Trip Report

Grand Lido Braco, Jamaica, February and March, 2000.

 

 

Two sisters head south for sun, solace and beachside fun.

Grand Lido Braco, Jamaica, Feb 5 - 12, 2000.

 

Husband and wife head for (the husband's) well-deserved R&R.

Grand Lido Braco, Jamaica, March 16 - 30, 2000.

 

 

There is a place where heaven meets the Earth. That nearly fictional place is Jamaica. So, when my sister and I decided on the location of our annual February vacation, the "where" was never in doubt. Delightful people, predictable sunshine and heat, tropical drinks ... all ours for one week.

 

When my husband and I determined March would be a viable time to head south for a little break from reality, we knew we needed warmth, ease and familiarity for comfort's sake ... Jamaica was again the answer. We have come to know the romantic nature of this Caribbean island, which only encouraged our decision!

 

Location.

The determining factors for the location of each vacation varied, my sister and I selected Grand Lido Braco as the resort of our choosing, and soon after my husband and I did the same.

-----For the Sisterly Getaway, we knew the 'all-inclusive' aspect was a non-contestable criterion. There was simply no way we two gals would be able to relax if we were always worried about whether we had paid for our share of the trip. Not that we'd try to cheat each other, in fact the opposite is true: "Whose turn is it to buy?" "Am I ordering too many to be even?" "Do we really need to go our for a huge dinner tonight?" All of those questions are eliminated when you go to an all-inclusive resort. Relaxation takes on new meaning. Plus, we are both coffee addicts, and room service coffee -- about three fixes each day -- is an absolute must for this vacationing pair. Under normal conditions, these dosages can add up to bocu $$$. Not every all-inclusive resort offers room service. But Grand Lido Braco is one such place, and I had been there before so I knew it was a great place to stay. As two females traveling together, we were concerned with having the opportunity to socialize safely in an easy-going atmosphere ... plus, the spa amenities and fine dining figured in to the decision on Grand Lido Braco.

----- My husband and I had been there a few times already so we were well aware of its amenities.

The variables that helped us to make the decision were many. First of all, we have had good luck with the Grand Lido resorts in the past. With ten or more trips to Grand Lido Negril, two to Grand Lido Sans Souci, and four to Grand Lido Braco, we knew what to expect of each ... and every one of these resorts is all-inclusive which was also important for the Vacationing Spouses. We took a look at the things we wanted out of this trip. Interested in ultimate relaxation, the availability of the spa and ease of the pool/beach areas figured in highly. Braco's size lends itself well to restfulness simply because, with everyone so spread out, there are a lot of peaceful and quiet areas. We have really enjoyed the 'downtown' feel of the public areas of the resort. The resort is set up quite convincingly like a town. In fact, on previous vacations (and on this one) we found ourselves saying, "Let's go downtown and see if anything is going on."

 

We've arrived.

It has been said that half the fun of vacation is the anticipation, visions of palm trees dancing in heads. Both vacations started out similarly ... after landing in Montego Bay, passing through immigration and customs, we hooked a left and then breezed to the SuperClubs desk. (That is it for 'work' for the week.) Regarding both occasions, I'll beg to differ on that thing about anticipation ... being there is way better than thinking about being there.

 

An air-conditioned bus transferred us to Grand Lido Braco, a one-hour drive complete with little narratives about the towns and beaches we passed courtesy of knowledgeable drivers. Registration at the resort is simple. It begins with a cool towel to wash the travel dirt from your hands and brow. Each new guest is offered something cool to drink. Then, arriving guests fill out the "Grand Lido Three," the standard registration forms at each Grand Lido resort, which include: 1. A MasterCard imprint for incidental charges, like the phone; 2. Return flight information for the confirmation of your flight home and planning necessary to provide transfer to the airport; 3. Signature verification for in-room safe.   The receptionist now asks to hold on to guest immigration papers ... one less thing for us to keep track of for the duration of our stay.

 

Soon after the paperwork, guests are shown to their rooms. The sisters had reserved a au natural junior suite; the husband and wife had a luxury one-bedroom au natural. Coincidentally, the junior suite and the luxury one-bedroom were only a few rooms apart, in the a/n building closest to the downtown. Both rooms were spacious and subtly elegant. Both offered a spectacular view of the beach, the ocean waves explosively crashing against the breakwater and then gently lapping to the sand beach. And both rooms were finished in soft hues of yellow and purple, floors were tiled, windows were covered with room-darkening Roman shades and curtains:

-----The junior suite, which my sister and I had use of in February, was contained in one room plus a bathroom. The configuration included a logical and comfortable layout of two beds, a couch, chair and coffee table, a TV and CD/cassette jr. boom box, and plenty of drawer and closet space. The bathroom was modest but impeccable. We considered the verandah to be the suite's best feature. Sitting on the verandah's two patio chairs, we would enjoy morning coffee, shady afternoon heat with a postcard view of the sand beach, and the orange-y red sunsets that sadly reminded us we were another day closer to the vacation's end.

-----A month later, my husband and I enjoyed the deluxe one-bedroom suite. We simply did not need all of the space. It was nice, though, when one of us was sleeping and one was awake to have two spacious rooms. A few of our Jamaican friends came to visit while we were at the resort and it was convenient to be able to have a sitting area separate from the sleeping quarters ... more room and no bed around which to navigate. The sleeping room in the one bedroom luxury suite includes a king-sized bed, TV and CD/cassette jr. boom box, remote-controlled air conditioning unit (separate from the sitting room a/c), a desk with clothing drawers and a large closet containing the in-room safe. A full bathroom is just off of the bedroom. The sitting room is on the ocean side of the building, so it is the room adjacent the verandah. This room is huge, with a stocked refrigerator, a coffee/tea making center and sink, a breakfast table and chairs, a small desk with chair, a living room-style sitting area complete with couch, chair and coffee table, a TV and CD/cassette jr. boom box. There is plenty more drawer and closet space off of the sitting room, and the second full bathroom is placed in-between this room and the bedroom.

 

Resort layout.

The resort itself is situated convincingly like a Jamaican village ... with a town hall that houses the front desk, concierge and reception area, several a la carte restaurants, shops, a large main bar, a buffet restaurant that feels like graceful pavilion. Each of these is in a separate building with buildings positioned on two 'streets.' The point at which they intersect, the center of the resort, is the town square which is graced by a flowing fountain and lavishly manicured arbor of tropical hibiscus and other flowering plants. During the day, street vendors line up along two of the streets, selling every Jamaican treasure a tourist could want ... wood carvings, dresses and shirts sewn-to-order, Jamaican craft jewelry, stone carvings, dolls and much more. For a complete description of the resort's layout including a map, see our web site at http://members.aol.com/scharpfy/private/travel/homepage.html

 

Priority 1 ... sunshine.

Before traveling with anyone, sister or spouse, it is important to determine exactly what the other has in mind for a vacation, otherwise the entire getaway can be a battle of wills: Beach time or shopping? Scuba or spa? Night life or sunshine?

-----My sister and I chatted and found we had the same priorities for our getaway, with relaxing sun, pool and beach time being priority one. It was not our priority to stay out late, drinking Jamaican rum. Nor did we foresee participating in tons of the activities offered by the entertainment department.

In order to achieve maximum daylight we arranged a few things. First of all, we took advantage of the door-hanger room service order. Each night we put the hanging room service breakfast order on the outside of our door, marking the time we'd like our savory pots of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee to arrive. In the morning a phone call would pre-cede its delivery, with a room service attendants saying, "We are coming up with your room service order now." A minute later there would be a knock at the door and the coffee's aroma would wake us up pleasantly ...off to the verandah to watch the resort wake up while sipping the morning java.

Secondly, we participated in our planned activities in the morning. My sister was interested in diving. Her scuba resort-certification course and testing, as well as the dives, took place in the morning. We made manicure/pedicure and other spa appointments for the morning so we'd be available for the afternoon's intense sunshine. We went to the gym in the morning, too. We were able to take advantage of the poolside lunch (ordered via the clubhouse) a few times when we didn't want take away from our sun time in order to eat.

-----Priorities for a husband and wife are not always the same as those of two sisters! This vacationing pair rarely left the room before 10 or 10:30 ... catching up on sleep was a very important. We usually made it to lunch at the Victorian Market, which offers quite a spread. We ate leisurely, especially because we enjoyed the music so immensely ... the Cuban quintet "Fantasia" was at Grand Lido Braco for all of March and they played their self-orchestrated renditions of new and old timeless favorites nearly every lunch hour. Plus we were able to chat with friends employed at the resort who we have gotten to know while on previous Grand Lido Braco vacations.

 

The magic of Braco.

This traveler finds the charm of Grand Lido Braco unmatched. Two huge pools, one for traditional and one for au natural sunbathers. A picture perfect town, pastel and pretty, void of garbage or graffiti, is a backdrop for pleasant workers, some on bikes to get back and forth across the property quickly. Cynthia, the walking and singing fruit lady, shares fresh tropical delights from her basket. No-hassle street vendors sell handcrafted wares. The Golden Aires Mento Band, three strolling Jamaican folk musicians play their Jamaican-folk music on the beach and pool deck by day. Flawless landscaping, lush with the fruity flowers, draws tiny and unpredictable black and green hummingbirds. The soothing spa and its gentle staff help guests to find escape from their own bodies for a short time. The pulsing beat of the Friday night street dance that follows the magically lit dinner extraordinaire. The beach deposits grains of sand in your sandals. My sister says scuba added magic for her: Scuba instructions are made simple to understand and are timed right for vacationers' schedules, great underwater sites in clear water, with a temperature similar to a warm bath.

 

Are you hungry?

If a guest is hungry at Grand Lido Braco, it is only because they so choose. There is an abundance of great food and dining atmosphere at the resort. On neither vacation did I spend much time with breakfast of any type, so my comments are limited to lunch and dinner options.

-----Dining was predictable for my husband and me, by our own volition. We really enjoyed the casual but graceful atmosphere of Victoria Market for lunch, and LaPasta for dinner, so we chose to eat in those two locations for most meals.

The pizza and pasta at LaPasta is fabulous! In the past we were not enchanted with the service there, but what a 180-degree fix has taken place. Service was pleasant and food orders we expedited appropriately. The al fresco aspect of dining here is charming. A new-to-Braco musical entertainment pair from Cuba entertained nightly. Playing the flute, guitar, singing and using simple percussion instruments for rhythm, the two ladies, Dayame and Doris, are the perfect match for the ambience of the restaurant. Antipasto is offered preceding the arrival of appetizers, soup and the main course. Fresh garlic bread accompanies dinner, and dessert can be selected at the bakery, which opens to the LaPasta dining patio.

-----An adventure, that's what dining was for the two sisters. We ate in every restaurant, and ordered room service and poolside lunches too. We found the food to be great everywhere.

At MunaHana, the tempura was simply unmatched. We skipped the sushi bar and ate only at the grill. The reservationist plans each time slot for grill-side seating for eight, so we dined with three couples that we did not know. A lighthearted Jamaican in Japanese attire prepared and served our dinner. Although we are not too familiar with how Japanese cuisine should taste, we found the fare tasty and very filling. The others at our table seemed to be more familiar with Japanese dining and seemed to be happy with their food, too.

Victoria Market features a variety of foods at lunchtime ... a vast buffet of hot and cold foods, a salad station where a chef tosses greens for you, a make-your-own salad bar, a variety of cold pre-made salads that change from day to day, hot soup, a bread display, a cheese display featuring a range of European cheeses. The hot food line offers a seasoned rice and a cooked vegetable each day. Plus, there is an assortment of hot poultry, meat and fish ... some being grilled-to-order. Each day features a different cuisine .... Oriental, Italian, Mexican, German, etc. On Italian day, indulge in Italian sausages, lasagna and made-to order pasta. Or, on Mexican day, a build-a-taco station, fajitas made per your request at the grill, mini burritos and more.  Desserts comprise a huge section of the buffet area, offering the gamut ... from fruit tarts to cookies, from chocolate mousse to warm cobblers, and more .... much, much more. Table service includes all beverages and is quite efficient.

At night, the Victoria Market becomes an a la carte restaurant. Menu offerings vary each night, as does the entertainment. The restaurant is not open on Wednesday and Friday night because of the beach party and street dance, respectively. Its five-course meals have all the food quality of the Piacere, although the service is a bit more relaxed and the portions are a bit larger. This is a great place to have dinner.

Nanny's Jerk Pit, all the taste of Jamaica under one roof. During the day, traditional Jamaican foods are dished up at this open-air restaurant. We enjoyed the view of the pool and ocean while lunching. Jerk chicken, coco bread and rice and peas get an A+ in my book.

Piacere. Exhausted from a long day in Montego Bay, we could not enjoy each of the seven courses offered. We had an appetizer, soup and an entré, each of which were wonderfully presented in the dining rooms dimly lit French/tropical decor. I know I'm tired when I by-pass dessert. Soothing, meticulously performed music was provided by the resident harpist, Miertha, another Cuban woman whose musical ability amazes Grand Lido Braco guests. Our waiter was formal, but did engage in a bit of silly chat as we encouraged him. Only wish we were more awake so we could have indulged in every course.

Room Service & Clubhouses. The menu for all of these is one and the same, diverse enough for anyone to find something good to eat. When craving junk food from home, the nachos are highly recommended. Service is efficient and food quality is good.

The Bakery. This was my sinning ground ... cookies and treats are available at the bakery from noon until 2:00 a.m. Adjacent to LaPasta, stop in to grab a cup of coffee or tea to go. Sneak a cookie. Have a sandwich made-to-order at lunchtime, and eat at the LaPasta dining area or take the sandwich to the beach.

For a complete listing of the menus that were offered at the time of our visit, see our web site at: http://members.aol.com/scharpfy/privare/travel/homepage.html

 

Spa services and the gym.

            The spa is a haven. On both trips I enjoyed the services offered, my sister enjoyed several while we were together, and my husband had a half dozen massages.

            Manicure and pedicure is included for all guests, women and men. Although my husband cringed at the concept of having either treatment performed, I always take resorts up on this offer. The manicurists are located above the dive shop, although reservations are made at the spa office adjacent the gym. The women who work in the salon are professional and polite. Their training becomes especially apparent when the hand and foot massages are administered. Both of the traveling sisters enjoyed the pedi- and manicures. We found that, without a UV drying system, it seems to take forever for nail polish to dry. I brought my own quick dry polish along for speed of drying, and so then it is available for "touch up" later in the week.

            My husband found heaven in the massage rooms.  He indulged in 1-1/2-hour-long  massages, working all of those computer and stress-induced knots out of his muscles.  He highly recommends them, even though these are one of the few services not included in the all-inclusive rate.  On past trips, he had several massages from Caroline, and this trip was no different.  The spa reservationist happily books guests with the massage therapist of their choosing.

            My sister and I were spoiled and pampered with what is called an "Indulgence Package," two hours of facial, body scrub, massage and reflexology.  I enjoyed it so much I raved about it on my return home.  So, my husband booked me for an appointment when we returned.  Caroline was fabulous ... on both trips.  Not only is the treatment itself enjoyable, but your body and face feels like a million bucks once the treatment is complete.  

Enough pampering, a lady has got to work off all those extra desserts ... Full of cybex equipment, steps, free weights, aerobic bikes and treadmills, the open-air gym overlooks exposes guests to nature while offering shelter with its pavilion-type construction. While I did not participate in any of the classes offered, they are well-attended and presented by Mikey-Mike, the resident trainer and gym instructor. I found it privately humorous that I would walk and walk and walk on that treadmill, getting nowhere, when I could be out on the beach walking. But sand is more difficult to elevate the heart rate, and the heat in the sun makes it tough to endure, too. The gym is kept immaculately, and there is always a jug of cold water and enough towels to be comfortable.

            For the complete spa menu offered at the time of our visit, see our web site at: http://members.aol.com/scharpfy/private/travel/homepage.html

 

Did we bring the right stuff?

As stated earlier, casual attire and beach cover-ups are the order of the daylight at Braco.

 

At night, there are two restaurants that are dressiest.  At the Piacere men must wear a coat, long pants and leather shoes (not athletic shoes or sandals).  Women must wear a dress or skirt. 

At Muna Hana, men must wear a collared shirt, long pants and leather shoes (not athletic shoes or sandals).  Women must wear a dress or skirt. 

The Victoria Market is dressy, but less formal.  Most men wear nice khaki pants or dressy shorts with a collared shirt.  Women wore skirts and dresses. 

Casual attire is in order at LaPasta.

On Wednesday and Friday nights, there are special dinner buffets. Beach party night is Wednesday, and (weather permitting) dinner is served right on the sand beach.  Attire is beach casual.  Beware your shoes, don't wear anything that sand will lodge or you'll do battle with that all night long.  Friday night's dinner in the street followed by street dance is a bit dressier.  Overall, women tend to wear skirts or casual dresses, and men wear dress shorts or khaki's to this event.  If you plan on dancing, wear something that you can really 'get down' in because you'll be dancin' reggae like a Jamaican!

 

By day, Nanny's Jerk Pit, the Clubhouses and the Victoria Market are casual.  Most wear their shorts and a t-shirt or a beach cover-up to eat lunch and breakfast.  To dine in the Victoria Market, men are required to wear shirts and women must have a cover up on, at the least. Shoes are required but beach shoes are fine in all of these places.

 

The Clubhouses are always casual, night and day.

 

Other clothes that one might want to consider:  There is a pajama party on in the disco Thursday nights and many people plan to wear a specific item of lingerie, a favorite night shirt, or silly boxers, etc.  Guests are encouraged to come to the Toga party in the disco, too.  Bed sheets are provided and lessons are given by the activities directors on how to tie a toga.  But, in March we noticed there were a few people who brought their own Roman costumes from home.

 

We have found the following items to be helpful:  sun screen, a beach bag, booties or socks to keep feet warm against the cool tile floors in the rooms, your own hair dryer if your hair is picky.  Reading material is scant at best, so bring a book or magazine if you're a book worm.  Coffee Addicts:  travel mug for a to-go coffee when needed (a 6-oz. cup is never enough!) If you're a soda drinker, an insulated sipper might do you good. Ladies:  quick dry nail polish so you don't have to waste time watching paint dry!

 

Summary of resort information.

Grand Lido - Braco, in Rio Bueno district, Trelawny Parish, is a 40-minute drive to the west of Sangster International Airport. The resort has 132 rooms on 86 acres with an executive par 3 golf course, 2000 feet of beach, two very large pools (one of which is said to be Jamaica's largest), many restaurants, whirlpools. Grand Lido Braco is an all-inclusive resort, which means that all food, beverages, room service, water sports, land sports, activities, entertainment is included in the rate of sleeping room rental.

 

For a complete review of the resort, see our web site at:  http://members.aol.com/scharpfy/private/travel/homepage.html

 

At our personal, non-commercial site, we have links, several trip reports from previous visits, complete resort layout, description of all amenities, activities listings and more.