by Okcool » Sun Apr 14, 2024 12:37 am
Figure to add our 2c in, as we returned a few days ago from RM.
For reference, it was our first time at RM, and stayed in old rooms, not Eden. We had been to Pearl in October, and then again, for 2 days before the 3 days we spent at RM earlier this last week or so.
Long story short, we really like it, and will be back as opposed to Pearl. They definitely aren't 100% done with all that they want to do, but it seems to be getting closer, and seems like weeks away at most, and nothing that disrupts our first time there.
Random notes and comments to add from above:
New pool - basically reminds me of a bigger Mexican resort pool. Lots of room in and out of water, and IMO, that's a good thing. I couldn't imagine that many people at the old pool.
Old pool - very quiet. Our room was down there, and we prefer the quiet side of the pool at Pearl, but being so far removed from the main action, it felt a bit too quiet here at RM. We stayed on the beach in the AM, and went to the main pool in the PM, because you still could be in a quieter spot there, given the size. For us, that's what we want. A proper amount of space where everything isn't going on right in front of you (like one side of pool at Pearl), but close enough to pop over and see what's going on. In this case, you can hang out on the edges and put of the action, without being removed totally.
Hot tub - really nice. Water is an odd (low) height. Coating for the sides and the bottom are rough.
Day got there the lobby elevator was still behind construction walls, next day it seemed operational but most took outside stairs to get to the hot tub. Also went for an unguided tour of New disco, smaller then thought it would be (not a lot bigger than Pearl IMO), and, didn't see the new playroom.
We went up to see old hot tub area, and again, can't believe how small it was.
Old lobby is nothing more then one way up to disco.
Beach bar, talking to bartender there he expects that to close in coming months. We were the only ones there 2 of 3 days.
Not sure how the old restaurants were setup, but Suki (only one we could get in for dinner) was cramped. The new place by pool was nice but only did lunch there.I assume the new restaurant will be nice that's near the lobby or in the Eden part, and the one that looks new by the old pool (though but seems to say on sign it will have late night snacks? That's a long way away from lobby. Snack bar was in courtyard by current disco, and it's good, though they could use more staff (a common theme) at night.
New spa was open. However, at Pearl we used the spa and it's lockers for us arriving before room was ready and staying after checkout before our evening flight. You can't do that at the new spa, they force you to the old spa. Only the gym and one change room are open, with sketchy looking lockers most without keys. It's smelly in the building and cramped in the locker room (and we were the only couple) and really looks downtrodden. It's fine for the gym section, but forcing guests like us to that, it's was the worst experience of the trip.
I don't doubt that at some point, people like us who need to shower up on arriving or departing without having a room, will be to the new spa, but this really was terrible.
The courtyard between the lobby and the new pool has the nightly show. Not sure how well thought out this was or is, or maybe its temporary. It is a good space, again, a better setup then Pearl, and needs to be because of more people. But for some of the tricks in the show, the lower hanging lights and number of chairs and couches that had to be moved, and a very slick tile floor, have to make there performers themselves a little apprehensive.
All that said, again, we liked all facilities besides the spa, and the more people and thus activity at RM, especially during the evening, but we do like a little bit of space, so not so sure we would've preferred RM if it was the old RM with a jammed old pool and beach and especially hot tub, and nightly show.
If we can manage it, would like to go back in 6 months or so, and RM all the way (all things being equal which may not be the case). We will definitely keep an eye on this board, It sounds like decisions are made quickly with Desire (see the DR experiment) so will keep an eye on things. I think when all the construction and touch ups are done, they'll start to make changes to the old sections, and hopefully make the right decisions as they work out the kinks.
The old spa will be useless outside of the gym. The old lobby will be useless, with no disco. The old hot tub needs dismantling and maybe space used for something else. The beach bar, as mentioned, has been rendered obsolete outside of service for the beach goes(though those people can be serviced out of the old pool bar). The old pool.is nice, but at 1/4 at most capacity, so I think many of the beds there from before will be removed. Restaurants are either at the new lobby, or at the far end of the resort, maybe the spa or old lobby gets transformed into another restaurant.
Anyways, we will be back, I'm just worried prices will increase dramatically (again) or they start taking out some of the old rooms (like the building we were in that had the old hot tub), or they give members exclusive access to some of these newer amenities (ie the main pool), when they finish things up and work out the kinks.
Sorry for the long note, hope it helps someone.