Destiny - Contributed photos
It used to be that Jamaicans, not unlike their counterparts elsewhere in the world, only took a vacation and/or a weekend off on special occasions such as calendar holidays, anniversaries or birthdays. How the times, they are changing!
In the midst of what is now universally accepted to be a worldwide recession, Jamaicans, like the rest of the world, no longer wait on special occasions to jet or motor off to their favourite resort for a few days of rest and relaxation! The new mantra is 'just because', and it means exactly what the person using the idiom interprets the phrase wants it to mean. This may not necessarily be understood by any outsider.
Now, one of the preferred destinations for those kicking back, both nationally and internationally, is definitely Hedonism II in Negril, with its luxurious beaches, racy lifestyle that includes a constant sense of party, and its speciality restaurants that add that extra oomph to unplanned down time. The other is Hedonism III in St Ann, a resort that pretty much boasts the same facilities and attractions as its sister property in Negril, except for the beach. But at the younger resort, the passion for fashion, partying, and plain just living it up, is no less than that experienced in Negril.
Recently, however, there has been a changing of the managerial guard at both hotels with Kevin Levee, who managed Hedonism III for nine years of its life and transformed it into an international playground of fantasy, is now back at Hedonism II. His successor is Lance Parrish. A seasoned hotelier who has served the tourism and hospitality industries with distinction for nearly 30 years, Parrish is now the man in charge of maintaining the image and reputation for fine on-the-edge living and partying that Hedo III has earned, due to its fab and racy entertainment offerings, not to mention its wholesome approach to constantly unearthing cutting-edge entertainment and entertainers. And after nearly six months at the helm of the very popular resort, the rather affable Parrish is proving equal to the task.
Fab resort
Thrill (second left) and Flex (right) with guests of the resort.
With a room complement of 220, some 15 of that number being suites; three speciality restaurants, in addition to the resort's main dining room/terrace, offering from Japanese to Italian and traditional Jamaican dishes; an ever-buzzing disco and a happening piano bar; at least three swim-up bars in an Olympic-size swimming pool, plus a fab spa along with steam rooms and saunas, y'all know we are talking a fab and happening resort here!
It is made much more so with the creativity and ingenuity of its ever-revolving entertainment staff, convivial bartending staff, and waiters and waitresses
who attend to those guesting with the ease of personality and affability that make the whole experience one of a family friendly outing and atmosphere, where attitudes and egos have no place and give way to an idyllic existence, that is as close to nirvana as the mind can embrace! And as for the slogan "Be Wicked for a Week", wickedness here means living absolutely and fabulously well!
The resort was jumping last weekend, and we do mean like 10 coal stoves! To begin with, it was always going to be a case of hotness as the resort was hosting at the requests of its guests, Hedonism III Entertainment Co-ordinators Reunion. And on top of this, it was also showcasing its latest beefcakes and dancing hunks who, by special request, performed in an all-male burlesque revue that was so hot, requests have poured in for a repeat performance. Meanwhile others are asking that both the reunion and the revue be added to the entertainment roster as annual events!
And little wonder here, as with the co-ordinators being the engine on which the resort throttles, and those with that special je ne sais quoi going on to establish themselves as 'stars', but moving on because of educational opportunities, familial commitments, or even migration, no surprise that guests who bonded with these co-ordinators in their many visits to the resort would look forward to seeing them again. So last weekend not only did many a guest pour into the resort for the weekend of festivities, it was made that much more special by the fact that, for many, the piéce de résistance was the very special dinner/lunch available by special request, from chef Mark Cole and his team!
It's the latest offering to an already fabulous resort - guests wishing a very special dining experience can request same; wines, champagne and all, whether in the comfort and privacy of one's suite or room or beachside, with white-gloved service, lapping waves and all or in the gardens, its wedding gazebo or otherwise, and at very guest friendly additional costing.
Suffice it to say, dinner along the boardwalk last Sunday evening, overlooking the lazy Caribbean sea, was not only a dee-vine experience, it was above the ordinary and a must-do for those not only with that discriminating palate, but also with an appreciation for the bounties of life. And dears, when we say, the bounties of life, at Hedo III, life is about nothing but the bountiful.
Now, you know that old saying now being used elsewhere: "What happens at Hedo, stays at Hedo", so sorry, can't really say just who were the fab international and national personalities who were guesting but it was hot!