Hedo III Trip Report

 August 14-21

About Ourselves

Louise and I are a sixties couple who have extensive experience at Desire Cancun and other clothing optional properties. We spent our honeymoon at Hedo II thirty years ago and returned twice during the subsequent two years.  Because of several poor experiences we opted not to return to Jamaica.  Chief among these was a feeling of being unwelcome and a total indifference by the staff.  More of this later.

 

Travel down.

 

We departed Ottawa Thursday, 14 August for a 7 day visit. We left at 7:00AM for Toronto then on to Mo Bay on Air Canada flights.  We arrived in Mo-bay about 1:00PM local.

 

Unfortunately, several other aircraft arrived at about the same time.  It took us 2:25 hours to clear immigration and customs. Worst arrival I have ever experienced.  The hall was hot, the line endless and the procedures inefficient.  One lady fainted in line, was injured and removed by ambulance.  Fortunately our bags were waiting for us in a corner of the Customs hall.  There was essentially no delay in Customs.  Once through this torture we reported to the Superclubs desk and were told a bus was about to leave.  A full minibus and one stop at Breezes and we were at Hedo about 1:35 hours later (traffic and a slow bus). 

 

I believe “Superclubs”, as one of the major industries of Jamaica, should use their influence with the Government to improve the Immigration/Customs processing at Sangster airport.  I would be happy to offer several simple suggestions.

 

Check In

 

Check in was slow because of several other couples from a previous arrival and the fact that only one receptionist was on duty.  Nice thing about Hedo is that they don’t bother with wrist bands.  We were assigned room 415, a poolside room around the Quad.  This was in a block we had requested because of its proximity to the nude area and the main reception/restaurant area.  Turns out this is a room with double beds.  Back to reception and re-assignment to room 414 which has a king bed.  This room was exactly what we wanted and unlike our previous visit we had lots of hot water and good water pressure throughout our stay. We were very impressed with the cleanliness of the room and general appearance.  Our housekeeper, Antoinette, took good care of us.  It should be noted that we were there during a period of very low occupancy, perhaps 30%.

 

Entertainment Team

 

There is no beating the entertainment provided at Hedo3.  The E team is enthusiastic, energetic and risqué.  There are frequent daytime activities.  Their shows are outstanding.  John the pianist in the piano bar has a great rapport with the audience and we had several good evenings there.  The karaoke nights are also great fun.

 

Sports program

 

The scuba program is still great value.  Check the regulator mouthpieces.  Several have “bites” that are nearly detached.  I commented to the staff that these present significant chocking hazards.  I had one significant disappointment with the diving.  I wanted to do an Adventure Dive so I could work towards getting an Advanced certification.  I inquired about doing a night dive.  I was told that one could be arranged if there were at least four divers and that the cost was $50/diver.  I was assured by the divemaster that this dive would qualify as an Adventure dive.  I recruited other divers and we did the dive.  The following morning I attempted to have the Divemaster sign my logbook but he stated he was unable to do so since he was not an instructor.  Heated discussion ensued with the Divemaster, Instructor and myself.  Seems that several training items were not met and that a standard night dive does not qualify as an Adventure dive.   If you intend to do any advanced diving make sure what you do will qualify.  The small Hobie’s are still in bad repair and you still cannot sail the larger Hobie yourself.  I misidentified the Hobie’s in my last report.  They are 14 and 16 footers.  We did not take advantage of the waterski or snorkel boat activities.

 

Overall Staff

 

Much like Desire we found the general staff to be friendly and helpful.  We were always greeted when we met a staff member on the grounds.  Cooks, grounds men, pool boys and maintenance were all welcoming.

 

Sensual and Erotic comparison

 

Nothing can compare with the hot tub and beach side beds and playroom of Desire.  I think the ladies dress more sensuously at Desire but no doubt that can change from day to day.  During this visit I learned that the Security staff was not there to prevent open sexual activity but rather to ensure that you are safe and undisturbed.  This made us more inclined to use the swinging beds in the nude area.  I suggest that a few more beds would be a welcome addition.  I still fell that the Security staff is too close.

 

 

Shortcomings

 

Our major complaint would be the fact that smoking is still accepted in the piano bar and disco.  It’s time to ban this practice in all enclosed areas of the property.

 

There is a chronic shortage of beach towels.  They only seem to appear in the late afternoon and they are snapped up immediately.  I believe that part of the problem is that most guests do not deposit their used towels in the bins provided.  That means that they are left throughout the property and the staff have to wait unnecessarily to insure that are not in use before they are picked up.  I suggest that two beach towels be supplied in each room and that guests have to go to an exchange desk to get fresh towels.

 

In my opinion the property is not being well maintained.  There are many small things that need repair.  Many lights and fixtures are broken or not working.  Our door handle fixture was insecure.  The balcony railing of the Scotch Bonnet restaurant is rotting in places and needs a painting.  A globe (flame shape) is missing from one of the two large fixtures at the lobby entrance.  There is nothing to leave your things on outside of the steam or sauna rooms on the nude side.  A simple table or bench would be appreciated.  As it is you have to leave your things on the ground.

 

The soda/pop dispensers at some bars don’t always seem to work.  Therefore, the bartenders bring over gallon jugs of “pop” from another bar and use this flat stuff instead.  Just ruins the drink.  Have also asked for “Coke” and rather than be told they were out I was given a drink with Diet Coke.  I can’t tolerate Aspartane so another drink quietly dumped onto the flowers.  Asked for Vodka and tonic but given “Ting” instead since there was no Tonic.  Would far prefer to be told something is unavailable than have someone try to pass something off.

 

Music, most of it with a heavy beat, is piped along all the walkways.  This is nice, but I really don’t appreciate it at 5:00AM.  Suggest that outdoor music be shut off between midnight and say 8:00AM.

 

Why are reservations required at Pastafari when the property is less than half capacity?  Even more curious is why the times must be 7:30 or 8:30.

 

All guests that we spoke to believe that the prude area is totally wasted.  Anyone going to Hedo knows that there is going to be nudity.  The prude area should be clothing optional.  I believe that simply placing a simple wall several feet from reception towards the prude pool would solve the problem of hiding semi-clothed people from the “public” area.  Besides, nudity occurs frequently in the Prude area depending on the activity ie; body painting, water slide activity, nude invasions etc.  Make up your minds and go clothing optional throughout.

 

Hedo to airport

 

Alas we have to come back to reality.  We were advised the day before departure of our pickup time.  We departed at 10:00 AM for a flight departure of 2:10 PM.  This time we had a coach.  We made 2 additional pickups at Breezes and Starfish and a short pit stop.  The drive to the airport took 1:45 hours.  The checkout notice states that you must vacate the room by noon otherwise a $100 fee will be charged.  Unfortunately Hedo does not have the spa change facilities offered by Desire.  However, checkout is a breeze.  Since all extras are paid for immediately as they are booked all you do is go to the desk, leave your key then see the bell man and state your room number and off you go.  No wrist band to remove or chit to give to the gate guard.

 

 

Summary

 

Both Hedo3 and Desire have much to offer and I believe that what you will encounter will differ on each visit.  They both offer experiences of an erotic and sexual nature that are difficult to find elsewhere.  I don’t like the close presence of Security in the nude area of Hedo.  Desire wins for PDA’s and PDS’s.  Hedo III wins for water sports, entertainment and other fun.  Louise and I both enjoy the couples only policy of Desire.  We did have a few singles at Hedo but did not find it a problem.  Now after two visits at Hedo and six at Desire and in consideration of recent comments about Desire I think our next “sensous” holiday will be at Hedo3.

 

 

Dennis Bisson

 

22 August 22, 2008

 

Louden77@sympatico.ca