This was our first trip to Jamaica. We booked at Hedo III after lurking as guests on Denny’s message board for several months. We decided that most people that started at Hedo II before Hedo III opened stay at Hedo II in spite of its aging problems because of the friends they have made and the traditions they have established. Since we did not have any such history, we chose Hedo III because it sounded a little fresher, with better food, and perhaps just as much fun. We were not disappointed; although we still do not have a Hedo II comparison.
We leisurely flew in from California, with a stop for some fun at South Beach. Our arrival at Montego Bay was just as advertised on this web site and we had no problems. The ride to the resort (on the bus our driver described as the "Formula I Bus" (with his racing hat to prove it)) was easy and not too long. It included the appropriate beer stop; some, but not too many, comments from the driver; and a good lesson on why tourists should not drive on Jamaican roads. It is an "art" unto itself.
We stayed in the garden view naturist building (the 500’s). We have seen several questions about this building, and we recommend it. If you like to spend some portion of the night sleeping (many there do not), it is probably the quietest building on the nude side. Yet, it is only 30 seconds from the quad pool and spa and probably not more than a minute from the nude beach and pool. >From our room on the third floor we could view the nude beach and ocean. No elevators, but we did not mind the climb since the staff carried our luggage both in and out.
Unlike some other reports we have read, our room was clean and everything worked. The air conditioning, with a wireless remote, worked well but we did not need it that often. Housekeeping was excellent and each day we would find a towel on the bed in some decorative form – one day a swan with flowers around it. We often slept late (what else, if you are not in bed until 4:00 A.M.) and the room was cleaned quickly no matter when we pulled the do-not-disturb sign. Thin walls between the rooms, so your amorous sounds and those of your neighbors can be easily heard.
We read many posts about groups and contacting them before you arrive. We did not contact anyone in advance, but we knew the Dirty Bananas would be arriving the same day we did. Sure enough, not long after our first sortie to the nude pool, there was a person hanging a large, inflated banana across the nude pool bar. We thus met Phil, of Jen and Phil, leaders (chief instigators) of the Dirty Bananas, who immediately made us welcome, tattooed us, and invited us to join them at dinner. We must agree with what we have read on the message board – hooking up with a group can make the stay far more enjoyable. Further, it is easy to do because we found all of the people at Hedo, and, in our case, particularly the Dirty Bananas, easy to meet and fun to be around. We want to single out Tim and Serena’s renewal of their wedding vows as something we really enjoyed witnessing.
Turning to topics that always seem to be of interest, PDAs were everywhere and we did not witness one event that was stopped by the "sex police." Body shots occurred both spontaneously and as part of planned activities. An EC sponsored "invasion" of the Quad Pool (which is definitely clothing optional) resulted in about 15 couples on the Quad Pool Bar doing body shots. It seemed to us that late at night there are now two nude spas. Since the quad is clothing optional, the quad spa seemed to have somewhat the same action as the nude spa. It all depended where people decided to go.
We really enjoyed the piano bar, but the disco is one-dimensional with its techno/house music and quickly became tiresome to us. More music variety would help. Music books at the piano bar were absent until our last evening, and when they arrived they made the evening much more enjoyable….. except…. when the words were available more people were willing to sing and therefore less "pie" needed to be exhibited. Nonetheless, there was plenty to go around. Pajama night is really "bare as you dare" and Toga night was fun, although I was surprised at the large number of people who did not participate. We highly recommend participating in these events; they create an essential part of the atmosphere that makes the Hedo clubs what they are. We felt the ECs were good, especially Romeo, who, on top of everything else, does amazing body painting.
There were some negatives, but the positives far outweighed them. As stated by others, the afternoon crew at the nude pool bar could be downright rude. I must separate from this group, however, Errol, who came on about 4:00 P.M. He had a great attitude, and always "took care of you mon." Towels were always in short supply by noon and every bar ran out of blue curacao and was unable to get a new supply. Therefore, after day three, there was no purple rain. There were a lot a single males and I did not identify any single females although there may have been a few. This sometimes changed the dynamics at the nude spa. However, one trip report from the same time we were there identified them as all Vinnies or Wallies. This is unfair. Many were polite, not overt gawkers, and fun to talk to and be around. There were a few problems, but not many. The restaurant operation, particularly at the main dining room, needs help, particularly with making clean tables available. We thought the food was pretty good and there was a lot of variety. We never could get a reservation at the Japanese restaurant because they only had it half staffed in spite of far more demand then that would accommodate.
As first timers, we went with a little knowledge and some questions about whether we would be happy with our decision. That questioning was gone within an hour and we will return. Its not the Plaza in New York, but it’s a hell of a lot more fun. Many potential first timers have asked questions about the sexual atmosphere and whether they will be comfortable. Well, if you are on the nude side, you will certainly see things in public that you may have never seen before outside of your bedroom. If that will bother you, then you may be at the wrong resort. The nude side craziness often moves into the prude side, especially in the evenings. You may find yourself willing to do things in public with your spouse or significant other that you have only done in private. The acceptance level for PDAs is different than any place we have ever been; but that decision is up to you; no one forces anything. If you move beyond that level, again, it is up to you. You will not be forced or treated as an outcast for choosing your comfort level. It is going to that third level, i.e. – joining with others in play or whatever, that requires true, open communication. As every body has posted from time to time, just go with the right attitude and every thing will be alright mon at whatever level you choose.