Rob
and Jody’s Trip Report
Grand Lido Braco
The Grand Lido
Visitors Hangout
Martha's Lido
Superclubs Visitors Hangout –Jamaica
And
My intent is to discuss the various aspects of Grand Lido Braco in the hopes that this may aid future visitors. Two caveats need to be stated up front. First of all, I will abandon the time honored chronological trip report as items of interest are often lost in the verbiage. Secondly, my wife and I were on the au natural side. We cannot speak of the housing on the textile side, nor many of the amenities on that side. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with the textile side. You will have the vacation of your life which ever side you choose.
Be prepared to walk across the tarmac, as the “cattle shuts” that US airports have to access the aircraft are missing in Mo Bay. The terminal is air-conditioned however, so relief is just a short walk away. Immigration and customs went smoothly, but we had passports. Those with other travel documents had a slower time of it. We had only two large bags, and there was a Two Bag Customs counter at Mo Bay that was virtually unused. We breezed through quite quickly.
The Superclubs desk was organized chaos. Somehow I had expected some place to sit, but we were just pointed to a place on the wall to stack our luggage, and stood around waiting for our bus. Our wait was only about 20 minutes, but not the most pleasant part of our trip.
I have heard this called the “bus ride from Hell.” Well, both of us found it quite interesting, and the driving didn’t bother me a bit. Of course I must say, that I used to drive in Italy! The bus driver was kind enough to give us a running travelogue along the route. It only took about an hour.
As we got off the bus, we were greeted with a cold towel, and escorted into the reception area. The paperwork was minimal, made more so by Go Classy having mailed us some of the forms ahead of time. We were given a glass of Champaign and with in 5 minutes were on our way to our room. We did forget to make reservations for the French Restaurant at that time, so I had to return to do so. Later I learnt that I could have done it via phone from my room.
While we had paid for a Jr. Suite, we were upgraded. In all reality, you spend little time in your room other then for sleeping and bathing. I did find the porch over looking the ocean my favorite place to sit in the morning. The refrigerator was not stocked the first day. We asked about it, and from then on it was filled with soft drinks and beers. There was a bottle of Champaign in it as well. We called room service and asked that they stock it with water as well. So they did, and each day made sure there was plenty.
The showers while quite adequate, did have a tendency to change temperatures while you showered. This is a minor inconvenience, and about our only complaint.
There was an ironing board and iron in each room, though we never used them. The laundry service was excellent. Do use it, as it will allow you to pack less clothes.
There is an orientation, which comprises about a half-hour walk around the facilities. If this is your first time, do take the tour. If nothing else it gives you the lay of the land
The Au Natural Pool is a delight. We found most folk to be quite friendly, and though our first time, we seemed to have no problem shedding our inhibitions as well as our clothing. There is a box just behind the bar where you can get towels. It was rarely empty, and I have found au natural types tend to use a lot of towels.
As far as total nudity being enforced, we didn’t seen evidence of this. I wore a tee shirt after getting a burn on day, and several women wore bottoms. One woman had a two-piece on her whole first day, but no one bothered her. She was obviously sunbathing and not gawking. Her second day she removed her top. It takes some time.
There was one instance I know of where a couple was asked not to take photographs. Around the pool occasionally someone would take a picture but everyone was careful of the back ground, and no one seemed to mind. I was sorely tempted one afternoon when I looked out over the main part of the pool, where about 15 people were floating on rafts all face down. It was a sea of buns and really funny. None the less, I reframed, darn it!
The beach is quite nice, and wading without water shoes is fine if you stay fairly close to the shore. If you go out very far there are sea urchins, and water shoes are a must if you plan on putting your foot down. Snorkeling along the reef is nice, but not spectacular.
If this is your first time, you might want to try the beach first. It is quite large, and you will have time and space to your self to become accustomed. The only gawker was a fellow in a sailfish, who while straining is eyes, sailed to close to the reef and had to be towed off. At that distance he didn’t see much, and sure provided comic relief for the sunbathers.
The one detriment to the beach was the sand flies were out in force. At least that is what we think was biting us.
We ate most of our breakfasts there, and found it excellent. Do order an omelet, and watch the cook do is stuff. If I tried that there would be egg all over my kitchen. The bread was also very good. The coffee has to be tasted to believe.
We tried lunch once as well as dinner there, and were also impressed. The Jerk Swordfish is to die for. It is quite elegant dinning with the breezes blowing through to keep you cool and the ocean in the background. We loved it.
At 9:30 PM they have Showtime in Victoria Market. Well worth visiting, as the shows are quite good, and there were plenty of seats. This was also a place to dance where the smoke was not a problem as it often can be in the disco.
One of the lesser-visited wonders of Braco. Do stop and have some authentic Jamaican food. I am hooked on jerk chicken. By the way it is named after one of the seven heroes of Jamaica. This was a woman who beat the British Army before we Americans even thought of revolting. Hers is quite a story.
If you like pasta this is a good place to catch lunch or dinner. There is a bakery next door where you can get dessert. Given our diets we only ate there once. I also understand they have high tea there at 4 in the afternoon. We missed that as well.
This is not to be missed. If you do nothing else save soak up the sun, do visit Piacere at least once. It serves French nouvelle cuisine. The presentation and service are impeccable and the food…. Oh La La!! Men have to wear a jacket, but no tie. They do have loaner jackets if you don’t bring one. You need to make reservations. I would suggest, picking a night before you arrive, and making the reservations upon arrival.
Reservations are also needed her, but jackets are not required. This place has not only good food, but it is fun. The food is cooked at your table in the Japanese style. Go with several couples you meet and have a grand time. Gaiety is the main course.
The manicure and pedicure are part of the all-inclusive, but the other services will be added to your bill. The massage is well worth your investment. It was US $60.00 for an hour. My wife and I chose to have it done on the beach. It was a short walk form the spa, to the far end of the Au Natural beach near the main side. This part of the beach is basically disserted. There under an almond tree were two tables set up. The messages were spectacularly good. Best my wife and I have ever had. Add to that the breezes coming off of the ocean, and you have defined sheer joy. For those who prefer to stay away from the Au Natural side, don’t worry, you won’t see anyone on that side from the message area. You are pretty well secluded.
I got sunburned, and had an aloe wrap. While it helped the burn, the process covers your body with aloe, then wraps you into sheets and towels which had been soaked in ice water. I’m not sure when I’ve ever been so cold. None the less, it does help a burn. Next time I shall be more careful not to let my SPF30 wash off.
One of the best pieces of advice I received was to get a large insolated cup. This we did, and it saved may a trip to the bar. A word or two of advice however. Two drinks is the equivalent of five drinks! I adopted the one drink, followed by ice water system. This way, you help prevent yourself from getting dehydrated.
There is a mixology course offered on both sides. If you drink at all, do take this course. It’s goal is to introduce you to the various rum drinks offered at Braco. You will have a blast at this and probably discover a drink you like that you might never have ordered.
There are many vendors of Jamaican goods around the main side, as well as shops catering to the guests. All vendors have been given special permission by Grand Lido Braco to set up on their property. You can bargain with the vendors, but not in the shops. You won’t find outstanding bargains. If you want things a lot cheaper, you will have to go into Ocho Rios. Of course that trip is US$25.00, so you may eat up your savings in transportation costs.
At all the main events and in the French Restaurant, there are photographers coming around and snapping our picture. They do an excellent job, and the prints are posted in the TV Room. The prints cost US$8.00 per print. Warning, this can mount up really quickly.
The day before you are scheduled to leave, your airplane confirmation will be slipped under your door. This form will tell you when you need to put your luggage outside of your door, and when your bus leaves. I must warn you that receipt of this form puts a pall over your day. Your time in paradise is coming to an end.
Check out went as smoothly as check in. I did notice that several of the social staff stopped by to say good-bye to guests.
Jamaican Imagination went smoothly, as well as American customs. If you can, do have a passport. At BWI, there were five lines of people with birth certificates and one of those with passports. The pass port line went very quickly while they could have used several more lines for the others. A passport just makes things much simpler and faster.
Regardless of which side you stay on, Grand Lido Braco will be the time of your life. There is often much emphasis on some of the message boards on the Au Natural side of Braco. This is because those facilities are especially outstanding. This should not deter those who wish to remain clothed from Braco. I would estimate that 80% of the guests are textilers. Save for a very brief mention of that side in the orientation, and a letter in your packet, you won’t even know it is there.
If you have any questions or comments I can be reached at Rob@TheRoyFamily.com