Mar 31 – Apr 7
MoBay
Our 8th and much anticipated trip couldn’t have come at a better time for us. We both needed a vacation. Flight out of Montreal via Air Canada was packed as usual and arrived actually a half hour earlier than expected. What we went through on arrival was not as expected. Started deplaning at 10:15 am, began the long walk to customs and the expected wait in the long lines. NOT!!! Although the walk was no shorter, the halls were bright, freshly painted with beautiful murals on the walls. Entered the customs hall and geez not a sole there – only our flight passengers. They had an extra 6 or so tables taking the information and we breezed through without a wait – thought at first we missed something or were in a dream. Next was the luggage – and after a short wait they magically appeared. Turned around to go to immigration and all we found was another hallway and a long one at that past blocked areas with sheets of plywood and more long halls until we entered a huge room with three or four booths set up – was actually immigration. Through very quickly and headed straight for Super Clubs. When we entered the area for the Club rooms, we looked to our left and no Super Clubs. An agent pointed over to the right of the door where we entered and there it was – a new Super Clubs room. Given a cold bottle of water, chatted with Jake and off we went to the Van. The driver was very anxious to get going and tried to hurry up my smoke break. Had to reassure him a couple of times that there were at least a couple of more people heading our way and he was firm there were no more – “they are going to Hedo 3 mon”. I thought Jake going to 3 – no say it can’t be true. To cut it short – there appears Jake all smiles and we were off in full flight to home. Sorry for the lengthy arrival report but geez it was only 10:40 am and we were on the road – a very short 25 minutes. Gotta luv it but can it last?
Home
This is where this trip report becomes shorter – things pretty well fell into what we expect love about Hedo. Room waiting – given our new door card and a safe lock and key. Found the room easy – Garden Prude (cheapie) but had the new safes. So back to the desk to return and ask for details on the safe – no problem mon, just push reset and enter your chosen numbers. Way too cool!!! Ooops – AC not working (not a good thing) and window does not open. Back to the desk (could have phoned I guess) and maintenance was fast to get the AC working but said he would call a “window specialist” to drop down soon. Back to the desk we went and they said they would change our rooms – no problem. Given new room card and no safe lock and key so we figured we had the cool new safe – NOT! Found the old style safe so it was back to the desk to get a lock. Seems they are not really sure which rooms had the new safes and which did not – no problem mon! The rest of the week went pretty smooth until Thursday when we could not get in our room – back to the desk to have it re-programmed, back to the room to try again – nope not getting in so back to the desk. After 3 trips to the desk, our old trusted maintenance lock expert came by rather quickly and seems the new locks need fresh batteries once in a while. So if you are ever stranded outside your door – just call for the lock expert, no problem mon.
Highlights and Answers to Questions
Food – Found all meals anywhere from very good to great. I gained 4 lbs and Line packed on 5 or six so I guess we found something to eat.
Occupancy - Was told that it was in the area of 40% but kinda think it was even lower than that – and on top of that the crowd seemed a tad sedate. Very little slut wear, PDAs or PDPs in the pool. Heard that things, at times, got a little more upbeat late at night in the hot tub but it must have been after 10 pm since that was late at night for us.
Music – Didn’t find the music too bad at the pool – not really loud but the quality was pretty lame until Wednesday or so when the quality picked up a lot after someone dropped off a CD from home.
ECs – They were around but very little happening – must have been the low numbers. Some people were complaining the games were few and far in between and the handing out of “hedo bucks” was low. I noticed they were handing out bottles instead of the hedo bucks.
Staff – They were their usual fantastic people. Still shaking my head over their memories – seemed to remember us from previous trips down to what we got into the habit of drinking at lunch – amazing. Did see Augustus one day hobbling around but that was on Tuesday (I think) but did not see him after that. Didn’t go to the Piano bar – but wish now we did to listen to the new piano player, didn’t know there was one till we got home and read comments from Jake.
Showers/Water – Never a problem – lots of hot water, good pressure and plenty of towels. All probably due to the low occupancy.
Bleeding Tree – Knew about it but that is about all – never thought of it again till we got home and then it was too late to go back. Damn! Maybe next year.
Meal Entertainment – We found the bands pretty good on a couple of days and stayed around and enjoyed them. The art auction chased us as did the toga night. Toga night is getting pretty lame with very few people dressing up anymore – why beat a dead horse?
Pastafari – Enjoyed their meals twice – great service and great presentation equal great food and night.
Departure area – Airport – Airport was very busy when we got back but going through immigration was fairly fast. Thought I was being smart and just tried to bring matches through security but fell out of my pocket and quickly lost them. Downstairs area pretty well the same, picked up our bottles, had them wrapped extra since we had to pack them in our checked luggage in Montreal. Upstairs we went and thought we would look for the new Margaretteville. Walked into a new world completely. Once you get upstairs, turn right start walking. Hmm we thought, new hallway, nicely painted but when we turned a corner – WOW what a change. Wide hall, bright, huge windows and a Jamaican moving floor (quite slow). Amazing and they the new stores – duty free liquor, jewelry, restaurants, another smoking bar and the new waiting area for departure and the new Margaretteville. Simple awesome to say the least. One of the staff handing our comment cards said they wanted to WOW us and boy did they ever. Really impressed. She said when we return next April, we will see much more dramatic changes – can’t imagine what that will be but we are now looking forward to it. Always very dingy area to go to in the past but unbelievable area now – make sure you mention it to them – their faces just beam with a large smile.
Downside –
1. Some of the younger staff members are not happy campers. Noticed on Wednesday several of the staff around the resort gathered in groups reading a letter I assume sent out by management. Can’t imagine what was in it but made some lively discussions amongst the staff – would have loved to see it (nosey or what). One of the younger staff said that “management is going crazy and I am looking for new work”.
2. The 7 days went way to quick so it looks like next April we will be trying the 10 day stay to see if that satisfies us.
3. Arrived back to the east coast to face snow, snow and more snow. Not too awful much where we lived but lots of it all around us.
4.
Question Time: Who was that man with the large grin that was chased out of the hot tub at 7 in the morning????? We have a secret!!!
New Construction – Very large resort being built not too far outside of Mo Bay – the driver told us that it was a 300 person Rios Resort. Wonder what that will do to the rates charged by other resorts including Hedo – will they go down??? Seems it’s going to be open by mid-December – can’t quite believe that one but I guess miracles do happen.
Another journey over and to the people we met who made it all possible – Thank You! It only goes to reassure us that one of the reasons we keep going is basically the people – staff and guests alike, we luv you all!! One of these trips I will try to remember enough names to put them down but you all know who you are.
Sorry this report is so long but the arrival and departure stories had to be shared.