Desire Pearl Riviera Maya Resort – All Inclusive, Exclusively for Couples

Desires Riviera Maya is a gorgeous tropical setting, sexy and made for letting loose. The resort has a lively, fun feel and knows how to make sure you have a good time. The staff were amazing and made us feel spoiled from the moment we arrived. Our butler LeFranc was unreal: he took such good care of us, anticipated what we needed, and made the stay unforgettable. We’re already counting down to coming back.

This was our second visit since December 2025, and we go twice a year or more. Pearl is our happy place, where we got engaged and married. The service is excellent every time, and our butlers have been amazing. Seeing May, our hostess at Aphrodite, each morning was a beautiful start to the day. Mauricio took great care of us as he went over our contract renewal. From the moment you step out of the taxi, everyone who works there treats you like family. We highly recommend Pearl.

The staff made some parts of the trip really special. Orlando, who waited on us at Suki and Pearl, gave us the best service we’ve had anywhere. Rosemberg and Sulle at the Jacuzzi bar were wonderful too, and the groundskeepers were always friendly. We also liked having a bracelet for the room key. Dinners were generally good, and service at the bars and restaurants was excellent. The room itself was difficult from the start. There was a musty, moldy smell that got into our luggage and belongings. The safe failed the first night and took several staff members to pry open and replace, and the door sometimes needed several tries before it unlocked. After a special setup, the lighting was left so dim that the room stayed dark for the rest of our visit. The shower was awkward to use, especially for taller people. Construction directly above us began around 7 a.m. each day and carried on late into the evening. It made it hard to relax or sleep in the room. We also found the pressure to buy services or promotions uncomfortable, even after we’d said we weren’t interested. Breakfast and lunch were disappointing, mostly buffet food with little flavor and few alternatives. Heavy seaweed made the beach hard to enjoy, though we understand that’s outside the resort’s control. More daytime activities away from the pool would have been welcome. The bell staff were warm and welcoming, and several other employees stood out. Still, the room problems, construction, and pushy interactions made the stay less relaxing than we’d hoped. I first sent this feedback through the post-stay survey on 3/9 and again on 3/12, but had heard nothing by 3/25.

We spent 9 days here and I really managed to decompress, spending time with people who quickly became friends. The Play Makers kept us busy and laughing from morning through night. We started with yoga, then volleyball, water polo, and water zumba. Matias was always helping us learn to dance and feel freer moving to music, and Candice’s singing and friendly manner could light up the place. Jess, JJ, and Tristan brought a competitive edge to the games, with a little sibling rivalry, while Abby’s bubbly personality made her a fun part of every activity. Omar, the DJ, had great music and a hilarious sense of humor that tied all their antics together. Mani, our “El Jeffe,” built a terrific team and even joined in, losing to my wife at volleyball. I can afford any resort, but having the Play Makers entertain us all day is what puts this place above most all-inclusives for me. They helped us get past our introverted habits and into a healthy party mood. The evening shows were about what you’d expect in Cancun, maybe 4 out of 5 stars. Then the Play Makers got everyone dancing all night, and the evenings felt like 6 out of 5.