Anita - October, 2007

This was not our first time to Hedo II. We were there in ’06.  We arrived at the airport with minimal delays.  We waited for a shuttle bus about 15-20 minutes (just enough time to use the facilities and grab a beer)!  Shuttle is always our preferred method of arrival at the resort.  The scenery on the way is breath-taking (except for the mammoth resort being built just up the road.  I mean, who wants to stay at a place bigger than most states?)
When we arrived, there was a Kingston radio station booked in with loads of Kingston natives trying to check in.  We had to wait 1.5 hours for a room to be cleaned so we could check in.  It seemed that the staff would have anticipated such a large group trying to check in all at one time and taken steps to ensure plenty of rooms were ready. Additionally, there didn’t seem to be much of a system for processing the arriving guests. Some that arrived after us were off to their rooms while we sat in the lobby.  Finally, the manager stepped in to get things moving. We ended up getting a room at the very end of the prude side which was perfect for us.  We didn’t mind the walk to the dining room or the nude side. The showers had hot water if you let if run for a few minutes.  A/C was sluggish; but we rigged it to blow directly on the bed so all was comfortable for sleep.  We had great weather!  The food was not quite as good as last time on the buffet.  I mean, when you have sliced potatoes for dinner on Monday, then again for lunch on Tuesday; don’t try to put some garnish on them and serve them for breakfast on Wednesday!  And what’s up with the shortage of tomatoes?  Very pleasantly surprised by the new Jamaican restaurant.  The food was awesome! However, we had to ask the tour desk where it was located (which was in the Pastafari restaurant).  I was a little disappointed in the service we received in the main dining area.  The staff seemed to hover over the Kingston guests while completely ignoring the others (white folks).  One night, I asked three different servers for a drink with no success at all.  I finally had to get up and get it myself.  Whereas the next table (station guests) had refills waiting on their table before they were finished with the original drinks!  The only bright spot was my girl, Tamara.  She gave the best customer service I’ve ever received (including states and elsewhere).  She was pleasant, attentive and engaged us in conversation.  She seemed genuinely pleased when we were having a good time.  Of course, Charlie was on the top of his game.  Also, Roan at the nude/prude grill was the male counterpart to Tamara.  He offered to make me “his special lunch”. He later recognized me at the Japanese restaurant and asked me if we were being treated right.  He has a smile that would light up the moon!  Same treatment at the bar.  However, the drinks were plenty strong and plentiful.  We never ran out of towels.  One day they were a little late in getting them out; but, you could always find them in the dive shop.  My husband and I went on the nude catamaran cruise.  The crew was fantastic.  Very entertaining and informative.  First timers for snorkeling and now we’re hooked! Really enjoyed meeting the guy that lives on his boat docked at the caves.  We discovered the piano bar this trip (never made it there last time).  We really had a great time belting out the song “Brandy”.
We spent most of our time on the beach (which is kept in immaculate condition).  Always plenty of rafts and sunshine available. The last night were there they had a HUGE beach party sponsored by Red Stripe for the dude that owns all of the SuperClub resorts.  No expense was spared.  Lobster tails everywhere.  A wok bigger than a kiddie pool for fried shrimp.  Entertainment was a bit on the long side.  Maybe it’s just b/c I’m not a fan of the “entertainment crew”.  If I’m sitting alone eating breakfast, maybe it’s b/c I want it that way.  The “entertainers” will come to your table and ask if they can join you.  Without waiting for an answer, they sit down and then continue to look totally bored when you try to make small talk.  Also to the entertainment men, don’t hold my hand and then pretend you recognize me from years past. Does any female fall for this?  The women were a little better except for “Sunshine”. She walks around like a beauty contest winner daring anyone to speak to her (all are allowed to admire her beauty from afar). I know my husband and I will hear “Bocci Ball” in our sleep for years to come!  That all from the king & queen of the nude waterslide competition!  
We, of course, saw lots of pda on the beach and at the pool.  We’re all adults here. If you want to watch, fine. If not, turn your head.  I see nothing offending about a BJ on a beach chair or a little in-out action in the pool.  That is only part of what makes Hedo such a great place to go for vacation.  There’s no judgement; only good times.  We did head off the “reservation” once during our stay for dinner at another resort.  Everyone there was uptight and boring (I mean virgin drinks boring). That’s why we couldn’t beat it back to Hedo as soon as we could.  So laidback and relaxing.  My husband and I talked about going for longer than one week.  We concluded that we would never recover from being a mindless puddle of putty that you would become after more than one week. One week is just long enough for enjoying paradise in the Carribean.