This was our 3rd trip to RM
Arrival - United decided to reschedule our arrival day from AM to late PM about a week in advance. We tend to arrive a day early to hit our favorite restaurant in Cancun and get to Desire early the next day. We opted to arrive 2 days early instead - easy change. We got into Cancun early evening of the 8th. and booked a night at the airport courtyard. Immigration was quick and easy - since the hotel offers free transport we called while waiting for the luggage and was told it would be 30 minutes...no problem (or so we thought). We run the gauntlet of salespeople and wait at platform 37 as instructed along with a an older foursome going to the Fairfield next door. I assume they share a shuttle.
We found the older group had already been waiting for 45 minutes and out of frustration, they opted to pay for a taxi. We wait and wait and wait - call again at the 40 minute mark and was told another 10 minutes. And at the 10 minute mark with another call was told another 10 minutes. We opted to taxi over and found a shit show in the lobby upon our arrival. Dozen people trying to check in and two people manning the counter - it wasn't pretty.
Eventually get to our room. Nicely designed room, bed was rock hard though and I enjoy a firm mattress. Grabbed some food from the onsite restaurant and found it very good.
Given everything, I would have just gotten an extra night at our hotel zone place instead.
Day 2 - Used USA to transfer us to the canopy in the hotel zone. Very chic place and amazing rooms. Enjoyed a nice cuban cigar and mojitos at Casa Del Habano. Protip - they work with the little food counter next door (La Tia Juana) and will deliver some fresh, authentic, and cheap eats. We spent a little time at the rooftop hotel pool/bar before getting ready for our customary dinner at Rosa Negra. Incredible place that I would recommend to anyone, but can be expensive especially if you like A5 wagyu as Mrs Helles does. They have a nightly fireshow on their dock that's impressive along with complementary bubbly for the ladies in the women's restroom (all the guys got was a nice young man that handed you a towel after washing your hands )
Day 3+ - Well rested we finally arrive home. Used USA again to grab us at 9AM - at RM by 9:30. Checked our luggage with the welcoming crew and were ushered to checkin. All week Kevin and G were a delight and we got situated around the pool until our room was ready. Mrs. Helles says I'm like that scene in Bruce Almightly where his clothes fly off when we hit the pool the first day.
We quickly got into the groove making friends both old and new. Attendance per the usual was lightest on monday and grew over the course of the week - nearly everyone was engaging or maybe we were just more so . All theme nights were well attended with most folks in attire, but we noticed that there was overlap between the entertainment and the disco starting. For example, on glow night they had a rocking cover band that was so good no one went up until much later.
We noticed a definite decline in number of staff though - most likely due to covid. This was most noticeable with the number of bar tenders especially in the afternoon hot tub session.
Playmakers were great as always and they are no longer required to be masked which is nice. The biggest loss to us was the departure of Anna Banana.
Now the ugly - Covid does exist at Desire. We tested early afternoon the day prior to our departure feeling fine. Within 90 minutes a professionally dressed gal (I'm guessing management) came to our cabana and very quietly said that Mrs. Helles had tested positive and that both of us were to gather our things and follow her. She escorted us back to our room and asked that we remain inside until they administer a secondary test in a few hours and to call reception if we needed anything at all. She was very nice and we understood that she had protocols that needed to be followed, but past that point you couldn't help but feel that we were being watched. Unfortunately test #2 came back positive as well along with test #3 the next morning. We found Desire has pretty decent room service and will even bring drinks to your room.
We checked out the next morning as planned and got Mrs. Helles situated in another lodging situation until she'll fly home tomorrow (at least as of writing this trip report). Again USA Transfers was awesome and was able to pivot with getting me to the airport and Mrs. to her temporary accommodations. At least Mexico isn't like some other countries where they ship you off to a mandatory covid hotel.
My working theory is while covid isn't prevalent at Desire it largely goes unreported to the general population. The resort understandably has a reputation to protect. A couple will suddenly disappear and you assume they had interpersonal issues where they needed to withdraw from public - we've all seen it at some point. We were able to communicate with our group that passed the word along to others. If we didn't have that in place, I'm sure the others would think we just ghosted.
Recap - We had an amazing time with our own sexy breakthrough - looking at you Brazilian friends! And can't wait to get back home to Desire. Much love - A&E