How the AI resort was started in Jamaica.

[lisapat]

WHOA!!!! that IS a revelation, Muck. Ever since we decided to actually visit Negril, instead of just staying at Couples Negril, I've lost touch with the happenings of Couples except for an occasional visit to their site...That's a biggie that they are not only going to expand to another island, but one so far away....there was talk for years that the next Couples property was going to be a possible "Couples Trelawny"..making it the 5th Couples on the island..but I guess it never took shape. This is news....

[poolguywindsor]

From what I read Hedonism II was sold and appears that is the case as the website is not affiliated any more.

[Face Down]

Superclubs is down to 5 properties....4 in Jamaica and one in the Bahamas. As another poster stated the Breezes/Couples deal fell through and for the time being will remain. Hedonism II is sold pending the completion of the deal which is rumored to be by the end of this month. The Issa family is going to keep a small stake in the resort as well as Kevin Levee who has been the General Manager of Hedo II (and Hedo III) for many years. 10 Million Dollars (US) is going to be put into the old girl for some much needed renovations. Here is the press release dates 11/7/12.

HEDONISM II IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL INVESTOR GROUP

Company to be owned by Harry Williams, Jon Gross, John Issa Family and Kevin Levee

NEGRIL, JAMAICA November 7, 2012 – SuperClubs Chairman, John Issa, announced today that he is in negotiations to sell Hedonism II to Marshmallow Ltd a new company headed by majority stockholder Harry Williams and including Jon Gross of UnWind Travel (Fluffernutters), the John Issa Family and Kevin Levee.

The group has said that upon conclusion of a deal, there will be a smooth transition of ownership with no interruption to service. All reservations and tour operator contracts will be honoured and the property will not be rebranded and will continue to deliver and enhance the Hedonism Holiday.

Harry Williams expressed his excitement, “Hedonism II is John Issa’s legacy, the concept, formation and operation has so much of him in it. It has been a long-term goal of mine to own the resort and to invest the funds needed to enhance its facilities to even higher standards. We are proud that he has chosen to consider us to continue to innovate, modernize and maintain Hedonism II as the leading resort in our industry.”

“This ownership group is ideal and should calm any fears that Hedonists have had about their beloved resort falling into hands that have no understanding or experience in this market,” said Jon Gross, CEO of Marshmallow Ltd.

John Issa added, “Hedonism II is the ultimate gem in its market, not only is the location on the seven-mile Beach in Negril ideal but it is the storied resort that all its competitors attempt to live up to. It is an important part of my contribution to tourism and I am happy to be in discussions for it to be preserved for many years to come by people that hold it as dear to their hearts as I do.”

Kevin Levee, a 28-year employee of SuperClubs and the current General Manager of the resort added, “our first goal is to bring the operation of the resort back to 100% and to this end we are immediately investing in many of the facilities”.

Marshmallow Ltd has a US$10 million renovation plan including room renovations, which will begin immediately on completion.

Sitting on 22 acres on Negril’s scenic seven-mile beach amid ocean views and white sand beaches, Hedonism II has 280 beach- and garden-view rooms plus 12 suites with private Jacuzzis and terraces for intimate time alone. From a wide array of Super-Inclusive water and land sports to the late night Hurricanes club, nightly themed parties and five bars,

[poolguywindsor]

OK thats what I thought, this is good news for all those that love this place as it was in desperate need of a refresh. I stayed there back in about 93 and always wanted to spend a couple nights there just to refresh some of them long ago memories.

[Flipadelphia26]

PGW. Werw you cruising the beach balls out?

[poolguywindsor]

PGW. Werw you cruising the beach balls out?

Yep, and there is a photo out there from oneof the Jacka#@$ that I was there with, but that was only after they had this crazy drinkin party on Booby Cay and we were running and sliding between the naked girls legs. Never mind.

[Misti1]

I am NOT a fan of AI's. Let me first say that I by no means know how ALL of them are run, but I do have first hand knowledge of the business practices of SOME of them. While you are enjoying your "all I can eat and all the bad liquor I can drink", and looking at the smiling faces who serve you, those faces are suffering mightily. Raises this century are almost unheard of and the salaries most of the workers are paid would not feed a cat. In the meantime, the COST of an all inclusive VaCay HAVE kept pace with inflation. That worker will work a SIX day week, up to 12 hour or more days (remember US worker, you get at least two days off a week). In the meantime, NO consideration is given for work scheduling. Meaning that worker can work until late in the night and THEN be scheduled to come on board for their next shift early AM. with maybe 3 hours sleep possible,

Tipping..... remember that your literature told you your ALL INCLUSIVE package INCLUDED all staff tips. LMAO... they never saw a DIME of that this millennium. In the meantime, if YOU try to tip them , and they are caught taking it, they are FIRED, and even a bad job is better than no job at all. Many times resorts will hire silent guests to pretend to be vacationing who are really undercover. Tipping is a big scare because these guests will offer really irresistible tips and the minute the worker takes it, JOB OVEr. They don't have to do this often , as the threat is hanging there always.

Did you know that if your worker is lucky enough to have a private vehicle, that they are searched everyday they leave work. trunk popped, and mirror run under the car?? I am not telling you what I THINK, I am telling you what I KNOW, I have been in the car with them. Back packs are searched at random, pat down searches, even CAVITY searches, YES,,,,, to insure that not even a bottle of water is stolen from the AI.

Ever see the men haul the tables and chairs and drapes through the sand down to the beach for that breakfast buffet or Jamaica night you love so much, and then wait around until the wee hours of the morning to break it all down and then be there bright and early to set up breakfast?

All of this for somewhere between 40.00-60.00 a week US for wages.


Now BEFORE you start defending your AI and telling me all this is BS, I will tell you that these are places I STAYED and became friends with the people who worked there and i KNOW what I am talking about when it comes to this AI.

I also have done my homework and the ONLY AI in Jamaica that does NOT exhibit most of these unfair practices is the Ritz Carlton, and most Jamaicans would give an eye teeth to work there.

I do not support the AI system, I think it is a form of modern day slavery, and as a black person of conscious, I will NOT spend my money at them, nor support them with my travel business. For all of you who claim to LOVE Jamaica so much, I urge you to open your eyes. But then again, you just can't beat those air package deals,can you??? And after all ,it is all about YOUR VACATION right?? I will say this though, if AI's were to cease to exist a WHOLE lot of people would be out of a job, even if it is a very bad job... so it is an unsolvable dilemma... kill the chicken or kill the egg???? But at least open your eyes.

[Face Down]

Now BEFORE you start defending your AI and telling me all this is BS, I will tell you that these are places I STAYED and became friends with the people who worked there and i KNOW what I am talking about when it comes to this AI.

As someone who have been to both Hedo's over the last 10 years and have become friends with many of the staff...some who have been there 10...15...20+ years I can say that they love and appreciate the jobs that they have. While all AI's may not be equal...I think calling it slavery is quite over the top.

[Flipadelphia26]

Yep, and there is a photo out there from oneof the Jacka#@$ that I was there with, but that was only after they had this crazy drinkin party on Booby Cay and we were running and sliding between the naked girls legs. Never mind.

You know you're too old to do these shenanigans now. Right?

Think of Jackie cruising by on the beach and looking over lol. Poor thing.

[takinitslow]

Damn 29 wow those were the days.