Remodeling in pearl

[ninaandfrank]

We once had a penthouse suite at Pearl and remakred that it looked like the set of a '70s porno movie.

[BBTD]

@Orcowgirl, we love your take on this issue! Who wants to pay a premium for a rundown, crappy sleeping room? We’re already there and willing to pay the prices. There’s no excuse for the rooms not to be modernized and beautifully decorated! There is a shameful disparity between the higher end suites and the musty, dated rooms at the other price points. Just like a renovated sports stadium; yes ticket prices increase, but the richness of the entertainment experience and the improvement of the team (staff) is well worth it. We say it’s long overdue and essential to the continued success of the resort. On another note, there is zero indication the resorts are for sale. Any suggestion otherwise ignores the recent land acquisition, major resort renovations, and the hiring of the first non-familial CEO for Original Group.

-BBTD

[Cheers2US]

Was just there Sep 11-16 (trip report hopefully soon) and the beach at Pearl was just horrible. We were also there back in May 2026 and while it was bad, it was bearable. In May, there was seaweed/sargassum all over the sand, but you could climb over the piles and make it to the waters. There was sargassum in the water also, but we just had to wade in a few feet and the water was better. Not crystal clear, but free of sargassum. We actually frolicked with one of the Playmakers, Abby, while in the ocean.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and it was so much worse. No chance of climbing over the sargassum on the beach; you'd just have to walk on/in it. You could barely see any sand. Then, even if you made it to the water, it was very dark, thick and murky.

I know a lot of people say they don't go to Desire for the beach, and that's a valid point. However, the stench from the decaying seaweed was everywhere and all the time. Sometimes a breeze would blow it away for a short while. Sometimes you just get used to it. But other times it is overwhelming and hits like a brick wall.

I know it is hard for man to fight Mother Nature, but beaches nearby were not nearly as bad. The other resorts seem to be doing a better job keeping it at bay. I mention this in this thread because I would hope the management can put more effort (aka money) into clearing the sargassum. The barrier that was constructed to keep it away seems to be doing more harm than good: it seems to be keeping it in now. And much of it seems to be decaying and lingering as it is stuck within the barrier.

We loved our visit May so much that we could not wait to book again for September. While we still had an amazing time, I don't know if we would go back anytime soon with the beach the way it is.

Here's a video and some photos:

[playatropical]

That's a lot of Sargassum. Worse than what we've seen in December/January. Most of the larger vanilla resorts to the South have back loaders, tractors, and bobcats and the beaches were in pretty good shape. Although they're larger resorts, we're sure Original Resorts has the money. Pearl has three poor guys with rakes, and wheelbarrows. Maybe it's their location with the way the tides move, but an investment in a bobcat and a tractor with a rake attachment would surely help the situation. Nice to hear about the room remodels. We need AC, TV, hot water, and a halfway decent bed. We can overlook most of the outdated stuff, but agree those old bathrooms need a complete overhaul. We do like the wood sun mirror though!

[JimAndLiz]

I remember asking about this once (a really long time ago) and I was told that sea turtle nests on the beach prevent the use of heavy equipment. I'm not sure how the sea turtles would get past the sargassum nets, or why it isn't an issue for the other resorts, though...

[ninaandfrank]

Sea turtles? with so much sargassum on the beach even SEAL team 6 would have trouble landing there.

I remember asking about this once (a really long time ago) and I was told that sea turtle nests on the beach prevent the use of heavy equipment. I'm not sure how the sea turtles would get past the sargassum nets, or why it isn't an issue for the other resorts, though...

[tikihutguy]

That's a lot of Sargassum. Worse than what we've seen in December/January. Most of the larger vanilla resorts to the South have back loaders, tractors, and bobcats and the beaches were in pretty good shape. Although they're larger resorts, we're sure Original Resorts has the money. Pearl has three poor guys with rakes, and wheelbarrows. Maybe it's their location with the way the tides move, but an investment in a bobcat and a tractor with a rake attachment would surely help the situation. Nice to hear about the room remodels. We need AC, TV, hot water, and a halfway decent bed. We can overlook most of the outdated stuff, but agree those old bathrooms need a complete overhaul. We do like the wood sun mirror though!

Agree they need to do something with the Sargassum. Just got back a couple of weeks ago. Maybe they could redirect some of the spending on the Tower and renovations to clean the beach. Maybe even bring in more sand? I understand some would like room renos but been going for 14 years and never been w/o AC, TV or hot water. In fact most of the time they set the thermostat to Arctic :-0