2014 Discounted Rates

[meandb]

We also have checked into "other" places.. Other beaches and longer vacations else where.. BUT I have to agree with eddieandjojo... Ain't no place like home!! Cant wait until October 2014.. Seven glorious days in Heaven for us!

[SLINON]

I think as it was mentioned by someone in another thread, unless they are at 100% capacity and are operating a true 5* experience, I think that a lot of people will be re-thinking a trip here. Yes it is very unique but there is a point where what they are offering for what you get is just simply not worth the money...I am especially speaking about high season prices.....a two week trip in March in a garden view is just a ridiculous price....to me. It looks like we will only be able to afford a November trip. We too are trying out another place to escape the cold in March. We are going for 11 nights...the savings between the two is about 2300. Yes, we're trying Hedo out....I know it's not Desire but at the savings we are seeing, maybe once a year to Desire in the low season will have to be enough. I agree, I think they are pricing themselves right out of customers.....I know of another couple that may join us at Hedo instead of going to Desire in March simply because of the ridiculous room rates. And hey, if they can fill every room at that extremely high rate (to me), then all the power to them! I want more value for my money and I do want to take two vacations per year without having to go to the bank for a loan. Also, the resorts have some issues to figure out, I don't think they deserve the rates per night they are asking for. That's just my opinion!

[EandV]

So the taxes went up 5% and Desire thought that was a good time to raise rates by 12%? WTH. This coupled with some other issues is going to have an impact...

[desireaddict]

Yes, we're trying Hedo out....

I'm hoping that the new ownership at Hedo makes some improvements to the old place.
With the base that it already has, there is surely great potential. But it will take some cash.
Give us some feedback when you return.

[SLINON]

Will do. We have heard of many many great improvements. All new lounge chairs for the beach and pool...new floaties, better towel system, they hired the chef from Couples Swept away and everyone is commenting on how great and tasty the food is...plenty of top shelf and good choice of wine, lobster every friday night in all restaurants when in season (nothing from April 1 - June 30). Some rooms are completely made over...with a higher price but you can still get the older style rooms which have still had all new mattresses put in, fresh paint, new linens, new flat screens and a small refrigerator.

The entertainment at night has always been said to be better than Desire and they have stepped it up even more apparently.....AND you can't argue with one of the best beaches in the caribbean!

Also, a major thing for us....the whole resort is clothing optional. Except for the lobby and restaurants, you can be nude so we just booked a room on the clothing optional side and will walk over to the nude pool if we want or we can simply be nude at any of the pools on the property. This all sounds good to us....we got the room for $297/night in high season! We are excited to find another option to Desire. Would not have even thought of going to Hedo if Desire was listening to their loyal patrons but with our past experience and the price hike, it's time to move on to save some $$$$. I will reserve my comparison of both for when I return at the end of March.

[bill_monica]

Will do. We have heard of many many great improvements. All new lounge chairs for the beach and pool...new floaties, better towel system, they hired the chef from Couples Swept away and everyone is commenting on how great and tasty the food is...plenty of top shelf and good choice of wine, lobster every friday night in all restaurants when in season (nothing from April 1 - June 30). Some rooms are completely made over...with a higher price but you can still get the older style rooms which have still had all new mattresses put in, fresh paint, new linens, new flat screens and a small refrigerator.

The entertainment at night has always been said to be better than Desire and they have stepped it up even more apparently.....AND you can't argue with one of the best beaches in the caribbean!

Also, a major thing for us....the whole resort is clothing optional. Except for the lobby and restaurants, you can be nude so we just booked a room on the clothing optional side and will walk over to the nude pool if we want or we can simply be nude at any of the pools on the property. This all sounds good to us....we got the room for $297/night in high season! We are excited to find another option to Desire. Would not have even thought of going to Hedo if Desire was listening to their loyal patrons but with our past experience and the price hike, it's time to move on to save some $$$$. I will reserve my comparison of both for when I return at the end of March.

Thanks for the info on Hedo, please keep us updated.
We're going to be at Pearl next April but with the price increase we're also looking for alternatives.
Stay classy CO couples !

[eddieandjojo]

So, in the event some haven't seen a recent Desire vs Hedo II comparison, click on the link in the signature section below....

[EandV]

We hadn't seen that, thanks. Great comparison!

[SLINON]

I had seen this report when it was written.

Having been to all Desire properties, and yet to go to Hedo, I can only comment on what we have we have experienced. I think Desire has issues that were not addressed in his report or maybe have come up since then.

The issues of the music, the theme nights, the uneven service at dinner at Pearl and the pool side( which was mentioned by others...we would order 2 drinks and end up with only one...many times)...service as well as "reservations" at the Pearl that are supposedly not required. We showed up recently one night in November when there was 4 tables empty at Pearl only to be asked if we had a reservation. We did not and had to wait 45 minutes walking around the humid lobby waiting to eat. This is not classy and upscale and not worth the money. We also had problems with our room...the room was in disrepair...we had an oceanfront entry level room that had rust on fixtures, cracked tile, dirty blind that could not be rolled up because the string was broken, stains on the couch cushions and they could not get the plunge pool to heat up....they also did not fill it up it the water was at least 12" below the edge level. Same problem when we switched to the master suite with plunge pool.

Pearl was not up to our expectations based on everything we have read and heard and the price we paid, that was why after 5 nights we switched to RM location. The service was better there but the lounge chairs on the beach and especially around the pool are absolutely without a doubt horrible....if you look at any of them you will see black mold spots and the mesh is so worn out that your body ends up resting on the plastic cross bars. Shame on them for this because this is where the majority of people spend their daily hours. Also, I KNOW everyone loves Africa and shame on me for saying this...my bad I guess.....we had the chance to meet her when we went to RM. Yes she is super friendly and very personable and seems like an awesome lady....the problem is.....so many people know her and love her that it took her about 50 minutes to come back with our drinks because everyone stops to have a long intimate conversation with her which is fine but she is trying to service the beach so basically we went up and got our own drinks from the second afternoon on.

Any place can be painted as a perfect picture but although we like the Desire properties, it is not as perfect and upscale and superior than what the reviewer would have you believe. There are issues. A simple search of pricing will have you see that Hedo is in fact cheaper on the whole so that has to be accounted for in the value. Also, there is a no tipping policy at Hedo. They do not condone it and they do not want this to change. They want to create a truly all inclusive experience, such as the Couples brand does. We really enjoy the feeling of walking around without having to bring tips. Don't get me wrong, we love to tip for great service and we did have some very good service at times, BUT we did shell out an extra 450$ at least between the luggage carriers, all of our butlers, the different pool concierge, all the wait staff, the room maids etc. etc.

Just my thoughts...