Honeymoon Part 2 (Hedonism III)
Since we have been Hedo II Vet’s for years we decided to also check out the newest jewel in the Super Clubs Crown...Hedonism III, and we were not disappointed.
People, at H III, would constantly ask us “Which one is better”? But the only answer we could say was “You cannot really compare the two”.
Hedonism II has been around since the ‘70’s, originally Negril Beach Village, and it’s set up and architecture reflect that time period. With that in mind it had the opportunity to form it’s own “personality” and following of loyal members. With Hedo II you consistently return to see old friends (either guests, staff or both) and over the years these repeaters have formed “Groups” like the “Bubbly Bears” and “Wet Wicked and Wild”, amongst others, and the crowd is "older" (avg. age late 30's to early 40's) but you will find people at both ends of the spectrum, from 18 to 75. But remember, these people have been coming back to Hedo for years and were "younger" when they started.
Hedonism III is a combination of Hedo II and Grand Lido. Plus it is brand new, only 1 year old, and the set up and architecture reflect that. Hedo III is a beautiful place that is larger than Hedo II. Water seems to be the underlying theme of the place and you will find many bridges over water, waterfalls and swimmable areas around the resort.
There are 5 opportunities to enjoy the food the have to offer. 2 of the Restaurants, Pastafari’s (Italian) and Munahana (Japanese) are open for dinner, you need to make reservations, and both were EXCELLENT!!
Pastafari’s (Italian) The good thing about Pastafari’s is that with your main entree you could order a side dish of another entree that was proportionately sized so that there was no waste. The food was excellent, the service was superb, and the attention to detail was immaculate. Again, with the combo of Hedo and Lido, everything from the antipasto bar to the 4 different choices of coffee preparation, to finish your meal, carried a “5 Star Rating”. And seriously, in the “States”, it still would have received “4 Stars”.
Munahana (Japanese) Being from Boston I have to say: “Yes, they have ‘real’ sushi at Hedo III”. This place is set up like a “Ben-Hana’s” or “Bituseki”. Each table seats 8 and the chef prepares the food right in front of you. The main meal was very good and the sushi was awesome.
During the day you can either eat at the Buffet, which is open 24 hours a day, the Nude Beach Grill, 11:30a - 5p, which also has salads, or the Scotch Bonnet (Jamaican) 11:30a - 7:30p.
Buffet The food was excellent and was placed out in waves. Instead of putting out at tray of 100 exceptionally prepared breaded chicken filets and wait until the tray was empty to replace it, they would put out 30 and replace when necessary. Therefore the food presented was always hot and fresh
Scotch Bonnet (Jamaican)
It an outdoor restaurant that you can sit down at a table, be waited on, and look at the beautiful views. The food is great and besides the usual “jerk style” food they also have local delicacies. One day Karen had Curried Goat and I had Oxtail Soup. Both were “to die for”. The meals were very good and the views were spectacular. During the afternoon it normally will rain for about 1- 2hrs but at the Scotch Bonnet you could eat while dry and if you looked into the distance, over the water, you could see the lighting storms. It was like having your own private fireworks show, almost daily.
The Prude Beach was nice and as we investigated the trapeze and trampoline we noticed that the Coordinators there were old friends.
The Nude Side was very nice but smaller than Hedo II and the Nude Beach was VERY SMALL. There was a nice walkway from the Scotch Bonnet to the Nude Side, which passed the Chess Board, many hammocks, some built for 2, and a nice Gazebo where you could have a wedding or just sit down to relax.
The swim up bar/pool and hot tub were nice, smaller than Hedo II, but definitely sufficient. And at the Bar the bartenders, both male and female, promote “Body Shots”. Now for my “Hedo Hot Shots” May Crew (H II) these are quite different that ours. With my crew we’ll place chocolate in appropriate places and eventually finish the chocolate. At H III the participant lays down on the edge of the bar and the bartender pours Baileys over the body and sometimes places fruit at the appropriate places. The job is to eat the “fruit” and to finish ALL of the Baileys.
The pool also has a volleyball net and everyday there groups of people challenging each other...to play...volleyball.
The outside restrooms were very nice and all of them have soft paper towels to dry your hands. (I cannot even imaging was their budget must be on the towels alone)
Again, we are looking at a combo between Hedo and Lido so they had a SPA where you could get massages (Aroma, Swedish, Reflexology), manicures/pedicures, facials and braiding. They also had Horseback Riding, Sunset Cruise's, trips to Duns River Falls among other opportunities to see the island. And yes, the had local craftspeople at the resort selling their stuff. They also had Room Service, in the form of a Continental Breakfast, that would be delivered to your room from 7a - 11a.
They had a open air Game Room which had a Big Screen TV as well as pool tables, ping pong tables, various board games, Sumo Wrestling and an inflatable playroom where you could out on a pair of “oversized boxing gloves” and see how many rounds you can last.
The rooms were spacious, the water pressure and temperature were consistent (HII Vets know what I am talking about), the shower heads could be set for “spray” or “massage” and the bathtubs were jacuzzi bath tubs, with a mirror above. Plus each room had a t.v., which wasn’t as bad, or a waste, as some may think. The temperature of room was maintained by a remote controlled air conditioning system. We had a corner room and had a view of the nude side and a view of the main courtyard.
The Disco and Piano Bar were both sufficient.
This disco bar had a pole at one end on it, on top of the bar, which some women used to “do a little dance” for the crowd. It also had a little “cage” to dance in. The music was good, the DJ’s were agreeable to playing a suggested song and the waterslide was placed right through on side of it. You would start at the Disco and end up at the main pool below.
The Piano Bar was set “in the round” so the Piano Player, “Hootchie” had all of the guest in front of him vs. all around him. And unlike Dave (the piano player at HII) there wasn’t the chance for “Piece by Piece”. But unlike HII the Piano Bar was well lighted and to be honest, very bright, at times.
Also being that this is a new resort the crowd was younger than HII, (late 20's - early 30's), although you will see ages from both ends of the spectrum. I cannot clearly tell you the Couples vs. Singles Ratio (there are more Couples at HII) but it looked like there were more single girls at Hedo III than at Hedo II. Karen and I even had a Travel Agent ask us “Where are all of the single guys”? We had to laugh be cause at Hedo II the question seems to be “Where are all of the single girls”?
As a whole, the place was great and definitely worth repeating. When it forms it’s own personality it will be the brightest star in the Super Clubs Crown. The staff most definitely go out of their way to get to know you and remember you / call you by name every chance they get. Whenever you were eating, Buffet or Restaurants ,the waitperson would ALWAYS ask you if you would like something from the bar, and the got your drink quickly.
The only real complaint that I have about the place is that: 1. There are too many stairs leading to the Disco and Piano Bar, concerns about drunk people slipping and falling down them.
2. It is NOT handicap accessible. There are no elevators / lifting devices by the rooms or the Disco/Piano Bar.
But #2 didn’t stop our new friends Bert and Connie. Bert is in a wheelchair and had such a good time on his 1st trip that he and Connie decided to come back. And yes, even though it it only 1yr old Hedo III does have a small group of “repeaters”.
Also keep in mind that theses reflections, both good and bad, are of a HII Vet trying to make a “comparison” between the 2 resorts, which cannot honestly be done. But if you have never been to Hedo II you would find Hedo III a wonderful place to go to and could easily make it your “home away from home”.
Now, on to Honeymoon...Part II
Sunday, Sept. 10
>From the airport the ride was very smooth. Since it was just Karen and I going to Hedo III, at that time, they got a driver for us vs. a van, which was very nice. During the ride the driver shared stories about himself, Jamaica and the Rastafaria way of life and beliefs, which we enjoyed. On the way we even stopped for pizza.
When we arrived at Hedo III we were greeted by doormen dressed in white suits. We entered the lobby which was set up in a circular fashion, composed of fine wood and a marble floor. The registration desk was to your left, outside activities desk to you right, wide screen TV to your upper left (it was in the wall), a sitting area to your lower right and the open entrance to the resort straight ahead.
After checking in, we went to the Nude Side, checked it out and ended up in the pool. Although people were doing Body Shots when we got there we decided to just relax and unwind from our previous 8 nights at Hedo II. We met a couple, Tim/Marcia, who welcomed us to Hedo III and told us how the previous week had been. After a few Vodka Ting's who did we see walk into the pool but Steve/Judy (CA) who are friends of ours from Hedo II and with whom we had just spent most of last week with. It was a nice surprise. We actually watched lightning strikes over the water in the distance, it felt like a personal fireworks show. After a while we went back to the room, got changed, walked around and checked out the place. We went to Munahana (Japanese Restaurant) for dinner and then, soon after, went to bed. Monday, Sept. 11
We got up and greeted the morning with a glorious yell (don’t go there). And after we shook the cobwebs away we decided to...go to the gym. There gym is very good. The have a bunch of treadmill type cardio-vascular machines, a “Universal Type” Cybrex Machine, multiple matching pairs of dumbbells (up to 50 lbs) and a few benches. There is also a t.v., water cooler and air conditioning. It is located right by the game room. After the vigorous workout we decided to relax so we went to the Spa and I received a Reflexology Massage (Foot based vs. Back/Body based) and Karen got a manicure. I guess that I didn’t “spot” her too well at the gym because she also got the Reflexology Massage.
On the way back to the room we said...”Let’s get something to eat” so we cleaned up, got changed and went to the Scotch Bonnet for lunch. The food was great but the views were better. After lunch we decided to go to the nude pool and do our 1st Body Shot. It was different than at Hedo II but “It’s all good”. We reconnected with Marcia and Tim and I was very honored that she asked me to sign “my page” in the book, “The Naked Truth About Hedonism II” written by my good friend Chris Santilli (www.wordcrafing.com). It contains “everything you want / need to know about Hedonism II, including people, personalities and songs. My song “the Hedonism Blues” is listed in there. The rest of the afternoon was spent...just enjoying.
Early that evening we were invited to the Managers Cocktail Party, located on top on the Scotch Bonnet, Although Kevin Levee, Gen. Manager was not there, he was in the States on business, we met Simone Sutherland, Guest Relations Manager. She was a pleasant woman. Along with the live music this was a chance for the resort to introduce all of their coordinators and field questions from the guests. It was here that we met a bunch of travel agents and they asked us “Where are all of the single guys”. We laughed and mentioned that they should try to go to Hedo II for a few nights.
Later that night we went back to Munahana for dinner and met Bert and Connie, Hedo III Vets. We enjoyed there company and enjoyed bumping into them through the remainder of the night.
Then it was off to the Piano Bar. “Hoochie” is the piano player and he got the crowd going. he also liked to go from one song right into another, so there was never a “quiet” moment. After a while Karen decided to go to bed and I stayed.
I, eventually, went to the Disco but there weren’t that many people around. I, eventually, went to the Nude Hot Tub but there weren’t that many people around.
So, I went back to the room and went to bed.
Tuesday, Sept.12 (PJ Night)
About 9:30 am there was a knock at our door. Who could it be?.... but Room Service. As he placed our coffee, juice and pastries on the table, Karen went into the bathroom and started to fill the jacuzzi tub. While it was filling, Karen join me on the couch while we watched the Playboy Channel and enjoyed the morning. When the tub was full we decided that it was time to get wet so we went into the tub, turned on the jets and said to each other, “What a wonderful morning”!!
When we finally decided to go outside we went into the office to say hello to Simone (Guest Relations Manager) and see when Kevin (Gen. Mgr) was expected back from the States. She said “By the end of the week”. But just as I was leaving the office who walks in but Kevin’s wife. I was great to see her again and catch up on how things are going with both of us. We also got to know Leslie (Guest Relations) and we planned for the three of us to have dinner that night at Pastafaris.
The rest of the day was spent walking / looking around, bouncing on the trampoline although Karen swung for a while on the trapeze, eating at the Scotch Bonnet while watching the lighting storm, and hanging out on the nude side.
Before dinner we received a call from Leslie. It seems that she had car problems and could not make dinner. So...we went without her. The food at Pastafari’s was incredible and the service was outstanding. I’m not going to bore you with what we ate but let me confirm that is was well worth the trip.
Later that night was the PJ Party. Doing the “couple thing” we decided to go a Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus. We both had Christmas Hats, Karen’s bikini-like outfit was red/white and had fur trim and bells. And me...well, the stocking was hung...with care.
Steve and Judy were there. Judy had on a Leopard Print Outfit and Steve on the “good old” Elephant G-String. The rest of the group there were a little more modest than us but hey...the place has only been opened a year. Steve and Judy like our outfit but joking asked us to change into the Leather Outfit, that we won 1st place Couple, Bondage, but we felt that we would probably scare more people that we should.
With that in mind, the basic dress of the guest at night was pretty “conservative”.
For comparison reasons only...
At Hedo II women / couples / and some men may tend to dress a little “risque” at night because..they can and no one would take offense. You hear more “Hey, where did you get that out fit” vs. “What the hell is he / she wearing”?
At Hedo III people were dressed more conservatively, which isn’t a bad thing...just different,. And for the outfits you may want to wear during each nights theme, in talking to the Coordinators, are geared to be worn more at the disco than at dinner. It’s not bad...just different.
So Karen and I had an interesting time in trying to figure out what to wear at night because most of the stuff we brought, from Hedo II, might “scare” some of the people at Hedo III. :-)
Anyway, the PJ Party was fun. Karen and I won Best Couple (Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus) and Steve won for Most Original. There was even a guy who won as Best Virginal, and he dressed somewhat like a priest, who actually was a priest...go figure.
Later , in the disco there was a woman who made use of the pole at the bar. She got on the bar, used the pole and did a little strip tease.
We eventually hit the Hot Tub for a while and then crashed.
Wednesday, Sept. 13
It became the morning routine... About 9:30 am there was a knock at our door. Who could it be?.... but Room Service. As he placed our coffee, juice and pastries on the table, Karen went into the bathroom and started to fill the jacuzzi tub. While it was filling, Karen join me on the couch while we watched the Playboy Channel and enjoyed the morning. When the tub was full we decided that it was time to get wet so we went into the tub, turned on the jets and said to each other, “What a wonderful morning”!!
Karen had started to catch a cold to that morning we took a cab to the local pharmacy and got her some cough medicine. Trust me, the price for “drugstore stuff” is a lot cheaper at the local pharmacy than at the resort.
When we came back we had the chance to say good bye to Steve/Judy ( ). It was great having the chance to spend time with them at Hedo II and Hedo III. Then it was off to Dunns Rivers Falls. We had a good time a Dunns but glad that we visited from Hedo III, with was a 20 minutes ride, vs. Hedo II, which would have been a whole day affair with about a 6hr roundtrip car ride. Of course before you get into the park there were many vendors selling anything from food to bracelets. The Falls were neat and fun to walk up but folks...don’t let the postcard pictures fool you. Every image of Dunns River Falls had a line of people climbing up it. This gives the illusion that the actual climb is very long and challenging. So, after about 100 yards (give or take), the group stops and we tell the guide we are ready to continue up more of the “treacherous” falls and he said “We’re done, mon”.
Back at the resort we returned to the Scotch Bonnet and relaxed after our “treacherous” experience with the falls. At the Nude Pool the Coordinators had a session of Mixology, where they would have the bartender’s mix a drip..ask our opinion and then tell us the name of the drink. After a while...we decided to take a nap.
That night was Lobster Night and since we did not have any at Hedo II this year we were ready, able and eager. But we had to wait until that nights episode of “Big Brother” was over, maybe tv’s aren’t such a good thing :-) At dinner we met a couple from England who were quite fascinating to talk to and we joined them for dinner. Since Canada was once a colony of England, they and Karen talked politics and I...ate Lobster.
That night the theme was “Bare as you Dare” but Karen and I were in the only outfits that would comply to the theme. Nothing too risque, for those who know us it was the “white outfits” but it was funny because no one else took advantage of the theme. Once again, give the place a few more years and the dinner dressing style will soon compare to Hedo II.
That night we met Michelle and Sue, both from MA and both about 30 minutes away from where we live. They had just got there and were on a 4 night Hedo / 3 night Breezes Package. But after talking with them we tried to convince to stay at Hedo III and they took our advice :-) which was good because if this is your 1st time to Jamaica and you are a single woman and start off at Hedo then finish at a Family Resort...need I say more?
As the night ended we went to the Disco and Piano Bar and again there weren’t that many people around but we enjoyed ourselves. And later at the Hot Tub we ended up leaving a little early because the conversation in the Hot Tub turned from “life” to football and who were the greatest players and quarterbacks. Each person was committed to their philosophy and after a whiles our heads were spinning with too many statistics...time for bed.
Thursday, Sept. 14 Toga/Talent Show
We continued the “usual morning routine” and today was our last full day at the resort.
We met Michelle and Sue at the pool located at the swim up rooms, talked with them for a while and them we were off.
The day was spent doing last minute shopping, appreciating the views, eating at the Scotch Bonnet, doing Body Shots, and going to the rehearsal for the Talent Show and taking a nap.
When were went back to the room there were not any sheets waiting for us, unlike Hedo II. But “luckily” we brought our own Togas. We, eventually, found out that you had to go to the front desk to get your sheets. During dinner there were very few Togas but those that were there were appreciated. And post Talent Show they gave awards for the various tied and theme togas.
During the show, besides the staff, there was a woman who sung beautifully, a guy who sang and vocally imitated Stevie Wonder and Karen and I. Similar to Hedo II ,I played “Time of your Life” - Green Day, which is a somewhat appropriate “pre-Hedo vacation” song well as “The Hedonism Blues”, definitely a “post-Hedo” vacation song. Plus this song has become the theme when you leave Hedo II, although for years people had called this feeling D.I.F. (Dreaded Island Fever). Karen remembered a dear friend of ours that we know from Hedo II, Tony (TX), and recited the poem Tony had written ,”Twas the Night Before Hedo”, while I played guitar. After the show, the Men Models from “Hit the Beach” were presented to the group. They were there for Photo Shoots and the “Hit the Beach Male of the Year Model Contest”
Afterwards we changed and did the usual drill...Piano Bar...Disco...Hot Tub. Michelle and Sue joined us later at the Hot Tub and I was very proud of Michelle. That was the 1st time she had been nude in public and she was able to see, like we had mentioned to her, that is was NO big deal. She was able to see that nudity does not equal sex and that people, especially on the nude side, don’t “check people out and compare” but appreciate the fact that you c an walk around and relax in the same clothes that you were born in, and nobody cares.
Eventually it was time for bed.
Friday, Sept. 15 Our Last Day
We continued the “usual morning routine” and today was our last day at the resort.
We made “the rounds” and said goodbye to all of the Coordinators and Staff, like Crazy Carol Pee Wee and Lacey, that had helped to make our honeymoon a wonderful and memorable experience. Had our last breakfast in the main buffet area and again, said our final good byes.
On the trip back we left with Kyle & Kelly (MA) and oddly enough they were on our flight back to “The Real World”. And this trip back to Boston was an uneventful and pleasant trip. We thoroughly enjoyed Hedo II and will be incorporating it in our usual Trip to Hedo II in Sept. I know that we will be bring some of our friends from Hedo II with us, “to liven things up”.
SuperClubs Resort’s has a new jewel in it’s Illustrious Crown and it is called Hedonism III. And like any jewel, as the years and memories increase, so will it’s value.
See you there next year.
Hedo Hugs,
-E and Kar Eric, “the Hedonism Blues” man and Karen
(For Honeymoon Part 1 - Hedonism II: click here.