From: Sand_Sun_Screwdrivers and Scuba
Trip dates: Jan 27, 2006 to Jan 31, 2006.
This is specifically for Lifestyle couples, not part of an organized group, interested in your first HEDO II trip. We have mixed feelings about this resort, please read the entire report. This was our third trip to Jamaica... first stay at this resort.
We booked ROH. Our purpose for selecting Hedo II was lifestyle activities, nude sunbathing, R&R and SCUBA.
BUS RIDE FROM SANGSTER: was over 2 hours long. The driver stopped three times during the trip. Once for beer, once for ganja and once for restroom. We were going to an all-inclusive resort in January where beer and drugs are readily available. The last thing we wanted to do on a relatively expensive vacation, with 8 hrs of travel time, was to make multiple stops on the bus ride from the airport.
CHECK IN: was flawless, they won't let you touch your bags. 5 minutes and to the room.
ACCOMODATIONS: The room was pleasant, functional, clean and nicely located (1131). The shower pressure and water temperature were fantastic. The balance of the facility was well maintained and quite attractive. I'm not sure if the "sounds of Hedo" frog is taped, but it was definitely next to our window...every night...hmmmm...sounds strikingly identical to the recording on DennyP's.
STAFF: was acceptable, not fantastic. They do not go out of their way to make your stay memorable, they are simply doing their job, nothing more. Having said that, there were exceptions. GARY at check-in...very nice, and accommodating. OSWALD at the main hall bar at night fantastic guy, good sense of humor, made the best dirty bananas at the resort and remembered how you liked them: a little less coffee liqueur for us. DELROY AND COMPANY at the nude pool was quick and provided unlimited smiles for the guests.
ENTERTAINMENT: The entertainment was very good, but not great. Much of the entertainment was guest based and the female staffer that provides the MC duties during the day is abusive to the guests. Some may think it is cute, we felt she was rude and condescending at times. The Piano bar was a waste of time and the Disco was lifeless. (this may not always be the case, we realize that: just our experience on this trip)
FOOD: Do not go for the food. It is mundane at best. We are a middle income couple that does not partake of "fine dining" more than a couple of times a year, so we are not exceptionally picky eaters and did not expect gourmet food on this trip. The selection is extremely limited, flavor is bland and with the exception of Friday night, the food was of a quality equivalent to what we could afford when we were 20 years old (20 years ago). The meat they serve seems to be in short supply, because the initial serving the staff is willing to give you is roughly 4 oz. and they are hesitant to give you that next 4 oz. on the first pass through the line. If you like beef, expect it in frozen hamburger form. In general, if the food is cheap and flavorless, it is in plentiful supply. In defense of the resort, we did not try to book either restaurant. (Probably a mistake on our part)
DRINKS: They are plentiful and strong. The staff is exceptionally liberal with the alcohol. We each drank about 10-12 every day throughout the course of the 18 hours or so we were conscious. Definitely not hard to find very good drinks. A little hint: if you like mixed drinks, specifically ask for top shelf liquor. Don't ask for a screwdriver; ask for an Absolute and orange. When possible, they will give you the well liquor, it only makes fiscal sense to do so.
OFF-SITE ACTIVITES: With the exception of SCUBA and maybe glass-bottom boat ride (not sure), any activity off-site, you pay extra for it. This is not typical of every all-inclusive at this price range. Trip to Negril $10/pp, Shopping and Rick's Cafe $20/pp, catamaran ride $50/pp...etc. Check with your trip organizer or SUPERCLUBS. Even though it's an all-inclusive, take extra money, you may want to see more than the resort.
OTHER GUESTS: The guests make this resort what it is, good or bad. Most everyone is very friendly and interesting to talk to. So many personalities, nationalities and ethnicities made the personal exchanges stimulating. We were never at a loss for company. Most guests were in the 30-55 year old range, with 10% under and 10% over. We personally carry about 10 lbs of additional weight each...we were slender in comparison to 75% of the guests. We are a lifestyle couple looking for special friends, but only chose to engage one single male during the entire trip... you draw the conclusion. Estimated ratios were 85% couples, 12% single males and 3% single females. Many couples were engaging others for physical activities and having a great time. At times, the nude pool and the hot tub were alive with PDA's. Not always, but certainly in plain view, spontaneous and interesting.
SPECIAL NOTES: Our male brought all of his own SCUBA equipment, but chose to not dive because of the predatory nature of half of the single males and the indifference of the SCUBA staff to prospective divers. Your dive experience may differ, don't use this as a make or break issue for your trip. Most couples we observed dont readily engage single males, the ones that do, make your interest or non-interest known.
CHECKOUT: The resort will pick up your luggage from your room. We were close enough that we took our own to the front desk. You will have to stage your own luggage to the side of the bus. Not a big deal, but certainly different from your arrival; where they wont let you touch it and not indicative of every all-inclusive at this price range.
RETURN BUS RIDE: On time, pleasant and efficient.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Our experience there was not as fulfilling as we expected. Overall, it was not unpleasant, but not as thrilling as typically hyped. We may return, but there are too many other places in the Caribbean that need exploring first. The folks that continually frequent this resort are an enigma to us. We simply did not see the basis for the continuous positive raving within the message boards. Was it worth experiencing once? Yes, with reservations.