Final trip report for the 'old' TTR - 7th to 14th July

Decided to write a trip report, since this has been my last trip before the renovations.

So in April I booked my annual November trip…then two weeks later they announced the closure. Got a full refund, but that money was burning a hole in my pocket. When a couple of fellow Chaos Crew refugees booked a last-minute trip in July, it didn’t take much persuasion for me to follow suit!

Flight was great, immigration and customs a breeze. Green light again! USA Transfers took less than five minutes to show up. Airport is definitely less congested in July than November. Flight landed about 2pm and we were all checked in at the resort by 3:45pm. Timeshare lady tried to pin us down to a meeting, but honestly, there’s no point. I considered signing up last year, but now with the changes ahead, I won’t make a commitment until I know exactly what’s being offered, particularly with price uncertainty.

Bagged a Paty O room as usual. At first glance, it was very clean and presentable, but looking tired. I’ve been visiting the resort consistently for the last 4 ½ years, and the basic furniture is disappearing. The room lamps have all gone, and there’s not even a make-up mirror in the bathroom anymore. I know we’re getting a bargain right now on room price, so I’m not complaining, but with the changes, when we’re paying 5* prices, hoping they’ve planned improvements of the basics, not just fancy new tiling and wardrobes.

Later that first night, when the fitted sheets on the bed got displaced, getting a look at the mattress underneath, it was so gross. Musty and black with advancing damp. It didn’t feel damp, so I can only assume there had been a problem and they’d treated the mattress with something, and this was left over staining. Still, not something I’d choose to be sleeping on. Same for the blackout curtains. Something had eaten holes in the fabric, and again, evidence of damp. However, the room didn’t smell musty at all, and the AC worked exceptionally well. I was surprised how well it coped with the July heat.

So for first day, after checking in, we dropped bags in the room, and decided to head down to the pool for one drink. Fatal mistake. Once we’d met up with friends, one drink turned into another, and another…you get the idea. We stayed in the pool until it was time to eat. Bit squiffy by that point. Dried off and grabbed a quick bite at the buffet, before stepping into lingerie and partying out at Paty O. Managed to stay out until just after 12am. I have a rule where I don’t like to quit before midnight the first night. It helps to adjust to the time difference if I can stay awake that long. It was a struggle, but I made it.

I was worried the weather would be too hot for me in July, but it was amazing. It was hot, but not unbearable. The advantage of visiting in summer is the hours of daylight you get. Sun is up 6am, and doesn’t get dark until around 8:30pm. That’s a big difference from winter, when it’s already getting dark by 4pm. The pool water was very warm, like stepping into a hot tub. I prefer the water cooler, but once you’re in, you don’t really notice the difference. I normally take cover under the swim-up bar, but with the sun up so high, there’s no shade in the pool whatsoever until early evening. Even constantly applying Factor 50 sunblock, I still managed to burn a few times. We only had one rain storm the entire week, and that lasted less than 20 minutes.

Most of my days followed the same routine – out at the pool around 11am, soak up the sun for 30 mins then into the pool for a float about, have a few drinks and a few shots until 5pm, then back to the room before getting ready for dinner. Then out to Paty O, dancing and drinking until the music shuts off. I dressed up for most of the theme nights, and appreciated how many others were dressing up too. ABC was my favourite. That was my blowout night, where I wound up partying out at the sport’s pool until 5:30am. Fun times. Every other night I was kind of finished by the time the music stopped. This helped get into the swing of things, no epic hangover days or getting too drunk at the pool. I’d even venture to say I was well behaved! How things have changed from my early visits to TTR.

I didn’t dine at any of the speciality restaurants. I never remember in time to reserve anything. I dined at the buffet, seafood and Margaritas in the evenings. No complaints regarding food. I always find something I want to eat. They held the Saturday pool party in the day, rather than around the sport’s pool at night. This was a nice change, and they had what they called a TTR ‘Summer Fest’ promotion going on, with a DJ at the pool and a BBQ around the sexy pool. That was really convenient and fun. Pool service was excellent. Not sure how or why, but the premier pool guy was happily serving us drinks in the pool, even though we’re of the ‘red band’ variety. Could be that we tip well and frequently, or maybe it was just a quiet day. The resort seemed about ½ full, less people during the week, maybe a few more around at the weekend.

To summarise, it was a great trip, and I’m glad I went out of my way to make one last visit before it closes down. I’m glad I took a chance and braved the July heat. It wasn't actually that much different to what I experienced weather-wise in April last year. It was hot and sweaty at times, but the longer hours of sunshine and lack of wind, rain and cloud made up for it. It got a little uncomfortable in Paty O a few nights, but waking up to clear blue skies, bright sunshine beating down and that beautiful pool every day. I couldn't ask for more. If it wasn’t for the great friends I’ve made that can only visit in the winter, I’d definitely be tempted to convert to one of the summer months.

I’m pretty heartbroken that the place is closing down and changing so drastically. It was good to say goodbye. I spent a lot of time just sitting in the pool and around Paty O at night, just taking everything in and reminiscing all the great stories and wild times we’ve had over our past trips. It’s been fun while it lasted. We’re not the most adventurous couple to grace TTR’s doors, but I’ve learnt more about my husband and myself over the seven trips we’ve made to TTR than the rest of our time together. It has brought us closer together and changed us forever. We’re completely different people and a very different couple than before we first visited Cancun. We’ve pushed boundaries, come out of our shells, met so many amazing people from all over the globe and made friendships for life; we’ve dressed up in the most ridiculous outfits to just put a smile on other people’s faces, drank the bar dry, watched the sun rise and danced in the pouring rain. I’ll never forget our time at TTR. Nowhere else will ever compare.

I’ve heard rumours that after renovation, prices for the basic package will be likely similar to Desire. I priced up a seven-day trip to Desire, and that currently works out at over £4k for the two of us. That’s just too much. For however amazing the new TTR will be, I can’t justify blowing £4k on a seven day trip. I’m saving up, and we’ll definitely be back one last time once it reopens, just to see what’s different, but after that…I’m not sure. It depends how they price it. I don’t care about the extras and the luxury, all I need is a functional room, a swim up bar and a bit of nightlife. I hope they work something out so people like me aren’t completely priced out. I think they need people like us, to promote the resort and help persuade others to visit, to bring the fun factor, be out there drinking and dancing and dressing up. It all adds to the fun, flirty and carefree atmosphere. I guess we’ll wait and see. Whether I like it or not, things are changing for good. I’m just glad I got one last chance to go back before it does.

 

Nice trip report thanks Trish

T

 

Great trip report Trish! Will look forward to meeting up with the Crew in the new TTR in 2017! Keep Calgary in mind for next summer as well!

C

 

Ah Craig, we were almost there, had it not been for some pesky Chaos Crew members persuading us to do TTR again. We'll be over in the next few years for certain.

 

honestly, i'm not worried about the price....management is delusional IF they think a Desire price point will hold in that location. Desire caters to a specific, generally well off, demographic. No matter how much TTR upgrades the buildings it is still sitting on a non desirable piece of property with a severely sub par beach. After a little time I think it is a safe bet the price point will fall to a reasonable level. It is very difficult for me to fathom anyone paying 5 star prices for that location.

 

Nice review Trish. Glad that you were able to get one in before the closure, Lucky! Also, happy to hear you didn't have any illnesses or crazy hangover days (I think I remember that happened to you before).

Interesting to read how much the light differs in the winter; that might actually be a better thing at getting us to leave the pool(s) before 8pm, and being totally destroyed before the night even starts.

 

Thanks and many of us are wondering what the future holds.

 

Honestly, my past two trips have been very different. I've been behaving myself! I stop drinking at 1am and somehow that makes a huge difference. No hangovers or illness!

It is very different in the pool summer compared to winter. The water is freezing in winter. When the sun disappears about 3pm, only the very brave remain. Even I'm out by 4pm. In summer, you could happily stay there all afternoon into evening if you chose to!

 

:daisy:Well Trish, let's keep our fingers crossed that the likes of Thomas Cook will still be selling packages to TTR, as this is the only affordable way to do it from the UK. Hopefully Thompson will pick it up again, and we'll have some competition re pricing.

Ever the optimist...

 

Very nice trip report. We too booked to be able to enjoy the place one more time before the changes which could hurt the fun.