Having been to Hedo2 four times in the last five years we thought we
would give the new resort of Hedo 3 a try, and arrange to meet our
friends from NY at the resort as we do each year.
After 12 Hr flight, delay's at Gatwick and stop over at Kingston we
arrived at Montego Bay exhausted, not looking forward to the 1Hr 20 min
trip to the resort. After clearing Immigration and collecting baggage in
record time (20 min) we sped off to the Superclub Reception Desk where
we were told that the resort was over booked and the was no room
available for our first night. Time now was 9.00 pm. As you can imagine
we were not in the best frame of mind and asked how could this be as we
had booked 8 weeks in advance, but were told sorry. Options given were
one night in Breezes Golf & Beach Resort or two nights at the Grand Lido
San Souci. Chose the first option and made our way to the Mini bus. Trip
to resort was uneventful with the road being in a far better condition
than the one to Negril. Checked in to Breezes a quick wash and change a
got a taxi to Hedo 3. After getting pass security we headed for
reception. They were expecting us. Our friends from NY had been giving
them a real hard time all afternoon and evening over the room situation.
We finally met up and spent the next 3 hrs or so looking over the resort
grabbing some food, having a few beer's and catching up on things
happening in our lives, After a quick relax in the Jacuzzi we took a
taxi back to Breezes for some sleep (since leaving our home it had been
25 hrs without sleep and we were wrecked.) On booking in at Breezes the
reception told us that we would be told when our room would be ready at
Hedo3. To me this was not satisfactory as another whole day could be
lost, so we presented ourselves at Breezes reception at 7.30 am and
arranged for them to transport us to Hedo3 at 9.00 am and went for
breakfast. Finally we were taken around to Hedo 3 at 10 am. Booked in at
reception and were met by the assistant Manageress still full of
apologies and told us we would be refunded the cost of our first night.
Had our bags taken to our friend's room and started to enjoy our
vacation around the resort. Within the hour we were allocated our room
which was an upgrade to Ocean Front Nude Beach which was much
appreciated. Ok that enough bitching about travel delays and no room
let's talk about the Resort.
Rooms.
Very well appointed, Bright and airy we had a room with French doors
straight out onto the nude pool although by the end of the week it was
impossible to open them because of poor fit due to the wood swelling.
Bathroom was big with roman spa bath, but no hair dryer or shower
curtain. Furnishing was excellent with plenty of storage and hanging
space. TV, Alarm Clock, Air Conditioner, Coffee percolator and CD Player
were all fitted in place. King Size Bed very comfortable. Safety deposit
box's were of a reasonable size and secured well to the wall. (Note take
longneck chain or strap, as one supplied is very short and will not fit
over head)
MARKS FOR ROOM 9 out of 10
Nude Area
Beach was of a reasonable size protected on three sides with rock
breakwaters, which worked effectively and kept the water smooth,
although most of the time the water was not deep enough to swim. The
sand was clean and free of any weed even during the rough weather we
had. On the beach and on the decking which covered the two side
breakwaters there were plenty of sun beds available.
Nude pool was large enough and again there were plenty of sun beds with
a constant supply of clean towels. Jacuzzi was very small (Not up to
Hedo 2 standard) and during our week the water had to be changed at
least 3 times.
Bar and Grill this area gets the greatest criticism. Bar swim up side
was ok but obtaining drinks from the dry area was difficult, achieved by
leaning down over a safety rail to make it possible for the bar staff to
hear orders. This also meant there was no bar area to stand at and
shelter from rain showers. You would have thought that the management
would have modelled it on the very successful "Delroy's Bar" at hedo
2.
Bar staff were excellent and we rotated between various bars on a
regular basis (Look out for ALVIN or M.J. as he is known)
MARKS FOR Nude Area 5 out of 10
Dinning Room and Stage Area
This again comes in for a lot of criticism. Basically the area is far
too small. The basic design is all wrong. It is impossible to sit the
entire guest on tables and get a reasonable view of the stage. Ok if the
weather is good and not raining it is possible to put table and chairs
out on the large tilled area beside the restaurant but you would be
unable to see the entertainment. On the first few nights when it was
fairly busy but by no way full you had to have a table by 7:30 to
guarantee a seat. We saw people arriving at 9:30 and there was no where
to eat.
It was also apparent the contractors had not finished the building. The
main high ceiling area was only lit by two fluorescent fittings, which
gave supermarket appearance. The strange thing was that no workers were
seen finishing the electrical wiring, so one wonders why and whether it
will ever be finished. Also seeing the food in the cabinets was very
difficult with no lighting.
MARKS FOR Dinning Room and Stage Area 5 out of 10
Pastafari Restaurant
Only used this once during our visit. Much larger than Hedo2, found it
to be not so intimate and cosy. Food was good and waiting staff
excellent. Found it difficult to see as no light fittings had been
fitted yet to walls.
MARKS FOR Pastafari Restaurant Area 5 out of 10
Japanese Restaurant
NOT OPENED
MARKS FOR Japanese Restaurant Area 0 out of 10
Piano Bar
The first question I have is why put this bar up a flight of steps? To
me this seems very dangerous with people consuming too much alcohol and
steps being wet from storms it will be only a matter of time before some
one will get injured. The bar its self was ok but again the management
should have designed it so more people could get to see the
entertainment, and why have the bar so high at the entrance it seems a
waste of bar area.
MARKS FOR Piano Bar 5 out of 10
Disco
Really the same criticism as above, very dangerous steps to negotiate
to get in and out. Good sound system and light show but quite a small
dance area considering the bar is not in a separate area. The water
slide passing thro' the roof is bit of a non-event as people pass thro'
the clear section in a split second.
MARKS FOR Disco 7 out of 10
Staff
This is where Hedo 3 excelled. We found all the Staff, Bar, Restaurant,
House Keeping and especially the Entertainment Team very friendly and
attentive to all our wishes and needs
MARKS FOR Staff 10 out of 10
General Surroundings
Although the resort had only recently opened the gardens were quite
well mature and there were nice features for photographic opportunities
such as the Water Wheel and the mock Ruins. The main Pool area was
mainly tiled and this was very slippery when it was wet. However rubber
matting was put down in the Restaurant area and main walk way's to stop
people hurting themselves. Work had started on applying a non- -slip
treatment to the surrounding tiles. During our visit The Scotch Bonnet
Restaurant and Bar were almost empty each day also The Crusoe pool and
sun deck were also little used.
MARKS FOR General Surroundings 9 out of 10
Water sports Tennis etc.
Did not use any of these facilities.
OVERALL CONCLUSIONS
In general we liked the resort. It was obvious they had opened without
finishing all the buildings. Many of the rooms were not finished and
were being used for storage ( hence being over booked on rooms) Would
have made more sense the get all the rooms ready for occupation. The
main problem when and if all the work is completed is the main
restaurant area. Just not large enough! And the entertainment staff will
have problems getting every one involved, as people will be spread out
around different restaurants. This situation will only get worse as we
believe there are more blocks of rooms to be built to the right of the
Main Restaurant.
Will we go back to Hedo 2 or 3? I Guess we will try 3 again may be in
April but I think it has a long way to go before it will get the unique
atmosphere of Hedo 2. Many people we spoke to said that they would not
be coming back to 3. It will be interesting to see what percentage of
repeaters will be. I Feel Kevin Leeve has got a big up hill struggle to
achieve the same percentages as Hedo 2. Only time will tell.