Comparison of DESIRES resort in Cancun Mexico and Hedo 3 in Jamaica.

We have traveled to about 7 all-inclusive Caribbean resorts now, and we are frequently asked how this one compares to that one. We recently did a comparison of the three nude or clothing optional resorts in the Cancun area….but of the resorts we have visited Desires and Hedo3 are most comparable. WE have been to Hedo3 twice and just returned from Desires.
We are not travel agents and we are not affiliated with any resort.

I will break this down into categories.

CHECK IN
The lobby at Desires is open and very nice. Check in went very smoothly. Towels and drinks were offered.
The lobby at Hedo3 is almost exactly the same as Desires. The check in desks are on the opposite sides of the room. Check in also went smoothly.
I would rate check in equal.

ROOMS
Our first visit to Hedo3 we got an ocean view room on the nude side. It was right by the pool. The room was large and brightly decorated. There was a king sized bed, plenty of drawer space and closet space, an iron, hair dryer and coffee pot. The bathroom had a Jacuzzi tub and shower.
The second visit we got a room by the quad pool. The room was exactly the same as the first room…except we had two twin beds which they pushed together to make a king bed.
We got a garden view Jacuzzi suite at Desires. The room was all white with a canopy bed. There was little drawer space, a nice closet, a coffee pot, small frig and a hair dryer. The bathroom was divided into two rooms. The first had a Jacuzzi tub for 4 and two sinks. The other room had the toilet and a bidet and a shower.
I would give a slight edge to Desires for the room.

SERVICE
The service at Hedo3 was very good both trips. We had no complaints at all.
The service at Desires was also very good though they could use a couple of additional bar tenders.
I would rate service a tie.

POOL
The nude pool at Hedo3 and the clothing optional pool at Desires are about the same size. Both offer pool volleyball. Neither resort provides floats.
The pool at Hedo3 has benches to sit on and little tables and of course fountains and the waterfall. All of these things take up room so to just FLOAT in the pool gets a bit crowded. There is also a swim up bar. There are plenty of chairs and shade and towels are plentiful. Hedo3 also has a prude pool and the clothing optional quad pool.
The pool at desires has a shallow end and there is a bed with a canopy at one end. There is room to float. There is a bar nearby. There are plenty of chairs but very little shade. Towels are plentiful and huge but need fabric softener. Desires also has a topless pool but it was seldom used.
Hedo3 wins the pool category.

HOTTUB
The hot tub at Desires is on the rooftop of one of the guest buildings, It holds about 30 people and has a swim up bar at one end. The view is spectacular as it overlooks the resort and the ocean. There is a deck with chairs for sunbathing and there are canopy beds nearby. There are also restrooms and tables and chairs under a rooftop. The hot tub was almost too hot because it was in the glaring sun.
The hot tub at Hedo3 is right next to the pool…so if you get hot you can dip in the cooler water, and the bar is nearby. It too holds about 30 people.
Hedo3 also has a hot tub in the quad area and the glass bottom hot tub near the waterslide.
I give the edge on this one to Desires.


FOOD
Hedo3 has a buffet and two restaurants, a Japanese and an Italian. You need reservations but there is no limit as the times you can use them. The food is good and there is a good variety.
Desires also has a buffet and two restaurants, an International and a Mexican. You are given two coupons to use at the two restaurants. Men are required to wear slacks.
This one is really tough to choose but I will give the thumbs up to hedo3.

ACTIVITIES
There are activity directors at both resorts. They play many of the same type of games, volleyball, bingo, twister, etc. Both resorts have theme nights but the hedo crowd participates better. There is more “entertainment” at hedo3 i.e. piano bar and shows in the main dining room. Both resorts offer snorkeling; however there is an additional $25pp charge at Desires but the snorkeling is much better.
Hedo3 wins this category as well.

DISCO
The disco at hedo3 is at the top of the stairs. There is a bar and a cage and a couple of poles. There is also an outside area where there is a bar and tables and chairs.
The disco at Desires is also on top of the building. It has a bar and a playroom in the back. There are lots of chairs. There are a couple of poles.
Hedo3 has a much better participation for the theme nights than does Desires.
Hedo3 wins this one as well.

GYM
Both Hedo3 and Desires have a very nice Gym with plenty of equipment.
I will say this one is a tie.

SPA
Both resorts also have very nice spa services. I would rate this one a tie as well.

BEACH AND WATER
The one area really lacking at Hedo3 is the nude beach. The beach itself is small and the water is ugly.
Desires has a beautiful beach with fine white sand. The water is also a pretty aqua color. There are plenty of palapas and chairs. There is a bit of a seaweed problem and they do attempt to clean it up every morning. The beach is about 25 feet wide and very long.
Desires wins this category hands down!

LOCATION
Desires is about a 20-minute ride from the Cancun airport on a wonderful interstate.
Hedo3 is about and hour and fifteen minute ride from the Montego Bay airport on a curvy windy road.
Desires wins this one.

GENERAL
Hedo3 has a nude area, a clothing optional area and a prude area. Clothing is required in all restaurants.
Desires is a clothing optional resort and clothing is required in restaurants. Remember that Desires is located in Mexico. You cannot drink the water.

PRICE
The Jacuzzi suite rooms at Desires are about $360 a night. Run of the house rooms at Hedo3 are about $285 a night.

PDA
We saw no PDA on our first trip to Hedo3 but we did see it the second trip in the pool and the hot tub and in the pool grotto and in the chairs around the pool.
We saw PDA’s on the beach, in the ocean, in the pool, in the hot tub, in the disco, and in the beds by the hot tubs at Desires.

In many ways I think these resorts are equal. I think Steve would give the slight edge to Hedo3.