Lisa - February, 2014
Trip #16: February 15-25, 2014
Non-lifestyle single gal having fun again
Longer report to cover resort changes
After shoveling 18 inches of heavy wet snow to get there…I thought the
airport must have known I was ready to go. I: only had 1 person before
me in the check-in line; got an emergency row seat; had security put me
in the VIP line so only 2 people there; and, the plane was sitting at
the gate waiting for takeoff.
Then upon landing and clearing immigration, it happened,
something I didn't expect, my luggage was not waiting for me after my
non-stop flight. I ended up filling out some forms at the airport and
having a rep tell me that they would deliver it when it was found. L
Upside, at least I didn't need a ton of stuff to get by where I was
going and the shuttle ride was smooth - only me and a couple with no
stops. There is a new Negril 'Welcome to the Capital of Casual' sign.
After checking into the resort I made my way to the resort store
looking for flip flops, sarongs for dinner and beach side wear and the
other 'bare' necessities and was glad that they were all found (though a
bit pricey).
I ended up being given a room up from the spa the 1st night and was told
that a garden-view room would be available the next day. I wasn't
really keen on having to spend the time switching rooms, but at least I
didn't have my suitcase unpacked...yet. It was later placed in my room
sometime before 2 am.
The initial room had not been refurbished (several are not done yet),
but my next room was finished. The gray paint is now white, the linens
are white with sage green curtains (curtains have sheers behind them),
and there are extra decorative pillows that ended up being handy for
putting my feet up at night.
Main oddity was that they had removed the hanging light above the
dresser mirror, which made the room a little darker and getting ready a
bit harder. I usually don't use the bathroom mirror because of the
post-shower humidity. There was a mini-frig in all rooms, but only the
premium rooms were stocked, so I unplugged mine. An umbrella and 2 beach
towels were found in the room closet, the towels could be exchanged in
the normal places (water sports or near the n-grill). All rooms also
had a small 'No Smoking' sign that said there was a $250 cleaning fee
for doing so.
The premium renovated rooms are very pretty, but peeps who had them
noted a few oddities. They have a rain shower head in the ceiling and
the side jets, then a hand held shower which is mounted too low to be of
easy use. Also, the night stands do not have any drawers for stashing
things within easy reach of the bed. The new flat screen TVs throughout
the resort are mounted on the wall vs. a swing arm (I don’t watch TV
there, but others noticed).
The other thing that was mentioned by a few is that the glass bathroom
eliminates privacy and does not mask any 'unromantic' sounds... They
were in the process of adding oversized basket weave style chairs and
small tables to all premium room patios/balconies.
There were 2 different water pipe issues this week, each of which had
either the hot or cold water shut off for about a day. I learned that
it is better to have cold water than hot, because the cold water is
needed by both the toilets and the A/C unit. These outages were not
fun, but we did get a notice with explanation slid under the door each
time and maintenance guys could be seen climbing up the buildings at
night fixing them. Also, there were options to use the spa and/or other
rooms. Side note: one of the owners said that they are in the process
of getting bids to replace the water pipes, etc. It was said that the
previous owner had used the wrong/cheapest piping when they were
previously replaced.
Another person on the ownership team said that they are holding off on
creating more premium rooms (based on demand and comments received about
prices) and that there are upcoming plans to expand the bathrooms by the
piano bar using the TV room space, as well as redoing the paver area in
the courtyard that is hard to walk on in heels.
Other new improvements included beach umbrellas, poolside DJ, more
consistent entertainment activities, new grill menu sign, more garbage
cans and better paper towel dispensers throughout the property, new
lounge chairs, new uniforms for all staff and betta staff/service
coverage (though ECs are still working off/on all day).
{Note: There didn't seem to
be any new blue floats and I am still hoping they will order these as
there are not many left.}
There were no jet skis seen this week and there was a police boat
patrolling the area. Guessing this is due to the fairly recent accident
involving a jet ski operator hitting a tourist. There was also a
contingent of 6 non-resort guards who patrolled 1 day, but they were
friendly, which we (of course) tested by teasing them about their big
sticks, etc. Hehe!
Most afternoons brought rain and some down pours, very unusual for this
time of year. I was very
glad to have brought a small over the door hook to hang my damp beach
wear and towel. Guess the
real snow here got translated into liquid snow there.
The added rain brought out the biting bugs (under the dining
tables and sand fleas on the beach at night).
I had only brought a couple insect wipes and my legs got chowed
on… Ugh!
Most evenings were spent surrounded by frens, eating at pastafari (still
don't relate to it using the new name). They are rotating the menus for
that restaurant every 3 days, similar menu items as there were before
and everything was good. We also had a ton of laughs playing the 5
finger 'never have I ever' game, during which peeps had to share
something they had never done that they thought others had. Anytime
someone had done what was mentioned they had to put down a finger.
Needless to say, given that I have not been converted to the 'dark
side', they made a point to get all of my fingers down (thanks to Harry
and JM
J
). We also had a 'bedtime story' read to us each night which consisted
of a lovely wait staff reading twisted word definitions and at times
acting them out. Hehe!
Overall the food was very much improved at all meals. The head chef is
Anthony Miller who is present throughout the day/evening and very
personable. Monday is
Jamaica night and they put out an entire spread related to that theme,
which was great to see. We did spend 1 night going to the Rockhouse for
dinner; however, given the new improved food going out is a nice change
vs. what some considered a need before.
Having the wild side grill open at night created a place for peeps to
eat, drink and gather late at night/early morning for many laughs,
including watching what was my first sight of a female land shark (gal
wouldn’t even stop when she was p---- blocked).
The repeater party was held on the pool deck and a person with 18 trips
won the initial 5-night voucher. Food was similar to previous trips.
There was a pretty large turnover in staff that took a bit of getting
used to, but overall the service was excellent and the staff who are
there seem happy. One day when I was eating lunch in the main dining
room when one of the great wait staff called my name across the room,
she had remembered me from my visit a year ago. Then I did the same
when I saw a couple of peeps arrive. I was very lucky this trip to
spend time with many frens who I hadn't in years and even go to a fren's
daughter's wedding (at Sandals). This type of environment is what makes
this resort what it is - a family of frens who share my slightly twisted
sense of humor and love of laughter.
Though sometimes being in a family, one can still get confused
with someone else (with the same name) -> all I can say is ‘it wasn’t
me’.
J
Kemar, who started playing in the piano bar a year ago and at the time
didn’t quite know what the zoo was all about has become great and while
he is a talented singer by himself, he also encourages others to join in
or sing on their own. {Note:
songbooks are very much needed with updated lyrics.
Only saw a couple the whole trip and many peeps commented about
them.} The music played was a real mix of older and new (including
Blurred Lines, etc.). Kemar
uses a computer with which he can look up just about any song and a
keyboard/amp setup. The
piano bar has been painted red with old-style Hollywood actor framed
prints and there are a couple small red leather mattress-looking seats
added across from the bar and down where the TV is located. No
'activity' was happening on them, which for me was a good thing. IMHO
the piano bar is a fun gathering place for singing, dancing and the
like. There are several
large speakers centered around the piano now and during busy nights, the
volume can be a bit louder than even I like it to be (& I like music
played loud). The last
night, when a lot of the crowd was on the beach watching a live reggae
performance, it was much better/normal.
Also, Kemar’s version of ‘Let’s Just Kiss and Say Goodbye’ was
awesome – played after I requested 1 last song on my last night there.
An added fun experience happened outside the piano bar and then later on
the pool deck this week.
There were several guests from Ireland and Scotland.
One of the peeps brought his accordion and his loverly gal (new
JA frens) would sing while others joined in.
Reminded me of a pub and while I didn’t think I liked accordion
music before, the way he played was very upbeat and fun.
The disco wasn’t as hopping as it can be, not sure why other than
perhaps peeps were in the piano bar and then down at the beach enjoying
the grill. It was funny
when one of the newer staff came up to me and said he had heard I could
understand patois. Ends up
that I was going to the disco when I met a cool Jamaican couple who had
told him that I had talked to them in it.
Don’t remember speaking (usually don’t), but after so many trips
and being interested in the language, some must have ‘rubbed’ off!
J
This was also a reminder how the communication grapevine exists
everywhere.
We also had a mini single gals/guy united posse formed by the end of the
trip sealed in JA fashion with Bob Marley shots (our ‘oh sh--‘ moment,
never had them before and both my gal fren and I said that exact thing
after doing our first ones).
J
As the large group started to arrive, it was noted that there were 20+
overbookings, so peeps (from the group) were bumped to Grand Lido and
went to/from the resort. I finally got to see the GL room style and
while they are bigger and have small balconies, the overall look is
dated. Also, it was nighttime and all I heard were tree frogs there and
the music from the pool party that was being held at our resort. It was
like hearing a JA version of 'cricket, cricket'.
J
After attending a very nice wedding at Sandals, I noticed, as we walked
back, that there are actually double gates (2 separate ones) used to
either keep us in the zoo or keep others out…
J
A new thing happened when I was set to leave, instead of the typical
shuttle, there was a Sun Holiday car and driver with me as his only
passenger. He was a nice 'mon named Elvis.
It was great to meet him and drive with the windows down – 1 last
exposure to warm JA air and sights.
J
‘Bottom’ line: Resort is
being improved – most of the things noted above can be fixed/changed and
it hasn’t become a total ‘everywhere’ activity place (& hopefully it
won’t for those of us who haven’t been converted and just want a fun
place to go
J).
Fun peeps still abound, just know what group is in house, so it
is the experience you want it to be.
This single gyal is ever grateful for all the fun peeps who
include her in their reservations and good times without any pressure to
do anything she doesn’t want to do.
Until next time, peace and love peeps!