Desire Pearl Resort & Spa

Few things are more disappointing than watching a great place go downhill. In this case, new Desire ownership has placed a priority on overcharging guests while reducing services and food quality. After 15+ trips we finally had to hit the pause button. Rapidly increasing rates (1,000/nt) and a reduction of services have us scratching our heads. Paying that much and not being able to make decent dinner reservations, restaurants that close on random nights, not being able to get a decent spot by the pool, and generally being treated like we don't matter have left us no choice but to look elsewhere. Hopefully, management will realize you cannot overcharge AND under deliver and correct these new policies, but I am not optimistic.

Honestly - loved Desire and more than 18 trips since 2018. Usually 2x a year and even went 3x one year but our last two trips were very pricey and since we are not members we heard what was coming down the pike for non members when we were there in October! So now that the prices have been doubled - people who go and pay PREMIUM DOLLARS ARE TREATED LIKE DIRT!! Here is from a friend who just came back and sent this to me! "Hey girl - we were treated very poorly- I asked for a window seat at Pearl for breakfast and place was empty and was told no bc those are member only; accidentally got a purple towel one day and was asked to get up from my seat so it could be removed and replaced with a brown one! Not to mention can't reserve chairs for your visit now unless you're a member! Let's not forget - pay a fortune and NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE A RESERVATION AHEAD OF TIME! Members get late seatings at dinner or very early - that's if the restaurants are not closed due to low capacity! Mind you; I paid for my place and am a long term client- why would I put up with that?! " Which is EXACTLY WHY WE ARE NOT GOING IN 2026!! BEWARE and choose somewhere else until mgmt treats high paying non members fairly!

Amazing experience! The hotel by itself is already amazing, but the best part is the staff. Upon arrival, Nazario made our check-in very fast and welcoming. The playmakers, especially Kia and Tristan, make everything super fun and engaging. The staff at the pool (Miguel and Victor) always remembered our preferred location and did everything in their power to make us feel loved. We will be back for sure!

Graet place for clothing optional resort. Small and you get to know everyone quickly. Older resort but we'll maintained. Going again in February.

Desire Pearl vs. Desire Riviera Maya Honest Review From Long-Time Guests Since 2007 Before we begin, we were also fortunate enough to experience Desire Cabo during its years of operation. Like many long-time Desire fans, we still have great memories of Cabo and the unique atmosphere it offered. While Cabo is gone, many guests still compare today’s Desire experience to those memories. My wife and I have been visiting Desire resorts since 2007 and have stayed approximately 35 times over the years. We’ve experienced both Desire Pearl and Desire Riviera Maya many times and are often asked which resort we prefer. The answer depends on what you’re looking for, but after nearly two decades of visits, we’ve definitely formed some strong opinions. Meeting Other Couples Winner: Pearl Pearl is simply easier when it comes to meeting people. The smaller, more intimate layout creates natural opportunities to connect with other couples. Conversations happen more easily, and people generally spend more time getting to know one another. At Riviera Maya, there are often larger groups and more guests overall, which can make it harder to break into conversations and build new friendships. Hot Tub Atmosphere Winner: Pearl This is probably the biggest difference between the two resorts. The hot tub at Pearl tends to be much more social, interactive, playful, and fun. During our visits, we have played and connected with significantly more couples at Pearl than we ever have at Riviera Maya. On a typical day around the hot tub at Pearl, it’s not uncommon to find couples socializing, interacting, doing body shots, laughing, and simply enjoying the atmosphere together. In our experience, we have met and played with far more couples at Pearl by a wide margin. At Riviera Maya, we’ve often found the hot tub surprisingly quiet considering the size of the resort. While it’s still enjoyable, it generally feels less social, less interactive, and ultimately not as much fun as the atmosphere we consistently experience at Pearl. Clothing-Optional Environment Winner: Pearl For guests looking for a true clothing-optional experience, Pearl stands out. In our experience, a significantly higher percentage of guests embrace the clothing-optional atmosphere at Pearl. At Riviera Maya, we consistently notice many more guests remaining clothed throughout the day. That’s perfectly fine if that’s your preference, but guests looking for a more carefree atmosphere may find Pearl more appealing. Age Demographics Despite what many people believe, the age difference isn’t dramatic. Pearl generally attracts guests in the 50–70 age range. Riviera Maya generally attracts guests from their 40s to 70s. There is far more overlap between the resorts than many online discussions would suggest. Nightlife and Party Atmosphere Too Close to Call Many people claim Riviera Maya is the bigger party resort. After numerous visits, we honestly don’t see a huge difference. Riviera Maya may stay active slightly later into the evening, but Pearl often has just as much activity around the hot tub and evening venues. One drawback of Riviera Maya is the disco. Due to the larger size of the resort and the greater number of guests, we feel the disco simply isn’t big enough. The dance floor can become crowded quickly, making it difficult to move around and enjoy dancing comfortably. For a resort of this size, a larger disco would create a much better nightlife experience and allow more guests to participate without feeling cramped. Playroom Facilities Winner: Riviera Maya This is one category where Riviera Maya clearly shines. The larger beds and spacious layout make it much more comfortable and inviting than Pearl’s setup. If playroom facilities are important to you, Riviera Maya definitely has the advantage. Relaxation Areas Around the Hot Tub Winner: Pearl We actually preferred the older Riviera Maya setup. The newer hot tub play area doesn’t feel nearly as romantic as the previous design. Pearl’s beds and lounging areas around the hot tub create a more comfortable and intimate atmosphere. Pool Chairs and Daybeds Winner: Pearl Finding a good spot at Pearl is usually easy. At Riviera Maya, if you’re not out early enough, there’s a good chance your preferred chair or daybed will already be occupied. Spa Experience Winner: Pearl The spa facilities at Pearl feel much more guest-friendly. Guests can enjoy the facilities more freely, while Riviera Maya often feels more restrictive and less accommodating. Even something as simple as wanting to shower and change before leaving on departure day feels easier and more welcoming at Pearl. Entertainment Staff Winner: Pearl Over the years, we’ve consistently found the Playmakers at Pearl more approachable and interactive. Several times at Riviera Maya we’ve felt almost invisible, with very little engagement from the entertainment team, while the Playmakers at Pearl seem to make more of an effort to connect with guests throughout the day. Evening Bars and Lounges Winner: Pearl The expanded lounge area below the lobby has become one of our favorite places to gather. Comfortable seating and a relaxed atmosphere make it easy to spend an evening talking with friends. At Riviera Maya, seating can be limited, especially when areas are reserved for premium wine experiences. It can be frustrating seeing reserved sections sitting empty while guests struggle to find a place to sit. The Biggest Issue: Pricing This is where we believe both resorts are making a serious mistake. The pricing for 2027 has reached levels that many long-time guests simply cannot justify. What makes Desire special has always been the people. When prices rise too high, occupancy drops, fewer couples attend, the atmosphere changes, and the overall experience suffers. A fuller resort creates more energy, more opportunities to meet people, more social interaction, and ultimately a better experience for everyone. In our opinion, Desire has become too focused on maximizing room rates rather than maximizing the guest experience. The result is many loyal guests questioning whether the value still matches the price. Final Verdict We genuinely enjoy both resorts and will likely continue visiting both. However, if we could choose only one, we would pick Desire Pearl. Pearl feels more intimate, more social, easier to meet people, and simply more fun. The atmosphere reminds us more of what made us fall in love with Desire back in 2007. Riviera Maya certainly has advantages, especially its larger playroom and bigger property, but for the overall experience, Pearl remains our clear favorite. If Desire management is listening, our message is simple: focus less on raising prices and more on creating value. Fill the resorts, keep guests happy, and the success will follow.