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#26025 03/19/2014 02:10 PM
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Here is trip report copied from Trip Advisor

As a many year veteran couple to the Grand Lido Braco resort, this is our first impressions from our recent trip March 7-14th.

First, we had been told to have low expectations and not to let the front entrance or check in process scare us from the beginning. We experienced a frustrating delay with Jamaica LTD tours from the airport as none of the larger busses or small vans wanted to deal with us- Because of it I would highly suggest Freddie try to use passenger car service exclusively. (we had this for departure and it was appreciated!!!! and we tipped as such)

We arrived at the resort and was told our room was not yet ready and we could go have a late lunch at the pool grill-We were still in our cold-weather clothes and made a quick stop at the restroom to change into flip flops and a cover-up for me and swim trunks for K. Pameline the Bar Manager is wonderful and gracious. She had rum punch waiting for us when she escorted us personally to lunch. By the time we finished, K. had already been recognized by a former Braco guest and our room was ready.

We were in Block 10, room 239- this was very very clean and we loved the rustic hardwood floors, etc. Yes, the bathroom needs to be updated that should be done to all the rooms 1st thing. The steps are steep if you aren't used to them, but are doable. It is a personal choice I would like to try first floor next year- just to see how noisy-but I am rarely in the room so I don't think the noise would be that bad.

The pool is excellent. Perfect for volleyball and the slide is fun for all shapes and sizes. I do think the resort should invest in a few high quality pool floats- let them be a first come situation. I would think a dozen would be plenty.

The grounds are well maintained in a very natural manner, yes, plant leaves are growing over the walkways- but they are not a barrier or do they block the path. WINSTON THE GARDNER IS FANTASTIC. EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT IN THE FAUNA- TAKE THE NATURE WALK WITH HIM. LISTEN! ENHANCE YOUR STAY AND USE YOUR BRAIN! YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR LEISURE TIME THAT MUCH MORE!!!!

PAMELINE HAS AN EXCELLENT BAR STAFF!!!! The statement that a manager is only as good as their employees is very true and evident here.

SPEAKING OF MANAGEMENT- Let's get this out of the way- Freddie- we had read many reports concerning this man and when he introduced himself he was nothing but kind and gracious. WE NEVER SAW HIM RAISE HIS VOICE TO ANY EMPLOYEE IN OR AROUND THE PUBLIC AREAS. We walked past a conversation he was having where he was explaining the proper way to handle a problem. He was not confrontational at all. Freddie has VERY GOOD PEOPLE in place to keep the resort running at great levels.

MARTIN THE CHEF- is preparing fresh food and we had no complaints. From the perfectly cooked eggs in the morning to the Pool Grill made to order lunches and seated dinners, everything we tried was very good. The Restaurant personnel have been trained to have very good timing. (Remember them when it comes time to tip a thank you their way)

THE ENTERTAINMENT STAFF MAKE THE RESORT- THEY ARE THE ESSENCE OF WHAT MAKE THE N-RESORT OUR NEW "AU NATURAL" HOME. Dena, Baxter, Anthony and even Tracy in management are an excellent team.

HOUSEKEEPING IS FANTASTIC. Sherifa is so good at keeping her block clean and fully stocked. Remember to take care of them for taking care of your rooms cleanliness and your belongings.

SPA- L. had a basic massage which was very good. Sharon did a great Job and really helped with a troublesome shoulder ( I joked she was better than a chiropractor)

GIFT SHOP/BIRDSNEST- the resort "gift closet" had a beautiful wrap K picked up for L and white t-shirts for tie-dye with Dena (you should bring a white, or pastel shirts, scarf, etc from home if you want to- supply may be limited on shirts for purchase) The Birdsnest is a small shop by the office that has beaded bracelets, wraps, shirts, hats, and most important hand carved signs and items by V. Stoker and others. The prices are very good and others that went into town for souvenirs said the prices were the same or even better.

What is the best part of N-Resort? We would have to say the fellow guests. Everyone is there for the same reason- to enjoy a naturist, nude experience.

We would recommend this to anyone that is not into lifestyle travel. It was better for us than the 5 years we went to Braco. Could their be improvements- YES- our last year at Braco 3 weeks before they closed was far worse than this.

CONS: BEDS ARE VERY HARD, I HAD TO REQUEST A MATTRESS TOPPER-WHICH HELPED. THE BEDS NEED TO BE UPDATED. THE BATHROOM FIXTURES ARE BEYOND DATED AND ENTIRE BATHROOMS SHOULD BE UPDATED. THE RESORT SHOULD HAVE BOTTLED WATER. ONE AMERICAN BEER IN CANS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. MORE THAN ONE GUEST COMPLAINED NOT ABOUT BEER CHOICE AS MUCH AS NOT LIKING ONLY BEER WAS ON -TAP. CASES OF BEER ARE NOT ANY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN TOP SHELF LIQUOR. POOLSIDE MUSIC SHOULD BE A MIX OF MODERN, OLDIES AND JAMAICAN REGGAE. THE RESORT SHOULD HAVE POOL FLOATS. Having read back through the list, it is not that unreasonable.

You only get one chance to make that first impression and N- You knocked it out of the park on this one. After minor improvements that will come with more guests making return trips, it can't get much better!

Please PM any specific questions - I would rather help quell any fears and answer any questions if it will help more people find and book this resort to help it take the next step in improvements.

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 03/19/2014 02:13 PM.
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Hi. Thanks for the report. I made it into a new thread, so that it will be easier for people to find.


Carol Hill
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Really happy to see others appreciate N resort as much as we do. Having been there 8 times since the opening we get disappointed when we see people bashing this place. It is not a 5 star place as far as the property goes but for every thing else it beats a 5 star resort. The staff is amazing, food is excellent ( your are in Jamaica ) we don't go to jamaic for filet mignon. We appreciate the chicken, fish and the traditional jamaican meals. Freddie is great and makes sure everyone is happy. Martin the chef is amazing with what he does for meals. The bar staff and food service is great. How many resorts will serve you any where you are on the property? N resort will . We were looking forward to our 9th trip this summer but it will not happen because of the tempory closing for the low season but we will be there again to end 2014 and start the new year with our Jamaican family at N resort. Keep up the good work guys.

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My wife and I were at N from March 4 to March 11 for our second time. I agree completely with this trip report. We will be going back next winter.

BruceS #26029 03/20/2014 12:20 PM
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We were there shortly after it opened, and probably won't go back.
The resort itself is rustic, NOT A PROBLEM. Food was generally good (exception was the Italian nite), Great service and happy to please employees.
The only reason we won't return is the weather on the north shore. I missed the calm water and gentle breeze of Negril. Not the resorts fault.

#26030 03/20/2014 03:38 PM
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We overlapped with both of you. We were there March 1-8. I agree that they should do something better than Jamaica Tours for getting to the resort. We were put on one bus, then moved to another and still had to wait for a while. Still beats the ride to Negril.

We have been there when there were a lot fewer people. The service was not as good this time, but that's because there were more people they had to serve. But, it was still better than most resorts we have been to. We never heard Freddie yell at anyone either. When I asked him about towels, he did make sure they got some out right away.

We like the beds. What is hard for some is great for others, I guess.

Some downsides: They often did not have enough towels. They have taken to cutting towels in half for the restaurants. We used to count on grabbing towels there, but now they are only by the pool. The half-towel thing is really cheap. We had more mosquito problems than we had before, in spite of deep woods off.

Okay, I went to a nudist resort to be nude. There were some days I never put on a stitch of clothing and I never wore more than a towel or sarong. Nearly everyone dressed for dinner every night. There were times I was the only one nude. I'm not shy about it, but I got stares from one table one night when I stood up. I thought that rather strange. They do know where they are, right? They have a rule now that you cover you middrift when going to the buffet, which is a great idea. I wrapped a towel each time. Worked great. Some slutwear, but mostly resort wear.

Piano bar was great except one night when a group decided to come in and have a loud conversation. We had to leave because we could not hear the music. They also should run a bar in there, since it's really a Piano ___.

The weather was nice for us. It rained one afternoon pretty heavily and was sometime pretty windy, but the pool was sheltered and great, if a bit cool. There was nearly always a hot tub and the water slide was only nearly all of the time.


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