This was also our first visit to anything like this. We have been married 30 years and are now reconnecting as empty nesters. We have tried some swing clubs (very disappointed) and do enjoy naked time by our pool. We regularly do high end resorts in Hawaii. But this was completely different. This was actually about great people in a special location. Rather than go through a play by play by day I'd like to just go through the high points.
Checkin was easy and got the standard greeting. We were then shown to our room which even though only an ocean view was fantastic. We arrived mid day and then took the plunge and headed to the pool and eventually the hot tub. All first class. We definitely preferred the 'quiet side'. I can't imagine a room over the hot tub. My wife was a little anxious and I think as we saw she went through the normal first timers sequence. First hour, bikini. Then topless. Day two, yep, the rest. Day three we actually had a couple 'encounters' that started in the nightclub and carried to the hot tub. Same with day four. We fell into the natural routine of the place. Up at 9ish, grab breakfast, grab a place by the ocean or pool, walk the beach and pier, eat lunch (maybe not), nap in early afternoon, back to the pool, hot tub at 4, back to the room, drinks at the bar around 6 (waiting on the wife, but a GREAT place to meet people), dinner around 7:30, nightclub >9, hot tub at >11, asleep by 2. Repeat.
Everyone there is fantastic. The couples we met actually made the trip. Thank you new friends from Dallas, Ottawa, Louisville (go Orange !), Philadelphia, Little Rock and Phoenix/Bend. You really helped us better enjoy ourselves (and laugh). In hindsight we wish we caught contact information, oh well, a rookie mistake. Except Dallas, thank you, we are hoping to be in touch. But this is a lot about the people. And once you meet and connect with them, you should not lose touch.
The staff as everyone said is simply the best. The beach staff are always running. The waiters always have a smile. The events people were hilarious. Not sure how they do that day after day. Never a dull moment. Chairs by the pool can become scarce but if you are clever you will find a space. As for meals we actually ate at Aphrodite most nights. Easier. Pearl seemed a little too much sometimes. Talking with others that seemed to be a common opinion. We actually passed on lunch every day due to the great breakfasts and the sun just takes the appetite away. The resort is the perfect size. Yes, it probably only '4 star' if you want to be picky. But it's extremely nice and you never feel crowded. And even though the resort was sold out, we never heard a thing from our room. Why can't we build hotels this soundproof in the states ? LOL
We got a kick out of the people who would walk the beach, not sure they knew what to think when they walked by the resort. We laughed. Visions of Mary Poppins leading the kids. You could almost hear, 'eyes straight ahead...'. The girls would listen, the husbands and little boys would look. Hope they have a budget for therapy later in life. Hilarious actually.
It was a great trip.
We have talked non stop about this trip and it has probably transformed our marriage. We call it the best trip we can't tell anyone about. Less hang ups. Completely into each other. And can't wait to go back and experience more. Once you go to Pearl, it's pretty hard to accept any other experience. Transformational.