Casa de los Suenos

Casa de los Suenos means “House of Dreams,” and it lives up to this moniker from the moment guests step into the open-air lobby, a visual feast of well-paired colors, intriguing art, and lush greenery. Despite its stylishness, the lobby, with a modest reception desk and inviting sunken sitting area, doesn’t feel the least bit formal or prim. At its far end, the quaint space opens to reveal a dazzling infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean’s blue waters, a scene that rivals the striking lobby with its wow factor. A hill curves down from here, leading to the hotel’s restaurant and water park.

With busy downtown on the other side of the island, this hotel is made for lingering over waterfront dinners or sipping wine on private terraces while listening to the gentle surf. There are no TVs in most guest rooms, a purposeful choice that leaves the focus on socializing and admiring the spectacular property. The intimate ambience and wonderful views scream romance, with most rooms occupied by couples. The water park is popular with families, but most visitors to it are non-guests staying at other nearby hotels.

The hotel is set on a fairly isolated stretch of road, a 20-minute drive from Playa Norte. Smaller Playa Lancheros can be reached in four minutes by car and Dolphin Discovery is an eight-minute drive. Aside from the hotel's on-site restaurant and tiny shop, there aren't any shopping and dining options within walking distance, and most guests rely on taxis or rented golf carts to explore the island. The shops and restaurants of downtown and the Ultramar Ferry Terminal are less than a 15-minute drive away. Garrafon Natural Reef Park is about a 10-minute walk, and Punta Sur is an eight-minute drive. The ferry trip back to Cancun on the mainland takes 20 minutes and from there it's 40 minutes by road to the airport.

Casa de Los Suenos' 10 large, individually decorated rooms draw inspiration from Mexican art and culture. Walls are hung with woven artwork, while tables are topped with ornate statues and glossy coffee table books about Mexico. Crisp white bed linens and sofas set off these colorful accents, blending elegantly with a mix of light and dark hardwood accents. White walls and earth-tone tiled floors keep the spaces bright, and details like the rustic wooden ceiling in the Harmony Room that we visited are a particularly nice touch. Thoughtful extras are found throughout, from mini-fridges stocked with free soft drinks to cute jars of pastries set out as welcome gifts.

Bright bathrooms offer showers only and high-end organic bath products. Thatch-roof balconies and patios all feature full or partial ocean views. Balconies are furnished with wooden tables and chairs, along with vividly patterned pillows. Some include hammocks and lounge chairs. While rooms do offer free Wi-Fi, there are no TVs in most.

Many room categories have enormous walk-in closets and kitchens with stovetops and cooking utensils. The opulent Presidential Suite is the size of a small family home, featuring a private infinity pool, palatial separate sitting area, large kitchen, and serene Japanese garden.

The on-site restaurant is found out back of the hotel, down a gentle cliff-side path. A free a la carte breakfast is served here each morning, in addition to lunch, dinner, and drinks. Open-air seating is offered under the restaurant's large thatched roof, or on a concrete-tiled terrace bordering the pier. The decor is fairly simple, but bold-colored table cloths and the fantastic views of the pier and Caribbean keep the ambience cheerful.

The hotel's striking infinity pool overlooks the ocean, although a few fences and buildings farther down the hill partially obstruct the view. The surrounding yellow-and-red building pillars contrast with the blue pool waters to create an appealing primary color palette. There's a little palapa bar found in one corner of the deck, along with a few lounge chairs and beach umbrellas around the pool’s edge.

The hotel's compact affiliated water park, Parque de los Suenos, is located alongside the restaurant. The water park is open to non-guests, but Casa de los Suenos' guests are given free access. The small park includes a three-tiered pool connected by waterslides as well as a zipline. A swim-up bar is found beside the lowest pool tier. There's a line of soft lounge chairs set in front of the pool, spilling down onto the picturesque wooden pier. The park also offers water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding for a fee, with a discount available for hotel guests. The hotel's small spa provides massages, acupuncture, facials, and other treatments. On the spa's upper level is a gorgeous yoga studio with gleaming wooden floors and a lofty arched ceiling.

In addition to free breakfast at the restaurant, a tray of coffee, juice, and cookies is placed outside guest rooms each morning. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and free bikes can be borrowed from the lobby. There's also a tiny sundries shop in the lobby, where guests can pick up snacks and basic items.