Getting there
Upon arrival the airport was mobbed. Luckily through this forum we found out about USVIP Services. We spent the $400 for the service and my wife and I were met at our jet bridge and expedited through customs bypassing what looked like an hour plus line. Super service and we will use that again. USA Transfers was a breeze and we were 45 minutes, gate to the front door of the resort.
At the resort
Check in was quick and easy, we made our COVID test appt, and then headed to the room. There seemed to be a lot more day beds and with Victor and the team it was very easy to get what you wanted for the week. Remember to tip
The beach had really taken a beating since we were there last and although there are a lot of day beds down there, the smell of the seaweed and the nasty little 'eat you alive' bugs make that a secondary option. They were out spraying for mosquitos. The pool and hot tub are eternal and just plain fun. Charlie, Kia, Candice and the rest of the playmakers do an incredible job. The bartenders (Emilio, Daniel) do their thing with a smile. The restaurants have a bit more condensed menu. Aphrodite is always easy for breakfast and lunch, and the pizza option is nice if you really just want a snack. Pearl was Pearl. Food was excellent but it doesn't always run on time. No biggie, get a cocktail in the lobby bar. We really liked Suki. Quiet, nice menu, great place to have dinner either alone or with another couple. The Mansion was interesting and super classy. But I think the draw to Pearl is the ocean and the pool, that's where the action is.COVID
The COVID testing is efficient BUT fill out your electronic form ahead of time, and bring your passport. On check in that was never communicated to us and we backed up the line about 15 minutes by being 'those people' (sorry) The results are in your email within an hour. We must admit, it is an anxious hour even if you have been vaccinated. We used an American Airlines app called VeriFLY to load our test results and do all the forms needed upon departure. Probably not the most intuitive app but if you spend some time with it, you will figure it out. Upon departure, the airport is crazy, its amateur hour as people have no idea what they need to do. Just walk past the masses who are trying to figure it out but are blocking the hall, take your chance on a line (we usually always go to the far side). Then just show your boarding pass, passports and app screen to the official and that's it. (we did print paper backups just in case)
The people
That's really why you go, right ? We met up with some old friends and had a good time. We also met some new friends and look forward to seeing them again. As usual the hot tub is the ice breaker and then you usually carry that over to the pool, and then maybe to other places
Although we did see some people in swim suits the vast majority were either naked or just had a thong bottom on. So we can't validate or refute others who said more and more people had swimsuits. One thing that we noticed and we hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but there was a new clientele segment that was more 'Vegas' like. Very loud, pretty drunk, didn't follow some lifestyle basics (i.e. please put a towel down when in action on a day bed by the hot tub) and basically left a path of debris everywhere they went. When friends of ours inquired they were told that when the resort was hurting via COVID they offered some very good deals (i.e. lowered their price point) and that brought in a different crowd than before. Take that for what you will. We will keep an eye on that as one of the reasons we go to Pearl is that classy sexy atmosphere, we hope it returns. The evening entertainment was top shelf as always. We bagged on the disco as we've done it before and decided to be a little more COVID safe, just in case.All in all, another great week. Super relaxing, super sexy. During COVID we went out to the new places in Palm Springs. They are a poor substitute. There really are no other places quite like the Desire properties. Will be looking to head back either late this year or in the spring.
