Lobby makeover

[David Donna]

The huge, one ton chandelier was taken down yesterday. Not an easy job. The white lady statue was removed and then brought back in. Alessio told us that he is importing white Italian marble to redo the floor. The air conditioning in the lobby is wonderful.

[animal hats]

The huge, one ton chandelier was taken down yesterday. Not an easy job. The white lady statue was removed and then brought back in. Alessio told us that he is importing white Italian marble to redo the floor. The air conditioning in the lobby is wonderful.

Wow....can't wait to enter a cool lobby upon check in .41 days to go.
Thanks for the update D/D

[TandD]

Count me as one who will be mildly disappointed at the enclosed lobby. I always thought it was really neat that it was open air. Stepping into it out of the car helped to cement that you really were in a different place. Like - "We are so f**king tropical that we don't even need to enclose the lobby".

I get it. It's hot and that makes dancing to and enjoying the lobby entertainment a little uncomfortable. I'm sure it will also provide a better place for activities when it rains but I'm still going to miss the old open air vibe just a little.

[miranda2]

Last time we were at Pearl we had an afternoon of rain so the activity staff brought in the ping pong table for all of us and them to have some fon. The workers were just starting to initial stages of the enclosure. From what I gather here, I don't think the ping pong table will be an activity we could enjoy during a rainy spell with the new enclosure.

We very much liked the open lobby the way it was but come December we'll see for ourselves how wonderful the enclosure may be.

Where will they have the live bands?

[bobsharon79]

Hey TandD, I would like to applaud you on such a fresh approach, in reference to the lobby enclosure. We have been in that lobby many nights dancing and having a great time at the bar as well as the disco. I can recall too many times leaving with our clothes soaking wet from perspiring. Evereyone said to coooooool the lobby area. But as you pointed out, the Caribbean feel is gone. You can get out of a cab anywhere in America, and walk to a lobby that is equipped with A/C. We never realized that the open and warm (literally) atmosphere is a good thing. Kinda like "when in Rome".. Well pointed out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tikihutguy]

Count me as one who will be mildly disappointed at the enclosed lobby. I always thought it was really neat that it was open air. Stepping into it out of the car helped to cement that you really were in a different place. Like - "We are so f**king tropical that we don't even need to enclose the lobby".

I get it. It's hot and that makes dancing to and enjoying the lobby entertainment a little uncomfortable. I'm sure it will also provide a better place for activities when it rains but I'm still going to miss the old open air vibe just a little.

Understand, but think it really depends on when you are there. As late July to early August visitors it was sad seeing the makeup melt on the greeters Glad to see the a/c. Now it is interesting that the bar door is automatic and the lobby door is not Music groups play from the back of the lobby at the old pond end....

[travelfun]

We were just there at the end of august/early september. You should definitely not worry about the enclosed lobby changing the indoor/outdoor feeling. The new "enclosure" is giant sliding glass doors that are easily (and frequently) slid open to keep the lobby as indoor/outdoor space. Each night that entertainment was at the lobby, these sliding glass doors were opened and you would have never known that new doors were put in.

[TandD]

We were just there at the end of august/early september. You should definitely not worry about the enclosed lobby changing the indoor/outdoor feeling. The new "enclosure" is giant sliding glass doors that are easily (and frequently) slid open to keep the lobby as indoor/outdoor space. Each night that entertainment was at the lobby, these sliding glass doors were opened and you would have never known that new doors were put in.

That's cool. Maybe it will be the best of both worlds.

Thanks for the update.

[makathso]

That chandelier was huge, can't imagine how they took it down or where it will end up. Are they replacing it with something?
One nice thing about the lobby being enclosed is that it smells really good in there! It has a scent reminiscent of Westin Hotels, not the same but similar. I love the inside/outside vibe, but the air conditioning felt really good.

[ms914]

Is the lobby renovation complete? Will be there in 2 weeks.

Thanks!

Mark

[Jude1000]

We've just returned from Pearl. Much of the physical work is complete, except for the shop - still enclosed in a plastic curtain in its new location. And the lighting isn't finished. The new floor looks good and all the reception area of the lobby, including the bar, can be enclosed. The area by the pond - where the bands perform and people dance - is not enclosed, and the big sliding doors to the road and to the pond were left open for all of the evenings making the whole lobby area feel outdoors, which was great.

But the new lobby furniture is just hilarious. It looks like a lot of different sized packing cases covered in white sheets, all stacked together. It is unbelievably uncomfortable and the whole lot moves apart as you sit on it. I dread to think what it will look like after a few coloured drinks have been spilt. And the huge new picture behind the reception desk could be so much classier.

It's sad that Desire has taken away everything that makes the lobby look and feel Mexican. You walk in now and could be in any anonymous chain hotel lobby anywhere in the world. Surely this wasn't the designer's intention?

[ms914]

Thanks for the update. Sounds a bit disappointing. I guess we'll see it soon enough for ourselves. Any other major changes in past 6 months?