Doing Up Big Birthdays All-Inclusive Style in Cancun
I've been all-inclusive before but oh my, this holiday opened me up to a whole different level of all-inclusive. I wanted to enjoy the lavish lifestyle for a milestone birthday. Introducing the 5* Dreams Sands Cancun Resort and Spa. Where do I even start? This was a package holiday - flights, hotel and transfer. On arrival at the hotel, we were greeted with a glass of champagne each. I gave mine to my homegirl, as I don’t drink alcohol, as you can imagine she was well happy! I waited for the ugly all-inclusive band that always messes up my tan but it never came.
Room
We booked a deluxe oceanfront room with a balcony, and that gave us our own King size beds which were really comfortable. Being someone with back problems comfort is a major deal-breaker for me. The way the suite was set up glass panels acted as dividers, so you can be in bed and see someone washing their hands. At first, I thought “hold up, what if I'm trying to do my business in the toilet and I'm being stared at?" Dramatic much... Turns out that part was opaque so all was good there.
Deluxe Room with Partial Sea view and balcony
Things to do
This holiday was not my usual style because for pretty much 7 days and nights I did nothing other than eat, read, sleep and tan. I'm talking about 24-hour room service... Yes, sometimes I ordered food at 4.30 am... no shame! My homegirl said she woke up and saw me chewing in bed at some mad time in the morning, and all now I cannot remember.
The resort offered a large choice of activities. When I looked at the choices I told myself I’d try the Spanish lessons, then I'd join the Caribbean dance classes and then I'd top it off it with yoga aerobics, but I’d be lying to you if I told you I actually did anything. *You know when you go on holiday and sell yourself a bag full of dreams* Regardless, the options were there. However what I did do was, spend my birthday jet skiing in the sea, and I found myself attempting to retrieve my homegirl’s, wig, well it turned out to be her cap, from the sea. (Let’s leave that story for another day.) Oouuu and I also attended a foam pool party and the music was vibezy throughout my whole stay. Proper up to date music, not that awkward stuff.
“I went for 7 nights and I’m telling you it is not enough. Considering the flight time was 10 hours from London to Cancun, I’d recommend at least 10 nights. I cried internal tears when checking out of the hotel.”
Food
Even just typing this and reflecting on my holiday has my mouth watering. Dreams Sands Cancun really impressed me. I can be 50/50 about all-inclusive places because a lot of hotels have left me feeling that I'm on a strict eating regime, especially if they recycle the same typical buffet food for the whole week. But Dreams Sands is all about gourmet dining.
It felt so refreshing not having to set an alarm to make sure I made it to breakfast in the morning. If I missed breakfast for whatever reason, I mean breakfast was from 7 am -11 am, I could just order room service. And the room service didn't compromise the good good food. I'm fussy/particular yeah, I like squeezed juice, not from concentrate, not some 20% fruit plus 20 spoons of sugar. So you can imagine my face when fresh orange juice was delivered like clockwork to my room each morning. Lunch was a treat too. I spied my greedy little eyes on some big ass lobster (The only thing that wasn't included in my all-inclusive package cha!) I couldn't complain though because I fell in love with some staple Mexican meals in the buffet and refused to eat anything else after.
Dinner wowed me massively, giving me a choice of 7 different restaurants to pick from. And yes I tried all of them. El Patio and Wave and Sands were my favourites. In the evening dinner falls between 6-11 pm. Let that sink in, it's a whole 5 hours, and you can turn up to the restaurant of your choice without a reservation. I might have on numerous occasions ate at the buffet at about 6.30 pm and then went to eat my gourmet dinner later in the evening.
Nightlife
Every night there was a different live musical performance. From the Pan-Asian restaurant, I had a banging view of performances. It felt like a mini carnival so I was super involved, whining my waist as I ate my dinner* If after the performances you have the "turn down for what" attitude, the hotel has a sports bar that plays everything from reggaeton to traditional Mexican tunes to pop music so the party can continue.
Also, if you want to venture out there is a lively nightlife in the strip down in main Cancun. I went to Coco Bongo and from picking up the vibe I could tell lots of the clubs down there were not disappointing. Most of my nights ended with me tucked in bed watching a DVD that I'd rented for free from the concierge. Don't expect some new school 2019 or even 2018 film, but you're never too nice to re-watch 'Lilo & Stitch' or 'Dirty Dancing' are you!
Small small tips
I went for 7 nights and I’m telling you it is not enough. Considering the flight time was 10 hours from London to Cancun, I’d recommend at least 10 nights. I cried internal tears when checking out of the hotel, I was not ready to come home and live off of my basic noodles. Also, I was so tired after travelling to Cancun that I fell asleep in the restaurant whilst waiting for my main dish to arrive after eating my starter. Don’t judge me.
When travelling in Cancun book your taxi from the hotel, and always inquire what the price is for that journey, because I kid you not drivers start doing 2+2 and getting 25!
Pay for activities/excursions in US dollars. I found the best rates were offered that way.
Dip your plantain in peanut butter, I’m telling you now it’s a game changer! You’ll thank me later!
I can honestly say I lived good, recharged my soul, had my belly filled up, and my food was well seasoned! Dreams Sands was so good. Until we meet again Mexico, sometime very soon I hope. Watch my vlog to see how I lived a Vida Loca in Cancun.
