Dave & Pat - November, 2009

Grand Lido Braco 11-14 to 11-18

 

This was our 9^th trip to GLB. We visited GLN and Hedo 2 in March with friends. This one was by ourselves. We sort of snuck this trip in because we will not be going to Jamaica for our annual trip in March 2010.

 

We fly Air Jamaica out of BWI. For years the flight has been at 8:30, but now it has been moved back to 7:00 AM. We thought that was great because we would get to Jamaica earlier and not have to wait for our friends to arrive for the ride to the resort. I think half the plane was going to Hedo 2 or 3!

 

We landed on time at 10:00 AM, breezed through immigration and customs and arrived at Barco at 11:40. The ride to resort was a record 40 minutes.

 

There were big crowds checking out, but we managed to get checked in quickly. Of course the room was not ready, but we got our wrist bands and towel cards. They told us to call from Wayne’s later to check on our room. Victoria’s Market was not open yet so we ate at the Jerk Pit. I think it is called the Reggae Café now.

 

Our plan was to get a drink at the AN clubhouse, get our towels, strip down and lay out until our room was ready. There were no towels to be found anywhere. We checked prude side and AN. The watersports guys suggested checking the spa. None. So much for getting there early. I camped at the bar in the clubhouse and my wife went up to the office around 2. We got our room a few minutes after 3. The AN side had evidently been sold out the past week and it looked like it was full the time we were there too.

 

We booked the Japanese and French restaurants in advance and had good meals with good company. We ate the other two dinners in the Italian. The food was good, but on our second visit it took over 25 minutes for our entrée to arrive. It was late and not that crowded.

 

For breakfast we ordered room service. It was on time and the coffee was good and hot and the pastries fresh. Room service now comes from the AN clubhouse. Only certain rooms (suites?) on the prude side qualify for room service now. One of our favorite parts of the day is coffee on the patio early in the morning.

 

On a couple mornings we played the 9 hole course on the property. New clubs and carts. It is now $16 to rent clubs and a cart. We always bring our own balls because they charge $12 a sleeve or $2 a piece for used balls. We finished by 9:30 and stopped by Victoria’s Market for fruit and coffee. Service is still lacking, but Allison, the manager, tries real hard. They just need some organization and defined areas. The wait staff seem to be all over and not focused. We have avoided VM for all meals for years.

 

Lunch is served at the bar daily at 12:30. No need to get dressed and go to the prude side. There is always lamb chops, chicken/beef/pork of some sort and fish along with vegetables and fries and salads. And of course burgers.

 

There is no more free laundry or manicures. The laundry was a nice perk, but my wife gets her nails done weekly at home and usually skipped the manicure.

 

We didn’t go to the toga party but did see several folks from the AN side dressed. We stopped in at the Fantasy party, but it was early and not many there. Some interesting outfits though.

 

With the $85 per person per day charge for prude side guests to visit, we didn’t see too many. The AN side looked to be full, but there were plenty of chairs around the pool. They are also building some gazebos around the pool, a towel shack and guard shack for the guard to watch for non paying visitors.

 

Seats at the swimup bar were full all the time. Limited drink service on the beach. We usually got our own drinks.

 

The wrist bands didn’t bother us, but my wife left her’s off much of the time. She was approached by security on the beach and told the guard it was in the room. The guard just told her she needed to wear it. Unlike Hedo 2 where there were always fresh towels, Braco still has not solved that problem.

 

I got chewed up by bugs, the wife had 2 or 3 bites.

 

All the things we have complained about over the years are still around, but we go back! We enjoy talking to the staff and meeting new friends. Braco still has the best AN facility on Jamaica.

 

 Dave & Pat