Joe - February, 2012
Our great time on vacation actually began the day before we flew to MoBay. When I went on line to check in for our nonstop DL flight from JFK, there was a notification that we were being upgraded to Business Class. It was a great surprise. If any of you are considering flying out of JFK and need a place to stay for the night prior to your flight, I will highly recommend the Courtyard JFK. This was our first time going to JFK in 27 years and have always been apprehensive about driving down there. The hotel was easy to get too, not far off the interstate and was in an area with other hotels. The staff was much more attentive than at 90% of the hotels we have stayed at. They were very warm, helpful and attentive. When the valet person took the car, they also removed the GPS from the windshield so it would not attract attention.
Our flight pulled away from the gate a couple of minutes early and the pilot announced that we were number 4 for takeoff. After sitting there and watching more than 3 other planes depart, the pilot came back on and said that they had an indicator malfunction and rather than bring us back to a gate, they were trying to fix it with help over the radio and the on board printer. We finally got going but we were delayed over a half hour.
Once we arrived in Mobay, the line through Immigration was only halfway back into the room and moved pretty fast. By the time we reached the front of the line, people were already backed up all the way up the ramp. Our stay in the SuperClubs lounge was just long enough to allow me to head outside to grab a couple of beef patties. Once we arrived at Hedo, check in was short and sweet with them handing us the keys to Room 2179. I knew we would be naked and out of the room before our luggage arrived, so I whispered to the young guy delivering that day to check the bed before he left the room.
The Fluffs were in the house so the pool and hot tub were packed by the time we got out there around 4 PM. We saw some old friends and met some new ones who we chatted with on line for several months before.
Weather was pretty good during the week. We had the usual late morning/early afternoon rain storms. One day, the drops were big and cold but the hot tub was full of people. Never did the rain chase us back to our room as it has done in the past. There were a few days that were cloudy but rain never fell. Those were the days that you hoped for a drizzle just to cool you off.
Saturday night (our first day there), The Fluffs hosted the first of their three pool parties. They bring down their own DJ/VJ who plays music videos on one screen with the soundtrack while on the other screen showing pornos. Our theme for the night was GLOW NIGHT. People were dressed in all sorts of glow in the dark clothes, light up clothes and sparkly outfits. Add to that all of the glow sticks, buttons and the like along with the 28 dozen blinky gel rings that I brought down to pass out, the pool deck was really glowing and flashing. Among the other nights The Fluffs had was Stoplight Night where one wore red if they were monogamous or not into swinging, yellow if they were thinking about it or soft swap and green for those who were full swap or experienced swingers. Another fun night was ABC or Anything But Clothes. There were some very creative people like the man who wore a diving mask covering his genitals and the strap around his butt. Another couple made outfits out of playing cards while another created outfits with Twister mats.
With a new chef, who we never saw in the dining room, there was a nice variety of food during dinner. There were some new salad offerings and the carving station was different every night. The buffet line had some new dishes but they really need to make potatoes, rice and vegetables a little more varied. There are so many things you can do with them. Breakfast saw pancakes, waffles and French Toast every day. They use thick slices of bread for the French Toast and they don’t soak it in the egg mixture long enough so they end up being dry. Now that Charlie is gone, the omelets don’t seem as crispy. The two egg lines were always well used. The jerk chicken on the nude beach was delicious as always. Nigel always does a good job. On his day off, people were not served as fast and you ended up standing in line longer. I only wish that when they offer jerk chicken in the main dining room, they would use the same jerk sauce as they use on the nude beach. The taste is totally different.
Our room was very comfortable, as always. We were in Room 2179 last February as well. We like this room because of the closeness to the beach and the pool. If we have to use the bathroom, it is much nicer to use the one in our room rather than the ones behind the hot tub. It is also more convenient if we forget something in the room or have to run things back there when it starts to rain. They changed pillows on us after the first night. Ellen actually loved the pillow so much she wanted to take it home with her. Hot water has always been an issue with some rooms. We had an abundance of hot water every day. Mid week, we heard that a couple above us and 3 doors down claimed they never had hot water. We only had a problem with pressure once. Thursday, the day of The Fluffs Pirate Cruise, everyone seemed to go from the catamarans to their room to change for dinner and tried taking showers at the same time. Pressure would go up and down but we still had hot water.
When we were forced to leave Hedo (lol), we had passes for Club MoBay. Passes are $35 per person and we felt it was worth the money. After you check in with your airline, you proceed to the Club MoBay check in desk. A rep walks you to the front of the Immigration line and gets you to the first available agent. Once through there, you are escorted to the front of the security line and taken through the handicapped access line. If the airport is busy, this saves a lot of time. Once through, you head to the lounge, which is in the area of Gate 12. You head downstairs to the reception desk where they check you in and ask what airline and flight you are departing on. They have three rooms in the lounge. There are small sandwiches, snacks, fruit and desserts. There is also a fully stocked bar and a wait staff. The wait staff was very attentive. As our mug of Red Stripe got below half, our waiter came over and asked if we were ready for another. Others sitting with us were drinking Jack & Coke and Coconut Rum and Pineapple juice, all included in the price. One of our friends got up to take a look at the bar and came back with shots of Coffee Patron. There is a massage area and the wait staff can provide you with a menu of services. The will also provide you with menus for the restaurants upstairs, order food for you and then charge you when it is delivered. Also, wifi is available throughout the lounge. If you have children, there is a kid’s area as well. They were constantly making announcements for departing flights.
As we got to our gate, the gate agent announced our name over the PA system. When we walked to the gate, we were asked for our boarding passes. It was a full flight and we were hoping that we weren’t being bumped. Instead, we were again surprised with an upgrade to Business Class. If you are thinking that I am a constant Delta flier, it is farthest from the truth. I am the lowliest of Medallion Fliers, a Silver Medallion which was achieved mainly by charging our daughter’s tuition to the DL AMEX card and a couple of flights last year.
We have to say that we had our best, wildest, craziest week at Hedo every. We met some really great people that I want to give a shout out too. Here’s to our new friends Rick & Lisa, Paul & Cathy, Marty & Dottie, John & Dawn, Jim & Christy, Missy & George, Brick & Sharon, Chris & Toni, Rex & Paula. If I missed any of you, please accept my apologies. Here it is March 9, 2012 and we have already booked our trip with the Fluffs for February, 2013.