I’ve checked into nearly a dozen different hotels in Mazatlan over the years, but none is quite like Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa Resort, which opened in 2024 on the grounds of the Estrella del Mar golf and leisure development.
I began noticing the differences soon after landing. The 358-room property is only about 15 minutes by car from the Mazatlan airport — a much shorter distance than hotels in the city’s Zona Dorada and other popular tourism areas. After a short ride, I found myself gliding through the verdant grounds to the hotel entrance, where I was whisked directly to the Preferred Club lounge, a stylish area for club-level guests that offers VIP check-in, continental breakfast, afternoon snacks and a tranquil place to relax.
The convenient and secluded location isn’t the only thing that makes this property unique; it also happens to be the only hotel in Mazatlan with swim-up suites, according to the hotelier. Golfers may also be interested to know that it’s also the only property located inside Estrella del Mar Golf & Country Club, which is home to a par-72 course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
As the first member of the Hyatt Inclusive Collection in Mazatlan, Dreams Estrella del Mar offers a variety of advantages for travelers looking for a self-contained getaway in a peaceful, beautiful region outside the city. It’s an ideal setting for travelers looking to rest, relax, have fun and enjoy time with family and friends.
Top Hotel Features
Among the most impressive aspects of Dreams Estrella del Mar, in my opinion, is the consistently high-quality cuisine. The property has multiple dining venues, each with its own distinct decor and culinary specialty. I savored expertly prepared Asian dishes at Meraki, delicious Italian cuisine at Portofino, Mexican fare at El Patio and excellent seafood at Oceana — which is currently featuring mouthwateringly creative menus inspired by “MasterChef Junior” show contestants.
Guests can enjoy seafood at Oceana — which is currently featuring mouthwateringly creative menus inspired by “MasterChef Junior” show contestants.
Credit: 2025 Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa ResortWorld Cafe was my go-to for ample breakfast and lunch buffets (it also serves dinner) and, on my final night, I enjoyed al fresco dining at Energy Plaza, an open-air venue that also serves as a hub for live entertainment. Coco Cafe, meanwhile, is open 24 hours per day, which is great for midnight snacks.
Another highlight of my stay was a visit to Dreams Spa, which features eight treatment rooms, a dramatic relaxation lounge that looks straight out of a movie set and a beautiful hydrotherapy circuit with outdoor spaces that offer views of the ocean and the golf course.
Visiting the Estrella del Mar Turtle Sanctuary was another memorable experience. It's located next door to the hotel on the beach, and guided visits are easy to arrange. I enjoyed watching the facility’s informational video about the lives of local sea turtles and then viewing a few rescued turtles.
A Family-Friendly Property with Adults-Only Options
Dreams Estrella del Mar is centered around a large space with multiple swimming pools, a long lazy river and a sizable waterpark with a large waterslide. Guests can relax in a cabana or even spend some after-dark time around a fire pit.
Dreams Estrella del Mar is centered around a large space with multiple swimming pools, a long lazy river and a sizable waterpark with a large waterslide.
Credit: 2025 Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa Resort The Dreams brand is family-friendly, so it’s no surprise that there are lots of things for kids to enjoy. Access to the Explorer’s Club — for ages four to 12 — and the Core Zone Teens Club, for ages 13 to 17, is included. But grown-ups without kids needn’t worry about finding their own quiet space; the hotel features a standalone, adults-only tower, which is part of the Preferred Club and has its own swimming pool.
Nightly entertainment varies and can include live music, karaoke and other shows, and the property also has multiple venues for destination weddings, meetings and other events.
In addition, guests receive discounted or complimentary greens fees at the nearby golf course, and Amstar, the hotel’s affiliated DMC, offers a variety of services and excursions. (I used its services for my day of exploring things to do in Mazatlan, which is about 30 minutes away.)
Guestrooms
Intelligent and attractive guestroom design is another big selling point for Dreams Estrella del Mar. After an informative site inspection, I came to realize that there’s no such thing as a small room here; all 358 rooms and suites are spacious, measuring at least 549 square feet.
The resort has 358 rooms and suites are spacious, measuring at least 549 square feet.
Credit: 2025 Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa ResortAll accommodations feature lots of amenities, too — including minifridges and snacks (all included), room service and balconies or terraces. I loved spending time on my balcony, which offered an especially memorable view of the sunset. I also admired the modern, comfortable decor, which is graced with light wood tones and beautiful, locally inspired artwork. The lighting is also well-designed; I always appreciate guestrooms that give guests the ability to change the ambience and choose appropriate lighting for daytime, evening and reading in bed.
Another cool and relatively uncommon feature: Delivery boxes that allow for room service staff to leave food and drinks without having to enter the guestroom.
Overall, I found Dreams Estrella del Mar to be a perfect fit for families, couples and friends looking for an all-inclusive experience with fresh style, excellent service and cuisine, and a variety of activities. It’s also good for travelers looking to avoid long airport-hotel transfer times — as well as for those who may be concerned about safety, since the hotel is located in a gated community with multiple security points, far removed from the bustling city. It’s very much a self-contained oasis on the beach.
