Just returned from Pearl, May 16-24, 2025

[SusanAndDavid]

Lots fresh in our minds, so figured we'd drop a quick note about our most recent trip.

Background: mid 50's couple. Been to RM 12x since 2020 and Pearl only once. Since the addition of Eden, we wanted to see if Pearl could capture the old RM feel (skip ahead to the final page....it did). We are in the LS, although we don't push it (we're more the 'if it happens, it happens variety). We do like to go nude and dress skimpy (her) for meals and otherwise. In real life, not as much, so with all that said:

Arrived 2pm-ish on a Friday- sailed through customs in under a minute. Since we do a carry-on only (for 8 days), we walked right out (even without a bag inspection) and waited for our car for maybe 10-12 min and on our way. First time ever we asked to stop at a Pharmacy- quite the concept for us Americans. Walk in, get most any script you need, walk out. I guess we spent enough (was $110 and we got 8 items) they asked if we wanted a small bottle of tequila for free. I declined, so instead they gave us two cheap-ish but lovely picture frames of Cancun. In and out in 6.5 minutes, as the Mrs. timed it just to see how long it would take. Truth be told, I had to wait 2-3 minutes for person in front of me. Super efficient. Anyway, driver took us through PM and we fell in love instantly (more on that later). Check in was easy and room not quite ready. Funny, we do the online check in at RM all the time- give them an idea of what room / building we want and without fail, we get what we ask for every time. Both online and in person (they asked), we asked to stay at the quiet end of the pool. So, we go to the spa to change and head to the pool when they came in and said our room is ready....and whisk us off to......right behind the hot tub, no where near the quiet end. 0-2 in that regard at Pearl. Room was fine, but to say we had an ocean view is like saying Stevie Wonder is a great driver (not so much).

Finally head to pool / hot tub, meet up with friends who are already there and first thing I noticed was most everyone was fully naked. A few thongs on the women, a few booty shorts for guys, but a pleasant sight to see everyone going au natural. We have not seen that as much at RM recently (as always, your experiences may differ- just telling you our perspective...last trip to RM was October). And note- we're not the couple to complain if others aren't nude. We could care less what you do on your vacation. Yes, we get the concept of CO. It took us a few trips to get to where we are now, so give folks some grace here and there (but lets do get rid of the board short phenomena for good)

No need to get into the day to day as our routine doesn't change much. We love to awake with room service of coffee, tea, and pastries and enjoy those on the deck. We then hit the steam room (max 10 min) and plunge pool and before heading back to the room, she grabs a latte from the coffee bar. Shower up, lather up with all the sunscreen, then pool, beach, hot tub, etc.

Observations we found all trip:
1. Entertainment, after 14-15 trips still fun. I laugh every time the older folks (as mid 50's we're qualified to say this!) line up to go into the disco to get a seat. It's just completely opposite of RM. None better than the other, just find it funny. Then, those same folks usually leave the second the show is over. Off to bed? Do you all go play together? It's not back to the tub, as it was never crazy busy except the night before we left.
2. Speaking of the disco. Everyone complains people don't stick around and dance for long, which is still true. But man, Mr. DJ....read the room. It starts out with a full floor and after 3-4 songs, the song theme changes (typically to Pitbull or the like) and things clear. The average age is likely pushing 60....that's the disco / 80's / Backstreet era, not latin modern music. I would be so embarrassed if I were a DJ and couldn't keep the floor busy. You don't have to clear the floor to go get us to buy drinks- keep playing what works. Enough of that rant...
3. Food is really, really good. 5 star, no, of course not. But more than serviceable for all inclusive. The crispy pork at Suki- I wore that menu item out.
4. Can't state enough- talk to folks. Don't be shy. We met the nicest folks- didn't click with every single one, but enjoyed meeting everyone, no exceptions. Still no place like Desire to just put your phones down, heads up and talk with folks. Old school.
5. It's really tough to find a 4 way connection. We've abandoned the 'play as a couple with a couple' because it's slim pickings. I say this as someone who works out a little but looks like he doesn't skip Taco Tuesday...the guys have to step up just a little. And mind what you drink so that when called into action, you're able to perform. She was 0-3 this trip, while I hit a home run twice (with the same lady). That's frustrating for all involved. And as someone who's had issues like that once or twice (it's awful), just roll with it. There are lots of other things you can do to please your partner...Ted talk complete.
6. PM- what a quaint little fishing village. We went into town 2 times. First time we took a taxi there ($15) and walked the beach back (20-25 min walk). 2nd time we uber'd both ways for about $2.50 American (with a $5 tip each way). Never felt even a hint of not being safe. Kids playing in the streets, people sitting around listening to live music, and great (GREAT) restaurants. Lots of building and activity- you can tell a lot of folks are moving that way and we get why. Highly recommend visiting at least once.


If I could build the ideal Desire it would look like:
1. Old RM main pool or slightly larger
2. Pearl hot tub, but new RM hot tub area (more beds, loungers, etc)
3. Pearl Spa (still free, great steam, swedish shower, sauna, plunge pool), along with standard spa service. RM taking away all those freebies was a real kick in the unmentionables.
4. Restaurants: Pearl breakfast / lunch area, Pearl restaurant, Suki, old RM late night snack setup
5. Rooms- truly doesn't matter to us, but we like RM oceanfronts (we're simple folks)
6. Disco / Playroom- old RM playroom, new RM disco
7. Need a beach bar at Pearl, a la CC's bar

Enough rambling. If on the fence, go try Pearl or RM- you can't go wrong.
We're back to RM in 45 short days (July 10 for a week).

One note- coming back to US, when we hit customs they did ask us if we brought any Mexican scripts back with us. So be warned you could be asked.

[J&STX]

Great report. We were there from the 18th to the 21. I was the only guy in a SPF shirt and cowboy hat so not to get burned. Wy wife is a sun goddess, and I burn... It made me chuckle that absolutely no one cared about my shirt among the naked. We had a blast.

[spanky67]

But were you wearing shorts?

Around here, no one would complain as long as you didn't have shorts on...oh wait...some one always complains!

And just for the record...I'm butt-as-nekked the moment the towel hits the chair

On to the trip report...well done!

As a couple that's sort of the opposite of you...7 times at Pearl, 0 at RM (and once at GM...RIP), we particularly appreciated the "if I could make it perfect" compilation. We do want to try RM, but we just never seem to make it work. Our 1st of 3 trips this year is in 16 days. We've got that anticipation vibe going strong now. Recent trip reports always make it better.

One note about the room requests. We request a specific room every time...and just like you we get the total opposite. My wife gives them the sad puppy eyes "Is there anything you can do?" face. The last 2 times, we had to spend 1 night in a meh room, then moved over to our favorite spot. Yes, it's a pain in the ass, but 1 day of aggravation for the other 6 days is fine by us.

Great report. We were there from the 18th to the 21. I was the only guy in a SPF shirt and cowboy hat so not to get burned. Wy wife is a sun goddess, and I burn... It made me chuckle that absolutely no one cared about my shirt among the naked. We had a blast.