Here we go again..13 years going to Hedo, 20+ trips between Hedo II & Hedo 3. Lord I apologize for this being so long.
Red eye from Vegas to Miami, Miami to MBJ and that's about it for the flying. We arrived 45 minutes late from MIA and paid for it in the line at immigration even though it was a Wednesday.
We did notice a new service being offered that we will take a look at the next time. Club Mo-Bay has an arrival service now and we will use it next trip.
After Immigration and Customs, we stepped out and met our guy Courteney (we have used him the last 5 years) who was waiting. Off to Hedo. Courts brings beer for the ride so we didn't make any stops. Played catch up with Courts since the March ride over and before we knew it we were home.
It should be noted that we were not met in the lobby by...well...those that said they would, you know who you are. So off to the bar for our own drinks while we waited for our room. We had requested a specific room so the 10 minutes waiting for it to be readied was no big deal. During this wait we made contact with the resort staff, Delano and LaToya to make sure that things were ready for AWOL to arrive. It was.
Thursday we hung out with folks from CTI that we have known for years, met a few of the early AWOLers arriving, went off resort with Delano to a local pattie shop. WOW, I had no idea that patties came in so many flavors after having limited offerings on the resort and here in the US. I chose cheese and the wife had shrimp...numnumnum..back to the resort, more relaxing. Toured the new rooms, impressed.
Friday Courts was dropping off another AWOLer and we hitched a ride back to Mo-Bay with him to meet friend Erica and Dave. They were surprised to see us for sure. Back to Hedo we went. Stopped at a duty free place to get our co-hosts some Miller Light, do not try this at home, $70+ a case. Chatted all the way back and when we got there hit the pool for a bit. Jamey and Leslie and more AWOLers arrived. It's lobster night on the resort, Ivy's fave. We did it up in towels. Group bags were readied for Saturdays influx of AWOLers. Met Kramer and Stacey and called it a night.
Saturday is the main arrival day for the group. We added a new thing this trip, think Vegas arrivals. All the limo dudes meeting the planes with signs, we made one for every member and when they got off the shuttles that was the first thing they saw, seemed to be a fun thing. Drink orders were taken and filled and gift bags given out. Dressed for Maskparade.
Sunday more lobby time meeting folks.
Monday is our first AWOL event, our Sunset Social and booze pot luck. The resort put out some fantastic finger foods, made a few announcements, introduced Jamey and Leslie as taking over the group so that we may go back to vacationing, a lot of drinking and a good time was had by all.
Tuesday, Naughty Gift Exchange was a blast. Added glow to PJ night.
Wednesday, AWOL Exclusive Nude Cruise, a party on a boat. Serena and the resorts EC Staff attended, Rasta Ralph, AWOL...need I say more.
Thursday, Group dinner, the torch was passed, AWOL added Chris and TJ as the third host couple to Jamey and Leslie and Kramer and Stacey. Gave away 5 $200 gift certificates towards next years trip and a 3 night comp. AWOLers of The Year were identified and given an AWOL specific towel to remember it by. AWOL theme night, we brought back Toga night.
Friday was a relax day finished off the leftovers from the Booze Buffet and Saturday we left. That's the AWOL week in review, add lots of drinking and craziness, a couple hot tub parties during the rain breaks and now you know why "There ain't no party like an AWOL party cuz an AWOL party don't stop"!
Now the important things you really want to know, hot water, had some most days all day, all days at least once. Ants, had them in the bathroom but were eradicated when we notified the resort, they even left a can of spray in the event they returned. A/C, cold as ice..
The new rooms, very nice. If you can complain about these you probably should find somewhere else to go. The ground floor show room had dual sinks in the bathroom and were a nice addition. The entire bathroom is glass, see through. The upstairs room was even nicer. Electronic locks on the rear sliding door that opened on to an ocean view balcony with a sitting area outside. Thumbs up to the designers of these rooms. We were told by staff that there would be 30+ completed by the end of 2013 with the rest finished by the end of 2014.
Food, we are not picky eaters. That being said, we met Chef Anthony and chatted with him multiple times. He cut his teeth here in Vegas at the Mandalay Bay. He has brought some fantastic ideas with him. The food LOOKS beautiful and tastes just as good. The food is covered now with netting to keep pesky critters away. We ate in the buffet every morning (smoothie bar rocked it) and most nights. Martino's, the menu seemed to be the same as last year, the food was great and the A/C worked. Harry Sans, used to be Munsans, we ate there once and had a blast, the food was as good as always. Nude pool grille filled the void when we missed lunch, the jerk chicken was the star there in my opinion.
The nude pool bar kept our thirst quenched. I am not aware of anyone not being able to get what they wanted at any time, a change from trips past. They added a DJ at the pool and he kept the party going.
The wait staff and bar staff and EC's and room attendants all seemed to go out of their way to make sure that you were getting everything that you needed.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled program..we are no longer hosts of AWOL, but WHEN we come back home, we will be AWOL for a week..
Shameless plug, if anyone wants a good driver, Courts is your man, PM and I will provide you with his info.
Next Trip: Hedo II, 7/23 to 7/30, 2016
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Originally Posted by hotwtxcpl
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