Hello all,

My husband and I are newcomers to the forum, and have spent the last 2 days trying to figure out where we are going to spend our 2nd anniversary. He has never been to Negril. I have been, one other time, and stayed at Grand Lido (before it became Breezes), and visited Hedo II everyday. At GLN, I loved the restaurants, luxurious surroundings, 24-hour room service, shows, cleanliness, the rose petals and fresh towels, the beautiful beach, and the easy access to water sports; However, I am a partier, and when it came time to do the night time thing at GLN, it was "can you say" Booooring!

So, we took ourselves over to Hedo II and had a wonderful time! The problem was I never saw the place during the day. I looked in a "new friend's" room while over there and wasn't really all that impressed (except for the mirrored ceilings of course!). I saw the nude beach at night, and it seemed small and rocky. I never did see the "prude" side at all while I was there...

I remember telling myself that next time I went to Negril I was going to Hedo II, but now that I am married I want the romantic end of things as well. I truly only got to experience the night time party of Hedo II, and not the cuisine, water sports, the property itself, or the water activities. Are the kayaks, wind-surfing, and such out on the beach and free for the taking (like at GLN)? Is food available 24 hours at Hedo II? Did they really stop the 24 hour room service at GLN now that it is Breezes? Does Hedo II have beach service from the staff like GLN did? Did they stop this at GLN after it became Breezes (I've seen some stuff on the internet that they did)?

What my husband and I really want is a romantic, clean, beautifully landscaped place to sun, relax, and be pampered but with an exciting nightlife with dancing, shows, and lots of people! Seems we can't find a place that has both. Why is that? .... or am I completely mistaking about what Hedo II has to offer? I would appreciate all input both negative and positive...

(Oh and my husband and I aren't prudish at all, but just want some quiet romantic time together too...We would "kill" each other if it was like that our whole vacation though...lol! We are both very sociable and enjoy the company of others

I think that a huge part of the "problem" that you are describing has to do with money. Apparently, they just couldn't get enough people to pay the prices at the Lido's and to keep them going. The same would be true at Hedo if they were to update the place to the standards that you are talking about. There are just not enough people who are interested in what is unique about Hedo AND having a very luxurious vacation. (Well, that is to say, they may be interested, but can't afford both!)

While I "think" I understand what your saying...I'm not sure I do really? How would it be more expensive to encourage your guests to go dancing in the disco at GLN for example? If the facilities are already there for a great party, why does everyone go to bed?

Maybe I wasn't clear enough about what we would compromise on (I dunno but we need help...lol!)...If we could just find "any AI resort" that has "any" kind of nightlife, I think we would be just fine...We don't necessarily need the "Hedon" type atmosphere, because...after all...there IS only one Hedo (so we don't expect to find the wonderous world of Hedo anywhere else but Hedon!) I, for example, party with a group called the Hash House Harriers (worldwide)...these people are just like the people at Hedon..open, fun, make you feel right at home as soon as you meet them...the kind of people that won't judge you by anything more than your sense of humor. It's all about what you want,and what you feel comfortable with "Do whatever makes YOU happy"!

If I was going with friends, I would choose HEDO hands down...but we are looking to reconnect a bit more...and I just didn't know if Hedo II has a romantic side...Is it all party,all the time, or do they do nice and romantic things for their guests as well? I know if I can't get the "whole" package deal...then I'm going to Hedon! Thanks for responding!

Why not split your vacation time between the two resorts? Start at Hedo for a few days and then wind it down across the street at Breezes; that way when you find you're bored at Breezes you can always get transferred back to Hedo! And yes, 24 hour room service is no longer available at Breezes.

With all the ridiculing Hedo guests give Sandals, that sounds like what you want.
You are going to have to compromise on something, so if you want to have a quiet,romantic one on one, go to Sandals.

You can take him down the beach to Hedo while you are there so he can see it and go the next time.

RastaBill.....are you SURE about the room service ??

My understanding was that it was still available - as part of a room "upgrade" package, i.e. tiered services depending on what category of room you pay for (read: the most expensive ones !!

There is just one rate at each of the Breezes for each room category. The only exception that I am aware of is at Breezes Rio Bueno where you have to pay extra to access the Au natural side (Village) if your room is not in that area.

Hedo DOES have a romantic side to it if you look. You can find ‘hidden’ pools and Jacuzzi’s nestled in beautify maintained gardens. The beach offers moonlit interludes with convenient bar access on the nude side. I think Hedo will fill your needs to party like a rock star or be stargazing lovers. The hard part will be pulling yourself away from the night time action.

During the day you can find many areas away from the volume and antic at the nude pool whether under a tree, on a raft on the ocean, the prude beach pool is seldom used as well as the more private splash pools with adjoining beach beds.

You may wish to opt for a Jacuzzi room and pack a few candles.

Worst case, you can transfer to Breezes if you don't like what Hedo offers during the day.

If you are willing to consider an AI outside of Jamaica Desire seems to be what you are looking for. Mostly quiet and relaxing during the day, beach and pool drink service, 24 hour room service, a romantic international resturant, and a rocking dico at night.

BananaKat
The place you are describing is available. It's called Desire Only problem is, it isn't in Jamaica. So it is missing the island vibe

Brett

Read your post with interest, as well as the additional comments. We often split our time between H2 for the fun nightlife, and the nude side at Lido for the upscale food and rooms. I agree, the nightlife at Lido is non-existent. Winston did show up and entertain with the house band last April at Lido. Did a great Prince set, man that guy is a great talent. Think he was surprised to see us. The nude beach at hedo is just fine and the good is ok. What really attract us to Hedo is the people, guests like us and staff. Its an experience you just can't get anywere else. Pity they don't crank the other features up a bit, but doubt they ever will. Haven't been to Desire yet....but its definately on our radar. Hope this helps. Just go and have fun

I just want to thank everyone for their input. You guys helped us out a lot, and we are very grateful. We did check out Desire, but it's booked solid and my heart is set on going back to Negril....I've been to Cancun, and it's "no" Negril . I've never been to the DR, but my heart is still set on Negril! I think we will be doing Hedon...damn the luxury and pampering...;) Thanks again all!

That's the Hedo spirit!

Couple of things:

As of June, Suite rooms at Grand Breezes still had 24 hour room service.

With the conversion to Breezes there is a younger crowd which has increased the nightlife. Not to the point of hedo.

Have a look at the trip report I posted on the changes due to change over from Lido to Breezes.

We have done the Hedo/Lido split many times in the past and would highly recommend it.

Respect,

Been to Hedo twice and tried the DR this year. Stayed at the GBP Ambar which is a quote 5 star place. Resort looked nice, rooms 20 times better than Hedo. Pool nice till 6PM than the kick you out till 8 or 10 AM. Also guard stand at the pools and watch and if you are having a little too much fun at an adult only resort they tell you to behave.

Drinks so so, good drinks cost more money, tips expected, they don't speak English. 90% of the bartenders worst than any bartender at Hedo could ever be. No one came close to Delroy with his smile and wonderful bar skills. Hedo drinks are 10 times better! The food was OK and much better selection, but each table was by themselves. People weren't having fun, no one watching what each other wore. The crowds were dead. You had to wait in the lobby till they opened the dinning room. It was our 10th anniversary and I requested a cake for my wife as a surprise. I emailed several times before going and talked to the the Butler several times. Our anniversary bath was set up in our kids room( the 24 year old baby) and at dinner the sang happy birthday to my wife with a cake that said Happy 10th. This is their best restaurant at a ADULT ONLY resort, No one could be 10 at this resort.

We played spoons one night, got a little loud, not vulgar and they wanted to quit serving us. We had to walk to the bar to get drinks and this is at 10PM. We asked for cards and games and were told they are only for daytime. Bars at the Ambar are all close at 11:30PM even with people at the bars. You could find bars and nighttime entertainment at the sister resort about a 1/2 mile away and music and shows are not as good as at Hedo.

Be careful what you ask for and remember there is no place like Hedo, We enjoyed the DR but no nightlife or fun. And yes Hedo can be as romantic as you make it. We love the hammocks and the quiet beaches, but also love the feeling of walking to Delroys and everyone is laughing, smiling, talking and most of all having FUN!