PUERTO MORELOS,
Mexico -- Adults-only resorts and romantic, couples-only properties
arent new in the Caribbean region, but Desire Resort and Spa
pitches a novel take on the niche.
Desire combines
racy and romantic to market itself as a getaway for adult couples
only.
The 108-room
resort opened on the site of the former Bahia Maya, south of Cancun
on the Riviera Maya, in April 2003. It is all-inclusive,
clothing-optional, and sex- and body-positive.
It may sound as
if Desire brochures are mailed in brown-paper packages, but the
bulk of the bookings comes through travel agencies and mainstream
operators such as Liberty Travel/GoGo Worldwide Vacations and
Travel Impressions, said Laura Flores, director of sales and
marketing.
Desire pays
travel agencies 10% commission on bookings.
We do work with
the mainstream wholesalers, although we dont work with big charter
companies because our type of client is generally more upscale and
professional, she said.
The average
Desire guest is an empty-nester whos over 40 and married with grown
kids, but that doesnt mean there arent younger couples.
Repeat bookings
are high, according to Flores. I dont know the exact repeat-visit
rate, but we get good reviews and have many clients who visit three
to four times each year, she said.
Desire is owned
and operated by Cancun-based Blue Bay Hotels and
Resorts.
The company also
runs the adults-only Blue Bay Getaway and the all-ages Blue Bay
Club all-inclusive resorts.
Unclad
and upscale
Although its
mature clientele may not be clad at all times, nudity is not
mandatory and the ambience remains largely aboveboard, said
Flores.
In part, thats
because Desire, unlike resorts such as Hedonism in Jamaica, does
not allow singles to check in.
The biggest
distinction between us and the Hedonisms of the world is that we
market exclusively to couples, which changes the resort ambience
completely, said Flores. At certain competitors, you find a lot of
single men going to see if they can pick up somebody.
Flores stressed
that stays here are more about existing relationships than possible
ones.
In addition to
nudists and couples in search of a sensual atmosphere, Desire
Resorts also attracts female travelers who prefer topless
sunbathing -- a practice often frowned upon in many Caribbean
resorts.
Although topless
suntanning may seem more like a typical European pursuit, some 80%
of guests at Desire Resort and Spa hail from the U.S., mainly
California, Florida, Illinois New York, Pennsylvania and
Texas.
Its comfortable for those
women here, said Flores. Still, guests arent looked at [strangely]
if they choose to remain clothed.
That said, agents
selling the property should advise clients that some hanky-panky
may be encountered in public areas.
You see a little
bit of everything, and some guests do like exhibitionism, said
Flores.
But sexual
activity is restricted to certain areas, such as the Play Room in
the LAlternative disco nightclub. Guests quickly become attuned to
the ins and outs of the resort, said Flores.
There are
schedules guests become aware of, she said. For example, in the
late evening, the area around the 30-person, rooftop Jacuzzi is
known as a little more active.
The roof also
features whats described as a see and be seen open-air shower and a
clothing-optional bar.
All the
trimmings
Apart from its
sensual ambience, Desire offers the standard all-inclusive
amenities and services one would expect.
Guest
accommodations consist of 60 oceanview and 40 gardenview standard
rooms; four oceanview and two gardenview Jacuzzi suites; and two
oceanfront Passion Suites, which feature deluxe perks such as a
stocked bar and private airport transfers.
All suite guests
receive souvenir bathrobes and slippers, a choice of bedding, a
Tantric gift box and Desire incense.
Standard room
rates in the low season (May 1 to Dec. 22) start at $155 per
person, per night, for a gardenview room and $180 for an oceanview;
the same rooms in high season cost $180 and $220,
respectively.
Exact rates for
Jacuzzi and Passion suites, likely higher, were not available at
press time.
Desire is
offering booking incentives in 2005, with one night free for every
four nights paid, up to 15 nights total.
To qualify for
the promotion, July and August stays must be booked by May 23;
September and October stays, by July 25; and stays Nov. 1 through
Dec. 17, by Sept. 26.
The resort is
offering a fourth night free Dec. 18 to 25, with per-person nightly
rates of $155 for a gardenview room and $180 for an
oceanview.
Prices include
accommodations, welcome champagne, three buffet meals daily, dining
at two specialty restaurants (with reservations), alcoholic and
nonalcoholic beverages, entertainment, nonmotorized water sports
and land games, pool and beach access, use of the gym and taxes and
tips.
The five on-site
eateries are the main buffet restaurant, El Arrecife; the
reservations-only Il Piacere, which serves continental fare;
Cielito Lindo, which serves Mexican cuisine; the Coconut Snack and
Grill; and the Melange Lobby Bar. There
are also four bars and lounges, as well as the disco.
To book, call
(888) 201-7551 or visit www.desireresorts.com.
To contact
reporter Kenneth Kiesnoski, send e-mail to [email protected].