Okay.  Despite an impressive backlog of work which accumulated while on vacation and succumbing to the flu upon my return (has anyone needed a vacation from a vacation?), I have finally gotten around to writing this review which I should have completed several weeks ago.  Mea culpa.  Believe me, Hotel Riu Dunamar is worth the wait.

Anyone who is familiar with my blog knows that I love Riu resorts–travelers get so much for their vacation dollar/euro/peso.  This newest addition to their chain (which opened in December 2017) is no exception.  Located in the lovely beachfront area of Costa Mujeres (think north of Secrets Playa Mujeres), the resort is a 45 min. drive north of the Cancun airport if you take a private shuttle.  While I was looking forward to driving past other great resorts such as Finest/Excellence/Dreams Playa Mujeres, imagine my surprise when the shuttle driver took a newly completed road just past Villa del Palmar which completely bypassed the primary all-inclusive resorts in this area–looks like there is a security gate one has to go through to now enter that section.  The new road, however, did go past the Grand Palladium resort being built–while it advertises itself as having just over 670 rooms, it honestly looked a LOT bigger (this resort is supposed to be completed Nov. 2018).

Check-in was a breeze–literally and figuratively.  The lobby is open-air with an excellent cross-breeze making it a comfortable place to hang out and have a drink in the bar or just sit in one of the many chairs both day and night. There are several easy to use activity screens in the lobby area–just touch whatever category you wish to know more about (shows, exercise classes, etc.) and the information will pop up for your perusal.  The resort offers free WiFi for two devices per room, so you don’t have to sit in the lobby to get connected to the web.

Our room was a Double Standard category with two double beds.  The staff member who escorted my husband and I to our room with our bags asked if we wanted our beds together–no problem, he made a call and 10 min. later another staff came to push our beds together and re-made them in no time.  Since this is a Riu resort, we enjoyed our in-room liquor dispenser and had a welcome shot (or two) of tequila.

The room was attractively furnished and included everything we needed for a comfortable vacation–a bed large enough for my six foot three husband, a separate sitting area, flat screen TV, balcony with chairs and a drying rack, digital safe, complimentary mini-bar with water, soda, and beer, and plenty of closet space which also held an iron and ironing board.  Since we are not coffee drinkers, we did not miss the in-room coffee maker (this is a standard amenity for Riu Palace rooms).  The bathroom was surprisingly spacious with double sinks and a large shower–I didn’t have to pack my soap after all because of the large container of gel affixed to the shower wall.  Guests will want to know that the translucent shower panel, while not allowing those in the bathroom to see into the room, does allow those inside the room to see an outline of those taking a shower; a privacy issue for some, but it should not pose any issues for couples.

After unpacking, it was time for dinner so we decided to hit the buffet for the evening meal.  Hmmm, so many choices it was difficult to decide with what to fill my plate–carved meats section, freshly made pasta station, Mexican and Asian food stations, long rows of salads, cheeses, fruits and desserts including a chocolate fountain–what’s not to like?  In case you don’t want food from the main buffet, there is a separate Asian buffet (Bamboo restaurant) and three a la cartes (an Italian a la carte with a buffet of starters, a steakhouse, and Kulinarium which is more of a gourmet-type restaurant very similar to the Krystal restaurant at Riu Palace Las Americas).  No a la carte reservations are necessary–just show up and you will be given a pager if they cannot seat you in a timely manner.  Most guests with a pager choose to go to the lobby bar in order to have a pre-dinner drink and listen to pre-recorded music (try the chocolate martini if you go to the bar).  Following dinner we took a walk around the grounds and wound up at the Mezcal poolside bar which is open until late.  We could hear the sounds of ocean waves from this outdoor bar and it was quite relaxing; we were surprised there weren’t more guests there.

If not too late in the evening, enjoy a performance held outdoors at the theater.  While it is not A/C’d, it does offer an overhead covering for many guests during inclement weather; it also offers two separate bars for the sake of convenience.  A children’s show is held prior (around 8 p.m.) with both kids and parents often part of the act.

For many all-inclusive resort guests, vacation days are all about the pools and poolside activities (pools are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).  Hotel Riu Dunamar certainly does not shirk from offering its guests lots of water-related fun for the entire family.  There are five beachfront pools including the following:

1. The southernmost pool has a lengthy ramp with an accompanying handrail so that individuals with mobility problems can make a very gradual and safe pool entry.  During my visit I saw many older guests utilizing this pool and the surrounding loungers.
2. The adjacent pool has the Mezcal bars–both a swim-up bar and seated section on the other side (this is the bar which is open late).  There is pre-recorded music here.
3. Moving further north, the next pool is rather lengthy with many in-pool tiled loungers and accompanying stands.
4. The next pool has another swim-up bar and a smaller seated section on the other side–this pool sees a lot of afternoon action since the activity pool is immediately adjacent.  There is pre-recorded music here.
5. The most northern beachfront pool is the activity pool where morning aquatic exercises and afternoon games are held.

There are loungers at each pool with umbrellas and sliding panels providing shade.  There is also a “bar cart” which was pushed to each beachfront pool area providing additional and easier drink opportunities for guests (there is no poolside wait staff taking drink orders).

Guests wanting a towel can exchange their towel card at the lone towel “hut” which is located between the southernmost pools–you can also find out the temperatures of the various pools here.  Those wanting lunch without having to get dressed can visit the luncheon station which is close to the towel hut–luncheon offerings were quite good with choices of BBQ chicken/pork sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, and some side dishes (lunch is available from noon to 2 p.m.).  My husband and I loved the BBQ pork sandwich–don’t miss out on them!!  Staff here are so friendly and accommodating that they still fed my husband even though he showed up 7 min. after they were done serving lunch.  Lucky him because he was starving.

Those wanting to take advantage of outdoor exercise classes will enjoy the separate Riu Fit area which is located close to the BBQ luncheon station.  There is a posted list of exercise classes, and some of the classes appeared to be very well attended.

Attention beach lovers:  you will love the beach here, the sand is soft and white with easy ocean entry.  While the sea is sometimes not the aquamarine blue of the Hotel Zone’s ocean waters, waves will not routinely knock you off your feet, nor will constant riptides pull you out to sea.  Most days were yellow-flagged which meant it was swim-time!  While this is not a snorkel spot, guests can check out kayaks, small sailing craft, or rent wave runners on the south end of the beach.  For those susceptible to “no see-um” bites, it is advisable to wear an insect repellent if you are going to walk along the beach or spend the day at the beach.

Although the beach does not offer shade umbrellas, Riu has planted a grove of palm trees which should provide sufficient shade once they become more mature.  For right now, guests will have to move their loungers to stay in the shade if that is an issue.  There are wait staff which will take drink orders, but the closest rest room is poolside.

But that’s not all the water-related fun at Riu Dunamar, both adults and children need to check out the water parks on the southern side of the resort.  Younger children have their own water park with slides, waterfalls, and buckets of water which occasionally spill over.  The Kid’s Club is located here–I only saw very young children being entertained inside while I was in the vicinity.  There is also a very small, shallow pool for toddlers who aren’t yet ready for the slides.

Older children and adults have their own water park section with much larger slides offering different rates of speed of descent and a separate slide which swirls you around before you drop out at the bottom.  Speed of descent slides are ordered slowest to fastest (the green and white one is the slowest, while the blue and green non-curved slides are the fastest).  My husband thought the red and yellow covered slide was perfect, while he almost got stuck on the green and white slide.  This water park area is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (it was closed on a Monday during our visit), with a height restriction of 120 cm., or three feet nine inches.  I saw some younger children who seemed to barely meet the height requirement get bumped around on the faster slides, so parents need to make their own decisions about appropriateness.

Hotel Riu Dunamar has additional amenities which come in handy since its location is a fair distance from Cancun shopping malls or Plaza Forum clubs and bars:

• For guests wanting some late night music and dancing, the Pacha disco offers DJ music and dancing from 10:30/11 p.m. until 2 a.m.
• The Renova Spa and adjoining fitness center for guests who like to really relax or can’t stop their exercise regimen while on vacation.  The whirlpool and steam bath are complimentary for guests over age 18 (the fitness center only allows guests age 18 and over who wear appropriate gym attire–tennis shoes, please).
• There is a pool foam party once a week (I believe it is on Friday).
• I loved the main store, Pier 27, located next to Pacha disco.  They have everything there but the kitchen sink.
• The Sports Bar offers multiple flat screen TV’s and seating areas set up around the space along with two pool tables (an extra charge), and a 24-hr. snack lounge area which offers hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and sandwiches.

Many guests wanting to stay at this lovely Riu resort have some knowledge about the new Riu Palace resort being built on the south end next to the water parks.  The new resort will be called Riu Palace Costa Mujeres and is scheduled to open mid-Nov. 2018.  While vacationing at the Riu Dunamar, I heard the occasional construction “thud”, but it certainly was not sufficient to disrupt my vacation.  Given the sound of the water parks, I could barely hear ANY construction sounds coming from next door.  I wouldn’t worry about booking Riu Dunamar during the next several months–request a room on the north end if you are worried about the construction noise factor. (I have posted a separate blog article with construction pics from the new Riu property).

As usual, I’ve fallen in love with another Riu property.  Did I have a good time?  Most certainly, even being so far from shopping or club opportunities; the onsite amenities more than made up for the distance factor from Cancun’s Hotel Zone.  Would I return?  Definitely.  This is a great resort for couples as well as families; my husband and I were always able to find places to have private conversations as well as opportunities to have fun together.

Take a moment or two and enjoy the photo gallery below–just click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger view of the picture.

(The comments in this review are those of the author/reviewer.  While a Riu media representative did authorize a complimentary three night stay at this resort, the comments made in this review are solely my own based upon my vacation experiences).

Location:  45 min. north of the Cancun airport.

Telephone:  52-998-234-0900 (Mexico); 1-888-748-4990 (Riu toll-free number)

Email:  hotel.dunamar@riu.com