Hi Everyone -
We went too Desire Resort near Cancun on June 1-5, 2003. Here's the Scoop.
Bottom Line:
Great Resort. Go. ... with a group, since it's still being discovered, and so it might be sleepy (was for us) unless you take/find a bunch of people ... and take floats for the pool, Big Drink Holders, somer nice clothes for the fancy restaurant, sexy clothes for the disco, no clothes for everything else .. and some money (plastic OK) for the spa. It's great. Tips are also OK (at least in practice - not allowed officially) for the staff (they will remember, so bring some dollars and low bills), though not required.
Here's more detail.
The resort is only 20 minutes from the airport. It is so nice compared to the "bus from hell" at Hedo. All rooms are nice - we had a standard (could use some shelves to store your stuff), but the Jacuzzi suites were excellent and the top end suites were unbelievable. It's a small place, so all rooms are pretty close together.
We were there with only about 16 other people, so it was sleepy. They had had a full house the previous week when a Lifestyles group came. It was too few for us, though we had a great time with the great people who are there. Like Hedo, you get people who are nice, fun, and friendly. Most were lifesylers, and so Yes meant Yes (and no meant no).
The rooftop jacuzzi was fantastic (see picture). Beautiful 360 degree view, nice size (easy to talk and meet people), and a swim up bar. However, it is a "warm" at best tub - not hot. Usually this is OK, but not ideal. There are also canopy beds on the deck (nice touch) attached to the jacuzzi area. Around 5:00 each day, this became "the place" to be. Body shots allowed (we did the double nipple), and generally lots of fun
Pool and beach were very nice. We mostly did the pool, with some bar service, a snack bar, a bar, and water sports (Kayaks) all right there. They do pool games (some real - like Aerobics, pool volleyball and polo), some nasty (e.g. learning the Spanish words for body parts, sex, and pickup lines!). There was good music at the pool, and the staff is fun. Missing: floats for lazy lounging in the pool. At hedo there are everywhere. Here, none. Bring one. Over time there might be a selection, but none now. It's nice to veg naked in the pool and be half dry/half wet.
The buffet dinner was OK, but the "nice"restaurant was really nice. Done in all white, it is classy and delicious. We had several shrimp dishes, a great beef, fantastic appetizers (Carpaccio, Cerviche), nice wines, small tables (2-8) and good service. Book this early if there's a big group.
The disco is very nice - good lights, pretty big, and a great party room off the back with beds, porno on TV, and a very convenient "slip away from the dance floor". It's not private, but this is the point.
We did not go into town, but it's only about 30 minutes. They will run a group into town on Monday (Senior Frogs) and thursday (Coco Bongos)) if they have the numbers. We went to Coco Bongos before - do it. It is wild and without peer in my party experience. You can also get a cab, or rent a car. Some people went down to Play Del Carmen (30 minutes) and Xcaret (35 minutes, but $60+ to get in). I recommend against culture (e.g pyramids, etc) since I wanted sex, sun, alcohol, relaxation, fun, dancing, and most of all - nakedness. But, to each his own.
We did a massage at the Spa. It is beautiful and the massage (we did the "hot stone massage") was tremendous. Very nice place, with some exercise stuff, then a couple of massage rooms, a private jaccuzzi (for their Kama-Sutra package - we did not do this one). Very nice touch - costs money (e.g. ~ $60/massage hour) but we liked it.
Issues:
Hot water is an issue. It took a long time to get hot and the jacuzzi (as above) was a bit below my requirements. Not a killer, but I guess there is limited Electrical power and the Mexicans do not usually use hot water so the skills/infrastructure is not good.
Need "just enough" people. Therre were way to few for us (first month of operation). Yet, II expected that if it was full, the staff would have been overwhelmed. Just be sure your attitude is OK and it will not be an biggie.
Summary
We will definitely go back. I like it more than hedo if there's a crowd. I think the "right" crowds will go there. So, it will get better. It's cheaper than hedo, a lot closer, and no bus ride from hell. They do not have characters like Delroy, etc, but they have the setting (better), the sex (more), the music, the people (I think), the booze, the staff, the disco, the restaurant, the rooms, much better beaches, and lots of nakedness.
What a country.
See you there this fall (still trying to find a time to get kid care arranged!)
Tom and Leigh