Feb. 2023 - A trip report with mixed feelings

[completely]

Just back from our 4th trip to Pearl. We had a great time, as always, but came away with some mixed feelings.

A few thoughts to share:
All the staff were great as ever, and it is still a very special place, but ...

It's 8 years since our first visit, and much of the resort hasn't changed - which is part of the problem. The rooms are looking tired and well-worn and in need of a big refurbishment. Similarly, the disco (including the music) and playroom haven't changed, which means that they are as poor as ever.

Some things have changed for the worse. The prices, of course, have gone up a lot - about 30% more than our last trip. The food used to be good restaurant standard, but this time we had only one really good dinner in a week. It feels as if they have really cut back on quality and finesse. The beach is half the size that it used to be, having been swept away by storms, along with many of the palm trees. There's not a lot the hotel can do about that, but it limits the available space.

At a rough guess, about half the people there were wearing swimwear, both men and women, when it used to be 95% naked. Jacuzzi etiquette also seems to have slipped a bit, with people often using the jacuzzi beds for sleeping, lazing around and/or browsing on their phones. We have always thought that the beds were best for public sex, not as a secluded place for resting.

And one change which isn't good or bad, but just interesting: when we started visiting, we felt a bit bashful about admitting we were in our our 50s. Now most guests, like us, seem to be 50s or 60s - and we had lots of conversations about grandchildren

For the first time, we are not 100% sure that we will return - unless the hotel can raise their game on standards of accommodation, food, and evening entertainment. Just staying the same while prices go up a lot isn't good enough.
Does anybody else share our mixed feelings?

[Luv2bnude]

You have some interesting points to consider. Prices have significantly increased and honestly can’t think of anything that’s improved that much over our soon to be 5th trip—accept the pizza oven addition and the private mansion . We don’t care as much about the rooms as long as they are comfortable clean and everything works. We’ve always enjoyed the evening bands and entertainment in the disco but wonder why it’s often PG13 or R when it should be so much more. The playroom is fun still when busy but the DJ drowns out the sounds of pleasure and not much can be done about that. We respect each persons choice to be naked or not—yet would love to see the jacuzzi area nude only—-it does make my wife a little uncomfortable when a guy with trunks on is having a close conversation with her while she’s nude. And for the love of God stay off the limited jacuzzi beds unless your there to play—-go nap or read your phone somewhere else…….. having said this were soooo excited as we’re off this week for trip#5 because we just love this place……cheers!!

[ChrisNAle1978]

this report scares us... we will be there 3/6 for our honeymoon

[K+C]

We fully share your feelings from our trip to Pearl in early January. This was our first trip to a Desire Resort and participated in all the activities they had to offer. We hesitated from getting on a jacuzzi day bed because others had set/left items on them while sometimes others just used them as a vantage point. The rules on where, when and how were not covered when we checked in. They were easy to figure out but some people can be oblivious.

Only had one great dinner at the Pearl. We didn’t go for the rooms but the room bathrooms certainly need updating. We used to always be so impressed with Mexican tile craftsmanship from other resorts but a decor of concrete and teak adds nothing to the Desire experience. I would say about 25% bottoms were on around the pool. I can understand that people like to cover up some things but it as more than we were expecting.

The staff are wonderful and all the couples were met were delightful. We had a really really good time there but wouldn’t classify as great. As you noted on age, he turned 60 while we were there and we did talk about our soon to be born first grandchild. We are thinking that it will be better to spend the same money elsewhere with better food and accommodations but find ways to be naughty there.

[desireadventures]

We’ve been going about 2 times per year for the last 6 years and we love it just as much as we did the first time we went. Could the food be better? Sure…but it’s all inclusive and I assume you are going to Desire Pearl for the food. The people are what makes Pearl special.

[SusanAndDavid]

You have some interesting points to consider. Prices have significantly increased and honestly can’t think of anything that’s improved that much over our soon to be 5th trip—accept the pizza oven addition and the private mansion . We don’t care as much about the rooms as long as they are comfortable clean and everything works. We’ve always enjoyed the evening bands and entertainment in the disco but wonder why it’s often PG13 or R when it should be so much more. The playroom is fun still when busy but the DJ drowns out the sounds of pleasure and not much can be done about that. We respect each persons choice to be naked or not—yet would love to see the jacuzzi area nude only—-it does make my wife a little uncomfortable when a guy with trunks on is having a close conversation with her while she’s nude. And for the love of God stay off the limited jacuzzi beds unless your there to play—-go nap or read your phone somewhere else…….. having said this were soooo excited as we’re off this week for trip#5 because we just love this place……cheers!!

Could not agree more about the usage of jacuzzi beds, both at Pearl and RM. I think they're wonderful and a great place to play. Not to lay around, not to sleep, but to play. Yes, afterglow laying around is naturally going to happen, but those that just kinda lay there, sleeping, or those that 'claim' beds rather than putting stuff in cubby holes where they belong....really wish enforcement could be better. 1st world problems, obviously, but in a perfect world I like the thoughts expressed here.

[Turk7]

Agree with the above posts. We have been going for years but sadly June/July may be the last trip, for all the the reasons stated above but mostly because of the crazy increase in prices.

[tj71903]

I think members are a major problem with the demographics

Lots of renovations planned it seems. But they don’t own the property. Have to finish that purchase before major expenditures. Now factor in the DR challenges and it’s tough.

Cants speak to hot tub as we have come to avoid that. Rather go mansion or our room pool when applicable.

[completely]

this report scares us... we will be there 3/6 for our honeymoon

Don't worry - you will have a great time. It's still a very special place, with very few like it anywhere in the world, and we were blown away by our first visit - which is why we have travelled 10,000 miles to get there every year or two.
Our thoughts are just about how they could make one of our favourite places even better.

[glennuw]

A simple way to solve the day bed save issues, is to simply remove the "saving items" into a plastic box next to the day bed. I have seen this done at many resorts in Europe. The resort staff simply come by every 1/2 hour or so and clear the day beds of personal items placing them into the plastic box. When the owner, of the items returns, they will understand how rude they have been, hopefully not repeating the behavior.

[Erm and A]

Not owning property hasn't stopped original group from making money off of resort. Room renovation would not be asking to much. Less required than expansion and you get happy clients. Many reports here mention worn rooms and baths. Let's go original we know it's human nature that the more you have the more you want, but let's invest in room renovations now. We know people don't go to resort for the room but who wants to pay premium to stay somewhere worn out.Its tough when you don't invest in maintenance of rooms..

I think members are a major problem with the demographics

Lots of renovations planned it seems. But they don’t own the property. Have to finish that purchase before major expenditures. Now factor in the DR challenges and it’s tough.

Cants speak to hot tub as we have come to avoid that. Rather go mansion or our room pool when applicable.

[tj71903]

Why is making money off the resort a prerequisite for massive investment?

A renovation wouldn't be asking too much? You have any idea how expensive it is to renovate an entire resort (or at least the 88 rooms that aren't within the mansion concept)? And why would anyone expend such a huge outlay if they weren't guaranteed to own the appreciated product? They simply need to finish a purchase, something that's in the works. In the meantime it's a lot of bandages and fixes. After a while it'll accumulate and they'll have to gut some of it. That's also in the plans, but again not until they own it because they could, you know, finance said renovations against the equity.

As far as the rooms themselves, the rooms are fine from where I sit. Never had a complaint about them. I also don't go to PM expecting a St.Regis or similar.

[Erm and A]

You have any idea how expensive it was to build the mansion suites? I quess that doesn't count as a massive investment. When the mansion suites are worn and in need of maintenance give the rest of us folks a holler.

Why is making money off the resort a prerequisite for massive investment?

A renovation wouldn't be asking too much? You have any idea how expensive it is to renovate an entire resort (or at least the 88 rooms that aren't within the mansion concept)? And why would anyone expend such a huge outlay if they weren't guaranteed to own the appreciated product? They simply need to finish a purchase, something that's in the works. In the meantime it's a lot of bandages and fixes. After a while it'll accumulate and they'll have to gut some of it. That's also in the plans, but again not until they own it because they could, you know, finance said renovations against the equity.

As far as the rooms themselves, the rooms are fine from where I sit. Never had a complaint about them. I also don't go to PM expecting a St.Regis or similar.

[tj71903]

Which mansion suites?

[Lkncouple]

Desire really has a unique concept and has built a tremendous loyal following. That being said, they seem to really be increasing the price, while cutting corners and for the first time, I think we are starting to see a crack in the loyalty. The last time we were there, the entertainment was okay, the playmakers seemed tired and were just going through the activities. The food was average, the low end rooms at RM have not been touched in 10 years. If is obvious they are investing in the super high end guests, but really are turning their back on the majority of their guests. For example, we went last year the first week in March, RM was booked solid and there was a waitlist to get in and there was no availability for March. I think we paid around $500 a night. If you look on their site now, for the month of March there are only 6 nights that are sold out, but the room rate for the basic garden room is $892.00 a night. By doing this, they are having people start looking at other things like Cruises, Hedo, Takeovers etc. What the owners don't realize, it isn't about the property, but the people make the property. If they chase off the people that make Desire special, then they really are just going to have an overpriced resort.

What I am really surprised is that a resort in Cancun has not taken over the Desire concept. What Desire really needs is competition.