Nina & Frank's Christmas Adventure December 17-26 2024

[ninaandfrank]

This was our second trip to Pearl and fifth overall to Desire. We were there from December 17 to December 26. We took Jet Blue non-stop from Boston. Customs and baggage retrieval went smooth. We had previously arranged with USA transfers for transportation to Pearl which was about a 30-minute ride from the airport. We got there late in the afternoon so our check-in was expedited. We signed our lives away and were never asked to sit through a sales pitch to upgrade our membership. The butler, Eric, helped us to our junior suite which was on the second floor of the seahorse building. The room was small but well appointed. Our balcony overlooked the ocean and beach. That first night we were quite tired so we ordered room service and we ate it out on our balcony which had a good-sized table and two chairs. Every morning, we ate our breakfasts out there on our balcony which was delivered promptly and with care by waiters Destaphano and Poot. We opted to eat our breakfasts on our balcony because it allowed us to dine in the nude. BTW occasionally when calling the front desk for room service, a wonderful and helpful gentleman named Frank, answered with an ironically New York accent. As far as we were led to believe there is no option to dine nude in any of the three restaurants. There is outdoor seating but we were never able to determine which restaurant (Aphrodite or Pearl) it belonged to and if nude dining was allowed. The king-sized bed was comfortable and there was a night table on each side. There weren’t many outlets and we never found a USB port but we were prepared with our own power strip/charger with USB ports. Traveling with your own make’s life much easier. The sliders to the balcony have a sliding screen and it is nice to leave the glass door open at night and just sleep with the screen closed. The sounds and smells of the beach are hypnotic. The closet is large and you may want to bring a few hangers since there are only three drawers in the room. The safe is in the closet and is easy to use. The bathroom was spacious and in good shape with separate toilet and shower rooms. The was also a full-sized tub with folding accordion doors adjacent to the bedroom which looked like a good place for a boudoir themed photo shoot. The Trane branded AC unit was easy to control with a remote control but seemed a little dusty, so we suspect the filter may need to be replaced. There is cable TV with a good assortment of channels in both English and Spanish. There are also some porn channels on the TV and of course you can never have enough porn in your life. The refrigerator is dorm room sized and the staff was excellent at stocking it with the beverages we chose. We are not heavy drinkers so we opted for beer, bottled water, and diet soda which they were glad to accommodate.

The next day there weren’t any available pool beds but the day after and each subsequent day, Miguel and Antonio were able to get us a great bed right by the steps into the pool. They did an excellent job making up our pool bed with towels each day. The pool is spacious but not too large as to keep people to far spread out. Along the edges of the pool there are built in benches to sit on. However, for short folks like Nina using your husband as a booster seat is a must due to the dept of the pool. There is a swim up bar in the pool with many bar stools to sit on. The bar tenders are attentive and very skilled at all varieties of cocktails and mocktails. You can get served at the pool bar from early morning until it closes around 5PM. In the pool about 85 percent of women and about 75 percent of men were completely naked. That brings up the question of where to keep your tip money for the bartenders. Tucking a few dollars into your hat works wonders. Adjacent to the pool there is a public hot tub which is a nice place to relax and socialize. You can get to it right from the pool by the bar or a separate set of steps. Note that this smaller hot tub is not considered a “coochie coochie” area by the staff so you may need to regulate any extra-curricular activities there.

We ate our lunches on our pool bed each day so that we wouldn’t have to get dressed. The food was good but not exceptional. They recently got a new executive chef, Ruben, so we suspect the food shall improve.

At the pool in the afternoon, the play makers did a great job of keeping the activities lively. Candice, Bella, Sam, and Raiders; were excellent and we miss them all. The games they play started out with water sports such as polo and volleyball and then later in the day fun party style games. They even came up with a few special ones for Christmas. Specifically, instead of the usual lap dance class around the pool they had a Christmas version which turned out to be a naked version of the Radio-City Rockettes.

After 4PM the crowd moves to the large hot tub which is only 5 or so steps up from the ground level. Once there are cubby holes to leave your clothes, bathing suits, and bags in. The hot tub is large with many beds around it, a center island for socializing and a swim up bar in it. Although, not mandatory, just about every guest was naked in the hot tub. We need to give special acknowledgement to Pedro the bartender at the hot tub. In addition to being a great bartender he is warm, personable and really cares for the safety and enjoyment of each and every guest.

After the afternoon hot tub socialization, there is time for dinner. There are three choices, the buffet called Afrodite, the fancier Pearl, and the Asian themed Suki. The first two change there menus daily so that there is a good variety. On Christmas the buffet was a special holiday theme and we sat outside and dined with the waves crashing on the beach.
Some folks don’t wear their nightly theme outfits to dinner but get changed into them later on. We opted to wear our theme night costumes to dinner each night. Each night has a theme and most folks dress the theme. If you are thinking of spending time at Desire wearing theme night attire is a must for a great conversation starter. If you don’t know what each night’s theme is, they are all listed at the Desire web site under nightly entertainment > theme nights. We filled up a full-sized suitcase with just our costumes and they got good reports.

After dinner there is a band and show in the lobby bar area. There are some comfy couches to sit on there and we had many folks come up to us to compliment our outfits. We never stayed for the entire show; electing instead to go to the hot tub where LS activity lasted throughout the night. We met many couples who we were quite compatible with.
I would like to give a warm shout-out to the hard-working security staff, especially Omar who helped us back to our room each night after frolicking at the hot tub.

One interesting thing is that Christmas time the staff put up a tree in the lobby. As with many other guests we brought wrapped presents and left them under the tree for other couples to take. This leave a gift – get a gift was fun but many couples didn’t know about it. This should be better publicized to couples that will be there over Christmas.

We would like to thank all of the staff and especially our butler Amir for making it a great trip.

There was one negative item though. For several years Desire was offering a day trip on a catamaran for 5 to 8 couples at a time. This was a wonderful, sexy, naked day trip with lots of couples playing. We tried to book it again this year. To our dismay we found out that side excursions are now being handled by a third-party company. Although we tried on several occasions to explain what the “no rules” Desire “naked catamaran” trip was like; the rep, Eunice, insisted in trying to sell us on boring, third-party vanilla catamaran trips with couples from other resorts. Please Desire, bring back the Desire “naked catamaran” trip.

Thanks for reading, Nina & Frank

[MollyPablo]

Bummed to hear about the catamaran! We wanted to give that a go this coming March.

[Johnwal]

Great Review guys, we were in the master suite on the ground floor of your building! lovely room but far too big for us, don't think we used the lounge area at all. If we went bck we'd go for a junior suite at the biggest.

We also took a present but didn't see anybody else leave them so we brought it back! happy xmas to us

We didn't have such a great time. The food was poor but as you said Ruben hopefully will improve it, seemed a nice guy. Also if you have allergies, it's really difficult to get the importance of it over to the staff. Twice my wife was served Garlic ( a massive no no) despite us speaking to chef's and servers and Management continually. Its our third time at Pearl and seventh at Desire so we know how important communication is over food. Sadly this was the worst its been and they just don't get it.

Maybe it's because we'd spent seven nights in RM and a couple of nights in Puerto Morales before Pearl but we were disappointed with the place this time. The disco emptied out after the show, the lobby bar was empty come 11pm and the Hot Tub was the quietest at night than our previous visits. The pool bar was rarely busy compared to when we have been before and sometimes there were no more than 20 couples around the pool.

What disappointed us the most was that the Jacuzzi beds were used by people to spend the day on just like normal sunbeds. Previously these were used only for 'playing on' for the time you needed them, somewhere you could go and grab 30 mins with the better half or with others but this time people took them over all day and often just left books and belonging on from 11am until the evening. This means that there are no areas where PDA's or playing can occur during the day. They need to get back to only allowing them to be used for a short time rather than as normal daybeds.

One thing i would say is that Eric and Amir the butlers where excellent and so much more available than at RM. Aphrodite is so much nicer to eat in at night and the servers some older and some new are wonderful. Victor and Miguel at the pool are as marvelous as ever and do their best for everyone and Joshua the pool waiter is always available. Staff are incredible and make the place.

We probably won't go back to Pearl, RM is now so much more pleasant with the new area and the quiet pool to relax at if needed. Food is of the same quality, rooms are much nicer and the disco more fun if you need it.

[spanky67]

Excellent review. We were there almost the exact same time (12/16-12/23). We too had a Master. It was our 6th Pearl trip (plus one to GM...RIP).

For reference, we are members and 3 of those trips have been the same week in Dec.

I'd like to add a few things to what has been posted, from our perspective. They're not meant to flame or be disrespectful in any way...

We agree completely that food allergies MUST be taken seriously. Luckily, we don't have that issue (we've got plenty already!) but my brother has severe ciliac so I understand what eating the wrong thing can lead to. They always ask, so you think they'd know how to proceed.

We also agree that Jacuzzi beds are being used all too frequently by "loungers". I was told that the pool guys set people up there intentionally when the pool was crowded. Considering those little signs above every bed specifically state those beds are for play not stay, that's just stupid. I personally don't care what the "rule" is...just pick a lane.

One thing that I think needs to be considered by anyone that reads one of these reviews, and I think it pertains here...always remember someone's December experience has absolutely ZERO to do with your upcoming trip in April. What we consider "crowded" in December is very different from "crowded" in June. My very unofficial perusal of chairs around the "loud" side of the pool showed them all occupied (towels on chairs...as opposed to the little "reserved" signs). Also keep in mind that the "crowd" in the loud side is sorta like trying to measure an ocean tide. It's always moving and always in flux. At 11am it's quiet. At 12:30 it's pretty active. At 2pm it's almost empty (lunch/nap time). At 3pm the crowd starts to build. At 430pm it's emptying out and the jacuzzi is hopping. Having said that, we thought for a December crowd it was a good, fun group. And again, the pool guys were setting folks up on Jacuzzi beds as nothing was available around the pool.

We saw things a bit different regarding bathing suits. While we saw a few (emphasize FEW) more suits than we would prefer, it certainly wasn't out of control. I personally have no issue with women wearing bottoms (but topless). Personally, we both find banana hammocks ridiculous looking. But hey, no one gives a shit about my opinion and I'm perfectly fine with that. It would never affect our desire/interest in meeting that person. My question is, is this whole nude vs suit issue one of actuality or a case of a preconceived narrative framing a reality that doesn't actually exist?

One last thing would be staying in a Master. We completely agree the extra room is sorta useless (although I did find my wife passed out cold on the couch one night )...the extra bathroom is invaluable to us! And it has nothing to do with a second shitter...it's ALL about the 2nd shower. We are always one step away from flying up our own asses at Pearl. We stay too long at the afternoon Jacuzzi, knowing full well it ALWAYS takes my darling wife an hour to get ready. She's convinced she can bend time, despite past results. Our first few trips we had Jr Suites and would routinely show up an hour late for dinner. I abhor being late!! We would fight like angry baboons over this every trip. That second shower allows us to both get ready at the same time...problem instantly went away. We have actually called that second bathroom a "marriage saver".

Again, not trying to pee in anyone's cornflakes. Just offering a different view on a couple of things

[ninaandfrank]

Wow, I learn something new everyday. I never knew there were signs over the beds at the hot tub that tell people they are only for playtime. What exactally do they say?

[spanky67]

Great question...and I can't tell you specifically.

They went up...I think...in 2023. I have read them several times just to confirm they say what I think they say. Unfortunately, there's usually alcohol involved when I've read them.

Basically it says the beds are for play not sleeping and lounging. As you can tell...they are having a GREAT impact

[mikeinnj]

Before those signs, there used to be tented signs on the bed with the same message. They also were largely ignored.

[Johnwal]

Fantastic view of things Spanky67 ( never thought i'd write that in a sentence ) absolutely spot on.

Don't let our review of Pearl put anyone off, we have loved it every other time we have been and so this trip was just an off trip and it happens sometimes. When things aren't exactly how you expect or remember them it does throw you a little. I certainly don't want to put a downer on anyones planned trip as its a very personal thing. Things conspired against us this time but I would still recommend the place to anyone who was thinking of going and if youre in the right frame of mind and healthy and willing to join in the fun, then you'll have a great time.

[IrishMark]

Quick question, do you think Pearl is better for playing that RM?

[Johnwal]

Quick question, do you think Pearl is better for playing that RM?

Pearl has more in the lifestyle but nowhere to play but theres a lot of lifestyle in RM and some great areas so I would say RM overall and theres more PDA going on whilst we've been there ( inc us )

[IrishMark]

Ok. Good to know. I ask because I saw some sales for Pearl and was thinking of booking after our January trip but want to go to a place that has more areas / room for play since my wife prefers more space and privacy when playing.

[travmex]

My question is, is this whole nude vs suit issue one of actuality or a case of a preconceived narrative framing a reality that doesn't actually exist?

I don’t believe this was ever an issue at Pearl. But was definitely an issue at RM.