Arrival & Transfers

On arrival in Lanzarote, passport control can be very slow. On our visit it took a little over two hours to clear, which is worth bearing in mind if you are travelling independently or thinking about booking a private transfer, as drivers may not wait indefinitely.

In our case, the tour operator’s coach did wait, as many passengers from the same flight were delayed at passport control. The journey to Dreams Lanzarote took around 40 minutes on an express service, and the hotel was the third stop.

At the hotel there was a welcome drink on arrival, which set the tone nicely, but check in itself was fairly lengthy. After a long travel day it is worth arriving with a little patience and not expecting an ultra-quick, boutique-style check in.

First Impressions, Layout & Atmosphere

The resort is laid out in two circular clusters of rooms around large pools. We stayed in a room overlooking the children’s pool with the sea in the distance. This location worked well, giving a partial sea view and a slightly quieter feel than the main entertainment and restaurant area.

If you prefer to be at the heart of the action, rooms around the main pool enjoy better sea views but more noise from evening entertainment and restaurants.

One practical point is that to reach the main front pools, you always pass through reception. There is a fair amount of walking back and forth, which is perfectly manageable for most people, but worth noting if mobility or lots of to-ing and fro-ing is a consideration.

The corridors are tiled and echo quite a bit, so rolling suitcases can sound surprisingly loud. The building has limited sound insulation, both in corridors and between rooms, so you can hear other guests, outside noise and the wind around the balconies. Light sleepers may wish to pack ear plugs or consider requesting a quieter location.

Luggage assistance to the room was not automatically offered, so guests should be prepared to take their own bags unless assistance is specifically requested.

Rooms: Space, Style & Comfort

The rooms themselves are a real plus point:

• Generous in size
• One super king bed and one large single in our room
• Separate toilet from the sink
• Large walk‑in shower
• Big balcony with a table and two chairs

The overall feeling is modern, clean and comfortable. Beds were very good and housekeeping kept everything spotless.

The in-room amenities stand out:

• Mini bar included with water, soft drinks, beer and snacks
• Large refillable bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and moisturiser in the bathroom
• Bathrobes and slippers

This particular room layout suited a couple or a family of three very well. Families with two children may need to check alternative room types, as there was no sofa bed in this configuration.

Do bear in mind that soundproofing is not the strongest. You may hear neighbouring rooms and wind noise around the balcony doors.

For couples and honeymooners who plan to spend most of their time by the pool, at the beach or out and about, the rooms make a very comfortable base, with enough space to relax together on the balcony and enjoy a drink from the mini bar.

Pools & Outdoor Areas

Dreams Lanzarote offers several pool options, each with a different feel:

• Main pools: These are large and impressive, ideal for a proper swim or lounging nearby with a drink. During our stay they were on the cooler side, particularly when the weather was overcast and windy. On sunny afternoons they became more pleasant, although the breeze can still feel fresh.
• Children’s pool: Warmer and with small slides that are great fun for younger guests. This area can be lively and family-focused.
• Preferred Club pool with cabanas: A real highlight. We were given a day pass to a cabana close to this pool. The pool is spacious, cleaner and felt a little more refined, with a swim‑up bar called “Sea Legs” and views over the beach and promenade. There is some people-watching as walkers pass along the promenade, so it feels sociable rather than completely secluded.
• Adults-only Preferred Club pool: This area has key-card access and is designed as a quieter retreat with plenty of sunbeds and a bar area called Sugar Reef. During our stay the bar did not appear to be open, but the setting itself is appealing for couples and adults wanting a calmer space away from the main pools.

Pool cleaning was not as visible as might be expected at a resort of this size. We only saw one pool being cleaned, and with the heavy usage, more regular and obvious maintenance would be reassuring.

On the positive side:

• There is no rush for sunbeds; we always found loungers available.
• There are no wristbands for board basis, which gives a more relaxed and upmarket feel.

If you are a couple or on honeymoon, upgrading to, or making use of, the Preferred Club areas can make a significant difference to the overall sense of calm and exclusivity.

Dining: Buffets, À La Carte & Snacks

Food is one of the strong points at Dreams Lanzarote, with a good variety and generous opening times.

Main buffet restaurant:

• Breakfast: 07:30 to 10:30
• Lunch: 13:00 to 15:00
• Dinner: From 18:30 until late

Expect a wide choice including:

• Live cooking stations for fish and meat
• Fresh pancakes and an egg station at breakfast
• A children’s corner
• Cheese boards in the evening
• Great selection of gluten-free options including a specific, separate toaster for gluten free breads
• Also a big effort to cater to other dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances

When the restaurant is busy it can be quite noisy. There is an outdoor seating area, but local birds are very bold and will happily help themselves to food from plates, sometimes while people are still seated, which some guests find charming and others less so.

If you miss the main lunch window, there is a smaller restaurant serving food from 15:00 to 17:00, and this is also where ice cream is available throughout the afternoon. A café is also included for drinks and snacks.

Preferred Club guests have two additional smaller restaurants and a couple of pools reserved for them, and can choose to have breakfast there for a more intimate experience, or use the main buffet.

In the evening, there are four à la carte restaurants. Typically, two or three are open each night and they work on a very relaxed system:

• No reservation required
• No set limits on how often you can dine there

This is especially appealing for couples who prefer a quieter, more restaurant-style atmosphere rather than a buffet every evening. There is no specific children’s menu, but menus are available on the hotel app so you can easily check options in advance.

Each main pool area has a bar serving drinks and ice cream, but food is not served poolside, so for snacks and meals you do need to head back to the designated restaurants.

Staff in the restaurants and bars are a real positive: even when the hotel was busy we experienced very little waiting for tables, drinks or replenished buffet items.

Families vs Couples: Who Is It Best For?

Dreams Lanzarote is a lively, sociable resort that caters for both families and adults, but the overall feel is more “vibrant all-inclusive with family facilities” than ultra‑quiet couples-only hideaway.

For couples and honeymooners, some of the best aspects include:

• Multiple pools, with quieter Preferred Club and adults-only areas if you upgrade
• Good quality, varied dining with easy access to à la carte restaurants and no reservation hassle
• Comfortable, stylish rooms with generous balconies and well-stocked mini bars
• No wristbands and no need to reserve sunbeds, which keeps things relaxed

If your priority is total tranquillity, thick soundproofed walls and a very intimate, boutique feel, this may not be the ideal choice. It is, however, a strong option if you enjoy a resort with atmosphere, good food and drink, and the flexibility to dip in and out of quieter adult spaces when you wish.

Departure & Airport Experience

On departure from Lanzarote airport, the process involved a few extra steps:

• After check in there was a sign directing passengers to a bank of e‑gate machines near Gate 6, where passports needed to be scanned.
• Once the boarding gate was displayed there was a further queue, with more machines and a single border officer. Families had to see the officer in person, while those over 12 used the e‑gates.
• Not all machines were working, which created longer queues.
• After clearing this area, boarding was immediate, with no seats at the gate itself.

It is worth arriving in good time, as the combination of e‑gates and manual passport checks can be slow, particularly at busier times – our flight was delayed by 30mins to allow everyone to board, especially as a number of passengers had not seen the sign at check in to scan their passports near gate 6 first.

Final Thoughts

Dreams Lanzarote suits travellers who like:

• A modern resort with a choice of pools and some adults-only spaces
• Generous all-inclusive dining, including à la carte options without reservation limits
• A relaxed feel with no wristbands and no rush for sunbeds
• Comfortable rooms with good amenities and a sociable atmosphere

It is a particularly good fit for couples who would like the option of adult-focused areas but are happy with a generally lively, family-friendly environment around them.

If you are planning a romantic break or honeymoon and would like to know which room types and areas of the hotel work best for a quieter, more adult-centred stay, please get in touch so we can tailor the perfect option for you.