GLSS
7/18/2002 thru 7/23/2002
We have vacationed the previous two years at GLN and although we loved the c/o side of GLN we thought we would try someplace else and just for fun, not to forget the price advantages thought we would try the Lido Lottery. At the time we booked it was only available in Canada, booking thru a Canadian TA and flying from and to Canada. Since Toronto is only a five hour drive for us and a great city on it’s own, we took the chance booking it knowing that we would most likely end up at GLSS. Never been there but figured any of the Lido resorts would make a great vacation...If you want a specific resort then as you know the Lottery isn’t for you...we figured as the Carny guy says...you pays your money and you takes your chances.
Flew out of Toronto at 8:00 a.m. on 7/18..U.S. Air, thru Charlotte N.C.. Landed in MoBay at 1:00 p.m.. There was a very large number of people in immigration and customs..still only took about 30 minutes to get thru...all lines were open and moving quickly.
For the first time we took the shuttle as we had on previous trips flew Tim Air to Negril. This is about a two hour trip to GLSS and after you pass the Braco area it is more than a little scary at times. These guys do drive as fast as they can, and passing..yikes, an experience all on it’s own. We did stop for about 15 min. just past Braco, and welcomed the chance to use the restrooms and get a drink. We were on a small Toyota van with two other couples, all going to GLSS and all wanted the restroom break. We arrived at GLSS at about 3:45 read to check in.
After taking our drink orders they sat all 3 couples down and proceeded with a short orientation, passed out maps of the resort and other papers, checked all 3 couples in at the same time. We were assigned to “G” block which is pretty far from the beach areas. As a side note, I have M.S. and knew there was a large amount of walking at GLSS and hoped for a room closer to the beach areas. We knew that we had a R.O.H. room assignment but decided to ask anyway if we could get a room closer to the beach area. Asking nicely got us a very nice room in “D” block instantly. Sometimes it pays to just be polite and smile.
This was a very nice room. Bedroom, separate sitting area with a couch, chair,t.v., frig, coffee table and a great view. The bed was a king, bathroom had a corner two person whirlpool tub, which we never used....we are beach lumps. Loved the robes in the room, very comfy and great after showers..just sitting around etc.
We spent all day, everyday at the c/o beach. Got there around 7:00 a.m., stayed till about 6:00 p.m.. The beach is not great for swimmers unless you get out past the rocks at shore line, but we got lounge chairs under a palapa and just enjoyed the “being” there and pulled them out in the sun as we desired. We also used the pool to cool of during the day and took advantage of the swim up bar as needed....and it was needed! We had lunch at the c/o grill a couple of times, jerk chicken, burgers and veggie pockets were all good..great fries too. A couple of days we walked back to the Pallinzzia for lunch, great buffets. A couple of days we ate breakfast there also..again, great food.
One night we ate at Casanova, rack of lamb and a tenderloin for us. The food and service were fantastic. We ate outside on the terrace, was great, and listened to the Balloon Bar band as we ate. Very enjoyable experience. Two nights we ate at Palinzia, menu doesn’t change, food was excellent, I had veal both nights, she had veal one night and pasta another. We also had room service for dinner one night...great lamb chops! We would leave notes for housekeeping on restocking the fridge each morning...always got what we asked for...that was a nice touch. Used room service for drinks, ice and snacks every night, sometimes several times a night. Never took more than 20min. for service, always exactly what we wanted.
We did get massages one afternoon. The huts overlooking the water are great places for massages and the side by side massages for both of us were great.
The textile side beach area looked very nice as we walked by it everyday...never used it though.
GLSS is very quiet, but not dead. They had a nice house band at the Balloon Bar every night, and entertainment that lasted until almost midnight the night of the Gala dinner on the lawn. Lots of honeymooners, and also a lot of age spreads..20’s thru 60’s. Works for us, 50’s here, always make our own good time and the people we met at the c/o beach and pool were almost always talkative and a pretty fun bunch. As to the c/o gawker questions, never saw it. A few women went with bottoms on..all the guys were full monty. Even with the occasional orientation tour, we never felt uncomfortable. I do think the one family with the two teenagers were a little shocked as they rounded the corner and about 6 couples, nude were laughing and drinking...they left real quick.
We were sent a note by a board member asking us to compare GLN and GLSS. There is no fair way to do this. Put GLSS on Negrils beaches...ohh yeah!
GLN has a more outgoing and friendly staff, while the staff at GLSS is much more efficient, as if always on a schedule. Nothing wrong either way, just different. GLN has a very nice c/o beach with rooms right of that beach. GLSS has a walk to any of the beach/pool areas, but the c/o area, pool and grill/bar is much nicer and overall I think larger, but with less shade. GLSS has we think prettier grounds, it is just a different atmosphere. Absolutely beautiful and felt truly pampered. GLSS did have better food at all restaurants. GLN was quicker to take a less expensive shuttle flight to. We check on flights back from GLSS. Air Jamaybe wasn’t bad in price, but the people at GLSS said that service is not reliable. If they don’t have enough people, they don’t fly or delay the flight. Tim Air will fly on your schedule, but by the time we thought of it it was too late to book. The drive back didn’t seem as bad as the right to the resort...maybe we “Jamaicaized” by the return trip.
Which one would we prefer to return to? Either and or both. We would take advantage of the lottery again for sure, and take our chances.
Thanks to Elaine Simpson, a Group member here for all her help in planning and then having to re plan this trip for us after an Air Canada flight cancellation.
If you have any questions, feel free to write. We already miss the place.
Ralph and Marybeth
Buggs@neo.rr.com