainment options that appeal to guests of all ages. And since it’s part of the Hyatt family, there are many ways to book a stay using points, too.
Related: The most award-friendly hotel program: Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
What is Dreams Las Mareas?
Dreams Las Mareas is a large, all-inclusive beachfront resort in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, near the Nicaragua border. It sits on the calm bay of Playa El Jobo and is surrounded by a verdant jungle.
With 447 guest rooms, a spa, three pools, eight restaurants and eight bars and lounges — among other enticing amenities — it’s hard to get bored here. The ample amount of event space also makes it suitable for large corporate events or weddings.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
The resort is part of the family-friendly Dreams Resorts & Spas brand, which falls within Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection. All rates here include meals and drinks (including alcoholic beverages) at the eight on-site bars and eight restaurants.
Related: 21 best all-inclusive resorts for families
Booking details
Hyatt loyalists will be happy to know that they can earn and redeem their points with a stay here. For one night in mid-June, the cash rate for a junior king suite is $692 for World of Hyatt members.
HYATT.COM
The same room on the same date costs 21,000 World of Hyatt points. According to TPG’s valuations, you would save $336 by using points instead of cash to book.
HYATT.COM
When booking Dreams Las Mareas, you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Hyatt stays, and possibly one that offers automatic World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
Getting there MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
Dreams Las Mareas is about 56 miles north of Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, and the drive takes between one and two hours. Toward the end of the drive, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the bay, and you can even catch a glimpse of a volcano in Nicaragua.
You can book an airport transfer through the resort’s partnership with destination management company Amstar, and you’ll find the Amstar counter in the airport right after customs. All I had to do was give the representatives my name, and after offering me a beverage, they walked me to the parking lot to meet my friendly driver.
If you don’t want to go the Amstar route, there are plenty of other airport shuttle companies to book with in advance. Taxis are also readily available at the airport in Liberia, and it will probably cost at least $100 for the 1 1/2-hour drive.
Checking in
Friendly staff members greeted me when my car pulled up, and I had a glass of sparkling wine in hand within seconds of my arrival. I was impressed by the open-air lobby’s soothing water features and colorful accents as the staff guided me through.
Since I was a preferred guest — a status you can receive by booking one of the club-level rooms or suites — the staff showed me to the private check-in area in the preferred lounge located off the lobby. (Preferred guests can use their room keys to enter and take advantage of this lounge anytime during their stay.)
The check-in process was quick, and before I knew it, I was in a golf cart on the way to my room. My personal concierge, Joseph, came along for the ride and gave me his contact information so that I could text him with any questions.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
I also downloaded Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection app, which was an important tool throughout my stay. On the app, you can look up restaurant menus and hours, check out the property map, see the daily calendar of events, schedule housekeeping, book spa treatments and order room service.
A spacious room with nice outdoor area
The property houses 447 guest rooms, including standard and suite-style rooms. Some have ocean views, tropical views or pool views, while others have terraces with swim-out access or private hot tubs.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
I stayed in a king swim-out junior suite, which was a corner unit featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that offered beautiful views of my private pool. The combination of earth-toned decor, rich wood furnishings and red accents brought a sense of elegance into the space.
Outside, the terrace featured a comfortable couch and coffee table, separated from the neighboring patio by a half-wall.
Inside the room, there were plenty of lighting options, but it felt a bit dark due to its ground-floor location. Still, the bed was comfortable, and the blackout curtains made it easy to sleep. I felt safe on the ground floor thanks to the double locks on the sliding glass door.
The room’s small round table and two chairs could serve as a place to work if necessary. (I even found some goodies waiting on this table when I arrived.)
Below the wall-mounted 42-inch TV was a dresser with three storage drawers and two cabinets. The left cabinet held a well-stocked minifridge with Imperial beer, juice boxes, soda, and bottles of still and sparkling water. In the right cabinet, I found snacks, cups, three small bottles of liquor and a Cuisinart coffee machine.
I chose to store my luggage on the rack next to the dresser, but there was also space in the large wooden wardrobe beside the front door. The wardrobe held hangers, extra blankets, robes, slippers, an umbrella, a safe and a steamer (no iron).
The bathroom and double-sink vanity area could be separated from the main sleeping area by drawing a long curtain, but I chose to leave it open to get more sunlight throughout the suite.
If I had forgotten one of my toiletry items, I would have been in luck since the vanity had an extra toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb and more. A magnifying mirror and hair dryer rounded out the bathroom amenities.
The shower and toilet were each separated from this space with a swinging glass door.
When booking, you’ll have the option to select a regular room or a “Club Level” room. As mentioned above, staying in one of these club-level rooms makes you a preferred guest. Preferred guests can utilize the Preferred Club Lounge throughout their stay, which offers a bar, a buffet with snack-size meals and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. These guests can also access a preferred pool and enjoy a la carte breakfast options in the Portofino restaurant (instead of being restricted to the main buffet at World Cafe).
In my opinion, booking a club-level room is worth it if you’re traveling as a couple or just want an overall relaxing experience. If you’re traveling with kids, who might not appreciate a nicer breakfast, lounge access or the other perks, a club-level room might not be worth the extra cash.
Dining options
There are eight restaurants and eight bars at Dreams Las Mareas, so there was plenty of variety when it came to dining options. I can’t say the food was the highlight of my stay; however, the staff was always friendly, and it was fun to explore all the different venues. I had conversations with some other guests, and it seemed like they all shared a similar sentiment.
During my visit, the resort happened to be hosting a large corporate event, so my concierge, Joseph, helped me make reservations to ensure I could eat where I wanted.
Himitsu
On the first night of my stay, I enjoyed dinner at Himitsu, which serves pan-Asian cuisine and hibachi. (If you want to secure a spot for the hibachi experience, reservations are always a good idea.)
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
To start, I sampled a traditional Costa Rican guaro sour at the recommendation of my waiter, and I liked it more than I thought I would.
I then ordered a miso soup, a delicious sushi sampler and a seaweed salad (the latter of which I probably wouldn’t have ordered again). My waiter insisted I should try the fried ice cream for dessert, and it was a production, to say the least. He heated up toppings and played with fire before putting the steaming dessert on a plate in front of me — a fun way to end the meal.
Portofino
This is the place to be in the morning if you’re staying in a club-level room, as the breakfast is exclusively for preferred guests. There are a la carte options available, or you can go next door to get food from the World Cafe buffet and bring it back to eat in Portofino.
I ordered one savory breakfast dish and one sweet breakfast dish, for research purposes, of course. The omelet was pretty tasty, and the pancakes were one of my favorite things I ate at Dreams.
At night, Portofino is open to all adult guests and serves Italian favorites, including soups, salads, risottos, pasta dishes and pizza. The dress code here is “casual elegance,” which is a bit nicer than at some of the other on-site restaurants, and it seems like the food follows suit.
World Cafe
World Cafe offers buffet-style dining for breakfast and lunch.
MACKENZIE ROCHE/THE POINTS GUY
There were plenty of basic options, such as eggs, fresh fruit and baked goods, alongside omelet stations and rotating specials like chilaquiles. However, I noticed there weren’t many meatless options or really any vegan-friendly dishes aside from salads.