Trip Report Nov 10-15: A lot of changes at Pearl in 30 days

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Trip Report Nov 10-15: A lot of changes at Pearl in 30 days

Postby tj71903 » Mon Nov 15, 2021 11:36 am

After several weeks we returned to Pearl for our November 2022 trip which took place from November 10th through the 15th. Originally we had looked to be here only through the 14th but through a happy coincidence we found we could get a better deal on the return flight if we extended a day and so we added Sunday night.

There's been enough of these trips this year that we are somewhat certain regarding what to expect and how to ether adapt, while maintaining the realization that things change on a daily basis and no matter how frequently you show up somewhere, changes are inevitable.

Such was the case with this trip as in the last 40 days there have been several key staff changes including a new sommelier, some new playmakers, and some continued construction and similar. Even so, we once again had a wonderful time and look forward to putting a bow on 2021 when we come back next month for New Year's Eve.

Here's what's new...

ARRIVAL/ROOM

Delta continues to be easy to deal with. We're able to depart our local airport by 6 AM with arrival at the Cancun airport via connection no later than 1 PM. This continued for this trip as we were touching down by 12:15. As always we booked the VIP arrival service and our contact was waiting at the bottom of the jet bridge to walk us through customs and to the baggage area. Several planes had arrived between noon and 12:35 so being able to avoid all of the nonsense of the customs hall was welcomed. Bags were there within 25 minutes of stepping into the airport and we were off past the gauntlet of vendors and car rentals to the landing zone to find USA Transport.

For several trips USA was there, but the driver wasn't. We'd end up waiting between 20 and 45 minutes for a car. After three straight trips we had a chance to speak with the contacts at Premier and Pearl and points north and haven't had a problem since. USA was there waiting on us and we were in the car within five minutes of coming outside of the customs hall. Smooth as you like and very welcomed. Drive to the resort was quick and easy and the driver, as always was courteous and professional.

Pull up the drive and are met at the door by the butler and bellmen. Into the lobby where we do our temperature scan and then see Diego coming to collect us for check-in at the Mansion lobby. Drop the bags at the door and then go sign the usual paperwork (golden rules, acknowledgments, etc while also scheduling our COVID tests). After signing Michelle comes and says hello and brings us to our room - (Room 93 this time, a second floor Mansion room). When we get to the door the bags are already there and we are ready to go get lunch. By this time it's 1:55.

ROOM

It was your standard Mansion suite on the second floor (Room 93). Our general preference is to be on the ground floor nearest the bar as it's a walk-out into the pool and you get the swing (great for early morning working and late night playing), but with it being a bit cooler, we were fine to move upstairs to get the hot tub option. Only issues with the room were that the safe kept malfunctioning as did the toilet. Four straight days they failed and four straight days we had to ask for maintenance to come...four straight days they were in to fix the issues within 20 minutes of being notified, which was appreciated, though the frequency was a bother of sorts. In the end no real complaints of merit with the room which we spent a bit more time in than usual due to the amount of rain we got over the course of the stay (it rained hard every day).

NEW FACES

Gone are playmaker Wally and sommelier Miguel. In their place are three new playmakers (Eduard, Romi, and Anna) and Nicholas as your master of wines. The new female playmakers are from Venezuela and Argentina while E is from Columbia. All three bring different energies and compliment the already existing vibe. You can tell the two girls are new and are still figuring out their roles and how to deal with all that goes on at Desire, but they are very friendly and outgoing. In truth all three are working very hard and make it a lot of fun...in our opinion being a playmaker is one of the toughest jobs at the resort as you have to constantly be "on" and you also have to maintain that public face even when people make poor decisions. As far as the sommelier goes, we had a few chances to meet with Nicholas and while he's not as wild as Miguel, he's very knowledgeable about his art. He's got 15 years experience and answered our questions about champagne and wine correctly and with good context (i.e. making selections based on criteria, etc). We're already scheduled to reconnect with him in December.

RAIN RAIN RAIN

It's the rainy season in the area and we certainly felt the effects of it. It rained each and every day with showers ranging from quick cloud bursts to heavy, heavy downpours. We had several middle of the day activities canceled or amended due to the storms. On a couple of days the resort pivoted quickly and had the playmakers set up shop in the lobby where there were board and lawn games along with a live band and working bar, etc. While it was cramped at times, we spent a few hours each time here and had a lot of fun.

When it wasn't raining we did the usual tour of activities ranging from beach volleyball to pool volleyball to pool basketball and football. There was also a fair amount of yoga, corn hole, etc. We also hit the spa and spent some time catching up with friends on staff and not. Pretty much a low key itinerary compared to some previous trips but that was a combination of crowd makeup, the weather, and our own energy levels - limited as they were.

The final day was pretty good. Sunny for the most part and they moved the Saturday foam party to Sunday which was a lot of fun. Mixed bag there as we were ready to go home on Sunday morning and then Sunday gets pretty and we hit Monday and there's a definite sense of "wait, I don't want to leave now".

DINING

We did Pearl the first night and then ate in the Mansion the other nights. We enjoyed the ability to separate at times from the crowd and the expansive options offered there. We ate with friends twice and enjoyed a wide range of options. Breakfast each day was at the buffet around 7:15 when it was quiet and slower. Just a few other early risers and some staff filtering in before things got going. Lunch when we ate it was usually something from the poolside grill or, usually, some fruit or something in the room. Or we'd just skip it all together and get mid-day snacks brought up when the rain started.

Best meal was duck breast as the main course, then French onion soup and watermelon salad with the apple pie pastry they make us for dessert. Wife usually lets the chefs pick her menu with a few limitations for guidance. On Saturday she had some sort of spicy chicken thing that knocked her back and then warm churros for dessert.

Last night we played a bit of chef's roulette and allowed the chef to do his worst (or best). The result was a three course meal of Mexican fare that was amazing. I cannot pronounce (or spell) most of what we ate, but it was terrific. Only complaint is the phrase "small portions" didn't translate and we couldn't quite get through the meal (in her words..."I have to put on a skin tight body suit in a few minutes"). Even so it was AMAZING.

NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT

We did the usual theme night rounds with lingerie and ties, neon, casino, tropical, and university nights. Our favorite was neon followed by lingerie (she was quite fetching in pink). The other nights were a lot of fun as well. To think when we started we didn't dress up...well, that's changed a bit. On the last night we got a chance to hang out with the DJ while watching the show. Different angle and a lot of fun even if the better half was feeling herself fueled by some heavy poured drinks courtesy of Cobb and company at the bar, the situation leading to her exploiting my lack of the gift of dance on the stage while making up for it. She's fluid and bendy all at once at times.

THE SPA

We did a relaxing massage and an erotic one (not the bondage as we normally do) and they were fun. Truth be told I fell asleep in both of them as the first 40 minutes of the sensual/erotic is just a relaxing warm massage. It was great and put me out. She got a bit more out of it for longer, which I was glad of. By the end it was business as usual and a lot of fun. The relaxing massage option was the same as the erotic just without the erotic component toward the end. Again, very good and lived up to its name.

Only other interaction with the spa was for the COVID test which was easy. Show up, confirm some information, make a show of putting on a mask for 30 seconds to enter the room and then get a quick swab and you're on your way. Results emailed within an hour. Then spend a bit of time making sure all documentation was in order so that we can enter Brandon's America without issue. All went smoothly.

MISCELLANEOUS

- It's well known that Original is opening a new property in the Dominican Republic next year (October 2022). We got some additional information that should help with some understanding. There's going to be Temptation and Temptation Grand. The latter will be Desire like(a name that was not able to be used in that country for whatever reason) in terms of theme and similar. Temptation will be as the one in Mexico in the sense of theme and similar.

- As far as Pearl goes, they are going to renovate the building on the far end of the resort to include a pair of Royal Suites with a private pool. Basically an extension of the mansion. The rooms are impressive (we were shown the concept art) and could be a precursor to more expansion as it becomes available.

- The pier is nearing completion. It's slow work and all being done by hand, but we watched the progress over five days and were encouraged that it could be completed by year end.

- Crowd was somewhat reserved this time and I'd peg the demographics as having done more laps around the sun than in the past. On Sunday a younger handful of couples moved in and livened up the Mansion part to a degree. We met some very nice couples throughout the week and enjoyed chatting, playing volleyball, etc. As always it's amazing the diversity you find at a place like this.
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tj71903
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Re: Trip Report Nov 10-15: A lot of changes at Pearl in 30 d

Postby Bobruin » Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:20 pm

Thank you! Great report.

One question, how do you book the VIP service when you landed? Guiding you through the customs process.

Thank you!
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Re: Trip Report Nov 10-15: A lot of changes at Pearl in 30 d

Postby beachnbaja » Mon Nov 29, 2021 4:52 pm

Thanks for the report. I gotta say, super bummed about the plans for the end of the resort. Those are by far our favorite rooms in the entire place.
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