At The Beginning.....
We were at Hedo III from June 23-29....and the vacation was great, but as with all vacations it had its ups and downs, so here goes.
AIR TRAVEL
We were an hour late on Air Jamaica, which is always late both on arrivals and departures. We left Atlanta at 7:50 am and arrived in Montego Bay at 10:25 am. The MB airport is much better than our last trip in 1989. It is cleaner, air conditioned and much more efficient. After immigration and customs we went quickly to super clubs and were on our way on the 'bus trip from hell'. We have made this trip five times in Jamaica so...no problem mon. The trip took about an hour and 20 minutes for the 40 miles.
THE RESORT
Upon arrival to Hedo III we found the front desk staff responsive and efficient. Our room was ready (we were lucky) at 12:15. The staff took our luggage up and it was PARTY time!! By the way, plan on tipping $1.00 per bag at the airport and to the bell man who brings your bag in. When a local thumps your bag and says 'respect', it means 'what about a tip?
THE FOOD
Okay folks, the food is better than Hedo II in some respects, but about 30% of our group (125 couples) did get a little ill during the week. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY!!!! You must have reservations to eat at the Japanese and Italian restaurants. And don't be surprised if they lose your reservations. This is Jamaica and it happens. The other restaurants are not air conditioned so plan on sweating. You MUST wear a shirt to breakfast guys, I made the mistake of no shirt, no service. Make sure you eat at the Scotch Bonet for dinner one night and bring your camera for the sunset pics.
THE STAFF
The bar staff and entertainment staff is quite nice. The bar staff can remember your drink order after one day!!! The Entertainment staff works VERY hard. Crazy Sean, who is going to Texas A&M in the Fall 2001 is great. Make sure you tell him about Texas A&M, and ask him about what Jamaica is really like. He is a great guy!! Now the wait staff.......well, they are not as friendly as the past, a little slow and sometime rude. You may wait up to 30 minutes for a drink order while eating. That was a negative.
PDA
We were there during a huge PDA week. The hot-tub was.....'hot' after 1:00 am. Body shots only on one day, but there was PDA on the second pool level deck right outside our window every late afternoon. Will you be approached to join in with other couples??? Yes, but a simple no thanks usually backs them away.
ENTERTAINMENT
The disco is way too loud. I am a DJ and when I say too loud, I mean too loud. That hurt PJ night in attendance. Toga night and the entertainment that followed was much better. The daily entertainment was good, but you cannot understand the leaders over the sound system. Bring your own CD's to play at the pool, and don't expect a CD player in your room. One more thing....the big gray raft (aka 'The Yacht) in the Quad Pool is our donation to Hedo III.
THE RETURN
Atlanta customs is HORRIBLE!!!!! I live here and I realize the inefficiency, but they are terrible. Yes, we were late, no problem, yes Air Jamaica lost our luggage, no problem, but the ONLY true negative on our trip was US Customs in Atlanta. Good luck in Atlanta and don't use your cell phone until you leave the airport!!!
WILL WE RETURN?
We hope so...Hedo III is very nice and next time we hope to take a day trip to Cuba ($300). Have a good trip guys.