Trip Report Dec 11-20 2013, Split Vacation RM - Pearl

[comfywhatsnext]

We had originally booked 10 days at RM but the pool was closed at RM 5 days in to our trip. We along with a few others decided to spend the day at Pearl, transportation was free and we figured it was a good way to check out the resort. Need to point out that we have been to RM four times and Cabos once. After spending the day we decided to move for our last three days to Pearl rather than moving back and forth. What we discovered was a beautiful resort that is clearly a step above RM in so many ways.

Rooms - Pearl

Ocean View at RM - Corner Junior Suite at Pearl

- No contest the Junior Suite had two sliding glass doors opening to a large patio with a spectacular view of the ocean. Comfortable Queen size bed, lot's of closet space and large bathroom with bath and shower.

Food - Pearl

- Again no contest. The selection for Breakfast and Lunch was excellent with lot's of variety. You had two choices for lunch, throw on your shorts and a t-shirt and head inside or grab something from the BBQ and eat at your lounge chair. They also offered a cold plate area outside that changed selections daily. Dinner at Pearl was awesome at either the main restaurant off the lobby or at the main dining area near the pool.

Staff - Both awesome

You receive the same level of service at both resorts...first class. The staff really can't do enough for you, they are all first class people and a deserve a great deal of credit for all they do.

Entertainment - Pearl

The RM team is looking very tired. If not for Vanessa they would have been nearly non existent. The entertainment director clearly appeared to be disengaged and as a result so did his team. At Pearl different story, they have some fun activities happening throughout the day. The casino in the pool being one of the hi-lites.

Hot Tub - Pearl

People have fun at both, the only difference is at Pearl the hot tub is larger which allows for different groups to congregate in different areas. We had no problem moving throughout the hot tub chatting with all. It really is up to you.

Disco - Entertainment - RM

This is an area where RM still shines. The main lobby area at RM is a great meeting place to chat and enjoy the live entertainment. The lobby area at Pearl is covered and the lobby bar just does not have the vibe that RM has.

Overall - Pearl

RM is getting tired and in need of some major renovation. Raining inside when it is raining outside virtually everywhere is not cool. The buffet area needs to be refreshed. The food at the pool area was supposed to have been upgraded to allow for more healthy chooses, did not see much difference vs. our previous visits. The new restaurant at RM is nice but very noisy. They will need to address this in order to restore a level of intimacy. I agree with others that there appears to be more of a party atmosphere at RM especially late night. But I also believe a party can be wherever people are it just takes one or two to get things rocking.

In closing we have decided that Pearl meets our comfort and food tastes more than RM does at the moment and it is where we will be going for our next visit. Hope this is helpful to others when making their chose of properties.

[PNWcouple]

Gracias for the trip report.

Good detail and appreciate your point of view on various issues.

[WhiteSands]

comfywhatsnext,

We must have been at both resorts the same time as you, and we agree with everything you say! We like to stay a week in each resort, as we think the night time party is at RM, but everything else at Pearl is so much nicer.
Agree also about RM not coping with the rain, our ground floor suite got totally flooded out one night!

[highclassinborrowedshoes]

Thanks for the trip report!
The better-half and I have been to both properties - about a year apart, and well we've booked our next trip this March to Pearl. I guess I have to agree with everything you say and add that the pool at Pearl is much nicer with both wild and quiet ends to suite everyone (or nurse the hangover?) The pool at RM is too deep for my wife to socialize in other than the very shallow area. Now if you could transplant RM's Disco and playroom to Pearl - wow!

BandL

[jandr1013]

The pool at RM is too deep for my wife to socialize in other than the very shallow area.

That helps answer a debate we were having about our stay at RM around the same time. We arrived just as the pool was closed for maintenance, and it looked like the deep end was fairly deep based on the people working in it. The Mr was worried, because he's never figured out the "staying afloat" part of swimming, however when it opened again on the Friday, it was easy to stand in the deep end. We're both around 5'6"-5'7" FWIW.

[mthomas34616]

Nice Post, I think I made the right choice booking Pearl (May-8-12) First timers.