Our Trip Report – Hedonism III
10/13/99 – 10/17/99
We hope this report is able to shed some light on the mystery of Hedonism III during its first month of operation. We will try not to go into details regarding such things as what we drank on the plane to and from Jamaica, but will instead attempt to report information which will be meaningful to, what we believe, will be many future generations of Hedo III travelers.
To begin, we are a couple in our 30’s. We went to Hedo III to celebrate our 16th anniversary. We have two children, and have not been on a vacation by ourselves since the first was born 12 years ago. We both have professional occupations and are considered by others to be very conservative. We had never been to Hedo II or III. We selected the new Hedo because we wanted something different, exciting, stimulating, and fun. We were rewarded on all counts.
TRAVEL
We arrived Mo-Bay afternoon of 10/13 with hurricane Irene forming north of us. However, Irene never posed a threat to Jamaica and all was well. Superclubs set us up with a vehicle, not bus, for our trip to Hedo III. Travel time, barring hitting anything or other wrecks is 1 hour 20 minutes. Five days later, we were placed on a bus for our trip back to Mo-Bay with five others. Again, travel time 1 hr 20 minutes. The road to runaway bay is not all that rough and the ride was not that big of a deal to us. Don’t be afraid to ask for a stop along the way for a red stripe – in fact, you will probably be offered this.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE
Upon arrival, we were greeted with champagne and what would become, our "activities coordinator". He would become our guidance counselor for the rest of our stay. Check in process was brief and uneventful. Departure was a bit more eventful as our guidance counselor almost brought us to tears as we would miss him and likewise. We did have a bit of delay of departure as we were waiting for those who simply wanted to extend their stay as long as possible. Be careful of those phone calls. We made one back to the states for about 15 minutes and it was $25 us.
ROOMS
We had a swim up room. This is located in a block of four buildings located on the far east side of the resort. The swim up blocks surround a pool, hot tub, swim up bar and an elevated sun deck over the swim up bar. The swim up bar was not in service when we arrived, but was open by the time we left. Swim up does not mean swim in. Essentially, the back patio door to these rooms is about 3 steps to the pool. Nice, but not extraordinary. These rooms do not have a view of the ocean, but according to Kevin Levee, the GM of Hedo III, the pool at the swim up room block will undoubtedly become a predominately nude pool. We agree, it is secluded and perfect for a nude pool. We observed the beginning of the transition during our stay. The room was quite accommodating. Big double bed. Satellite TV, Jacuzzi (which we never used), phone, CD player, GREAT air conditioner, etc. We had no complaints about the room. If we had to do it over again, which we will, we would probably opt for an ocean side room at the east side of the resort, which overlooks the nude beach/pool. We would go for this not because of the proximity to the nude area, but because it offers more privacy and is a bit more quiet because it is farthest away from the main stage area. No room at Hedo III is bad. It just depends on where you want to be as related to the main stage area which is next in our report.
THE PROPERTY
World Class by Jamaican standards. We can assure you this is a 9 figure plus property. It is simply hard to describe all the details of the property. The focal point is the main pool, disco, water slide area. This seem to be where the most people congregate during the day. The water slide requires a three-flight walk to the top. It then weaves its way through the disco, with clear panels as it passes through the dance floor, and then empties into another pool area. This area, late at night, becomes a bit more "playful" if you know what I mean. On the second story of the walk up to the disco is a hot tub, which, again, becomes a bit more playful during the late night hours. The disco/waterslide area is the hot spot from the 10pm-2am time frame. Actually, the disco doesn’t even open up until 11pm and closes at 5 am.
Water sports are abundant. Water skiing, kayak, sailing, scuba, snorkeling, etc. We went over one morning and asked if we could take a ride in one of the two ski boats (one with a single 200hp outboard and one with twin 250’s) and we were greeted with "no problem" lets go. They took us all over and we had a blast. If you are not certified in scuba they will teach you in the am and out for a dive in the pm.
NUDE/PRUDE
There is no distinction between Nude/Prude. However, at this point, the far east beach/pool/bar/hot tub is the nude area. Nudity was observed at all hours in other areas but was most predominant on the east side. I asked Kevin L. about the Nude/Prude "dividing line" and he indicated there was none at this point. It will depend on guest trends and feedback. Let me stress at this point that Kevin reads these trip reports and listens to what people say. Hedo III will, in part, become what it will become by what those who have been there have to say about it. FILE YOUR TRIP REPORTS. They are being watched!
The swim up room block pool is going to become nude – no doubt. But we have a bit of a feeling that this is not all that important at Hedo III. Nudity is not a big deal. Hedo III is, in our opinion, an adult amusement park/playground. When we were there, none of the guests gave a hoot about "where" the nude/prude side was. If they wanted to take it off they did. If they didn’t, they didn’t. For example, at the nude beach/pool., there were often times clothed people. No one seemed to care. Likewise, we observed nude people at other areas of the property, and again, no one seemed to care.
FOOD
Slightly above average. Plentiful, but you will not remember the food at Hedo III. There will be a Japanese restaurant open soon, but it appears to bit a bit small. The food fulfilled it mission, but was not extravagant. We went to Pastafaris twice and it is ok but not exquisite. Don’t want to be too negative here, because the Jamaican fare is a bit different. But don’t come to Hedo III for the food.
SERVICE
At times, you will be offered a drink before you are half done with the one you have. At other times, they will forget you even ordered one. Go with it. Be friendly, you will get that drink! The Pastafari needs a bit fine-tuning with service if it is going to become fine dining, but they will get there. In the main dining room, service is very good.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Yes. Basically between 9pm and 4 am. There is security everywhere, but they never stop anything, unless, it is threatening to a guest. During the day there is some playfulness, but not like the stuff that goes on at night. Is it blatant – seldom. Hedo III is not a sex fest. There is always respect and it appeared very classy and with consideration. We did not participate in any of the "extra" assets of Hedo III, but if we had wanted to, we could have. We never felt any pressure and were never propositioned. We spent a lot of time with singles and they treated us with great respect and kept us "informed" as to all the "extras" they had experienced. Hedo III, like I think Hedo II is, is what you want it to be, from a "extra" standpoint.
RECOMMENDATIONS (to Kevin!)
Kevin Levee feels, and we agree, that within 2-4 weeks Hedo III will be at 100%. When it is , look out. This is going to be a real hot spot in Jamaica. Our only recommendations would be as follows: 1) tell security to stay in the shadows, they seem a bit to apparent and if they see something, they can see it just as well from the shadows, not right in the middle of things. 2) Lots of picture taking – need to watch this – and we realize it is new – but we felt a bit uncomfortable being taped during some of the games. 3) Activity coordinators need to get to know guests a bit better what their likes and dislikes are. We got the feeling that all the guests were kind of being grouped into a "lets play" category. Some are not. 4) Watch the clothed people in the nude area. There did appear to be some clothed vinnies who appeared from time to time. We don’t think those who go to the au naturel area appreciate that.
OVERALL
Hedo III is awesome. As a married couple – it fulfilled all our expectations and more. We will have memories that last the rest of our lives. World-class venue. Do not come to relax, this is a non-stop party. Go with the flow, be prepared, let loose. Be respectful, everyone there was – if you are not, prepare to have a bad time. Don’t come with unrealistic expectations, Hedo III is not an orgy. It is classy, and tasteful. If you are classy and tasteful, you will have the time of your life!