Pre-Trip
We booked through expedia.com and found it to be an affordable and hassle free experience. The rates we were quoted (about 6 weeks out), travelling from Los Angeles, were equal to those we paid in 1997 travelling from Orlando. Both times we stayed a week. The rates were better than those available through Apple Vacations and Superclubs. We didn't know enough to check some of the lifestyle-centric travel agencies. We purchased trip and medical insurance for 125 for a couple. Don't bother with medical insurance, unless you don't have any at home. Typically, you'll have to submit to your personal insurer for coverage first and then the travel service insurance will pick up the balance.
One of the best pieces of advice we can give prospective visitors, especially first timers, is to use 4hedonism.com to connect with other guests pre-arrival. The people you meet and the fun you create is what makes the trip special. We heard a lot of concern about the sex police prior to leaving and almost changed our plans. We're glad we didn't. Couples like Ringster, CandG, and VABeachGuy were great to hang out with. (Sorry if we forgot anyone). And no, it wasn't all debautchery, just great fun with great people. Of course if you each know your coming it makes connecting easier, so use the blogs to advertise your vacation dates.
Arrival
We left LAX at 9am and arrived in Montego Bay at 840pm local time. The last thing we wanted at that point was a 2 hour bus ride to the hotel, punctuated by a red stripe stop (esp since we generally drink hennessy and cream). Well, here's the best part of arriving late. The plane literally landed at 840pm and even with a 25 min wait at customs and an equal wait in the Superclubs airport lobby, we still arrived, checked-in and hit the disco by 1100pm! *Of course that meant we could hit the nude pool by 1230 ;-). We definitely recommend selecting a late arrival time.
We flew American Airlines. Uneventful. *That's good. We flew into Miami before Jamaica. If you're not familiar with FL summer weather patterns, you need to know that it rains....hard...every day between 3 and 6 pm. Depending on when your plane arrives, or your connection departs, you could end up with a delay. Upon arrival to Miami the weather was so bad our pilot missed the landing and had to fly round robin and take another stab at it! That was nerve-racking! We recommend connecting through Dallas if you have the option coming from the west coast. Check-in was also a breeze at this time, since there was only one other couple, but there was happy welcome like we received 12 years ago....Be sure to ask for your towel tickets if they don't give them to you. You won't be able to get beach towels without them. We walked ourselves to the room in order to avoid any delays.
Hotel Room / Facilities
Regarding the rooms, let's just say no one goes or should go to Hedo for the accomodations. They're plain and just enough to get by. Other than the TV and the multi-jet shower, we didn't notice any updates since 97. In fact, its probably the same furniture. We had to ask for a remote for the TV. That took 2 days. We also had to ask for a phone in the room, which after 8 days we never got. All these complaints aside, the room served its purpose...a place to lay our heads from 5am until breakfast at 9am.
The fitness center is very nice and a far cry from what was there previously. The spa facilities are right next door and seem equally clean and tranquil.
They've added a lot of small soaking pools, lounge beds, and hammocks since we were there. We enjoyed dropping into each one from time to time for an improptu nap.
Food
Go to Jamaica for the food, just not to Hedo. The best drinks, lobster and chicken can be found at the many restaurants in Negril. A short cab or boat ride will take you there, and yes its safe. Consult with a local on the fare and the set the price before you get into the car or boat, but generally "no problems mon."
Onsite Entertainment
First the highlights...
- PJ party
- Toga Party
- Nude volleyball
- Naked waterslide (the slide wasn't there during our last trip, so this was a real treat, but you sometimes have to ask them to turn it on
- Body shots (self-facilitated)
- Talent show
- Tantra classes (scheduled just for our week)
Some of the entertainment and service staff we're great. Winston, Brady, Andrene, Nigel
There were*quite a few downsides.
- the EC staff were in general far less present and energetic than our last visit. They didn't know our names and didn't ask for the most part.
- activities on the prude side were non-existent. Honestly, if you didn't have a room over there there was no reason to be there.
- the dining room entertainment needs to be refreshed. Some acts have been there for far too long, they're tired and don't fit the sexy mood of H2
- other than the Toga and PJ party, participation in the other theme nights was minimal. No need to bother
- the trapeze is gone :-(
- you had to be aggressive about asking for the watersports. Not once did someone try to explan to us what was available
Offsite Entertainment**
If you hear about Alfred's, the Jungle or the Strip Club, don't be afraid to veer off the Resort to attend these clubs, they're tourist friendly and lots of fun! Alfred's was GREAT: Live Reggae Band, dancing on the sand, major AROMATHERAPY (If you like the smell of herbal plants!) and unexpected comedy (the drunken fire dancer is something you just have to see for yourself!)
Departure / Checkout
The biggest mistake of the trip was booking a 7am flight to Miami. That requires a 3am departure from the resort, which is hard to do when barely sober. Get a late flight going home.
The best way to sum up the trip is "we can't wait to go again!". Hopefully it won't be another 12 years.
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