Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

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Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby SusanAndDavid » Tue Dec 02, 2025 11:54 am

We've never been over Thanksgiving- not sure why but we'll fix that moving forward!
This was trip #15 to RM since 2020- not gonna give the day by day as we all know the routine and what's what. So, a few observations:

1. No, if we are interested in a massage we will let you know. Being asked (literally) 6x in a matter of an hour is a bit much. Instead, here's an idea....
Open the spa back up so we can use the wet services for free. The steam / sauna / cold room is delightful, but having to pay $60+ each per day is idiotic. (Yeah, members get one free visit, but you have to have a reservation, and guess what....it's never busy and half the fun of the old steam room was it could fill up quickly at time and....that's kinda fun). We'd be much more apt to use the massage services but you took away a benefit, so...stop asking.
2. Jenny at the beach bar is a treasure. She has decorated the entire bar with greenery and color. Mood lights, shrubbery- just very welcoming and lovely, as is she. But boy, we worry how long it's going to be there, thanks to Mother Nature. You can't walk from the old pool to the beach bar and access it directly any longer. You have to jump off before the villas and walk around. The wall beyond the beach bar is taking a beating. Makes us wonder how long the Oceanfront buildings and the beach bar will be there before they knock down / start over. I have zero insight into anything and when they start digging I'll believe it but until then, just makes us worry a tad.
3. Speaking of the bar, would be lovely if it stayed open til 6 or 7. During the early afternoon it's quite because most are on the beach or at the pool(s). Then around hot tub time, so folks migrate to the bar instead and service stops at 4:30. Not a huge deal but would be nice.
4. The wild animals are becoming a problem. We saw them jumping up on tables (with folks eating) at breakfast at Eros. Late night pizza attracts them by the half-dozen. We had a friend get bit in the finger by a racoon (thankfully didn't break skin) and she was not feeding the animals like some do (stop doing that- they're wild animals). Humanely trap them and get them out before someone seriously gets hurt.
5. Hot tub temp was hotter than Satan's asshole a few days. So much so everyone is up out of the water sitting around the edge. How fun is that??? It was like that for 2 of the 5 days we were there. Seems like an easy fix.
6. Loved the Thanksgiving spread they put on in the buffet. They had the big screen in the lobby area and was a lot of fun to watch some of the football games. Very cool stuff.
7. Tons of Canadians this trip. Ever met a mean / not-friendly Canadian? Yeah, us either. You guys rock. And sexy as heck too. Must be that cold water up north!
8. Playroom was PLENTY active and most nights, standing room only. Great fun to show off, join in (if asked) or whatever you call fun.
9. They need a few more cubby holes for belongings at the jacuzzi. Many went to the beds to store things and never used them- maddening when you want to use a bed and there's a single phone on there 'claiming' the bed.
10. We never yuck any yums, so just observing our last several trips to RM vs. Pearl- Pearl is much more 'naked' and RM isn't. Doesn't affect us either way (we like to be naked). We're paying a LOT of money for that privilege, so we do take advantage.
11. Service model remains undefeated. Headed to Pearl in May, not sure which in July / Aug, and then RM over Thanksgiving again.
Thanks for reading. Would love your opinions / feedback.
RM- Nov 26- Dec 1, 2025
Pearl- May 16-23, 2026
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SusanAndDavid
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Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby ninaandfrank » Wed Dec 03, 2025 12:59 pm

Hi, we made two RM trips this year. In general we think we mostly agree, here are some random thoughts:
1. All the staff walking around trying to sell you spa services is just background noise at this point. Less stress to just say no thanks than to let it bother us.
2. This we also feel is concerning. I dread the day that mother nature reclaims all of those beachfront buildings on the original side of the resort. Jenny is a blast!
3. We always wondered about why the beach bar closed so early. It is a nice spot to get away from some of the louder areas. Maybe a local ordinance with it being right on the beech, just guessing.
4. Sometimes I wonder if the racoons are from New York. They seem to like pizza. Since the greater Cancun area is a nature sanctuary of sorts I don’t know what the legal restrictions are on trapping them.
5. A few days the hot tub was uncomfortably hot. It may be from the heaters but it also may be from solar heating on a cloudless day.
6. Sounds great, glad you enjoyed it. That time of the year is probably too busy for us, but who knows.
7. Ditto, fun to be with!
8. Our last trip it was very humid outside at the hot tub so the play room was very packed as well.
9. Definitely have seen all of the cubbies get full; could use some more.
10. Same observation here. We also don’t care until some temptation refugee tells us that nudity isn’t allowed on the temptation side … ugh!
11. Ok, we get better service at Desire than anywhere else, simple as that.





SusanAndDavid wrote:We've never been over Thanksgiving- not sure why but we'll fix that moving forward!
This was trip #15 to RM since 2020- not gonna give the day by day as we all know the routine and what's what. So, a few observations:

1. No, if we are interested in a massage we will let you know. Being asked (literally) 6x in a matter of an hour is a bit much. Instead, here's an idea....
Open the spa back up so we can use the wet services for free. The steam / sauna / cold room is delightful, but having to pay $60+ each per day is idiotic. (Yeah, members get one free visit, but you have to have a reservation, and guess what....it's never busy and half the fun of the old steam room was it could fill up quickly at time and....that's kinda fun). We'd be much more apt to use the massage services but you took away a benefit, so...stop asking.
2. Jenny at the beach bar is a treasure. She has decorated the entire bar with greenery and color. Mood lights, shrubbery- just very welcoming and lovely, as is she. But boy, we worry how long it's going to be there, thanks to Mother Nature. You can't walk from the old pool to the beach bar and access it directly any longer. You have to jump off before the villas and walk around. The wall beyond the beach bar is taking a beating. Makes us wonder how long the Oceanfront buildings and the beach bar will be there before they knock down / start over. I have zero insight into anything and when they start digging I'll believe it but until then, just makes us worry a tad.
3. Speaking of the bar, would be lovely if it stayed open til 6 or 7. During the early afternoon it's quite because most are on the beach or at the pool(s). Then around hot tub time, so folks migrate to the bar instead and service stops at 4:30. Not a huge deal but would be nice.
4. The wild animals are becoming a problem. We saw them jumping up on tables (with folks eating) at breakfast at Eros. Late night pizza attracts them by the half-dozen. We had a friend get bit in the finger by a racoon (thankfully didn't break skin) and she was not feeding the animals like some do (stop doing that- they're wild animals). Humanely trap them and get them out before someone seriously gets hurt.
5. Hot tub temp was hotter than Satan's asshole a few days. So much so everyone is up out of the water sitting around the edge. How fun is that??? It was like that for 2 of the 5 days we were there. Seems like an easy fix.
6. Loved the Thanksgiving spread they put on in the buffet. They had the big screen in the lobby area and was a lot of fun to watch some of the football games. Very cool stuff.
7. Tons of Canadians this trip. Ever met a mean / not-friendly Canadian? Yeah, us either. You guys rock. And sexy as heck too. Must be that cold water up north!
8. Playroom was PLENTY active and most nights, standing room only. Great fun to show off, join in (if asked) or whatever you call fun.
9. They need a few more cubby holes for belongings at the jacuzzi. Many went to the beds to store things and never used them- maddening when you want to use a bed and there's a single phone on there 'claiming' the bed.
10. We never yuck any yums, so just observing our last several trips to RM vs. Pearl- Pearl is much more 'naked' and RM isn't. Doesn't affect us either way (we like to be naked). We're paying a LOT of money for that privilege, so we do take advantage.
11. Service model remains undefeated. Headed to Pearl in May, not sure which in July / Aug, and then RM over Thanksgiving again.
Thanks for reading. Would love your opinions / feedback.
Some are reigniting the flame. Ours never burned out. Just dumping gas on it!
ninaandfrank
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Posts: 364
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:10 pm
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
We are from: USA
Will be at: Desire Riviera Maya
We arrive on: 29 Aug 2024
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Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby Mig » Tue Dec 09, 2025 10:16 am

I have some questions. We are travelling on Dec 18-25. Newbies.
Is it worth it :
1. Catamaran cruise?
2. Photo session?
3. Massage or just sauna?
4. To pay in pesos, dollars, credit card?
Is it possible to walk on the beach to other resorts?
Are there enough beach beds and a round pool/pools or we have to book it or just take it by placing some personal items?
Mig
 
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2025 7:21 am
We are from: USA
Will be at: Desire Riviera Maya

Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby ninaandfrank » Tue Dec 09, 2025 4:05 pm

OK, sounds like your first trip, congratulations. You are asking about something being worth it. What is considered worth it to one person may not be to others. The following is just our own personal observations/opinions, YMMV.
1. Last few times we tried to get it they told us that didn’t have enough interest in it. If you can get it; it is a great time.
2. Budget about $1500 to $2000 for this. If you like to show others pictures of yourselves it is worth it. If you are just going to do it and then shove the photos in a drawer somewhere never to be seen again, probably not.
3. Desire offers a variety of massages. We have enjoyed the ones we have had; but not as much as giving each other a massage.
4. I have better success bargaining prices if I had cash in hand but I think it is really splitting hairs.
5. Yes, but it is not easy with beach erosion.
6. Don’t just grab a chair/bed. Just talk to the pool or beach attendant and tell them what you want and they’ll be glad to help you.
HTH


Mig wrote:I have some questions. We are travelling on Dec 18-25. Newbies.
Is it worth it :
1. Catamaran cruise?
2. Photo session?
3. Massage or just sauna?
4. To pay in pesos, dollars, credit card?
Is it possible to walk on the beach to other resorts?
Are there enough beach beds and a round pool/pools or we have to book it or just take it by placing some personal items?
Some are reigniting the flame. Ours never burned out. Just dumping gas on it!
ninaandfrank
Desire Superstar
 
Posts: 364
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:10 pm
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
We are from: USA
Will be at: Desire Riviera Maya
We arrive on: 29 Aug 2024
Swing Site(s) we belong to: SLS

Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby Mig » Thu Dec 11, 2025 9:28 am

Thank you so much! another question. Is there a quality hard alcohol as whiskey or cognac?
Mig
 
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2025 7:21 am
We are from: USA
Will be at: Desire Riviera Maya

Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby SusanAndDavid » Thu Dec 11, 2025 4:30 pm

Mig wrote:Thank you so much! another question. Is there a quality hard alcohol as whiskey or cognac?


Bourbon / whiskey- they sell Buffalo Trace for like $125 a bottle (crazy high), but free offerings are Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, Canadian Club- not sure on Cognac.
RM- Nov 26- Dec 1, 2025
Pearl- May 16-23, 2026
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SusanAndDavid
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Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby Mig » Fri Dec 12, 2025 2:09 pm

Thank you!
Mig
 
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Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2025 7:21 am
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Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby Mig » Sat Dec 13, 2025 10:57 pm

What was the weather there? What to do in the raining day? Was it chilly in the evening? In rainy or chilly evening where theme party located?
Mig
 
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Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2025 7:21 am
We are from: USA
Will be at: Desire Riviera Maya

Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby ninaandfrank » Sun Dec 14, 2025 11:06 am

Rainy days are fun too. The playmakers moved the party into the disco and lobby. Lots of saucy games.
Mig wrote:What was the weather there? What to do in the raining day? Was it chilly in the evening? In rainy or chilly evening where theme party located?
Some are reigniting the flame. Ours never burned out. Just dumping gas on it!
ninaandfrank
Desire Superstar
 
Posts: 364
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:10 pm
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
We are from: USA
Will be at: Desire Riviera Maya
We arrive on: 29 Aug 2024
Swing Site(s) we belong to: SLS

Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby SusanAndDavid » Sun Dec 14, 2025 12:01 pm

Mig wrote:What was the weather there? What to do in the raining day? Was it chilly in the evening? In rainy or chilly evening where theme party located?



We had some rain first two days but nothing that was too long or troublesome. Temps were perfect. Mid 80’s and evenings were lovely. Didn’t need anything at all to stay warm.
We’re booking today to go back same time next year.
RM- Nov 26- Dec 1, 2025
Pearl- May 16-23, 2026
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SusanAndDavid
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Location: KC and Long Beach
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We arrive on: 16 May 2026
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Re: Bonus trip over Thanksgiving, 2025

Postby Powderfinger » Tue Dec 16, 2025 1:33 pm

SusanAndDavid wrote:5. Hot tub temp was hotter than Satan's asshole a few days. So much so everyone is up out of the water sitting around the edge. How fun is that??? It was like that for 2 of the 5 days we were there. Seems like an easy fix.


We've been going since 2008, around 35 trips. There has literally never been a trip, with either hot tub, or the one at Pearl, where they've managed to have a consistent, comfortable hot tub temp for our entire stay.
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