It’s big, bold, beautiful and everything about it is deluxe. The best describes the Grand Lido fully inclusive resort in Negril, Jamaica.
Grand Lido, the latest addition to the Issa Super Clubs (Couples, Jamaica Jamaica, Hedonism II and Boscobel Beach opened officially on February 3 (the property has been operating since mid-December), with none other than Prime Minister Manley of Jamaica performing the official ceremonial duties which included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque which was followed by a buffet lunch featuring 101 dishes, wines from around the world and the best of champagnes.
The P.M., Deputy P.M. Patterson, Minister of Tourism, outgoing Director of Tourism Carrole Bradey and Chairman Melhado mingled with VIP invitees and paying resident guests.
Manley, who attached a number one priority label to tourism upon his election, now promises further tax relief on those foreign imports necessary to the tourism industry.
Manley expressed his gratitude to and commended John Issa for his great contribution to the island’s economy.
At the Grand Lido property alone some 400 Jamaicans are employed plus two Canadians, the Chef and the Pastry Chef.
The Grand Lido Resort sits on 22 acres of landscaped oceanfront property. Stretches of white, sandy beaches are groomed daily and are the repository for sun cots so numerous that the old towel trick is unnecessary and completely gauche in this environment.
The main building houses a large, marble floored and columned grand entrance, flanked on one side by Venetian like waterways leading to nowhere in particular but soothing to the eye and calming to the holder. The reception desk is purposely small, after all this is a truly all-inclusive resort and the guest’s bill is minimal, only phone calls, faxes, telexes, haircuts etc. are an “extra”.
A concierge is located in the lobby area and groupings of chairs make it a comfortable see and be seen spot.
Row like, one story buildings to the east and the west of the main building houses the guest accommodation.
Identical accommodation is the rule and all are deluxe. One entrance hallway leads to a large bedroom (twin or king size beds, the choice is the guest’s), colour schemes vary and down two steps to a sunken living room area. French doors lead to a private patio or balcony, depending on location, whether on the ground floor or first. The bathroom is spacious, tub, shower, toilet, washbasin and glory be, a hairdryer. Remote control T.V., telephone, air conditioning and ceiling fan or louvered windows and French doors provided climate control of one’s choice.
Motorized golf carts will deliver fatigued guests to their suites’ and follow it up with room service, bringing whatever the guest wants, needs or desires.
WHAT IS an all-inclusive Power Vacation at Issa’s Grand Lido? It is, concisely put, the best of food available, best of service which is the result of training and attitude (Issa interviewed 4000 applicants to fill 400 jobs), deluxe accommodation furnished by and large with materials made and available in Jamaica, spacious and numerous public rooms, a range of dining and eating places so that there is never a line up or a long wait to be served and to further add to guests’ convenience and enjoyment, there are three club houses strategically place for the convenience of the guest. These, the Stone House, Timber House and Beach House are open 24 hours a day and serve beverages from the most costly Courvoisier to the less potent diet colas and coffee and tea.
In addition, there is food available around the clock and should the champagne taste flat to your taste buds, they’ll open a fresh one for you – we guarantee it as we saw it happen. Room service is also available 24 hours a day and it is prompt – it took us ten minutes to receive our breakfast and that was during the “rush hour”.
WHERE TO EAT? There are several options. The largest dining area and perhaps the most informal is the open terrace restaurant which has a view of the sea and seats at least 400 guests. Huge breakfast, lunch and midnight buffet, and at times dinner buffets, are served there. The food is a mixture of continental and Jamaican cuisine, the selection is so varied that one does tend to overeat, then, what’s new on a vacation, especially so on a power vacation. For evening dining there is La Pasta Restaurant and, as the name suggests, pasta is de rigeur here. Café Lido, in a semi-formal setting, offers international cuisine and the Piacere is THE elegant dining spot for guests at the Grand Lido. Nouvelle cuisine beautifully presented white glove service to the background music makes for a not soon to be forgotten experience. No extra charge but reservations are a must. All liquors and wines are included wherever they are served in the Resort.
Source: Canadian Travel Press
