Tony & Dawn - 12/04

I will start out by saying this was our 7th trip overall, 5th in 2004. Flight from Chicago non stop Air Jamaica (the only way to fly) perfect. Luggage and customs very quick. 5 minute wait for the bus, nice. Bus driver had to be at Hedo by 1pm for a pickup so we made it in 1hour 20minutes (I think a record). Friends of ours weren't as lucky. They had Usair connecting flights and they didn't get their luggage for days. In case they don't write a report I will say for them that Hedo seemed to be very accomodating and helpful with the luggage situation.

We immediately found all of the friends we had met online through the visitors list. That was fun and really made the trip. We didn't really meet anyone else other than those we had met ahead of time. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND EMAILING AS MANY AS POSSIBLE FROM THE VISITORS SCHEDULE AND MAKE FRIENDS AHEAD OF TIME.

Weather was awful. Cloudy the first 3 days and rain most of the time. VERY windy! The temp was probably 80 however felt 65 because of the wind. It was so bad on the 30th we all received the sunshine guarantee voucher (for those of you who don't know, if the sun doesn't come out at all during the day you receive a voucher for the amount you paid for that day towards a future stay within 1 year). Wed the sun came out for 10 minutes total, but that counted and no voucher. Sat and Sun the weather was sunny most of the time, scattered rain (even when the sun was shining). The staff said the weather was pretty average for that time of year.

The resort was supposedly full, however due to the weather it never felt it. Always a place to sit at the nude pool and at dinner. 50/50 participation on theme nights. Not a wild group at all. I guess I say that as compared to some of the other weeks this year we have gone. Hot tub was always full except Sat Jan 1, but rarely any "action" going on. Lots of single (or married without their wives) guys hanging around the hot tubs. Disco was only crowded for about an hour every night (typically 1130p-1230a). Piano bar wasn't that crowded (again I am comparing to past trips). On Saturday night the staff lead a kareoke night and the piano bar was packed and a lot of fun. Staff was not nearly as excited and involved during the day, probably weather and guest related. They had a very difficult time getting any participation from the guests. Sweetness, Spike, and Romeo did most of the work this week and considering, they did a great job.

You see it all. Most was somewhat casual. Most women wore some sort of sexy wear (casual or formal). A few (3) men wore tuxes, a few suits, mostly dress pants and casual dress shirt. A couple in boxers and formal get up combination. OVER ALL MOSTLY CASUAL!

The food was 10 times better than any other buffet night we experienced this year. They really went all out. They had the food out from 730pm-11pm. From Lobster, shrimp, crab legs, pasta bar, bbq bar, stirfry bar, veggies, chicken, beef, etc. Anything you could possibly want, they had.

The theme was retro. They had a band play 730p-830p. Then a fire juggler/eater, a contortionist, and a stilt walker. They were all very good. Then they had a singer who sang many 70's songs and invited people to dance to them. Then the entertainment staff did several numbers with Romeo impersonating Prince (he did an EXCELLENT) job. Sweetness was Madonna and the rest were their back up dancers. They all looked great. They had a different costume for each song. Then another band/singer came on for the last hour. At midnight they did a countdown and threw a ton of confetti (those poor pool boys had A LOT to clean up the next day. There was a ton of confetti in the pool and all over the beach. The entire entertainment show lasted from 730p-1230a.

Romeo had said that there would be fireworks, there wasn't, not sure what happened. We did see a few go off down the beach towards Breezes. The staff started cleaning up right under us from about 1130p (I guess they wanted to go home) By midnight they were pretty much all cleaned up with the exception of the confetti.

They sold tickets to outsiders for $125 per person. They anticipated 600 people including Hedo guests, however it never felt crowded. there were plenty of seats, even if you arrived late (like us). Not the need to save seats as I had read here before.

Overall it was a very mild, non eventful week. I wouldn't go again at this time of year. We met a couple at the airport who were at Hedo II over New Years and this was their 4th trip there this year and they reported almost the same thing. Very quiet this week.

Oh and to clear up all the tipping controversy. We had a VERY long conversation with David the dining room supervisor. If any employee (including himself) gets caught accepting a monetary tip, they are fired immediately!!! No second chances and no warnings. It is okay to give them gifts (in other words you can bring them $50 in T shirts, towels, cd players, etc, but you can give them a $10 bill.) We tried to tip a few and they flat out refused. A couple did accept it but they were very nervous. Security was everywhere this week too. As for ideas for gifts I asked many of them what they would like to receive here are a few of their ideas!!!

They are very grateful no matter what you give them. Again it is okay to bring them gifts.... NOT MONEY!!! Their job is worth more to them than your $5.00. And you offering it to them is too tempting for them to refuse.

The staff is wonderful whether you tip them or not. So for those of you who feel that you paid for tips in your trip, don't tip. But for those of you who want to say that extra thanks to those who go that extra mile for no extra pay feel free to give a small gift. I saw one of the waitstaff get SOOOOOOO excited over receiving a package of markers, she showed them to everyone she could and couldn't wait to go home and start using them (she's in her 20's!!) I gave baby gifts to one of the wait staff whose wife just had a baby and he said his wife was so thrilled she wouldn't stop playing with the toys herself. The staff are all very nice and helpful people I can't say enough about them.

Tony & Dawn - December, 2004