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Thread: Trip Report Hedo - Desire comparison

  1. #1
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    Wink Trip Report Hedo - Desire comparison

    Hedo III Trip Report

    About Ourselves

    Louise and I are a sixties couple who have extensive experience at Desire Cancun and other clothing optional properties. We spent our honeymoon at Hedo II thirty years ago and returned twice during the subsequent two years. Because of several poor experiences we opted not to return to Jamaica. Chief among these was a feeling of being unwelcome and a total indifference by the staff. More on this later.

    Travel down.

    We departed Ottawa, Friday the 6th June for a 10 day visit. We left at 8:00AM for Toronto then on to Mo Bay on Air Canada flights arranged by Hedo.. We arrived in Mo Bay a little early at about 1:00PM local.

    Arrival in Mo Bay

    Arriving a little early we proceeded fairly quickly through Immigration and Customs with our bags awaiting us at the carousel. We were greeted outside the Superclubs office, told to leave our bags outside the door and told to report to the desk. There we were told that our reservation was in order and that the shuttle would depart in about 15 minutes. In short order we were told to follow someone to the bus. Meanwhile, I observed a porter squash our bags (wheelies) under a pile of others. Of course for this great service and a 200 ft walk he expected a tip. There were 10 of us in the minibus who now waited over 20 minutes in an overheated bus (door and loading window open, so AC couldn't keep up) because we couldn't get a release from the dispatcher. After this delay another couple arrived and we finally departed.

    Travel to resort took 1 hour and ten minutes over a recently improved road with one stop at Braco to drop off two couples.

    Hedo Reception

    Reception was efficient and we were soon established in room 334 of one of the Quad blocks (green trim). Despite having sent an e-mail the week before, and following up with a call the day before requesting a fridge for medical reasons I was required to pay $5/day immediately. It required 3 visits to front desk and Guest relations before the fridge finally arrived about noon the next day. I was offered a $5 credit for the delay.
    We were very impressed with the cleanliness of the room and general appearance. With the exception of often low water pressure and lack of the usual complimentary amenities the room was OK. After realizing the benefits of a poolside room we attempted to get a room change. Despite the resort only being at less than 50% capacity we were told that because of a Quad takeover in 6 days time we could not get a poolside room.

    Hedo has a satisfaction guarantee. If you report a problem they can’t fix within 24 hours of your arrival they will give you credit for a future visit. Unfortunately the problems we discovered were beyond this limit and they weren’t significant enough to pursue without cutting into our other activities.

    The Property – General

    The property is at least twice the size of Desire. The grounds are lush and well cared for. Because of the design of the complex it is easy to get about from area to area. One very positive aspect of the resort is the abundance of loungers in all areas and most importantly the large number of closed cell lounge pads/floaters available. No more lugging your own cheap air mattresses or relying on those left behind by previous guest like the case at Desire. The main pool area (prude) adjacent the dining rooms is very large and irregular. Different staff members told us that topless was permitted but then others said no. Louise was topless there once and tried to get a drink at the adjacent bar but was generally ignored. She was made to feel uncomfortable. Strange thing is that the water slide is part of this pool and you can use it nude until 5:00PM and then after 11:00PM. There is a little used hot tub above this pool on the stairway up to the Disco.

    The three pools are large and irregular and are difficult to keep clean. There was considerable debris on the bottom that no amount of vacuuming seems to clean. This was particularly true of the Quad pool after the construction. Saturday night (14th) we had a severe thunderstorm, which left the nude pool, covered in leaves twigs and vegetable debris. Within 4 hours it was all cleaned up. Quite remarkable effort.

    Security is noticeable throughout the resort. Daytime guards were frequently female and wore white shirts. Nighttime guards were often men dressed in black. In our opinion they are too noticeable and I felt that on occasion they were lurking. There are several suspended beds throughout the property in addition to some hammocks. Two of these beds are at the end to the nude area adjacent to the sauna and steam room. There is a small shelter nearby where a “guard” frequently sits. We had some play time one evening (about 11:00PM) on one of these beds. During our intimate activities I observed the guard leave his station and come to within 15 feet of us on the pathway and simple stop and stare (male dressed in black). I don’t mind being observed by guests but I do object to this.

    Prude Area

    This area begins at reception, comes out to a large very large terraced area, which provides entrance to the 3 restaurants, piano bar and disco then to the Prude pool, water slide and beach area and the water spots centre. There are no signs indicating what standard of dress or undress is expected. It is very confusing since it is common to have nude people on the slide, nudes invading the area on a raid, almost nude attire in the evening and stage shows which have at least topless performers etc. It’s our impression that the Resort doesn’t know which persona to express. We feel that topless should be accepted anywhere anytime. The waterslide is great fun. However, there were several occasions when it was not functioning at the specified times.

    Quad Area

    On Monday, 9 June, we noticed a lot of maintenance activity around the quad pool. This activity continued for the rest of the week beginning at about 8 AM and ending at 10:30 to 11:00PM. Sanding, painting, stripping of the bridges, decking and surrounds was in progress in an apparent attempt to spruce things up prior to the Quad takeover. This activity by up to a dozen workmen at a time and the resultant fouling of the pool, made the Quad area essentially unusable. Now that I'm writing this I realize we should have complained but we were spending all our time in the sea or at the nude pool so it didn't affect use that much. With this construction and low occupancy the quad area was virtually unused for the period 9-14 Jun. In my opinion, guests in the Quad buildings should have been offered re-location during this 5 day maintenance period.

    When the Quad takeover began on Friday the 13th the atmosphere of the area rapidly changed. This is really the party area. With good DJ’s, great antics by the Entertainment team and the spirit of the guest it’s a fun place to be. Don’t expect to get any rest in the surrounding buildings.

    Nude Pool

    Meanwhile all activity was at the nude pool or prude area. Chef John was on duty most days at the nude pool grill turning out wonderful lunchtime delights. The bar staff were prompt, friendly and fun. Great environment. As previously stated lots of loungers and floaters. Nude beach is good and the various decks and terraces offer lots of areas for privacy if you want distance from the noise of the pool/hot tub area.

    Dining

    Don’t come to Hedo III for the food in the main restaurants. It just doesn’t compare with the quality and variety of Desire. We ate once in Munasan the Japanese restaurant. Our chef was a performer. She had a marvelous sense of humor and had everyone behind the grill trying their hand at cooking. Lots of fun but the food was unremarkable. Very shortly after we were served we were advised that there was a gas leak and we were professionally escorted out of the restaurant with our plates if desired to finish the meal on the terrace. The emergency was very well handled. We ate 4 times at Pastafari. The antipasto selection is excellent. The main menu varied 3 times during our visits. Some of our selections were good others undercooked or disappointing. The chairs have no cushions. Benches are OK. Many areas are quite bright. It just doesn’t compare with the presentation, intimacy and sensuousness of the Il Piacere restaurant at Desire.

    The Tropical Terrace restaurant offered the usual wide variety of buffet selections. We only ate breakfast and dinner there. The omelet man doesn’t compare to Matilda. Wonderful attraction is to have the stage here. It was nice to enjoy dinner with or followed by show. The entertainment was much better and more elaborate than Desire. The ET put on some very good, elaborate and sensuous shows.

    The food offered for lunch at the nude pool and Reggie café was excellent. Great jerk selection at the café and John at the Nude grill was friendly, affable and offered wonderful lunch selections.

    Disco, Piano Bar DJ’s and Music

    Here is one aspect that Hedo stands out over Desire. Their DJ’s rock with the music that guests enjoy not their personal selection. For us non-smokers coming from an area, which now prohibits all smoking in public, places going to the Disco where smoking was permitted simply drove us out. Only visited lingerie night for about 15 minutes. Could easily hear music in nearby hot tub. Only visited piano bar for short period during quite time but others told us it was a great place to be. We are really nude hot tub people.

    Dress style of guests

    In our opinion the guests, in particular the ladies did not dress as provocatively as they do a Desire. This improved from the 13th to the 15th as the take over groups arrived but it was still by a relatively small percentage of the ladies. No doubt this comment would vary from week to week depending on the groups or people in residence at the time.

    Water sports

    The availability of water sports is what primarily enticed us to try Hedo III. Lots of activities are provided. The staff is excellent. Things occurred on time, which was very different from our previous experience at Hedo II years ago. IMHO the biggest attraction of Hedo III is the dive program. I took the open water certification course. This took about 3 hours each morning for 4 days and cost $350. About a further 8 hours of study were required. The equipment and our instructor Ryan were excellent. Other members of the dive time are Joseph, Roger and boat captain Alroy The big bonus at Hedo is that once certified I continued to dive each day for no additional charge. I came home with 15 dives and 6:40 hours of bottom time in my logbook. They have the same policy for resort dives. Take the $70 resort course and once you pass the first dive you can dive every subsequent day for no additional charge. The weakness of the water sports program are the sailboats. There are 2 Hobie 16s and 1 Hobie 18. The Hobie 16s are virtually inoperable due to faulty, worn or broken rudder systems. One fix was to use a bent nail instead of a proper nut and bolt. They only permit “rides” on the Hobie 18. I requested instruction if required and a check out but was told only “rides” were offered. This was a very disappointing situation for an experienced keelboat sailor.

    Entertainment Staff and Theme nights

    The ET is much larger and more active than at Desire. They are energetic, excellent dancers and performers and are all very sensuous There are numerous activities throughout the resort and the evening shows are good. The resident band is very good. The theme nights are well attended and are fun.

    Overall Staff

    Much like Desire we found the general staff to be friendly and helpful. We were always greeted when we met a staff member on the grounds. Cooks, grounds men, pool boys and maintenance were all welcoming. This was a marked difference from our previous visits to Jamaica many years ago. This welcome change will entice us to return. Furthermore, Hedo’s “absolutely no tipping” policy seems to be generally observed. No one ever made me feel that a tip was expected. If others tipped it was very discreet. At Desire, in many cases it was expected and I observed it frequently especially at Il Piacere and the bars.

    On site Gift shop

    This is a rip off. Don’t even bother going in. Appleton rum (1 Liter) selling at the airport for $12 was advertised at $18 for a 750ml bottle. Hot sauce was advertised at $14 and for $3 at the airport.

    Sensual and Erotic comparison

    Nothing can compare with the hot tub and beach side beds and playroom of Desire. I think the ladies dress more sensuously at Desire but no doubt that can change from day to day.

    Hedo to airport

    Alas we have to come back to reality. We were advised the day before departure of our pickup time. We departed at 10:00 AM for a flight departure of 2:10 PM. This time we had a coach. We made 3 additional pickups at Breezes, Grand Bahiea, Starfish and a short pit stop. The drive to the airport took 1:45 hours. The checkout notice states that you must vacate the room by noon otherwise a $100 fee will be charged. Unfortunately Hedo does not have the spa change facilities offered by Desire.

    Summary

    Both places have much to offer and I believe that what you will encounter will differ on each visit. They both offer experiences of an erotic and sexual nature that is difficult to find elsewhere. I don’t like the close presence of Security in the nude area of Hedo. Desire wins for PDA’s and PDS’s. Hedo III wins for water sports, entertainment and other fun. Louise and I both enjoy the couples only policy of Desire. We did have a few singles at Hedo but did not find it a problem. At our stage of life we will likely go back to Hedo III unless Desire can re-introduce their water sports.

    Dennis
    17 June 2008

    contact: louden77@sympatico.ca

  2. #2
    Registered User FrednPatti's Avatar
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    Great trip report. Very well written and very informative and we agree with A LOT of your observations.

    Although, we don't care if others dress up (it was nice we had a few couples in our group that dressed up with us)... WE do it for US (and enjoy the attention a bit)
    Celebrating 10 Years of Spring Fling Fun at Hedo in 2018!

    Virgin Trip Hedo III 4/10-17/2008
    New Years Eve, Dec.26 to Jan 3, 2009 Bare Bottom Bunch
    Fred's 60th Birthday Celebration 07/16-21/2009
    Co-Host of kitten & angel's Spring Fling April 2009 - 2017
    Co-Host of kitten & angel's Spring Fling 04/07 ~ 04/14/2018


    kitten & angel's 10th Anniversary Spring Fling 2018 - April 07~14
    http://www.kittennangel.com/




  3. #3
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    I am so glad to read your comparison of HEDO AND DESIRE! my husband and I have been going to Hedo 2&3 for 13 years every March for our anniversary and we were thinking about going to Desire for our 30th next year! I want to try Desire but love Hedo3 so much I'm affraid to give up my trip!!

  4. #4
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    Great report Dennis.
    I have one question. You commented: " Louise and I both enjoy the couples only policy of Desire. We did have a few singles at Hedo but did not find it a problem."
    I just want to say not all single people that go are intrusive to couples that
    aren't interested. I don't think of myself "as a single" that has gone many times - - "a problem". It's the openness of the people that bring me back to Hedo time and again. The general feeling of being welcomed by all, including couples.
    Yes, I do realize there are exceptions. Singles and couples.
    Kristin

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