Very poor review of Pearl on Trip Advisor

[JnCwis]

My wife and I have been to Pearl 5 times in the last 2 years. 4 times to RM in previous 2 years also. Both are wonderful resorts. We both think Pearl is a First Class resort. Service in both is top notch. We have met and befriended some of the nicest people in the world at both. As far as the food, I think it is fine, both in quality and proportions. We love to get up early and go to breakfast, it is great. Maybe because we don't eat breakfast at home due to having to hurry and get to work in morn. It is still great and a large display of choices. I can not say anything negative about either resort, we love them. Staff are wonderful and have helped give us some wonderful memories. We were approached on the time share the first time at RM and told them we personally had no (Desire) to participate. Never pushed on it again. We still keep coming back. We will keep coming back as long as we can. This is my short review. IMHO

[BTDT]

I decided to not worry about the writer's opinion just as soon as I realized the writer didn't know the difference in a body with visible genitalia and the possibility of an extra dessert.

[clivefunguy]

One of these reviews pops up now and again. There will always be "those" guests. My wife and I have had a great time at Pearl and are looking for word to our next trip this coming May. So let haters hate and we will hit the Hot Tub. LOL.

[bsakatm12]

I just read the review on TripAdvisor and here are my thoughts:

1. It's a valid review - from the reviewer's perspective. He/She is a Hedo fan and wanted to find reasons to slam Desire Pearl. He/She found reasons.

2. This is a risk that Original Resorts takes with their membership sales tactics. Someone who is not pre-inoculated against their "here are some coupons because we like you" sales pitch may be caught off guard and it can taint their whole trip. Especially if they're looking for reasons to dislike the place (see #1). The program is a good fit for some guests and not so for others, but my personal opinion is that the sales staff could do a much better job if they would just be upfront and factual.

3. We've been upsold and baited/switched by the henna tattoo artist. We'll just smile and say, "No, thanks", from now on. The last tattoo my wife got, he charge $20 more than the priced listed in his book, "... because it is soooo beeeg." Fortunately, my wife wasn't standing there when I paid him and I did not tell her that he just said her ass was fat.

4. The food, I don't know what the reviewer is talking about. I must admit that I am an unsophisticated country bumpkin, but the on last two trip to Pearl, I was very pleased with their standard, non-upgrade fare.

So, for those of you that had the seed of doubt planted by that review, don't worry. Or, do worry, because if you are bound to be upset by the same things that upset the review, you're in for a rude awakening at any resort on the Caribbean.

[werfun]

Right one

[SJCrazy]

No place is perfect, however when you are reading reviews the best advice I've ever seen is to match up, 1 to 1 each of the worst and best reviews and when you've done that throw those pairs out - the reviews you are left with are probably an accurate idea of what the place/product/service is really like

My philosophy, on Amazon or Tripadvisor, is to focus on reviews from people that seem like me and identify with my value set. This couple definitely is NOT anything like us or 99.9% of the people on these forums, and CLEARLY should never have gone to Desire. If they have such visceral reactions to a naked woman, they should have stayed almost anywhere else!

[Budlee]

I don't understand people complaining about the size of the food portions, and them being too small. First, if you order from each course, it ends up being a lot of food.... I can see if you only order an entree, it could be considered small. Second, it's AI. Order whatever you want, and as much as you want. Can't decide between two appetizers? Order both! What... are they gonna say no? Of course not. You and your partner want to split a third entree? Why not? Go for it. To me, that's the lamest complaint of all.

[Racecity12]

I believe that folks from the United States are used to getting huge portions at restaurants. 9 times out of 10 we either bring half of it home or it gets discarded in the trash.
I don't believe we lose any weight while vacationing at Pearl next month..... 35 days and counting.

[Jimbbee]

We just returned from New Years and had a lovely time WhhhAAAAaaa. These people seem insufferable. Maybe they should have booked Sandals. Gads! Nude people to walk by to get to the restaurant WTF? That's what I paid to see. How dreadful it must have been to bump into them in the jacuzzi if
They even bothered to get in with all thoses gross naked people milling about

[funcpl27]

WELL...we love Pearl and have no complaints about the food BUT I actually tend to agree that it is rather ridiculous that a resort which costs a minimum of $565/ night charges extra for an 'upgraded' dinner menu. I am also not a fan of the idea of time share sales at ANY resort which considers itself premium and upscale.

But overall, I would say most of his complaints are just silly.

[TandD]

I am also not a fan of the idea of time share sales at ANY resort which considers itself premium and upscale.

In our effort to ensure newbies don't get the wrong ideas about Desire (and sorry for being pedantic), it should be clarified that they are not selling "time shares" when they give you "the pitch". You are buying discounts and perks for future visits. Whether offering this membership is proper and whether it's cost-effective is another matter and there are plenty of discussion on it in the forums. I just don't want people to think it's something that it's not.

TandD

[K&RinTX]

I am also not a fan of the idea of time share sales at ANY resort which considers itself premium and upscale.

In our effort to ensure newbies don't get the wrong ideas about Desire (and sorry for being pedantic), it should be clarified that they are not selling "time shares" when they give you "the pitch". You are buying discounts and perks for future visits. Whether offering this membership is proper and whether it's cost-effective is another matter and there are plenty of discussion on it in the forums. I just don't want people to think it's something that it's not.

TandD

I would also add that nobody is FORCED to entertain the "pitch"...if you aren't interested, just tell them "no thanks" and don't make the appointment. They aren't going to drag you into a room and lock the door!

[funcpl27]

[

I would also add that nobody is FORCED to entertain the "pitch"...if you aren't interested, just tell them "no thanks" and don't make the appointment. They aren't going to drag you into a room and lock the door!

[/quote]


it's still a tacky introduction to an upscale resort imho.

We do ignore it but the message all such 'time share' sales pitches send is that they consider us 'marks' rather than valued guests. When we go to Temptation i don't really mind it quite as much because it isn't upscale..... but for $565+ per night at Pearl I believe it's a terrible 'welcome' that we even have to deal with saying 'no' to a con. In addition it is immedietly sending us the message that we arent' getting the 'best' and that is a terrible message to send quests already paying a premium rate.

Don't get me wrong ....we do ignore it and love Pearl but I'm just saying I think it's a legitimate complaint.

[TandD]

I would also add that nobody is FORCED to entertain the "pitch"...if you aren't interested, just tell them "no thanks" and don't make the appointment. They aren't going to drag you into a room and lock the door!

it's still a tacky introduction to an upscale resort imho.

We do ignore it but the message all such 'time share' sales pitches send is that they consider us 'marks' rather than valued guests. When we go to Temptation i don't really mind it quite as much because it isn't upscale..... but for $565+ per night at Pearl I believe it's a terrible 'welcome' that we even have to deal with saying 'no' to a con. In addition it is immedietly sending us the message that we arent' getting the 'best' and that is a terrible message to send quests already paying a premium rate.

Don't get me wrong ....we do ignore it and love Pearl but I'm just saying I think it's a legitimate complaint.

I understand where you are coming from but I don't necessarily think it's fair to call it a "con". Clearly, *some* people do buy it and don't think they are getting conned (of course nobody *thinks* they are getting conned so...).

I think it's perfectly fair for Desire to offer an enhanced package for people who are willing to pay more for perks and amenities. I think this kind of thing happens at all types of resorts - regardless of luxury level. It does have the potential of creating tension between members and non-members but for me, it doesn't bother me.

I *do* agree that pitching it right when you register makes it feel slightly slimy but it's so low-pressure that it didn't bother me. It's not like a regular "time share" pitch where they almost berate you if you don't buy in. I suspect if they just slipped a membership invite under your door, they wouldn't get as many takers as when they personally pitch you so it's a tough line to walk between increasing revenue and ticking off guests.

[partydawg]

I have just learned to live with the sales pitch. It happens at every resort I have ever traveled. From St. Martin to Cancun. When you check in they are going to ask you to attend a sales pitch. That is what they do. It doesn't matter if it is a $100 per night place or $700 per night place. I say just remember why you are there. Are you there to listen to sales pitches or have a good time. I have always "Just said NO" to sales and yes to Party Time. Remember just say "NO" and forget about it and have a most excellent time.