The Grand Lido Visitors Hangout

• Reconfirm your flight and seat assignment 48 to 72 hours prior to departure!
• Confirmation prior to your return will be done at the resort.

• Bring 1 or two 2 reasonably nice (but simple) outfits for dinners. Males need long pants, leather shoes, and some type of jacket for inside fancy dining (tie not necessary).
• Bring some favorite CDs for the room and a small alarm clock.
• Don’t forget your insulated mug!
• Bring plenty of sunscreen! The sun here is POTENT!
• You might want some bug repellent (non-aerosol) for your legs if you want to walk on the beach at night.
• Don’t forget beach shoes and/or Tevas, SUNGLASSES, and some kind of hat!
• Pack emergency survival kit (underwear, toothbrush, swim suit or shorts…) in your carry-on.
• Pack valuables in carry-on (including room voucher).
• No aerosol cans are allowed in luggage (Air Jamaica’s rule).
• Pack light, you won’t need half of what you think. Laundry and dry cleaning is included (but it may take up to 2 days).

• Passport or official Birth Certificate with raised seal. May want to make a Xerox copy, just in case.
• Keep on person—do not pack!

• Retrieve your luggage.
• Clear customs. Be patient here, you’re now on island time!
• Use the rest room. It may be awhile before you get the chance again.
• Look for the Superclubs desk to the left, down the main hallway. Introduce yourselves to the lady or gentleman wearing the nice flower shirt and holding the clipboard. They’ll tell you when to board the shuttle bus to your destination.

• Bring lots of small bills for the airport and ride.
• Porters get about $.50-$1.00/bag. Watch your bags, they will literally grab them away from you!
• The shuttle driver is also tipped, usually about $5-20 for two, depending on how scary the ride was, your generosity, and if he wrecked or not.
• Once at the resort TIPPING IS NOT ALLOWED—it may even get the employee into severe trouble or fired. If you want to bring a small present for the maid (such as a bottle of perfume, candy for her kids…) and leave it on the pillow with a little note (so she can take it from the resort), that would be OK.
• Of course, if you leave the resort everyone will expect a tip…

• Expect about a two-hour ride to GLSS and GLN and about 1 hour to Braco.
• The driver will probably offer to stop along the way for drinks and/or potty.
• Enjoy the viewing the scenery and local towns. Ask the driver questions.
• Wear your seatbelt (if there is one!) and don’t sit in the "death seat." Avoid looking at just how close you come to crashing at high speeds at every turn.

• Introduce yourselves.
• They’ll offer you a cool drink. Have a Red Stripe, blended fruit punch, champagne, Ting, or whatever you like! Keep that money in your wallet! Hey, you’re finally HERE!!! Smell that flowery and salty air! Look around at the resort guests and see how relaxed they are!
• Present your room voucher and credit card (for incidental room charges, if any, during your stay).
• Inquire about Concierge service to make reservations for restaurants and spa treatments (and golf, if you’re into that sort of thing).
• If your room is not ready, ask if your bags can be stowed while you have lunch, change into your bathing suit, head to the swim-up bar or beach…

• Make dinner reservations for the restaurants as soon as you can. These often fill up quickly.
• If the resort is not too busy, try making additional reservations on the second morning of your stay. Keep your reservations or cancel early.
• Likewise make spa-treatment reservations as early as possible (sign up at the spa). At GLSS, take advantage of your spa "sampler" which includes a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, body scrub, and reflexology. Book a massage for outside in a gazebo that’s right over the water or on the beach!
• If interested in SCUBA (or taking the intro to SCUBA class!) head down to the waterfront to sign-up ASAP for the next morning. Ask about when you can sign-up for the next trip (probably when you come back in on the boat). Don’t forget your C-card, logbook (for those already certified), and signed medical form (if you need it).

• Remember that you’re now on island time and things happen at a relaxed pace (or sometimes not at all!). Just enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. No probcem.
• If you don’t like your room, or if there’s a problem, ask politely at the front desk for a remedy.
• Use room service lots! Get the Lamb chops! Mmmmm. Have it delivered to your favorite hammock, the hot tub or beach for sunset!
• Don’t rely on wake-up calls (you may get ten or none at all).
• Regular calling cards should work, but there’s a steep connection fee/call.
• At the restaurants order all the courses (they’re small)! Try all the wines.
• Go to the beach party and manager’s grand gala if you can, even if you’ve had dinner elsewhere.
• Ask for bottles of Champagne at the bar to take to the hot tub at night.
• Females should flirt with the watersports guys. Males should flirt with the cute activities directors.
• If it rains, head to the hot tub!
• Try some of the organized activities. The game things are almost guaranteed to win you some Appleton Rum, and they’re more fun than one would expect!
• Get to know the activities staff (yeah, that’ll be a problem!).
• If you’re interested in an "off-resort" excursion, the local guides at the resort’s entrance will often negotiate on price. They’ll also take you to additional or out-of-the-way spots.
• Be aware that almost anytime you talk to a vendor he/she will do there best to get you to spend lots of money! Support them, but don’t expect change if you can’t pay the exact amount.
• Everyone should try the clothing-optional/au natural side at least once. Have a few large frozen fruity drinks first (and during, and after).
• Be friendly, introduce yourselves to the staff, and remember their names. They will return your friendliness greatly! Indicate the names on the comment card at checkout.
• Take pictures (but not at the co/an area).
• Have the best time ever.

• If you have time between checking out and getting on the bus to the airport, keep a bathing suit with you and go swimming, eat lunch, and/or hang out at the bar.
• Take some cold drinks and snacks for the ride.
• Go potty before you leave. That way the ride may still be scary, but at least it will be dry and scary.
• Again, don’t sit in the death seat.
• Tip the driver and porters.
• Keep your plane tickets/boarding passes and passport handy. At the airport these will be checked several times.
• Don’t bring ganga or Cuban cigars home.
• Believe it or not, a good place to buy Blue Mountain coffee or Jamaican rum is at the airport! They’ll pack the bottles quite nicely for you.
• Wish you had stayed longer.
• Come back real soon.