Troy & Olive - February, 2010

I hope folks find this report beneficial. To add perspective, Olive and I are 38 and 41 respectively and this was our 10th or 11th trip to HII depending who you ask. We've also been to Couples, Desire, and Grand Lido Braco.
 
General (Feb 28-March 6)
In short I'll say that the trip was perfect in almost every way. We only stayed 6 nights this time but managed to wear ourselves out anyway. With regard to the things that Hedo controls, Olive and I both felt that the trip measured up to any previous visit, in some ways a step up.
 
Nude Beach and Pool Area
The week we were there was directly following the Fluffernutters stay. There were some stragglers from that week but the resort was clearly not at full capacity. Towels and chairs were plentiful. Temperature was great in the hot tub, a little cold in the pool. This was the first time we've ever been to Negril were there were even small waves. Maybe due to the Chile earthquake?
 
Service at the pool bar was good. Delroy and Scumba remembered us well, sometimes we were served out of turn. Guess thats the upside of coming back. We miss Robert at the grill but the replacement was very friendly and prompt. A few new items to choose from, grilled fish. Small little salad bar to the side (no dressing). Jerk chicken available all the time.
 
Socially, this area is the reason that we go to Hedo. It was lively, we met great folks from all walks of life. And everyone is naked! One of the unfounded concerns that I've stumbled across on the message board is regarding PDA's and Ganja, suffice it to say that neither was scarce. The music was decent for the most part, I prefer the local stuff. My only complaint here was the daily playing of a Bon Jovi CD. As a musician with pretty diverse tastes, I have never been able to understand how his music is tolerable. I digress. Overall, if this is your favorite area, the one that defines your Hedo experience, you'll be pleased. Oh, the few singles that I met were very well behaved.
 
Dining (Main area and Restaurants)
I'll contrast here with the other resorts that I've visited where I've met some folks who haven't gone to HedoII because of a perceived difference in quality. I've never had complaints about Hedo's dining choices/quality but I have even noticed improvements. Compared to Grand Lido Braco and Desire, both of which can be priced significantly higher than Hedo, Hedo's breakfast is better than both, frankly its not even fair to make a comparison. For all the attention that Grand Lido gets about their food, their breakfast selection is embarrassing. HedoII has numerous selection of fresh fruits, great eggs to order station (its all to order now), waffle, french toast and fruit smoothie stations. BTW, don't do to Lido for the Room Service, anything brought to your room will be a step down from premade sandwiches at 7 Eleven.
 
Dining in the main area is one of the things that I think makes HII more fun by multitudes over Desire and Lido. The smallest table is for four, many are for six or eight. Folks mingle, stand at the bar, bounce around from table to table visiting. This is where the band is.
 
Munasan (Japanese) was better than ever. The food is as tasty as it always was but I must say that in the words of some of the other service folks..."the funniest man on the island" was our chef. I wish I could remember his name. Ask about him before you make your reservations as I understand that the other chef is less gregarious.
 
Martina's (Pastafari) was solid. I ordered a pasta dish and a steak. Both were excellent. Service was much faster than in the past. I used to not look forward to this night because I felt that I consumed two hours while folks were having more fun in the main area. 
 
This brings me to another concept about how to choose the right resort for your vacation. If you like to go to a place where you get doted on or where you can display your economic means either through attire, tipping or selection of premium offerings Hedo isn't the place. Hedo is the place where at its best you can leave all of your work conversations and status behind. If you get a big rush out of going to a five star restaurant, dressed up and keeping your waiter busy, then HII will either be a break from that or a disappointment. Desire and Grand Lido do a better job of addressing that part of the experience. I'll note, my experience is that its not related to a differential in food quality. In the case of Grand Lido, the rooms are indeed nicer, though no mirrors on the ceilings.  :)
 
Entertainment and Nightlife
Again, for what Hedo controlled this was excellent. The coordinators were great. The piano bar seemed to enjoy more visitors than the disco. The resort was not operating at a high guest volume so the disco was pretty quiet as was some participation in the main stage dining activities. If you are more of an evening rather than morning/day person make sure you go when the resort is full with the understanding that lounge chair, dining reservations availability might be the price.
 
Overall Hedo II is still the best at what it does.
 
Feel free to email with questions.
 
Olive and Troy  (rastamojo7@hotmail.com)