Desire issues

[dreamsup]

We just returned from yet another great trip from Desire RM. Great weather and even better company as usual. However, we return with two complaints:

1) Going into this years trip, we heard of guests having money stolen while they are there. This happened again while we were there. Not to us, but to some great people we met there. Not cool. Most of the time the money stolen is solely for giving out as tips for the staff. When this cash goes missing, the good staff doesn't receive the gifts of money that they deserve and that is sad.
2) The new neighbors of Desire, Breathless resort, are seemingly those nosy neighbors in the neighborhood that you don't really like. What I mean is that they are not willing to stay at Desire like we all do but are willing to be gawker walkers trying to sneak a peek walking by to get a glimpse of a lifestyle they are either to afraid to venture into or too ignorant to understand. They were almost putting nose prints on the glass by the pool during the foam party(and I mean they literally that close). Later that same day, there were two guys that made it all the way to the hot tub!

Neither of these things will keep us from returning to a place we love so much, but Desire needs to step up the security and resolve these issues REAL QUICK or someone is either going to lose a temper or worse like a passerby splatters pictures all over the internet. We pay premium prices to stay at a place like this for a reason. Please spend some of that money beefing up the security and finding a remedy to these issues.

[dreamsup]

Well stated and yes, you guys were exactly who we were speaking about!! And great people is a major disservice because you were waaayy better than that!

[K&RinTX]

We just returned from Pearl, and have heard of issues like this in the past. Since then we put NOTHING in the safe, preferring to hide it instead, and haven't had any problems with missing money. I don't bring a watch and we don't really bring anything other than cash that is valuable. I did, however, have a pair of shoes missing this trip when I started packing and cannot for the life of me think of any way I "misplaced" them. More than once this trip I came back to the room to get something and found people in there other than housekeepers (guys checking air conditioner temps, stocking minibar etc).

[dreamsup]

We were fortunate to have nothing lost or missing other than ALOT of sleep. But that was all worth while! Just feel bad for those that did. I overheard someone saying that the employees are starting to complain too because it's effecting their tips. Hopefully that will help. Just a few bad eggs that need to be found. The rest are extremely wonderful.

[AandJ]

Thanks to the warning from brokencouple (you guys were a blast...slap slap sin room we put the bulk of our cash inside a computer bag with a lock on the zipper, that bag inside the suitcase with another lock. Nothing got stolen but a pain in the ass having to worry about it during such otherwise carefree trip.
We also had an extra non requested birthday cake in Spanish on top of our anniversary cake and champagne.

[Fitgator]

It's said that people like that exist. Why steal someone's money or belongings? That is rediculous..

Also, what glass by the pool during the foam party are you referring to? We have never been, but are planning a trip in September. The last thing my wife would want is someone making her feel uncomfortable. We are already a little worried about the three rooms from breathless that can view the pool, as we have never been to a place like this and do not want any issues on our first visit that may hinder our trip.

[mandjtex]

We met a gentlemen on our last trip who said he had $400 stolen from his safe. Then a few days later I accidentally put in the wrong code to lock our safe (and of course could not remember the code I put in) . We called the office and they sent someone up with a device and had the safe open in 5 seconds. My wife and I both just looked at each other and said wow.

The rest of the visit I left the tv on whenever we were out of the room. I think we won't be putting anything in the safe anymore.

[bmerryman]

Get a mylockie for the safe.

[Explorer79]

Get a mylockie for the safe.

Looks interesting.

I had thought of just putting a rattlesnake in our safe and let the chips fall where they may

[mikeinnj]

We have never had an issue at either resort. But this time I think I'll lock the pockets on my backpack and then lock that in the safe. If they open the safe, the contents will still be locked.

Mike

[AandJ]

The thefts seems to be on the last 24h of your stay. So in the last 24h, when ever leaving our room, the blinds were closed and the porn channel was on, do not disturb sign on the door.
Still can't believe we had to do that.

[Justskin]

Well, we're heading to RM in three weeks, and we actually just logged in as we start to get in "desire mode' ....the one thing we just recently posted on was this room theft business. We appreciate finding this thread.
We had quite a bit stolen last year, including $100 and my wife's very nice prescription glasses.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6372

We're sad to see things are just as bad or worse.
Like just about everyone else, we catch ourselves qualifying what a wonderful place RM is, no one likes to dwell on the negative, the place is magical; but the truth is this that this theft stuff is out of control.

A few things are apparent with the sleuthing you fine people have done:
The theft we and others have experienced is happening the evening prior to departure. The people involved in this have access to the front desk computer/visitor's schedule.
We suspect that the aforementioned "room service" is one of the scams being utilized to gain access without appearing to case and/or pilfer a room.
We've not seen or heard of one couple recover their losses.
We'd advise folks to NOT discuss where you hide your things. These forums may be monitored by some of those responsible.

We know the general manager fairly well after our many years of Desire travel, we hope to sit down with a printed handful of these theft postings and get him up to speed if he isn't already. We know the management takes resort issues very seriously, can't help but wonder why this problem is persisting unless they simply don't know the extent of the issue.

[northernlightscpl]

I had a very expensive pair of prescription glass stolen from the pool side lounger last January when I was wearing my prescription sunglasses. This was early in our 2 week stay and check with the front desk several times to see if they were turned in, but no luck. Good thing I had brought an extra set. However, we haven't had anything that we noticed missing from our room in the past. My trail camera is going to be set up in my room this next trip. They are small, not expensive and only come on with movement. Turn it on when we leave the room and off when we return. I also have invisible powder one can buy at the spy shop (on line) and place it in an envelope that in marked $120.. Fill it with cut paper the size of dollar bills and a 1/2 a teaspoon of invisible powder, seal the envelope and shake it up. When the culprit steals the baited envelope and opens and removes the paper sized bills, the invisible powder is on their hands and quickly turns whatever color you purchase (purple, green, yellow, red) with the moisture of their hands. The more they try to wash it off the more colorful their hands get. Rarely do they know the reason their hands turn color, because it is 'invisible powder'. So when they can't associate why their hands turned color, they rarely go into hiding. Back in my police days, I used this powder a number of times to solve different types of crime. One incident was a baited envelope with a large dollar figure on it, but had a Canadian $2 bill (no longer made) in it. Sure enough, the baited envelope was taken in the break in. The following day, I was in the local small grocery store in uniform and noticed the cashier had purple hands. I asked her if she cashed any $2 bills today and she told my she cashed one from name (a local petty thief and B&E artist). I seized the bill (same ser. number) and went to (name) house and he had purple hands as well. It's called 'follow the money' and pay the price. I never did tell the cashier anything about her purple hands. My powder will be on my next trip to Desire with my trail cam.

[werfun]

Just looked at the milockie site and it looks likea great item.We never take large amounts of cash with us but we do put our passports, cash,watches, wallets in the safe.This just us less to worry about on our trips.

[Justskin]

Yep, agreed.
We'll be bringing one to hopefully alleviate any theft problems. Thanks for this suggestion.