Members of the JWST at the anniversary partyChester Francis Jackson, Gleaner Writer
First, there was the fabulous Negril Beach Village, located on some of the finest beaches anywhere; a world within a world where visitors and nationals found hedonistic pleasures.
The Negril Beach Village, in keeping with the flow, morphed into the envelope-pushing Hedonism II, the world's first all-inclusive adult-oriented resort, rivalling the then happening Club Med experience as holiday-makers flocked to the resort in droves for a little bit of sun, some rum and lots of frolic.
The resort enjoyed a fabulously unique place in the minds of travellers, as here was an experience compared to none.
Because at Hedonism II, all men were equal. There was no grandstanding, no posturing, and certainly no egos, as when guests checked into this resort, all their attitudes were left at home, and at the resort, a new-found freedom was discovered.
And so, a new concept was soon formed. Not by the hotel, but by guests who treated the resort as their weekend home away from home. In the process, they created the multi-repeat phenomenon, as guests not only queued to return to the resort to recapture their holiday experiences, they also started competing with each other for bragging rights as to who had made more visits to the resort.
This competition later bred co-operating groups, and instead of individuals and/or couples jetting in for their individual holiday packages, guests started bonding together and were now taking group vacation packages. Thus adding even yet another dimension to their holidays.
Eneregy of the guests
At Hedonism II, the resort ran on the energy of the guests as the rooms were legendary for their absence of such amenities as televisions and/or telephones, but even more so for their mirrored ceilings.
One of the more frequently asked questions at Hedonism II was: where was Hedonism I?
Enter Hedonism III and the concept of the adult-orientated lifestyle resort brand was truly born, as the hotel not only continued pushing the envelope in terms of its awesome entertainment offerings, it took the brand to another level as here TV/video combinations were added to the rooms and suites, as well as telephones and individual Roman tubs to complement the mirrored ceilings, off course!
Throw into the mix Japanese, Italian and Jamaican restaurants, a beach grill (American style), and a major dining hall, with swim-up bars, acres of swimming pools, nude beach and pool, as well as your traditional pool and beach areas, and y'all know we are talking major additions here.
Hedonism III entered the marketplace some six years ago. Its spectacular but soft opening was memorable for those privileged to have been guests, because of the circumstances prevailing at the time. Its official opening that came later was even more so.
Well me daahlings, they do say time flies when you're all having fun, and pumpkins, how right they are!
Y'all are probably aware of the new promotional line now adopted and being used by our rivalling tourist destination, Las Vegas, 'What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas'.
Dears, the original version is: "What happens at Hedo, Stays at Hedo". So, oops, there it is, hot like that and dropping it like a star. So much so that other destinations are using their mantra as its sales and promotional. But that's another story, for another time!
Sweet-things, the current story is all about the sixth anniversary celebrations hosted on Wednesday of last week of that fine resort located near Salem, near Runaway Bay, the second in the chain of Hedonism Resorts; a part of the SuperClubs chain of fabulous and fine resorts; owned and commissioned by pioneering hotel tycoon and international 'A-crowders' John Issa and his fabulous wife, social icon, Aida.
Managed since its opening by the faultlessly talented GM Kevin Levee, Hedonism III has emerged under his leadership as the hottest resort here on this island known as destination Jamaica, and is the self-proclaimed party capital of the world!
What a repertoire!
Little wonder, as here a Pink-pussy is not an albino cat; a white-wedding-cake is no cake at all, and a golden shower is anything but as all three are fabulous drinks, to be found on the hotel's bar menu, constantly changing and updated by guests and staff alike.
The disco is named The Octopussy (after a James Bond film character) and here rumps are shaken, not stirred, and dependent on the theme, a bed, a shower, or even a cage, are all part of the props. And guests just don't dance; they party like unto there's no tomorrow a-coming.
Dears, with a repertoire such as this, it's very little wonder that in only six years, Hedonism III has managed to eclipse all other resorts as the most booked resort on the island. Its occupancy levels outshine all others, all year round, seasonal or otherwise. And it is a favourite with nationals too, as each public holiday or advertised entertainment package gets over-subscribed by locals.
And so, under the theme 'Jewel of The Isle', Kevin Levee and his complement of staff threw a sixth anniversary celebration smasheroni that was a culinary and entertainment spectacular that will long be remembered for its innovations and artistry.
Dovecakes, we are talking haute culinaria here of the national and tri-continental kind that proved calorie-bustingly delicious as new food and beverage manager Petrona Rhoden pulled out all stops, and then some, in making sure that the feast on offer was prime time fare, and nothing but!
What a feast! Daahlings, we are talking sensationally fabulous here and nothing but. But y'all have never tasted lobster curried until y'all have feasted on this here fab dish at Hedonism III as we are talking food so fine, y'all wanna do that 'foil' thing.
And then there was the entertainment! Pumpkins, a mixed medium of tribal and ancestral dances, classical takes, and short takes, hot-stomping, leg-raising, Broadway style dancing here, that simply held those cast under the spell of the performers in bewitching awe.
Luvs, from the Terrace Tropicale, through to the HooChi-Coo-Chi Piano Bar, through to the Octopussy Disco and unto the au naturel pool and beach, guests partied with the passion of the uninhibited, and daahlings, it made for almighty anniversary celebration.
Dears, we are talking about a party for the people, by the people, and about the people, who through their commitment and dedication over the years, have made Hedonism III one of the hottest resorts known to the vacationing world.
Party people
Those out included GM Kevin Levee, and his dish of a wife, and glamour kitten, Cecile, looking something stunning in an ultra-mod ensemble; hotel manager, the charming Donna Grant-Clarke; the lovely Susan Lowe; actor/writer/director Michael-Phillip Edwards; Karen Peart; multi-repeat guests, Bill and Sandy Heinzeleman (now on their 30th visit to Jamaica, 25 of those divided between Hedonism II and III); Bill and Nancy Fitzpatrick of Florida, on their 10th trip to the resort, and celebrating their own fifth anniversary of the Jamaican Water Slide Team (JWST), so named to embody the spirit of the historical Jamaican bobsled team and the waterslide of the resort; Phil and Terri Carnine, co-coordinators of the Jamaican water slide team; Jerry and Lori Savlors out of Alaska, on their sixth trip; John Moore; Camille Brubaker; David Merz; Christina Tshudy; Wayne Williams; Michael Cefalo; Frances Jaeschke; Michael Neal; Susan Stasko; the charmingly fab, Sophia Leahong; the resort's web mistress, the leggy Michelle LaPorte; PR manager Michelle Davis; and the charming Judy-Ann Collins, plus scores more.
