Desire Pearl Trip Report - Kevin & Jessica, December 2020
This is a detailed report of our experience to and from Desire Pearl in December 2020 as this was our first time out of the country during Covid-19:
We flew out of Newark Airport non-stop to Cancun. We had printed out our immigration forms, customs forms and healthcare questionnaires that we completed on line and had them with us. We weren't sure what to expect upon arrival but there was no one there taking our temperature or making us use hand sanitizer - only requirement was you had to wear a mask in the airport and on the plane for the duration of the flight except to eat/drink. There were certain areas in the airport that were roped off and most everyone socially distanced while waiting to board. While on the plane they did give out immigration forms and customs forms in the event that we didn't have them already. Upon arrival in Cancun everyone exited the plane as usual even thought they announced that they would call row by row - this didn't happen. Again there was no one there to take your temperature or make you use hand sanitizer but it was available at various points in the airport. While we did go through immigration, we did not go through customs and there wasn't the infamous red/green stoplight there anymore. We learned that they now have new high sensitive cameras/scanners that scan your bags and it appeared that various airport personnel would pull certain persons aside to scan their carry-on luggage and/or checked bags but we weren't asked to do this. Upon exiting the airport we found our car service company immediately and once they determined which private vehicle we would be going in we were whisked off to our resort but not before the driver was kind enough to stop at a convenience store so that we could buy snacks/cigarettes before arriving at Pearl.
Upon arrival at Pearl we were greeted by Alexis the bell captain (Esteban is no longer there unfortunately - we heard he was accused of inappropriate behavior by a guest that was totally untrue and all petitions/requests by guests to get him to come back didn't work). He asked us to each step in a mat that had disinfectant on it, then step on a dry mat, then use hand sanitizer from a machine and once inside the lobby we had to face a camera that also took our temperature. Afterwards we were told we weren't required to wear a mask if we didn't want to and after a time we removed our masks and didn't put them back on until we had to leave. All of the staff wore their masks 100% of the time. There were hand sanitizer machines outside every bathroom, restaurant and in varying places around the resort. The public bathrooms, bars and our room bathroom had antibacterial soap dispensers and our room also had regular bar soap provided. Everything was very clean as usual and it was very liberating not to have to wear a mask as we had been doing for so long while out in public. We did social distance the majority of the time in the pool and hot tub areas although the lounge chairs were not that far apart but we kept one chair open between us and the next couple. And we didn't go into the disco at all this trip being that it was an enclosed space with close quarters.
It was great to see a number of friends that we'd met over the years here this time around. We weren't sure who would make it (some we knew weren't going as we had emailed/texted them, others we didn't have their information). Even during this crazy time it was nice to see familiar faces at our favorite vacation spot and nice to meet new people who we can't wait to see again whether at Pearl or back in the states.
Meals - Breakfast and Lunch are still only offered at Aphrodite but not every restaurant is open every night - we had to check with the hostess every morning to find out what was open that evening - Pearl and Suki required reservations while Aphrodite did not. The food we felt was outstanding at all three restaurants:
Aphrodite Breakfast - For breakfast anything from the buffet was given to you by one of the workers - you would point to what you wanted and told them how much and they put it on a plate for you. They took away the bread/toaster area and if you wanted these things you had to order them. As to the pastries, and they had a small pastry basket with croissants, raspberry and chocolate rugula and mini chocolate nut muffins and you had to ask them to bring over the pastry basket. And there is still the grill where you could order eggs how you wanted them as well as order whatever you wanted (within reason) from the kitchen. Tony one of our favorite waiters was still there and was kind enough to ask us if we wanted some local specialty prepared and he asked the chef Rustican if he could make some pork tamales for us for breakfast which he did (he supposedly made them at home and brought them to work) and they were amazing. Another morning they made us this chicken and egg chilaques dish that was exceptional. This is something we really appreciate when they do this kind of thing.
Aphrodite Lunch - same deal with the buffet - workers would plate for you what you wanted. They also had a small menu with about five/six items on it and they have their pizza oven and their pizzas are great - we shared a pizza almost every day at lunch - Geysler is THE pizza man!
Aphrodite Dinner - they offered the same menu the two times we ate there which was Tex Mex but it was still very good.
Pearl Dinner - they offered the same menu the two times we ate there which was a combination menu (Italian/French/Mediterrean) but it was still very good.
Suki - ate there once and it had a combination of Asian (Thai/Vietnamese/Japanese) - I believe there were only 12 tables but very nice decor and pretty good food.
One evening they had an outdoor dining experience around the main pool near Aphrodite and reservations were not necessary - this meal was fantastic - one of the best meals we had there.
Every day the Playmakers (Kia, Charlie, Yuni, Candace & Caesar) did their normal thing in and around the pool and tried to engage the guests in the daily activities but the energy level was a bit lowered and I think it was due to less people in the resort? They still tried to make it fun and we appreciated them just the same. The foam party on Saturday was still fun - they did give out jello shots but way less than usual. They still had the big floats for people to get on and ride if they wanted and they passed out the pool balls to throw around (beware of the two huge inflatable balls they now have - they can hurt if they hit you in the face or the head). One afternoon they had a Candyland party with candy decorations set up around the pool, a live band and a candy display they set up and some waiters would come around with various candy in plastic containers for you to take if you wanted some. While the concept was a nice thought - their candy in Mexico is not the greatest so what they served was stale and unappetizing. The live band was fantastic and we enjoyed that. At least they are trying something different!
Hot tub was fun from 4:00 pm to ? Almost no extra curricular activities in and around the hot tub this time around if you get my drift which was understandable but that wasn't to say that there wasn't flirting and a little hooking up still going on - it just didn't occur in that area hardly at all as most persons chose to exit the area and go back to their rooms. Some days the hot tub was extremely hot but most days the temperature was perfect. And this time there were plenty of bartenders because in the past often there were no bartenders there from 4:00 to 5:00 pm and people were going behind the bar to serve up drinks to themselves!
Every night up top they had something going on prior to the show in the disco whether it be a DJ or a live band. The live bands are always fantastic and we enjoy them. They finally got some better seating in the first part of the lobby near the gift shop but they still have those ugly cube seats near the back - we always high tail it for the few full backed chairs they have as sitting on those cubes is not comfortable. And of course the theme nights are always fun seeing what people come up with to wear - we try to participate most of the time for theme nights and appreciate that they change things up from time to time. Friday glow night is still my favorite!
When it was time to leave our car service was right on time and we got the airport in no time. What we didn't know is the health questionnaire has to be completed upon entry (they didn't ask to see it btw) and upon exit and we had to fill one out at the ticket counter before security had to view it. Security looked at it and gave it back to us but we never had to produce it again. Also, upon our return to the states I found it odd that we weren't provided with declaration forms on our flight home and I thought maybe it wasn't a requirement like it wasn't in Mexico - turns out they just didn't give them out so we had to hurridly fill out a declaration form before going through immigration.
All in all it was once again a wonderful, amazing trip and Desire Pearl is the best. Even though we had apprehension about going during this crazy time we are still so glad we did get to enjoy a vacation away in 2020. Can't wait until our next trip most likely in December 2021.