TRIP REPORT – DESIRE RESORT

OCTOBER, 2003 

We almost didn’t go to Desire Resort.  Steve was enthusiastic, but I was concerned we were too old (mid-fifties) and too square (previous au-natural experience limited to Couples and a day-pass at Terra-Cota Inn).  We were also frankly intimidated by the Life Styles promotions.  We ended up compromising; four days at Desire and three days in Playa Del Carmen. 

At the time, I promised myself that I would write a review for all those people who have the same kinds of questions and concerns that we had. 

Too old (fat, thin, out-of-shape, etc.):

This is not a kid’s resort.  The median age was probably early 40’s, with perhaps 10 percent under 30 and another 10-20 percent over 50.  Maybe 10 percent of the bodies were absolutely gorgeous – real eye candy.  But another 10 percent or more were very overweight and a lot of people were in the middle. 

First Au-Naturale Resort (won’t I be self conscious?):

1.                  Not everyone is nude.  There always seemed to be a few people who kept their suits on – at least for a while.

2.                  Speaking as a woman (men don’t seem to have an issue here), nude has some advantages over a bathing suit.  Once you get used to the idea (which happens fast) it’s a relief not to have to worry about adjusting straps, tugging things down or checking for body parts that may be hanging out.  Also, for some reason, you worry less about holding in your stomach.

3.                  If you have the chance – go to a tanning salon and pre-tan.  This has two advantages – it reduces your chances of catching a really nasty burn and everything looks better tan – seriously.  (An au-naturale note – most women and many men seen to shave some or all of their pubic region.  We didn’t and didn’t care).

4.                  Also, if you have the chance – try to spend the night or get a day pass to a clothing optional resort in your area.  In Southern California I’d recommend the Terra Cota Inn in Palm Springs.  Very nice and very low pressure, it’s an easy way to find out it you’ll be comfortable. 

I’m not a life styler:       I’m sure it varies (a lot), depending on the crowd, but this did not feel like what I expected a life style resort to feel like.  Based on what I’ve read, it was a lot tamer than Hedo.  We did not see any noticeable “fooling around” (PDAs) during the day.  It was just like any upscale resort, except people were naked.  While it would have felt inappropriate to initiate a major PDA while watching volleyball or aerobics, we did feel we had the freedom to “fool around” under our semi-private beach cabana without being paranoid about what someone might see walking down the beach. 

It got a little wilder after dark.  PDAs occurred in the disco and public sex in the play room (that is what it’s for).  There was also some public sex on the beds on the Jacuzzi deck.  So, while it most certainly wasn’t an orgy – it would have violated all the rules at an AANR resort. 

So, having addressed most of the questions I would have wanted answered – here is my Trip Report. 

Cancun Airport was fine – no problems.  We were renting a car from Hertz, which was a two-step process.  First go to in-terminal window, then walk to the actual rental office.  Very short walk.  Mixed rental experience.  We waited way too long to get our car and to turn it back in.  We’ll try another agency next time.  Also, I think we’ll upgrade from the bottom of the line Volkswagen.  Worked OK, but very bottom of the line. 

The drive between Cancun and Puerto Morelos is simple.  Go out to Highway 307, turn right, drive 20 minutes.  In addition to the John Deere building, there are adequate signs.  Instead of a traditional left turn you will go past the driveway and make a U-turn, where indicated, across the median, then turn right into the driveway.  A guard will ask your name and call ahead.  The driveway is fairly long and has many, large traffic humps (called topes).  The resort will be on your right.  You’ll drive across a wooden bridge, park and there you are. 

Check-in was just as pleasant as advertised, including the champagne and damp towels.  One other couple was checking in at the same time and within ten minutes we were being shown to our garden view room.  However, when we checked out the room, there was some unfinished ceiling repair in the bathroom.  Voila, we were whisked back to reception and before we knew it, we were reassigned to a first floor oceanfront room, steps from the ocean with an absolutely breathtaking view.  Steve and I have still not decided if ocean-front would be worth the extra money (I say yes, he’s not sure). 

Our room looked very much like the room in the pictures, with the white net canopy and everything.  The bed was on the firm side, but I found it comfortable.  The big complaint, if one was determined to have a complaint, was no drawers and little counter space.  We hung up everything we could, but still lived partially out of suitcases. 

We wore bathing suits for our first walk around the resort.  The resort itself is not terribly large.  Reception is in the middle, with the main pool, snack bar and restaurant on the southern end.  We were in the last building to the north (furthest from the pool and restaurant) but it was only a two or three minutes to walk to any other part of the resort. 

This is one beautiful resort.  The beach is gorgeous, with dozens of cabanas and lounge chairs.  The ocean is clear, calm and warm.  I really didn’t think there could be a prettier beach than Negril, but this beach certainly matched and may have beaten it.  One caution – this is in a jungle and they do have mosquitoes.  For the most part, I didn’t see them or feel them (thank heavens). But, even though I used Off and Avon mosquito repellant sunscreens instead of body lotion or perfume, I went home with bites all over me.  [Please, please, please Desire – consider a more aggressive spraying program that includes the vacant jungle area that borders the property – particularly on the north.] 

Our first exploration of the resort was clothed.  Thereafter, Steve went from room to pool via the beach and spent most of the days nude.  I generally wore a little something between destinations, but felt no discomfort disrobing once I got someplace. 

The pool and snack bar area are a very comfortable size.  The resort was only about 30-40 percent occupied, so there were always plenty of loungers.  With the exception of a big, round, canopied bed area, there is little shade.  Grab the bed or a lounge chair at the north side of the pool (where trees provide some shade) if that’s important to you.  

There are also several tables with umbrellas down by the snack bar.  However, most, but not all, of the people using the bar and snack bar wore clothes.  They have very nice piped in music at the pool, not at all loud or intrusive.  Games were kind of hit or miss.  The entertainment crew was great.  They were always willing to organize volleyball or the like, but never pushy.  The pool volleyball (not tequila) was popular as was water aerobics, but the ping pong tournaments never seemed to happen and if they had “desire time” we missed it.  We didn’t care at all.  We’re not big game people anyway.  Side note! Didn’t watch much TV, but reception seemed OK (the porn was inferior - basically a loop). 

We had dinner at the buffet two nights and ate at the restaurant the other two.  The food at the buffet was fine, but not particularly outstanding.  The service was excellent.  The restaurant, which only has about ten tables, had a good menu, with three or four choices in each category.  The beef tenderloin was out of this world and the side dishes (soups, salads, etc.) were very good.  I didn’t care for the chicken stuffed with goat cheese.  It was kind of dry and I wasn’t in love with the cheese.  Didn’t have the fish or shrimp but got very good reports from other diners.  Again, service was first rate.  Fast and considerate without being oppressive.  Generally, Steve doesn’t care for fancy restaurants because he hates what he calls “the dance of the forks”.  

Actually, all of the people working at the resort were great.  Service was fantastic and everyone’s English was extremely good.  Our only complaint was that it took a while to get our room made up.  But, since we were at the beach, it didn’t matter much. 

There is a noticeable activity gap between dinner and when the disco opens.  One solution would be to open the disco at 9:00 p.m., rather than 10:00 p.m.  I think that would have suited the people that were there when we were.  As it was, only about half the folks used the disco at all.  Partially, it was the choice of music.  This was not a hip hop or rap crowd and many people didn’t know how to dance to salsa.  Additionally, dancing only seemed to occur on the raised platform, the size of which limited participation and was awkward if you were at all self-conscious about your dancing.  Not surprisingly, playroom activity was enjoyed by an even more limited group, the vast majority of which were playing with each other, not swinging.   

None of this bothered us much, if at all.  We spent four heavenly days laying under our cabana, swimming in the ocean and playing in the pool and spa.  We had wonderful massages out by the beach (very reasonable at $55 per person for fifty minutes) and enjoyed the new sauna, where we were the only occupants.  By the way, take a piece of bread out into the water and watch the fish fight for it.  It’s really marvelous to watch.  Also, go out to the lagoon around nightfall to see the crocodiles.   

This resort is perfect if you want to rest, people watch a little and get to know your “significant other” again.  If you like fairly active vacations you should plan on doing some tours (Tulum is a “must see” and Playa Del Carmen is a great place to shop or just walk around).  If you like to be on your own, rent a car.  This is a very “user friendly” area.  Most destinations are right off the highway, which is good to excellent. The resort might also consider adding a few more options, such as escorted  “adult” trip to Cancun.    

Considering our original concerns, this was a fairly staid crowd.  We seemed to be wilder than many, if not most.  Other reviews have reported a wider range of activity, but, based on this trip, I don’t think it would bother us.  Additionally, I think this resort’s future may lie in appealing to the middle-of-the-road mini exhibitionist more than the hard core swinger.  Also, and I know Tom and Bonnie will disagree, I think they ought to drop the “lifestyle” advertising.  The lifestylers already know its there, just like Hedo, and can still plan events and trips.  But, without the direct link, the resort could be represented by the larger range of travel agents, including the big vacation marketers, just like the other Blue Bay resorts.  That would increase your chances of getting bargain air fares and might also eliminate some of the problems associated with telling people where you were going.  

As I’m sure you can guess, we were very happy with the resort and with our vacation experience.  I’m not sure there is another resort in this hemisphere that would provide the freedom and ambiance that Desire does.  We are definitely going back.