GRAND LIDO BRACO JULY 6-13, 2001
This was our second visit to Grand Lido Braco. We were there last year in June and loved the resort. Once again we stayed on the Au Natural side. This report will be short compared to my other one, I will not go into details of the flight or layout of the resort. If you are interested in a detailed description of the resort, go back to my report of June 2000.
We booked, once again, this trip with Dan Hill, Global Discount Vacations, flew on a charter out of New Orleans. Upon arrival in Jamaica, we proceeded to the SuperClubs desk. We were greeted by a host and within 10 minutes we were on the van, headed to Braco. Arrival at Braco and check in was handled smoothly, they offered us a cool towel and a drink while paperwork was completed. We booked ROH room on au natural side, when she handed me the key, I asked if this room was in Block B (closest to clubhouse). She said yes and it is a ground floor two room suite. Within minutes a porter was assigned to carry our luggage to the room.
When we left the lobby, headed to au natural side, we saw the fountain, the village buildings and the main pool. Brought back memories to us. The staff was in the process of setting up the village for the Friday night Street Dance/buffet. One thing about a vacation at Braco/or Jamaica, your days run together, time means nothing and before you know it, your vacation is over and planning starts all over for the next trip. So I will not try to report day by day activities
When the porter opened the room, there was a bottle of champagne and cheese tray, as a welcome gift, on the table waiting for us. Our room was a two room 1 1 bath suite, front door opened directly to the pool and patio doors that led to the beach, very nice. Something new this year, Braco furnished two robes and slippers for guest. The refrigerator was stocked with bottle water, ting, and miller lite beer. We found out later, miller lite is only available on the au natural side and not on the textile side. We hurriedly got undressed and headed to the pool, as we had a few hours before the Street Party started. We looked around for people that we had corresponded with on the internet, but could not locate them. At the Street Party, the displays of food were breathtaking, along with the ice sculptures. We were disappointed that there was no lobster but the grilled jumbo shrimp was wonderful. We did not stay for the dance as we had been up a long portion of the day.
The next day we ran into Angela and Pete (whom I had corresponded with and they were first timers for au natural experience, they loved it). They had booked a textile room but paid the difference and were moved over to au natural side the following day. Something that they did not regret doing. The rest of the day, we stayed around the pool and talked with many folks.
Wayne and Joyce were the main bartenders for the au natural side, these two took care of their guest, sure did miss Chester and Carlton from last year. Tried Wayne's famous Wayne's World drink and it was very good. The baby grilled lamb chops never stopped, and were better than last year, served at the swim up bar/grill and clubhouse. My wife, Deborah, asked the pool grill cook one day for a jerk chicken sandwich at lunch ( it was not on the menu) , the cook said no problem and deboned a chicken breast and grilled it and served it with lettuce, tomato and onion. This is what I call service. The activity staff on the au natural side were always energetic to get guest participation in games such as water volley ball, body painting, drink mixology, and water fitness. Big Mike is still the fitness instructor.
We also met Tom and Jeverna, whom we had corresponded with, along with Randy and Debbie. We had several meals together and got to know each other. One day sitting at the swim up bar, I saw a new couple come up, she yelled out, "are you Bill?", " I'm Marlene and this is Dale". I had corresponded with them, too. This was their first time au natural. They also had booked textile but was upgraded to au natural side, I guess due to fact they were getting married in a few days at Braco.
There were quite a few more vendors set up in the village compared to last year and prices were negotiable. We found Tyronne, the resident artist, whom we bought a oil painting from, last year. We asked him to paint another one for us and said no problem. In fact we ended up buying two oil paintings from him. His paintings are excellent. A couple days later we opened our room to find another bottle of champagne and fruit tray, compliments of management for returning guest.
RESTAURANTS - FOOD AND SERVICE QUALITY:
MUNAHANA (Japanese Restaurant): service and food very good, air condioned. La PASTA (Italian Restaurant): service and food good, outdoor. NANNY'S JERK PIT: service and food very good, excellent jerk, outdoor. PIACERE (French Restaurant): service and food very good, formal, air conditioned but a/c did not seem to be working too well VICTORIA MARKET (Buffet for Breakfast, Lunch and a la carte for Dinner): Outdoor located near main pool. Service and food quality good for breakfast and lunch but dinner was another story. Dinner a la carte, service and food quality poor. We ate there twice for dinner, both times service for ordering the meal and drinks very slow and food was cold when we got it. This was the same experience that we had last year in June, thought it would have improved. ROOM SERVICE: We found room service to be very prompt in the morning. Daily we would mark the room service card, checking pot of coffee and bagel with cream cheese plus wrote in w/ salmon. We received exactly that. Room service at all other times, was very good, you call and place order, within a short time, you would receive a call stating that your order is being delivered. PEBBLES CLUBHOUSE, SWIM UP BAR & GRILL AU NATURAL SIDE: The bartenders at both were very good, prompt service. Baby grilled lamb chops, grilled chicken jerk sandwiches, and etc were always hot and good. AU NATURAL BUFFET (served Thursday lunch around swim up bar) By far one of the best meals, they cooked steaks, and lamp chops on a grill, had salads and other dishes, as well as deserts.
One evening, six of us, decided on ordering everything on the room service menu and take it to the beach and watch the sunset. The girls went to the club house or Purple Palace as it became known as, to place the order. The guys went to the beach and arrange the lounge chairs and tables for the food and drinks. We turned around and a porter was carrying the food tray and the girls had the drinks in their hands. This is what I call service by the staff. We all ate and watched the beautiful sunset.
During the afternoon on Wednesday, an announcement was made that the Beach Party was canceled due to the weather but it would be held in Victorias Market. There was actually no sign of rain, I just figured they did not want to set up due to resort not being full. Out of all the meals this was the worst one, very limited variety and what was there was very spicy. So we watched the show, same as last year, then went to the club house and ordered some more food.
We did not make the Toga party or Pj Party this year, as I have stated we just wanted to vegitate and relax. We heard that both parties were lively this year, but the only complaint was the disco was too hot, inadequate a/c.
Next to the last night at Braco, we received another bottle of champagne along with an assortment of chocolates compliments from management with a note stating hope you enjoyed your stay and comeback.
SECURITY AND ENFORCEMENT OF NUDITY POLICY: One thing I did notice this year compared with last year, was that all of the security employees were women, no men. Security enforced the no camera rule and removal of clothes if you were on this side.
Overall, service, food and staff was fantastic on the au natural side. The service and quality of food at all other restaurants was good except for night meal at Victoria Market and the Beach Party, this I can overlook. I would still recommend this resort to anyone wishing to relax, and try the au natural for the first time. One nice thing about the au natural side, everyone is friendly and talkative. We will be returning sometimes in the future. I have pictures posted at http:briefcase.yahoo.com/bismith39056
Bill and Deborah Smith bills52@bellsouth.net