First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

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First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby sonomapair » Tue Dec 20, 2016 1:20 am

We returned from Pearl yesterday after our first visit (four nights). We really appreciate all the reports here. Because of you all, we were pretty prepared and had a good idea what to expect. So rather than recap the whole trip, here's the things that stand out that were maybe a little different than we could have expected. (For better or worse.)

BETTER:

1. The Ocean View room was very comfortable and nice. We travel for business all the time and get to stay in some nice hotels. But really there's just no good reason we can imagine to pay for more unless you plan to entertain.

2. The WIFI was excellent in our room. (Room 87...high up at the far end of the resort.) We'd read that it was only good in the Lobby. It must have been upgraded. We streamed Deep Tracks on YouTube non-stop (bring a speaker!) and it was cool to have WIFI.

3. The food was better than we expected. The Brazilian BBQ was really good in Aphrodite (only dinner we did there). The lunch buffet was very nice. Good salad options, fresh fruit and veggies, nice hot entrees and sides. The burger was below average. Desserts were okay. The Bistro was really good. We only did it one night...but probably would do at least 2 next time. We enjoyed our dinners in Pearl...though not as much as the others.

4. More guys dressed in theme than we expected. Some were hilarious. Kudos, dudes! (We were especially glad since we both dressed up.)

5. The entertainment was really good. The guy playing electric violin was amazing. The entertainment staff really did an amazing job of making everyone feel welcome, included, and "special."

6. The pool was warmer than expected. Really warm. Like almost tub warm. Like no way you could be cold even for a second getting into it during the day.

7. The bartender staff and drink runners were really cool dudes. Super friendly.

8. Pool volleyball was really fun. (Do it!)

9. The walk to Puerto Morelos was nice along the beach.

10. The photography session was even better than the high expectations had us anticipating. Definitely do it! We ended up with some very treasured pics....including one or two that were even family friendly :-).

11. It was really easy to duck the membership sales pitch. (Just booked it for our last day at 1030am...and called around 10am to say we weren't coming.) End of story.

12. Folks were welcoming. It was relatively easy to join conversations in the pool and hot tub. We also were invited to a party at a Penthouse. That was fun (thanks J&N!). But in general there was less sexual energy at the resort than we expected. (We aren't very aggressive, so we would need to feed off the group to make much happen...and that didn't really materialize.) That said, we had a super sexy time focusing on each other and wouldn't hesitate to visit again. (Probably RM for variety and comparison.)


WORSE:

1. The playroom was a write off. (We'd heard it was lame...but it was really lame.)

2. We never saw a body shot :-(. Guess we could have gotten that party started.... But we're not quite that out there.

3. There was very little public sex...and even less apparent swinging. We were at the hot tub each day, including both evening and late night. (Though not every night both.)

4. Not really worse, but the age skewed older than we expected. Could've been the week we were there so close to Christmas. But it certainly helped make this 53/48 yo couple pretty comfortable (lol). But we did feel for the 20/30-something couples (but I guess they knew what to expect/didn't mind since they were returning couples).

5. The photography is REALLY expensive if you want a bunch of shots. While we'd heard the packages were negotiable...and we're sure they are...but our idea of a fair price didn't even warrant a counter offer. I guess it was unintentionally insulting. We gave up quickly and ended up with only 10 at the rack rate.

6. We chatted with swingers who had made more effort to survey couples in our age range...and were told that very few were in the lifestyle. (They had visited RM before and felt this was a lot more tame.) Whether it's a normal difference or not, who knows. But we might be inclined to try RM next time as we wouldn't mind a bit more wild.

Overall, we had a great trip and will look for another chance to go before too long. Hugs to all the folks we met! Thanks again for all the advice on this forum.
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby rykerw1701 » Tue Dec 20, 2016 9:17 am

This is good trip report, and a nice departure from what we all usually write ("Arrived at 2pm and told our room wasn't ready but went to the lockers etc.") We've been twice and our experience hasn't been exactly like this. The resort grounds are very pretty and it has everything one would need for a sexy and romantic time, but the atmosphere is very dependent upon who is there at the time. Both times we went were in August, and it there was more sexual energy than what was described in this post. Lots of public playing and a fairly high percentage of swingers (as in less than half), so far as I could tell. The one time we used the playroom, there were three other couples in there as well, and there were many shows going on around the hot tub.

Maybe it's as was stated, just time of year. I imagine there's an ebb and flow to the place, just like any other. At the end of the day, you book your time and hope the weather and the people you encounter are going to help make the trip what you hope for. Of course, everyone is responsible for their own fun, but sometimes that's easier to find than other times.

We're going back next year for sure, just trying to figure out when.
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby sonomapair » Tue Dec 20, 2016 10:04 am

rykerw1701 wrote:Of course, everyone is responsible for their own fun, but sometimes that's easier to find than other times.


Wise words. We definitely didn't go with an agenda to hook up. But we did expect and hope for more sexy energy to help get the party started (whether that party would be flirting, touching, making out...whatever). That said, we're sure others who had more of an agenda and are better at making "moves" and being assertive/aggressive had more sexy fun. Our swinging experiences prior to Desire have been more planned with a single couple in the past vs. larger parties or clubs. It's a different "game" working the room, so to speak, and not one we're entirely expert at... So there's definitely some "operator error" lol.

We'll go again and may have an easier time of it...either because of more overall "energy"....or because we realize we need to work harder to make it happen...or both.

Perhaps we'll see some more veteran Pearl folks who were there mid December comment on their perceptions.
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby bobsharon79 » Tue Dec 20, 2016 11:23 am

The best way to work the room is to not work the room !!!!!
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby Fyrfytr161 » Tue Dec 20, 2016 3:52 pm

Sounds like the pace we would enjoy. We are new and just looking to hangout with sexy, non judgmental naked people who respect others boundaries. We would consider flirting or touching with the right people but it is not our reason for going to Desire
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby sonomapair » Tue Dec 20, 2016 4:28 pm

Fyrfytr161 wrote:Sounds like the pace we would enjoy. We are new and just looking to hangout with sexy, non judgmental naked people who respect others boundaries. We would consider flirting or touching with the right people but it is not our reason for going to Desire


And if anything we had been concerned about unwanted touching, etc. before we went. So, yes, it was a great low-pressure environment. You'll love it! We really did have a great time. We'd just built up expectations for a bit more wildness from the posts here.
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby sonomapair » Fri Dec 23, 2016 6:59 pm

We were so ambivalent about our experience that we weren't home a week before booking our next visit...albeit further in the future than we'd like! We're joining Wegottathing (and Curious Couple and Swinging Downunder) podcasters for their trip ! So excited to have another trip to look forward to all year long. :-) And it'll be fun to have an above average portion of likeminded lifestylers in attendance!

Time to change our signature!
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby OKcouple4x » Sat Dec 24, 2016 11:58 pm

Hey! We were in 86 during the time you were in 87 this go round. We likely talked a few times :)

This was our 4th trip, and it was quite different than before. This was, by far, the tamest trip for us. The resort just had a different feel this time, it was quieter, more reserved, and seemed more cliquish than it has in the past. We still had a lot of fun, but it wasn't as wild and open as we have seen it. There was much less going on with couples swinging and swapping, much less open/public sex, and on our final night (sunday) we went down to the hot tub about 9:45 (skipped the entertainment that night) and had the entire thing to ourselves for almost 2 hours.

This was the first time that the pool has been heated while we were there. In the past (including Thanksgiving Week in '14) it was as cold on the 'wild side' as it was during this time on the 'quiet side'. We played pool volleyball this time almost every day like we usually do, and it seemed to have less people involved. They also switched it up and had 'pool volleyball' and 'pool tequila volleyball'. In the past every time was 'tequila' time. The foam party was also MUCH tamer than it has been in the past. I think part of that is due to the wind blowing the foam so it didn't get nearly as high as we have seen it.

We were a little sad about the gastro bar upstairs. It wasn't great. We liked it better when it was sushi, and I think they could potentially come up with something better than that. It's not a successful concept as of yet.
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby sonomapair » Sun Dec 25, 2016 1:13 am

Hey guys...thanks so much for your post. It kinda makes us feel like we weren't crazy to have similar perceptions. Obviously, having never been before we didn't have the benchmark...other than what we'd heard on this forum and elsewhere. But even then, there seemed to be a disconnect. We've read that it really varies visit by visit depending on the crowd. So we'll just assume it was a low-key group before the holidays.

Fortunately, going in without a big agenda to "play" we still had a great time. But we've signed up to arrive again on Nov 11th with the Wegottathing podcast group. So it will definitely be more swinger focused next time...and probably a different vibe with it.

Thanks again for posting up...and nice to meet you! :-)
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby two4funinpa » Mon Dec 26, 2016 2:41 pm

Good report...We've been to Pearl twice and didn't have the same experience. We've seen lots of swinging, body shots, etc. But we hear the vibe changes. And there were days we were the party starters...but not everyday. There were some slow nights when not much was going on...but we always found SOMETHING going on.

Heading to RM for the first time in February, and our understanding is it's more of party atmosphere. Which we are looking forward to.
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby OKcouple4x » Wed Dec 28, 2016 12:24 am

sonomapair wrote:Hey guys...thanks so much for your post. It kinda makes us feel like we weren't crazy to have similar perceptions. Obviously, having never been before we didn't have the benchmark...other than what we'd heard on this forum and elsewhere. But even then, there seemed to be a disconnect. We've read that it really varies visit by visit depending on the crowd. So we'll just assume it was a low-key group before the holidays.

Fortunately, going in without a big agenda to "play" we still had a great time. But we've signed up to arrive again on Nov 11th with the Wegottathing podcast group. So it will definitely be more swinger focused next time...and probably a different vibe with it.

Thanks again for posting up...and nice to meet you! :-)


No, it wasn't just you. We skew on the younger side as well (33 & 41) and it seemed like an older crowd than normal, and much quieter than other times. We normally end up at least going to dinner with other couples and this time we never did. It was a bit more of a reserved vibe this time. Oh well, hopefully next time it will be more fun and you will get to see how wild it can get! Good luck!
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby SoNotFun » Wed Dec 28, 2016 12:01 pm

sonomapair wrote:Perhaps we'll see some more veteran Pearl folks who were there mid December comment on their perceptions.


Do you mean us? ;-)

In regards to the tameness-wildness level, it was a pretty calm trip for us as well. Third time to Pearl, and one visit to RM. Even with this trip under our belt we still saw more outward displays of everything from friendly grabbing, stroking, rubbing, etc to full on PDS in one trip to RM than we have in three visits to Pearl. But, we also went to RM in June, and have only been to Pearl in November/December... so maybe the time of year is the determining factor? It's hard to say. But J & I agree, whether it was due to 70% occupancy, the time of year, the crowd, whatever, that it was a very... relaxed... week. Not that that's a bad thing 8)

Having been to Pearl before, the age gap didn't throw us off too much. The age range & distribution has been about the same every visit. On all three visits, the older folks we meet at Pearl tend to be nudists, not necessarily lifestyle (never met any "nudists, non-lifestyle" at RM). I (N) was among the youngest people at Pearl on our first trip in 2014, so I am thrilled to see more 20 & 30-somethings joining the scene :D/ Our sole trip to RM had a higher average age (probably 55-60), but also had fewer over-70s and under-30s than our trips to Pearl. We've happily chatted up people 10 years younger to 40 years older than ourselves at both resorts, and they have all been fun, delightful people. As these forums say over & over, age is just a number. I might've felt awkward if a couple more than twice my age made advances :? but that hasn't been an issue for us (yet-- LOL).

I think it would be worth it for you two to check out RM at some point, even if just to compare the two properties. If our experience at both resorts is any indication, I think RM has more of the sexual momentum you seemed to be looking for, but I suspect you two would prefer the rooms & layout of Pearl overall.

sonomapair wrote:12. Folks were welcoming. It was relatively easy to join conversations in the pool and hot tub. We also were invited to a party at a Penthouse. That was fun (thanks J&N!).
Overall, we had a great trip and will look for another chance to go before too long. Hugs to all the folks we met! Thanks again for all the advice on this forum.


It was our pleasure :D We had a great time meeting & chatting with you both. So glad you joined us for the penthouse party, it was definitely a highlight of our trip. Wish we still lived in SF so we could get together again!
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby sonomapair » Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:38 pm

Hey N/J! Thanks for posting up. We really enjoyed hanging out with you guys as well! Maybe our paths will cross another time at Desire or RM! We will probably take your advice and try RM. We thought we ought to give Pearl another shot when both we and it are more ready to party! (We were definitely in our rookie "observing" mode for the first trip.) But we'd definitely like to check out RM as well.

Happy New Year to you and our other Desire friends (current or future!).
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby aj_squared » Wed Jan 04, 2017 4:31 am

SoNotFun wrote:
sonomapair wrote:12. Folks were welcoming. It was relatively easy to join conversations in the pool and hot tub. We also were invited to a party at a Penthouse. That was fun (thanks J&N!).
Overall, we had a great trip and will look for another chance to go before too long. Hugs to all the folks we met! Thanks again for all the advice on this forum.


It was our pleasure :D We had a great time meeting & chatting with you both. So glad you joined us for the penthouse party, it was definitely a highlight of our trip. Wish we still lived in SF so we could get together again!


We were fortunate enough to attend this penthouse party, and I can tell you that it was definitely a highlight of the trip for us. We had so much fun that we forgot to eat dinner! You guys were great hosts. :)

As far as the resort vibe goes... things really were dead on Monday and Tuesday but picked up on Wednesday. By Friday (Dec 23) the place was rocking. Body shots were had all over the hot tub until we were kicked out at 3 am...
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Re: First Timer Dec 2016...What Stands Out?

Postby xplore2gether » Sat Jan 14, 2017 10:20 pm

aj_squared wrote:
SoNotFun wrote:
sonomapair wrote:12. Folks were welcoming. It was relatively easy to join conversations in the pool and hot tub. We also were invited to a party at a Penthouse. That was fun (thanks J&N!).
Overall, we had a great trip and will look for another chance to go before too long. Hugs to all the folks we met! Thanks again for all the advice on this forum.


It was our pleasure :D We had a great time meeting & chatting with you both. So glad you joined us for the penthouse party, it was definitely a highlight of our trip. Wish we still lived in SF so we could get together again!


We were fortunate enough to attend this penthouse party, and I can tell you that it was definitely a highlight of the trip for us. We had so much fun that we forgot to eat dinner! You guys were great hosts. :)

As far as the resort vibe goes... things really were dead on Monday and Tuesday but picked up on Wednesday. By Friday (Dec 23) the place was rocking. Body shots were had all over the hot tub until we were kicked out at 3 am...


we too were lucky enough to have attended that penthouse party, that whole day(our first full day) was the best day we had there, aside from the screen door malfunction lol --thanks N&J. it sounds like things got a little more exciting after we left on the 22nd though, wish we could have stayed another day aj_squared--definitely need to try and work it out so we can meet up there in December again.
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