Dreams Playa Bonita Panama - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

3418 reviews

• 

  Dreams Playa Bonita was very nice and relaxing

  We went to Dreams Playa Bonita from Toronto March 24-31, 2025. We booked through Sunwing. Sunwing Planes are older and small so we paid for the exit row to ensure more leg room. The flight was not full either way so we were able to spread out. There is limited food options on the flights both ways so eat before you get on the plane. Download some movies as there is no entertainment on the plane. The Sunwing transfer was seamless but Sunwing flies to Rio Hato so be prepared for a two hour bus ride to this hotel. The bus transfer does not offer any beverages or food. Make sure you pack a lunch from the buffet before you get your flight home. The airport in Rio Hato is very small and there are no options for food at the airport. The bus ride is two hours and the wait at the airport is another 3-4 hours. We used the free transfer included in the package but you may want to consider a private transfer at an additional cost. Remember there is a $40 U.S. fee per person to leave the country and you have to pay cash. Dream Playa Bonita Hotel The resort was very nice and compact. Everything was in walking distance. We booked Ocean View and were on the third floor of five floors. I would recommend one floor up for a nicer view but I would not pay extra for it. Pools We only used the infiniti swim up bar pool closest to the ocean and it was very nice. The service at the swim up bar was very slow but we didn't mind. There is another activity pool connected to this pool as well, where the staff would conduct various games and events. Ocean The ocean is quite rocky and the current is strong. We did a 45 minute walk almost daily along the beach. You are in a very secluded area so you can only walk a short distance to the Westin hotel and back. We did not actually swim in the ocean but several people did. The Grounds The grounds were extremely well kept with a beautiful outside sitting view off the front lobby bar. This is a great place to meet for drinks before and after dinner. The lobby hosted very low key entertainment in the evening that varied from pianist, saxophone player, bingo. They had a few dance shows nightly around the pool. The entertainment was fine. They provide a hiking trip on the property for $10 a person. Do not pay this just exit the front door lobby and walk 50 meters and you will see the hiking trail on your left. It is very safe and we walked the 12 minute hike up the mountain for a nice view then back down to the lobby. There was not a lot to see other than various birds. You can spot Sloths on the property. Just ask one of the gardeners to point them out. I gave them a dollar and they took pictures of the Sloths for me. Once I knew where they were I gave my own tours to people. Morning Coffee Coco Cafe has an assortment of espressos and lattes along with deserts and ice cream. It open at 0600 hours daily. Breakfast Your only options for breakfast was the limited breakfast buffet that only seats you indoors. The breakfast buffet is made up of two of the a la carte restaurants that become your dinner options. Potofino and Boredeaux. The breakfast buffet has a made to order omlettes or egg station as well as bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, waffles, pancakes etc. There was always enough choices for us. Lunch Your lunch option is the Grill down by the Ocean which also becomes your nightly buffet option. We had lunch here everyday and there was certainly enough to choose from but limited compared to other Dreams properties we have been to. Dinner You can have dinner at the the Grill buffet nightly but the dinner menu is extremely limited. We chose to eat nightly at one of the three al la carte restaurants, Portofino, Bordeaux and Oceana. Portofino and Boredeaux are inside seating and share the same kitchen. The food was fine at both. Bordeaux is strict on men wearing long pants but did not enforce collared shorts. You are able to wear shorts at Portofino Oceana allowed you to sit closer to the Ocean and be outside. We at there four times to enjoy the outside seating. You do not have to reserve the a la carte restaurants and with a group of five were able to get in every night without waiting. Pool Towels There are no towel cards. You just exchange them when you want. We did not have to reserve any lounge chairs as there were always plenty available. Preferred Club In my opinion it is not worth the money unless you really want the upper shelf liquor. The Preferred Club is on the fourth floor and is completely enclosed with no outside seating. The Preferred Pool is very nice and quiet so it would get you away from any children in the main pool. Along with the Preferred Club you may get a room a little higher in the building with a nicer view but our view was great without paying for this. Tours We took an Uber to the Balboa straw market for $9each way just for a different look. We also golfed Tucan Golf Club about fifteen minutes away . Use an Uber for this as well. The course was nice. Overall we enjoyed our stay but I have to mention that three of us got food poisoning on the last two days. Two of us were fine and we ate and drank all the same things so we are not sure what caused it. It did not ruin our holiday as we had great time. Nightly Disco The Disco opened in the basement from 11 pm until 2 am. It was not very busy. They did run Karaoke a couple of times. The Staff The Staff could not have been better. I would like to especially thank: Juan Pablo. Oceana Kathiel. Portofino Ikillar Lunch Buffet Velkis. Lunch Buffet Laureana. Coco Cafe nightshift Mariam Pool Bar Kathleen Market Place Breakfast Jorge Lobby Bar Juventino Oceana Manager Dorayls Pool Bar Overall, for this price point I would recommend the hotel.

  Apr 11, 2025
• 

  April 2025

  Everything was amazing. All of the staff were incredible. Special shout out to Jose and Abigail at the preferred pool, Edgardo and Aramis at the preferred club lounge, Kathleen at the breakfast/lunch buffet. Grounds were beautiful. Only thing lacking was it would have been nice to have more dining options/variety. We will be back.

  Apr 11, 2025
• 

  Enjoyed our stay

  We enjoyed our stay at this resort. The location is convenient, as it is close to Panama City, but it’s far enough away that you don’t feel like you’re in the city. Checking in and out was easy and the staff were pleasant. I read the reviews and knew the beach wasn’t a good spot for swimming, so keep your expectations realistic and you won’t be disappointed with that. There were people swimming at times, but I didn’t get in the water. There are plenty of opportunities to view wildlife at the resort, which was a highlight for me. There are sloths that live in the trees around the resort and I was able to find them almost everyday. It was great. We booked a preferred club junior suite and the room was great. Housekeeping and minibar were tended to daily. The mini bar was a little lackluster, but it was good enough for us. The grounds were well-kept. As others have mentioned, it’s a dated property, but I found it to be clean and in the best condition that could be expected. My biggest complaint here was the food. I’m not a “foodie” by any stretch, but I do like my food to at least be warm. Breakfast was the only consistently decent meal. Room service proved to be the best option for lunch and dinner, but I still ended up giving a lot of that food to the raccoons (which was kind of fun anyway). This is the only vacation I’ve ever done and actually managed to lose weight while I was gone 😆 Do a shot of Ozempic before you go and you’ll be fine.

  Apr 10, 2025
• 

  Not what you think

  This hotel is outdated and need to be upgraded! The rooms has a bad stench that is not inviting. The couches and chairs in the room aren’t clean. The bathroom is so outdated. There is rust by the vents. The toilet and showers are old and gloomy. Our toilet didn’t flush the first day we checked in. The elevator was down so inconvenient. I’m so displeased as I’ve stayed at Dreams before and this one does not live up to the name or PRICE!!

  Apr 09, 2025
• 

  A must do!

  I would highly recommend this all inclusive resort. The entertainment staff offered a variety of fun activities. Alfonso, Magili, and Eliseo are amazing entertainment staff. All the offerings at the restaurants were delicious but our favorite was Oceana, the seafood restaurant. The salmon with passion fruit purée is a must, but first start with a fish ceviche as an appetizer. If you like seafood, this is your dish. They also have other offerings apart from seafood. Juventino and Juan Pablo are the best host and waiter at Oceana. The main lobby bar is hosted by experienced and knowledgeable bar tenders. Ask Jorge, Edwin, or Aramis for an expresso-martini or a Panama water. The best! The resort staff made our time at the resort the best with their friendliness, help, and reserving outings offsite. Kathleen’s smile at the Market Cafe was a great way to start our mornings after the yoga class steps from the beach. Ikilier, was the best server at the Seaside grill. Our room was always clean and supplied with the essential toiletries. Our vacation to Panama was enhanced by the staff we met at the resort that helped us and made our experience an amazing first time to Panama. Thank you/Gracias.

  Apr 06, 2025