Located ten minutes north of Playa del Carmen next to Azul Fives Resort, the boutique hotel Le Rêve Hotel and Spa is a unique addition to the optional all-inclusive market in the Riviera Maya with only 25 guest rooms.  This smoke-free hotel just underwent a major renovation in 2014 with the addition of a Kid’s Club, while the guest rooms and restaurant underwent renovations of their own.  Le Reve is a member of Small Elegant Hotels.

Le Rêve focuses on quiet and relaxation–there is no lobby bar (the open-air lobby consists of the registration desk and several cushioned chairs under a thatched palapa roof), no swim-up bar, no in-room flat screen TV, and only several kayaks to be shared amongst all 25 guest rooms.  What it does offer, however, is an intimate hotel experience with freshly prepared a la carte meals (there is no buffet offered for any meal), close proximity to the beach from every guest room, beachfront plunge pools, palapa-shaded loungers with ample room between, yoga lessons, and limited spa treatments.  Those attempting to connect or reconnect with a loved one will definitely find the time and space to do so at Le Rêve.

Hotel décor can best be described as rustic chic; guest rooms are on the small side and sparsely furnished with dark woods, local materials, Mexican tiles, and showers with rainforest showerheads.  Five guest room categories are available including private garden views with hammocks to beachfront bungalows with individual plunge pools.

Le Rêve has one beachfront infinity pool with padded loungers and natural shade on its sundeck.  A snack bar is available, while guests traveling with small children will enjoy easy access to the newly built Kid’s Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The beach is only steps away and offers loungers, shade palapas, several hammocks, with mature palm trees providing additional shade.  Unfortunately, however, this is not the best stretch of beach since larger rocks are situated along much of the shoreline as well as the ocean bottom just offshore.  Ocean swimmers should either walk south to enter the water, or bring water shoes and be prepared to experience a wobbly ocean entry.

Although Le Rêve only has one restaurant, the menu is creative; only fresh ingredients are used to prepare meals as they are ordered.  Foodies should definitely give this resort a try and judge for themselves.

If the food and intimate nature of the hotel are lures for booking, potential guests should also take into account the timeshare presentations which occur on-site.  Since this is a boutique hotel with public areas being few in number and small in square footage, it becomes easy to overhear these presentations as they are occurring.  Although the resort’s policy states that these presentations should not interfere with guests’ privacy, voices do carry in small spaces.  If one can tolerate a rocky shoreline and overhearing a sales pitch or two, this may be a rare find for the vacationer looking for a boutique hotel experience with excellent food and a million dollar view.

Type of Resort:  Family-friendly, all-inclusive optional meal plan

Pro:  Boutique hotel, food quality, beachfront plunge pools

Con:  Rocky shoreline, small rooms, overhearing timeshare presentations, WiFi $

Best Suited For:  Couples who don’t need a lot of resort amenities to keep them entertained, couples looking for a romantic extended weekend.

No. of Rooms:  25

Room Amenities:  King or queen bed, A/C, balcony/terrace with table and two chairs, in-room safe, dresser, closet, telephone, iron/ironing board upon request, hair dryer, shower, toiletries, complimentary newspaper, wake-up call service.  Room service and WiFi are an additional cost.  Here is a brief rundown of guest room categories:

• Garden View:  Queen bed
• Private Garden View:  Queen bed, hammock off of the terrace along with two chairs
• Horizon Ocean View:  Queen bed, two chairs
• Ocean View Master Suite:  King bed, table and two chairs, large private balcony with loungers and chairs, dbl sink.  These rooms are located on the top floor with ocean view.
• Beachfront Swim-Up Villa:  King bed, table and two chairs, infinity plunge pool off the terrace.  These aren’t really swim-ups since the plunge pools don’t connect to any other feature or amenity, but they are steps from the beach.  These rooms are also typically referred to as “bungalows” since they are not connected to the main building.

Physically Challenged Rooms:  Not available

Resort Amenities:  One beachfront infinity pool (no swim-up bar), limited spa services, kayaks, yoga lessons, beach hammocks, flat screen TV’s in the bar, Kid’s Club (ages 4-12), car rental, ATM.

Restaurants/Bars:  There is only one restaurant and one bar.  All meals are a la carte; dinner reservations are not necessary.  There is also a snack bar available poolside.

Entertainment:  There is no scheduled entertainment or activities team

Website: http://www.hotellereve.com/hotel-in-playa-del-Carmen