Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica

We met family at Las Mareas (a group of 10) to celebrate the holidays as well as some family milestones (birthdays and a 50th wedding anniversary). Overall, I would not recommend this hotel during high season. We paid a higher price for VIP assuming that would provide a higher quality of service recognizing the likely busy nature given the timing. It wasn't worth it. Below are specific issues we faced during our trip that will hopefully help others who are planning a trip to this resort.

We learned quickly that if you didn't arrive to the pool early, chances of getting chairs were very slim. Every morning, one of us walked down to the pool to reserve chairs by the pool around 6am (the pool doesn't open until 8a). If we were not there before 6:30a, the chances of finding chairs by the pool for our group was minimal. We didn't look for 10 chairs together recognizing at most we would only need 6-8. Only one day did we get 8 chairs together. If you are traveling during high season, plan to account for this in your daily schedule or proactively reserve cabanas - I believe the price ranged b/t $50-75 USD. When we inquired, all cabanas were booked for where we wanted to be. While there is a preferred club space, it isn't large nor specific to preferred guests (or at least there isn't any verification about where folks are staying).

Overall the food is mediocre and, for extended visits, limited in terms of options. We were only able to eat at the Mexican restaraunt and Oceana restaurant as a large group, the rest of the time we ended up at the buffet. The Italian restaurant is adults only and as we had two young kids, we did not eat there. The four people who were there and didn't have young kids ate there and said the food was great - just know if you are traveling with children it might not be an option. If you don't have children make sure you take pants (for men) as the dress code is enforced.

The buffet was fine for breakfast but for dinner it wasn't quite the experience we had hoped for (or at least we were ready to not see another buffet by the time we left!). There are no reservations for the restaurants save the sushi and hibachi restaurant - unfortunately we were unable to secure reservations to those restaurants. The reservation system opens each Sunday at 8a. As we arrived on Monday evening, we found no reservations available. We returned the following Sunday morning at 8a to reserve the hibachi restaurant for our last day (Monday). There was a line when we arrived and by the time we were able to speak to someone, the only reservation time available was 9p. While not ideal (we had 2 young children) we made the reservation hoping for a nice meal as a group to close our vacation. Unfortunately, when we arrived in time for our 9p reservation, we learned the concierge had booked it for the following day, our departure day. Not a great way to end the trip.

The spa is lovely and the staff are great. We booked several services in advance of the trip through the website. I needed to cancel one service which concierge assisted with. However when I arrived to the spa for the other services booked, I was told I would be charged for the canceled massage as it wasn't canceled through the website (and at that point, it was past the cancelation window). Ultimately, the issue was resolved and I was reimbursed the $225. This was after spending 2 hours between the spa, concierge, and central support (via phone and email) to resolve. Not exactly time I wanted to spend during my vacation.

While the service we experienced was not great, the property is beautiful and the grounds crew/staff work clearly work hard to keep the property in great shape. The beach is clean and a great spot for swimming and sunset watching. There are a number of water activites (kayaking, snorkeling, paddelboarding) which we took advantage of and enjoyed. We also appreciated the wildlife we were able to see while there including howler monkeys and iguanas. [Details]

Our vacation was amazing beginning to end

Hotel and grounds - beautiful hotel and rooms, the grounds are mature and have loads of trees and plants. The hard working staff keep everything clean and well manicured. The hotel is quite spread out so there is lots of walking which is nice, you feel like you have moved a little each day

Pool and Beach - lots of pools so they never feel over crowded, the pools are a lovely temperature so it is easy to spend lots of time in them. We snorkled off the beach to the right seen small sting rays and puffer fish

Food was good, no wait at restaurants. Drinks were delicious my fav was the green monster

Morning walks of the resort seen parrots, howler and spider monkeys. The resort has morning and sunset hikes guided also they are great with beautiful views and guided sunset kayaks! So nice! Do these.

The only down side was the distance from the airport and to excursions

We will definitely go back [Details]

We had a lovely week-long stay for our honeymoon! Beautiful room, immaculate grounds and pools, beautiful beach and wonderful staff. The food was great and the activity staff were awesome as well. The location of the resort is the only drawback. Although it is nice that it is secluded, the 1.5-2 hour drive to get to/from the airport or any excursions was really rough due to road conditions (not a problem with the resort, just something to note). We would definitely visit again or check out some of the other AMR locations! [Details]

This resort was very nice. We have stayed at another Dreams before and this one was far superior. The food was excellent at every restaurant. There were many vegetarian options and my husband who is a meat eater enjoy the meat. The kids liked the kids club and the activities that were offered. The pools were clean and never too crowded, except for on the weekend when the locals came. Our only gripe with this place, that soured the end of our stay, was the lack of concern for safety. When the locals came, they did not watch their kids. Their kids came in droves and would jump from the infinity pool ledge into the main pool, which was not allowed. They also congregated in the wading area of the slide, which was also not safe. We felt like we could not relax as we had to watch other peoples kids and were concerned they were going to hurt themselves badly. We are not helicopter parents by any which means, but the resort did not seem to care what so ever that the rules were not being followed. [Details]

Cannot say enough good things about this resort. The Staff were exceptional, and the grounds beautiful. it was definitely a place I would like to return to. It is off the beaten path, but that is it's attraction. [Details]

The hotel and staff were first class all the way. The Japanese restaurant was a let down with the soup being cold and our entrees being forgotten in the kitchen and not delivered hot. The overall atmosphere was very nice and enjoyable. [Details]

Just finished a week to Dreams Las Mareas. As first timers to Costa Rica we were very happy with the overall property but here are the Pros and Cons my wife and I discussed:

Pros-
Truly a 5 Star for Service, all staff incredible
Pools were Best of Class
Pools Bars, awesome
Rooms (we had swim out) were nice and cleaned once a day
Location from rooms to pools and restaurants very easy access (Golf cart service offered if need be)
Food was wonderful for an all-inclusive
Entertainment.. good but not great. Oscars Party was fun but poorly advertised to all guests
Onsite Doctor-- used her service and she was awesome..
Easy checkin and checkout

Cons:
Location is very remote and 1:45min from Liberia airport but don't worry you get free Costa Rican massage.. Thats a locals joke about the bumpy road
The beach was not a highlight for this resort
The ala carte should forgo the dress code within reason as it was very strict. After a full day in sun, not many men want to put slacks on..
Was actually asked to leave one after hostess sat us. Had beautiful designer shorts and Tommy Bahama dress shirt and was asked to leave,, little harsh. (Mexican Rest)

Room Tip: Make sure to ask for Building closest to pools as some are up in hillside and walk is all down hill... [Details]

Property is first rate ... Guest rooms are large and well appointed. Pool area is massive. Lots of places to get a drink or something to eat. Beach was OK but not spectacular. [Details]

My husband and I returned January 22, 2015 after a 7 night stay at Dreams Las Mareas. The ride from Liberia airport was approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes. The last 25 minutes offers a "Costa Rican massage" on a bumpy dirt road (just sit back and enjoy the scenery, it's only 25 minutes). From the minute we arrived we found the staff and the resort to be very welcoming and accommodating. We stayed in room 2806 Building 8A in a preferred club junior suite. We had a great view (partial ocean and main pool area), which offered nice evening sunset views. The entire resort is extremely clean. Food and drinks were excellent (our favourite was El Patio Mexican restaurant, followed closely by Portifino Italian restaurant). There is definitely something to suit everyone's food preferences. The pools were impeccably clean and very refreshing. Pool and beach bar service was definitely a nice perk. The staff were all friendly and eager to please. We had an occasional communication breakdown, but the staff tried hard to rectify any problems (and it made for funny memories). The preferred club lounge was great - delicious snacks all day and premium drinks. The rooms were beautiful and always clean and well stocked. We did not bring our children so can't comment on the children's programs, but we did see a number of families using this service. Nightly entertainment was good. The fire show was amazing. The beach is small but clean. The beaches are all public so locals are able to use them as well. Some local vendors are selling craft products and tour packages. We never felt pressured by these friendly local people. The pool area, beach and restaurants never seemed over crowded, even at 95% capacity. The only downfall of this resort is the distance to popular excursions. We were looking for good food and relaxation - this is exactly what we got. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Dreams Las Mareas and would highly recommend it to friends and family. Thank you Dreams for making our vacation memorable. [Details]

We stayed at the Dreams Las Mareas from December 13th to December 20th. It was lovely. The ride is a little bumpy as you approach the hotel, but it is well worth the "free back massage" as you drive down the dirt road to the resort. The food at the buffet was our favourite, followed closely by the room service. There is something for everyone. We really enjoyed the activities around the resort and the entertainers, even though we are not really activity people. The morning and afternoon hikes were nice. The rooms were comfortable and kept clean. The drinks at the resort were also good. We enjoyed having access to the preferred club for snacks and premium drinks. We really enjoyed our stay at the Dreams Las Mareas and would like to go again and see it as a mature resort in a few years. . [Details]