First trip to DRM - January (12-17 & 20-23) 2013

[rich&creamy]

We recently returned from our first trip to Mexico, and also our first vacation to any resort of this nature.

As newbies we were both excited but also a bit apprehensive to begin with, however, joining the Yahoo Group for Jan2013, two months before the trip, was one of the best things we did. It was great being in contact with fellow visitors, answered lots of our questions, put our minds at ease, and paved the way for a fantastic vacation. It also really built the anticipation and allowed us to start enjoying our trip, long before we even left home. The people in the group were a really fun, friendly bunch. Thanks again to Glenn and Denise for setting up and maintaining the group, and to all the others who contributed with answers / opinions / tips / polls / chats / banter and lots of laughs.

The preparation for the trip, especially choosing outfits for the theme nights/disco which included browsing lots of sexy clothing websites etc. together, was great fun (and educational!) and also helped to set the mood. There was always great anticipation as clothing orders arrived in the mail, followed by a fun, quick, impromptu (v. hot) fashion show ... (hmmm! ;o))), while at the same time trying to hide it all from the kids!

The flight from the UK to Cancun (9.5 hours) was relatively painless and uneventful. As others have said though, arriving at Cancun Airport on a Saturday afternoon was a bit of a bun-fight, especially trying to get through security. However as the flight had taken less time than anticipated, and we were in high spirits for the vacation, it wasn’t too much of an issue. For transfers to the resort we used USA Transfers, who were both professional and efficient. Quicker than expected, we were making our way through the entrance and over the wooden bridge to the resort, and being greeted by Arcos outside reception (17h00).

The check-in process was a bit more painful and lengthy than we had hoped it would be, considering that we had completed the fast-track check-in online before we left home. There seemed to be a real disconnect between the central reservations and the resort, which didn’t get us off to a great start. None of our preferences had been taken into account in our room allocation, which was disappointing, however the reception team did their best and we were happy with our choice in the end.

For a number of reasons (not negative!) we ended up being in three different rooms over the course of our time at the resort. All were very comfortable, well-situated, nicely decorated and had all we needed for a great stay. There was always lots of cupboard space, an ice-cold and well stocked fridge, comfortable beds and no shortage of fresh towels. We also didn’t have any of the maintenance issues that have been mentioned in some other trip reports. Housekeeping did a great job and the room was always left perfectly clean, neat and tidy.

We loved the grounds, gardens and vegetation – lush, tropical and beautifully maintained by the grounds staff. The resort also has a feel of being a bit remote from other hotels / resorts, which we liked a lot.

While culinary tastes differ, we found the food to be delicious. A good selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, meat, chicken & fish dishes and a variety of eating options, suited us perfectly. Breakfast at the pool / beach grill was a highlight for us. Enjoying fresh tropical fruit with a view of the pool and the beautiful Caribbean was our idea of heavenly. A couple of meals could have been better, but overall we thoroughly enjoyed the variety and quality of the food and drinks on offer.

The food & drinks staff was always very attentive and friendly, and really obliging in helping us celebrate a number people’s birthdays with a special cake/desert. The drinks – whether at the lobby bar, beach, pool, hot-tub or disco – were great too. Africa in particular was amazingly caring and attentive in the way she served the guests on the beach. We loved trying the wide variety of cocktails and concoctions prepared with enthusiasm by the bar staff. The early evening shots at the lobby bar with the guys from the Yahoo group were also good fun and a great start to the evening’s activities.

We are more beach than pool people, but did enjoy the pool a lot too. The pool activities were great fun. Particularly memorable was Alberto’s sexy water aerobics, and the water-volleyball games. Vanessa, Carla, Alberto, Black Magic and the rest of the team do a great job to provide fun activities for anyone willing to take part.
While we found the beaches at Tulum probably more aesthetically beautiful, we loved spending time at the resort beach. The sand is amazingly soft, white and fine, and the water in the sea was wonderful too – clear, azure and warm (bear in mind we live in the UK so anything is warm by comparison!). Beach beds and sun loungers were always readily available, and we had a great time using the catamarans provided by Leon and his team.

The hot-tub in the late afternoon as well as the late evenings was a great place to socialise, meet new people, have a laugh and experience some of the more erotic side of the resort. The erotic activity varied considerably each time we went up, from very little to fairly wild (though probably on the tamer side judging by some reports of group take-overs!). We always enjoyed the atmosphere up there not matter what the level of activity. The beds next to the hot-tubs were also a great place to relax, enjoy some erotic fun, and even star gaze when it wasn’t cloudy/rainy. The only downside for us at the hot-tub was a number of people openly disregarding the rules on smoking in the tub. Don't mind it on the other side of the bar, but smoke, ash, and cigarette butts in the water isn't great.

We loved the dressing up, sexy outfits and entertainment in the evenings. We would have preferred the evening’s entertainment to have started a bit earlier, as we were often a bit tired by the time the disco hotted up, but we were not going to let sleep get in the way of a good time, and thoroughly enjoyed all the sexy dancing and upstairs activities! We had read some negative reports about the music at the disco, but what was played during our time there was excellent – lots of current/new songs, some old, but great to dance to, and set the mood just right. (We made a note of our favourites, and listening to them again, back home, puts a smile on the face and takes us straight back there - if only!)

The people working at the resort were really genuine, friendy, fun (esp. the entertainment team) and provided an exceptionally high level of service. Given the wonderful environment and great facilities, I am sure we would have had a good time just on our own, but the people we met really made this such a special and unforgettable vacation for us. The Yahoo group was a great start, and meeting many of the guys from there, and a bunch of others at the resort, in person, was excellent fun. All the jokes, banter, games, laughs etc. made it such an enjoyable time for us – big thanks to you all! Hope to see you again before too long.

Before we went, our initial thoughts were that the erotic, sensual environment would be our lasting impression. In hindsight however, while the erotic side was fantastic, it was the overall fun and laughs we had with the people we met that that will be the most memorable. It was truly one of our best vacations ever, and a superb way to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Can’t wait for a return trip!

R&D

[Johnny60]

Great trip report.. makes the long flight time worthwhile! Fantastic place and glad you enjoyed it.. just be warned it does hook you in! We are going for our second trip in late April...

[rich&creamy]

Thanks for you comment. Can relate to being "hooked" in - we'd go back tomorrow if we could! Soggy, gray winter weather doesn't help.

Look forward to reading about your April trip.

[gdwhetz31]

Thank you "King Richard" for your most excellent trip report. It was great meeting you two and spending time getting to know you. You guys are great fun! Like you guys, we too also downloaded our favorite songs like "Gangnam style" We still get a kick talking about you dancing to that! as well as your response to meeting "Abbie". We can't wait to see you guys again!

Glenn & Denise

[Ridersinbc]

Thank you "King Richard" for your most excellent trip report. It was great meeting you two and spending time getting to know you. You guys are great fun! Like you guys, we too also downloaded our favorite songs like "Gangnam style" We still get a kick talking about you dancing to that! as well as your response to meeting "Abbie". We can't wait to see you guys again!

Glenn & Denise

Well how about a trip report of your own? We are heading there in 2 weeks and would love to hear your perspective...

[gdwhetz31]

We already did!!

[rich&creamy]

Hey G&D - Great fun being part of your "posse" (careful how I spell that!) too, and taking the reign from "Queen Elena" (God save the Queen!) for a short spell!

As for meeting "wild-thing" Abbie, well ... WOW... most definitely a highlight of the holiday!!! - esp seeing D, or should I say, "Jane", on the pole with her (albeit briefly!)

Thx for the kind words.

[trilly]

We were att Pearl about the same time.
I must say after returning to Sweden we did have have a fantastic holiday.
It was worth the 24 hour travel door to door.
We met a lot of nice people.
Thank you all who gave us the good time.

[rich&creamy]

Trilly - we might have seen you as we went across to Pearl for a day. Beautiful resort too, but I must say we enjoyed Riviera Maya as it wasn't quite so spread out. I am sure staying at Pearl would be different to just visiting. Maybe we'll get to meet you guys on another trip!

24 hours is a long trip though - I presume there are no flights from Stockholm to Cancun. You just need to go for a decent length of time to make it worthwhile.

[rich&creamy]

Trilly - meant to ask if you had stayed at Riviera Maya before your recent vacation at Pearl, and if so, what you preferred most about at each place?

Thanks.

[trilly]

Hi, it was our first trip to a Desire hotel. When we dicided to go we were reading a lot about the two alernatives in the Cancun area. We decided to go for Pearl as it sounded a bit classy.

I can´t compare with RM but we loved Pearl.

You are right it was a long trip and we went Stockholm-Copengagen-Toronto-Cancun. But it was worth it.

[rich&creamy]

Your trip sounds like it was quite an epic, with two changes. We looked at going via Miami, but with the extra change-over, were pleased to find a direct flight from London/Gatwick. I have flown Gatwick - Arlanda a number of times (roughly 2.5 hrs) for work, and it isn't a bad trip. Perhaps via Gatwick may be an easier option for you next time.

Glad you enjoyed Pearl so much. It is a beautiful place - loved all the trees and big beach. The hot-tub was also nice and big. We can't wait to go back to Desire - whichever one! (We are still suffering from Mexico withdrawals )