Dreams Playa Bonita Panama - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

3273 reviews

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  Great staff made for a great stay

  Expectations were low based on other reviews, but the resort exceeded expectations in many ways. Our first time at an all-inclusive, so I won't try to compare. Due to Delta shutting down ATL for an inch of snow, our stay was delayed a day, and we arrived 11PM on a Saturday. Salomon at the concierge desk did a good job of sorting out our problem, and we got put in 1st floor rooms that night. Thankfully, we were able to upgrade to the 5th floor later, the views are a big deal here. Next day Meleisha at the VIP desk got us the real check in info, and was super helpful. We reserved preferred level club rooms, and the extra perks were totally worth it. Edwin in the preferred lounge made the best drinks, as did the staff at the adult pool. Off property excursions are handled by Panamazing tours, (desk in the lobby) and they did a good job of getting us on a couple of tours despite our abbreviated stay. We were actually pleased with the food selection at all the restaurants. Surprised that there actually were some local flavors on the menus, like ceviche at Oceana and plantains, corn tortillas, etc. at buffets. One of the highlights for us was the nature walk hosted by Alexander, who also worked the waterfront. This is not to be missed, as he is a Panamanian Bear Grylls, and we learned so much. Not sure I'll ever need to lure a tarantula out of its hole, but now I know how! By now you get the picture, the people here make a difference. The resort could use a refresh, there is no "nightlife" other than the disco which seemed geared for the under 30 crowd. The location is way out of town, but it's quiet at night and you will enjoy looking at the ships & the stars while sipping a nightcap. Beach is adequate, yes you can walk it for shells & take a swim at high tide (no lifeguard.) We probably won't return, but recommend it if this is what you're looking for.

  Jan 20, 2025
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  Total disappointment!

  From the minute we arrived we could tell this Dreams Resort wasn’t going to meet our expectations. We arrived later than planned because we were delayed in the “snow storm” in the Atlanta airport on Friday January 10, 2025. We did not receive the normal “Welcome Home” that is customary at most resorts, we did not get a cold/hot towel, no refreshing cocktail, Nothing!! Once we sat down to be checked in, with Salomon (who was terrible, rude & incompetent) and explained why we were so late, the staff did nothing to help ease our disastrous 38 hr delay, but they did tell us that they were not expecting us (although our travel agent was in constant communication with a resort representative) and they had to “figure out where to put us” like we were inconveniencing them! The resort itself is old, dated, run down and in desperate need of some renovations. The grounds are pretty, and seem to be well kept, although they could probably spray for bugs a little more effectively, USE THE BUG TOWELETTES THEY PROVIDE!! The pools are in complete shambles, chipping, dirty and moldy. The restaurants, which there are only 3 sit down and 2 buffets (1 breakfast and 1 lunch) have limited menus, the dining areas are loud, warm & stuffy (usually you need a sweater) and every hot meal we had was tepid to cold. The Italian restaurant (Portofino) dinner had so much garlic in it, it was uneatable. The French restaurant (Bordeaux) dinner, Filet of beef was good but also just warm and served over cold mashed potatoes. At both of these restaurants the salads had soggy sticky croutons, the breads were stale, and the desserts were old and sticky. The seafood restaurant (Oceania) was the best meal we had during the week, but still had its downfall; the sea-bass ceviche had so much onion in it I was only able to have a few bites, the seafood soup tasted great but it was cold, the meal was only mildly warm, on an upside the desserts here were delicious. The room they put us in upon arrival was definitely a use as a last resort room. It was smelly, the walls had moisture stains from the air conditioner, the paint was chipping, caulk in the bathroom was peeling. The first morning we asked to be moved, which they did but not until 930pm that night. The room was better, but we had no hot water and the air conditioning quit three times during the week. The maid service forgot to leave towels three times, forgot coffee pods three times, and only refilled the fridge/mini bar twice. I realize that we were the foreigners in this country, but as a resort that caters to all nationalities, the staff should speak better English. There was a huge language barrier over the entire resort. The only bright spots during the week were Veronica at the front desk and Joseph at the Panamazing excursion desk!

  Jan 19, 2025
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  Not very Dreamy

  I booked this resorts with High hope, but turned out kinda disapointed. The building is OLD and need major renovation. rooms are outdated. picutres you see online is photoshopped or taken long time ago. beach is average, mostly muddy water. cant blame resorts, maybe the that nature. restratunts could be improved. many people didnt speak english, mostly spansh. not much activivies within hotel to do. such as Jetski, parasailing so on.

  Jan 12, 2025
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  Dont pay for VIP its not worth it

  the VIP experience is over sold and under explained upon arrival. When chatting with management about my concerns they seemed relatively uninterested in helping to redirect my experiences while there. The food was basic, nothing to write home about. The massage therapist I had was extremely nice and pleasant however she was not trained on how to do a massage that was obvious in the first 5 minutes

  Jan 12, 2025
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  A wonderful experience

  Very nice hotel, very nice , happy and helpfull staff New Year Eve party and fireworks were wonderful , good music and enterteinment at the pool, variety in food and very good food, drinks and also restaurants, the room was big , with a very nice view to the pool and ocean from the balcony, , every day cleaned and with water and other beverages replaced, we would come back anytime. Thanks you guys for a wonderful vacation!!!

  Jan 10, 2025