Keith & Amy - September/October 2020
Trip 9/25 -10/4
We flew from Dallas to Miami and the airports were pretty lively and had a decent crowd. However we landed on one side of the airport and took off on the other side of the airport. In Dallas, there wasn’t time to get coffee or breakfast before boarding and I had been hoping to grab breakfast in Miami but again because of the cross airport, we had to run. The flight to Jamaica was fairly empty, we had a row to ourselves and they were spacing people as much as possible (maybe 40 on the flight). When we arrived in Jamaica, we had Club Mobay meet us at the gate and they helped us move through customs and covid screening. It did help the process because they had us get in the front of lines and helped us be ready for what paperwork was needed next. Lounge was nice and clean, got a little sandwich while waiting on the driver and then we were off to Hedo. It was a fairly long drive and traffic, but beautiful and we did drive straight through without stopping for a break.
Once we arrived at Hedo, we immediately had drinks in hand and the staff helped us get our room upgraded to a hot tub room (literally feet from the beach… worth the upgrade because it was amazing). We did have issues with the back door not locking and they did end up moving us to the room next door. While we waited on the room to be ready, we did go eat breakfast (My favorite meal of the day!). Then after that our room was ready. Literally within the first hour of arriving and after a quick tour, we were in the nude pool relaxing. Our room was amazing and very clean and set up perfectly.
We arrived on a Friday which is Rockstar night. We ate at the Gala, and they had grilled lobster, sushi and a bunch of Jamaican food. We did end up falling asleep early because we were flat exhausted and didn’t stay for the show. Saturday they people from a Travel group there so it was busy. We ended up waking up before breakfast started and then waited longer because it does take time for the set up. Only the main bar is open at that point and not for most alcohol until 10. They did serve mimosas and such. We played Bocce Ball pretty much every day and earning Hedo bucks. There were a bunch of models running around and doing their photo shoots but honestly didn’t hear or see great things out of them and they did stick out compared to people there for vacation (attitude wasn’t great). Saturdays are sports night and we again didn’t make the show.
Our basic daily routine was to wake up, eat breakfast, drink several hummingbirds, and go to the nude pool all day. We would play Bocce Ball while down there and then they had the pool party every day at 3. That for me was what I enjoyed the most because it was good music, the ECs were crazy and worked very hard at what they did and I got to dance in the pool. The grill down by the Nude Pool was very convenient for lunch so we ate there several days (The Fries…. Be cautious of the fries….. they are addicting). Then around 5 or 6 we’d head back to the room, attempt to nap and then get ready for the evening, eat and watch the show. Then after they have the dancing in the Courtyard (honestly there were not a lot of people who danced) or do the Piano Bar (more people did this). There were several nights where after the show things just died off so we went back to our room and enjoyed the hot tub or back to the Nude pool to hang out around there.
We went on the Catamaran Tuesday and this was the highlight for me. They took us out to the reef and snorkled (Two bucket list items knocked off at the same time!). One of the crew members was feeding the fish and that was fun to watch how they moved. Literally cried in my mask at seeing how beautiful the reef was while we were out there. My only complaint was it was only 30 minutes in the water. Then we climbed back on board and went to the caves. The caves were pretty cool to see and swim through but I was expecting it to be a bit more but it really wasn’t super long cave. There were boys there diving off the cliffs and expecting to get tips. Again, only 30 minutes there. We rode in the front of the boat and I didn’t do a sunscreen reapply so I did fry. It had been sponsored and there were ladies who sponsored it (Starry and April) and they did games and things (Which we won one).
We also tried to do two trips into town to get Jerk Chicken and both trips were complete busts. We always arrived before the restaurants opened and it would be an hour or two before opening. It was very frustrating and those trips were $45 bucks a pop. So I finally asked about having Jerk Chicken delivered to the Resort and that was successful (Expensive but Successful). Got to eat spicy Jerk Chicken at the pool.
Restaurants at the Resort were where things got weird. They didn’t have the buffet open every night, so the choices were Pastafaris or the Japanese restaurant. They have a third restaurant called Flame but it was only open maybe one night the entire time we were there and we didn’t realize they weren’t going to open again so we never got to eat there. Pastafaris was our primary choice. I never had a dish I didn’t like or enjoy and honestly loved their food. The Japanese restaurant we ate once and that was ok. It was not fantastic and was mediocre fried rice. The chef was funny though and the wait staff were very sweet and enthusiastic about their job.
Staff at Hedo is just flat amazing. Everyone works so hard at trying to make your experience a good one and honestly it is because of the staff I had such a good time. The bartenders down at the pool we told I have coconut allergies and they were able to tell me the entire time whether I could have a drink or not and helped look out for me. Huge deal for me. They also warned me when there was a rowdy guest I needed to watch out for and when there was an issue they contacted security. The staff at the buffet once they learned my allergies were able to point me in the best direction food wise so I wouldn’t have an accidental exposure and if they had a question they would run and ask. Everyone was super warm and friendly and the concierge went out of his way to help us several time. ECs you get to know and they honestly help make the trip with their antics (We started calling them trouble makers because when you saw two or three gathered you knew something was about to happen) and they work very hard to keep things fun and happening and keep the party going. Plus they put off some great shows.
My few complaints were that maintenance didn’t respond in a timely fashion on fixing the door, or when the ac went out on our last night, at all. The trips into town were not worth it and we should have waited until later in the day but that’s when things around the pool get hopping. I did have allergy breakouts randomly (which sucked) and unknown caused. My biggest complaint was the Flame restaurant and buffet really not being open and then Japanese restaurant not being great. Otherwise the trip was amazing and fun and I will go back in a heart beat. My other lesson I learned was I over pack.
Going home was a different experience. We took the same service back and that went quickly because it was Sunday and no traffic. Did not have Club Mobay to go back but getting through security was easy and painless. We did eat lunch at Margaritaville and that was the worst meal we had in Jamaica. I got the chowder and it was pretty much just broth and spinach dip which wasn’t very good either. Flight back to Charlotte was full. Getting through security in the states and customs was much harder and stressful because our next flight was very close together. Didn’t have time to get dinner and barely made the flight (give it more than an hour). Then the flight to Dallas we actually were separated for the first time and that flight went fine but was full.
It was the best vacation I have ever been on and I definitely want to go back soon. I loved spending time with my boyfriend and being able to relax and let go of responsibilities for the week. Meet a ton of people that were great and it was honestly that "going to camp" feeling where you meet people you can't wait to see again the next time