Ben - April, 2006

H2 4/19-4/22
 
After 2 day/night passes and much consideration, we finally booked h2 for part of our last vacation.  We spent 2 weeks in Negril, the last part at Hedo.
 
Overall, it was a nice change of pace, great eye candy, relaxing.  The food, as we feared, lacked.  One of our favorite parts of visiting Negril is the awesome local food.  I don't think we could spend any longer at Hedo and not be going offsite for several meals/day.  Other than the food, most things were Ok.  The environment swayed at times from sexy to seedy, I am sure it changes all the time depending on the folks around.
 
Our room was great.  OV Nude, AC worked (not freezing, but cold enough).  Great view of the beach just down from the nude bar area.  We'd heard that the view was not all the great, but we had a great view, could see the main beach in Negril just fine across the bay.  No hot water problems.  Was a bit strange at check in, it was a breeze, but then we were on our own finding our room.  No biggie.
 
We did the snorkeling trip.  It was nice.  They don't take you very far, just around the point towards Grand Lido, but the snorkeling is fine.   We saw a large ray and a few smaller ones also.  The trip is little less than an hour total, so it doesn't cut in to Hedo party time that much.  
 
The "blue taxi" dude worked out fine.  Only thing blue was the sunshade on his boat, but it was pretty obvious since he was the only one around.
 
The Japanese restuarant was not bad, but the buffet food was poor each time we tried it, even on the Gala night (Friday).  No lobster, only thing different than other buffet meals were the lamb chops, not bad, but well overdone.
 
We went with some friends of ours who had been to Desire, but never to Hedo.   They had a good time, but overall said they liked Desire better.  Something about the environment being sexier and lease sleazy with only couples present.   They did say the loved Negril and liked it much better than the places around Desire, since it is so isolated.  Our friends even went offsite to dinner and shopping a couple times, which must be rare for first timers.
 
We did have a single friend who went with us.  He enjoyed his time, but did not hook up with anyone.  He wants to go again, but would definitely go with a partner (or two).
 
I tried the waterslide, it was great! I thought it would be slow/boring/built for the intoxicated masses, but to my surpise, it was awesome.  FAST and longer than expected.  It was not running very often, so the rest of our friends missed out and I did not get a chance for a 2nd run.
 
One night we got a show - we were walking down the nude beach towards the hot tub area and one ground floor room had their lights on and were having some fun on the couch right by the window.  Not sure if they were looking for company, but they sure had the spotlight.
 
We took the hedo shuttle back to the airport (usually take a private driver back and forth).  It was fine.. we got mooned from moon hill on the way out, perfect way to finish the trip.  
 
We'd recommend a day pass (specifically day unless folks had friends staying there they knew) to folks who had not ever been.  The night pass doesn't seem quite right for folks visiting the first time unless they have friends to hang with.  Either big party (hot tub, disco) where you don't know anyone, or totally empty (most of the resort).  Also a lot less intimidating during the day for newbies.  
 
 As for staying there, as I mentioned, it's not for everyone.  We enjoyed it, but won't go every time we vacation in Negril.  If there are really good deals, we will consider it.  H3?  No way, no Negril close by.  We would go back to H2 for a day/night pass if we had friends staying there, or if we were with friends who wanted to go.
 
Questions?  Shoot me an email. Ben
 
raider@austin.rr.com