Steve & Kim - October, 2013
October 28 - November 6, 2013
Halloween/Anniversary
This
was our 9th trip to the resort. We had taken a trip earlier in the year,
and qualified for the 14/3 promotion (stay 14 nights in a calendar year
and receive 3 free nights).
We had
a flight delay on the Atlanta-Montego Bay leg of our trip, we had to
wait for another plane. Instead of arriving in MBJ at 1pm and enjoying
an afternoon at the beach, we were stuck in the airport and didn’t land
in Jamaica until 7pm. We got to the resort around 9pm. At the front
desk, Sunshine (formerly of the entertainment staff) was an angel,
helping us check in quickly when we were exhausted, and the Mrs. was not
feeling well. Our room was next to the prude grill, garden-view nude. We
had a flat-screen TV in our room, mounted to the left of the large
mirror at the foot of the bed. Unplugged the mini-fridge, we don’t like
the noise. The mattress definitely seemed improved and the pillows were
better, but still below average. Everything else in the room - same as
it ever was. We had the pleasure of a great housekeeper who was friendly
and kept our room nice. The phone didn’t work in our room, heard later
the whole phone system was being upgraded. One problem with our room was
the temperature of the shower. Once it warmed up, it was scalding hot.
We didn’t get around to reporting this until our last day. It was
inconvenient for about 10 minutes a day!! The Mrs. went over to the spa
once to shower, and the water temp was fine there.
Our
room was close enough to the water slide, that we could hear people
using it at night. It seemed most popular from midnight to the wee
hours. Earplugs made it possible to sleep, despite the sliding. We used
the water slide on a few afternoons, so fun!
Our
first full day at the resort was great, as we were able to join the
9:30am dive. We dove every day possible this trip. We saw a large nurse
shark resting in a ledge, with its huge tail sticking out. Saw the usual
large crabs and lobsters, a few rays, a spotted eel with blue color.
Seemed to spot less lion fish, but we had some strong current, which
keeps them hiding. Many dives were at capacity, but we ended the trip
with a relaxed dive with 4 divers (2 couples) plus divemaster. We dove
at the usual sites. The traditional dive boat was in use (with the
painted female diver on the side, high freeboard). It gets out to the
sites faster, the engines run rough sometimes, but both of them ran most
of the time. The flat-hulled dive boat was floating on a mooring ball.
New
loungers and new floating pads are found throughout the resort, with
plastic side tables, and some new canvas umbrellas. This is a noticeable
improvement from our trip 7 months earlier. The chair saving situation
at the nude pool is ridiculous. Many loungers saved with no bodies in
them. At the end of our trip, we saw some fabric covers that are pulled
over the top of the chair, with the group affiliation printed on them,
these are especially annoying because they seem to be claiming chairs
for an entire stay. The pressure on chairs decreased after
Halloween/Anniversary, so it seems to be a high occupancy issue. High
occupancy is fun for energy, but has its downsides.
The
nude pool deck was slimy and messy during our trip, flip-flops would
make it tolerable, but we like to be barefoot. We did not contract any
weird foot virus, so maybe it looks worse than it is. We didn’t like
walking among discarded drink straws and cigarette butts. We saw
pressure-washing taking place around the resort, but not at the nude
pool where it is needed daily. There are new metal stairs with railings
into the hot tub, they are industrial-looking - not pretty, but
functional.
The
nude pool water was full of various particles, the pool water should be
kept to higher standard. We did see a portable filtering system being
used at the nude pool in the morning. We missed the outdoor shower that
used to be located near the massage shack on the nude beach. It’s gone
with the new construction/patios for the nude ocean-view rooms. The rest
of the outdoor showers are in the same state of disrepair as 7 months
before - they could seriously use an upgrade. Some new fixtures would be
welcome and something better than a left-over lanyard to control the
flow of water.
The
Bubbly Bares were in the house, we enjoyed their champagne party on the
beach. They sprayed silly-string on their new members as an initiation
rite.
Rum
cream was in good supply and we drank some Scumba specials, a delicious
rum drink which goes down nice and easy.
We
experienced some of the outside DJs at the nude pool (seems like they
were brought in by travel groups?), who were constantly on the mic
saying obvious things like “Hedo is the hot place to be for Halloween.”
We were also annoyed by the country music selections - just not our
thing, and especially in Jamaica, where reggae rules.
The
Entertainment Coordinators were busy creating a party atmosphere with
afternoon parties at the both the nude and prude pools. We like the
staff DJs best, and they were taking requests. We had a crazy time at
the prude pool one afternoon, playing volleyball and partying with the
ECs. This was one time when we found the prude side was more fun than
the nude side - for an hour any way! Hedo Rick made it unforgettable.
Jeff
the body painter was set-up at the nude beach and did some awesome work.
He was not charging for his services, but did accept tips.
We
were up late a few nights and tried the pizza, made fresh at the nude
grill. It was cooked to order and tasty.
One
night there was a rave dance party on the main pool deck. The volume was
very loud, we wore earplugs and that made it tolerable. We became
over-heated with the non-stop dancing and the Mrs. had a skinny dip in
the pool.
The
Mrs. enjoyed an excellent massage and body scrub at the spa with
Jennifer. We left a credit card imprint at the front desk, and it worked
for the spa, but did not work in the gift shop. When we needed body
wash, the gift shop had male fragrances only. We purchased some clothing
and souvenirs in the gift shop. The shop is carrying more sexy clothing
than in past years. At the repeater’s party, there was a display of
clothing brought out to the pool deck, and on another night merchandise
was set out on the patio in front of the gift shop, and could be
purchased at a discount.
We did
not use the Hobie cats this trip, as the breezes were down. We did
waterski once, with the Mastercraft boat. We had a few afternoons of
rain, lasting a couple hours at most. It made for some slippery tiles
around the dining room, a few people lost their footing.
The
evening entertainment was good. Diana did an erotic performance while
milk is poured over her body. When this act was parodied by a male guest
as a Halloween skit, it brought the house down. There didn’t seem to be
as many skits as the last time we were there for Halloween, 2 years
before, but there were a few bad skits. We think a gong should be
implemented, like the old Gong Show, so that some acts could be ended
quickly. We took part in the pumpkin carving, it was great to see all
the creative jack-o-lanterns on the stage that evening. Some of the
costumes on Halloween night: Serena Williams was back in action, an
authentic Edward Scissorhands and a gothic vampire couple.
We saw
light bulbs being replaced around the dining room, but sections of the
stained glass around the main bar were still not lit. The new fans in
the ceiling around the dining room were operating and seemed to be
working well. The paint job on the dining chairs is chipping, the new
pads on the seats are nice and holding up well.
Martino’s restaurant was good, we ate there one night, but never made it
to the Japanese option. The lunches at the main dining buffet were
great, lots of options and delicious dessert, one afternoon they had a
hot fudge dessert that was rich and good. For breakfast, sometimes there
was smoked salmon, and sometimes we were late to breakfast and missed
it. Capers always seemed to be there, as well as anchovies for a caesar
salad. Vodka and champagne were set out by the juices, so you can make
your own mimosa or cocktail. Always a line at the omelet station, we
skipped it. Tried the small cups of muesli, which were a new addition to
the breakfast selections.
On
anniversary night, November 1, the kitchen staff prepared a feast! There
was jerk chicken with a spicy hot jerk sauce (hotter than what is
usually served at the grills). It was a memorable spread with a “raw
bar,” all kinds of sashimi and sushi, it was beautiful. We tried the
marinated lobster bites served in small cups, really tender and tasty.
We stopped by the escovitch table, where fish was being prepared as you
watch, along with fresh-fried festival and bammy. We now have a new
appreciation for festival and bammy, it was great - bring on the
traditional Jamaican foods, especially when prepared so fresh. There was
a table for flambé desserts, we didn’t have a chance to try it. Never
located any rum balls. There was a Martini Bar set up in the courtyard
outside the gift shop. We had apple martinis, there were all kinds being
mixed, some using scotch bonnet peppers as garnish. Cigars were also
being passed out at the Martini Bar. The dining room was transformed for
the Anniversary Night celebration with impressive ice sculptures and
light-colored draping, that hung from ceiling to floor. This was our 2nd
trip over Halloween/Anniversary, and the look of this anniversary was
stunning. In keeping with the “Phoenix Rising” theme, the entertainment
staff gave a performance that featured feathered headdresses, which
looked similar to what you would see on a Vegas showgirl. The evening
started with a couple of fire performers. The staff entertainment was
good, and went on a long time, verged on being too lengthy. Not many
guests dressed in the night’s theme, although we did. Some great singing
talent was featured this evening, there was a woman who sang a soca
number - really fun. The presentation of gift baskets for long-time
repeaters seemed interminable! Of course, the resort wants to recognize
them, but could it be more streamlined? One nice touch was the presence
of Peta-Gaye from housekeeping in the ladies room during anniversary
evening. She is a sweetheart and so many people were happy to see her,
while she was keeping the bathroom tidy.
We
went to the piano bar most nights, despite the loud sound levels. It’s
so loud as to be damaging to one’s hearing! Again, earplugs to the
rescue! Funny, but the disco was the one location where the sound levels
were good and we could remove the earplugs. The sound in the dining room
can also be overly loud, especially if you’re sitting close to the
speakers. We liked the new piano player. He makes hearing “Piano Man”
night after night tolerable with his custom lyrics.
It
seems that the new owners are patching up the property, but not going
deep with a full refurbishment of problem areas. This disappoints us, as
it puts the long-term viability of the resort into question.
Returned home with a happy attitude. Too bad that Hedo feeling can’t
last the whole year through. We are planning our next trip, number 10!