MAZATLAN — With no shortage of sun, sea and sand on the Pacific coast of Mexico, Mazatlan beckons vacationers  of all ages – and even more so now with the addition of all-suite Dreams Estrella del Mar Golf & Spa Resort.

Opened in spring 2024, this all-inclusive Hyatt resort is the first major hotel brand to open in Mazatlan since 2021. The property is located less than 15 minutes from the international airport and only a half hour from the historic downtown district.

“It’s a place where parents can unwind at the spa or enjoy a round of golf, while kids and teens dive into exciting activities like the water park, lazy river, Explorer’s Club or Core Zone Teens Club,” Cristina Rodriguez, the resortʻs Director of Sales and Marketing, told Travelweek on a recent press trip.

“Dreams Estrella del Mar is a serene and sophisticated escape designed to create lasting family memories,” Rodriguez added.

Aerial view of the 18-hole golf course at Estrella del Mar

ACCOMMODATION HIGHLIGHTS

Featuring 358 ocean view suites, with five suite categories including 31 swim-out suites, this modern beach resort has an adults-only section, and connecting suites for multi-gen groups. It also welcomes canine companions under 10kg.

Accommodation is divided between four buildings with standard amenities including daily-restocked mini-bar, twice-daily housekeeping and access to all restaurants on property without reservation.

Decorated in a mix of warm neutrals, wood furniture and paneling, oversized stone tile and blue textile accents, every suite feels calm and spacious. There is extensive clothing storage, spacious seating area, stone-tiled bathroom with double sink, separate toilet and shower areas and a balcony with soaker tub.

Junior Suite Ocean View accommodation

Want to go viral on Instagram while on vacay? Every suite at this resort faces west to the sea, a picture perfect sunset appears nightly.

Highly recommended is an upgrade to Dreams Preferred Club – couples will be happily sequestered in the restful adults-only zone, while families will be placed in accommodation buildings closest to the resort’s pride: the waterpark.

Preferred Club members have access to upgraded suites and the Preferred Lounge, for exclusive check-in/check-out, concierge service, daily continental breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres and open 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Evening tip: the lounge includes indoor and outdoor seating and is open for a light dinner, with a bartender ready to make a perfectly chilled espresso martini.

A stunning setting for a memorable meal at Dreams Estrella del Mar

THE DAILY SCHEDULE

Guests here can be as adrenaline-fuelled or languid as they want to be – whether that means a day lounging on the beach, or hopping from court to greens to pool.

This writer’s tip – consider a mid-week trip into Mazatlan to stroll the longest Malecon in Mexico, visit the country’s largest aquarium or explore Old Mazatlan’s historic shops and cafes.

There are ample opportunities for fun in the sun on resort: golf, pool aerobics, table tennis, beach volleyball or yoga. The Explorer’s Club for kids ages 3-11 offers activities such as sandcastle building, storytelling and movie nights, while the Core Zone teen club for 12-17 includes arts and crafts, mini disco, video games and a chill-out lounge. The water park/lazy river is for all ages. The main pool and infinity pool welcome all ages as well, while the adults-only zone has a pool, hot tub and Sugar Reef swim-up bar.

For family clients, the clubs are a welcome option, especially in the afternoon for some fun in shade when the sun is at its strongest.

This writer’s favourite afternoon was spent in the calming environment of the Dreams Spa: eight treatment rooms for face and body therapies, Revive Bar, full-service salon and a bridal party room. Two options are guided and can be done solo, as a duo or a group: the rejuvenating hammam experience will erase stress and encourage relaxation in the steam room or consider the hydrotherapy circuit of sauna, Swiss shower, jetted pools, cold-plunge and a meditation lounge for consummate me-time.

The spaʻs relaxation area

Next door to the resort is the Estrella del Mar turtle sanctuary, a must for guests to visit for a uniquely Pacific coast experience. There are five varieties of sea turtles traditionally seen in the Pacific Ocean, and this sanctuary is working hard to increase the endangered population.

Open daily for tours to learn about sea turtles and the sanctuary’s conservation projects, the cost is a mere US$3 per person. Kids of all ages will want to see baby turtles and participate in the release of turtle hatchlings to the sea at sunset, which happens regularly from July to December at the Dreams Estrella del Mar beach.

CULINARY BENEFITS

There’s no need to go hungry at Dreams Estrella del Mar. The spacious World Cafe is the international buffet which includes a Kids Korner with kid-friendly cuisine; while Barefoot Grill is the go to for grilled items, pizza and snacks from 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Coco Cafe provides coffee, tea, juices and light bites from 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. and this cafe’s baristas are very skilled in knowing your order after a single visit, another vacation habit that will be made. All restaurants offer gluten-free items.

Need a sweet treat? Another vacation habit will be visiting the Dolce ice cream parlour which serves gelato including mango, coconut and strawberry, crunchy toppings and paletas, which are Mexican frozen fruit treats. Desires is a sports bar by day and late-night dance club open until the wee hours.

Portofino serves Italian and Mediterranean fare

Choose from four a la carte restaurants: Oceana for seafood, Asian-Mediterranean fusion at Meraki, Portofino for classic Italian cuisine.

Don’t skip on the local cuisine offered here: El Patio, which opened in November, features traditional Sinaloa dishes, many based on the abundant fresh seafood, such as shrimp and mahi mahi.

The newly-opened Barracuda Beach Bar, located on a quiet corner of the beach, offers fresh and spicy ceviche on tostadas, best paired with a chilled cerveza or a classic margarita.

Restaurants rotate days of opening during the week, while there are five bars/lounges across the resort, like Rendezvous lobby bar, with traditional mixed drinks with a side of live music at night and raucous late night karaoke for those wanting to belt out their fave pop song like an appearance on American Idol.

“Dreams Estrella del Mar stands out because of its location and elevated approach to luxury. Located inside the Estrella del Mar gated complex, it offers a calm and private atmosphere away from the busier Golden Zone,” added Rodriguez.

With temperatures ranging from 28C-15C from November to April, Mazatlan’s Dreams Estrella del Mar Golf & Spa Resort can take its rightful spot on your pitch list for solo travellers, couples and family clients needing a sun escape.

Additional resort amenities include a wedding showroom, gift boutique, pharmacy / medical office, access to Estrella del Mar 18-hole golf course and a 700-person capacity convention centre with smaller meeting rooms.

For more resort details, click here.

Lead image caption: Sun-soaked views of Estrella del Mar Golf & Spa Resort in Mazatlan