Daily Archives: July 20, 2017

Review Summary Pros

Designed for adventurous couples who want to add a bit of spice to their vacation, the all-inclusive Hedonism II is a popular mid-range nudist resort tucked into a quiet, private section of Negrils Seven Mile Beach. With a wide variety of activities and entertainment, this adults-only resort encourages guests to explore their wild side and indulge themselves. There is both a prude and a nude section of the resort to accommodate different comfort levels, and property highlights include the nude beach, waterslide, and a variety of pools and whirlpools on both sides. And guests that want to explore the area are close to a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops in downtown Negril.

Swinger-friendly, exhibitionist-friendly mid-range resort on Seven Mile Beach

The fact that this resort has "Hedonism" in its name should give some indication as to the scene here. The property draws a mostly mature crowd (couples in their 40s and 50s), including large parties (such as the Fluffernutters) of like-minded (that is to say, open-minded) guests looking to socialize, and in some cases, swing. But besides exhibitionists and swingers, there are also plenty of mellow couples just looking for a little bit of raunchiness and liberation. The resort is divided into "nude" and "prude" sides to accommodate different comfort levels; on the nude side, nudity is required at the beach, pool, and hot tub, though public sex officially is not allowed (that being said, it does happen).

The nude pool is the liveliest (and most PDA-centric) part of the resort, but adventurousness is encouraged everywhere, from the rooms (there is a mirror above every bed) to the nightly themed parties (Sexy Pirates and Booty, Pajamas and Pasties, to name a couple). There are plenty of non-sexual activities, too, including water sports, basketball, tennis, and popular evening performances. Those who want to exercise a bit before de-robing can do so at a fitness center with Lifecycle and Lifestep equipment.

The property was formerly owned by SuperClubs, and some improvements have been taking place after the sale to a group of former guests. Still, there are certainly some signs of wear throughout. Guests also report that there can be issues with getting hot water and pushy vendors at the beach.

The vibe is not only respectful but secure: Upon arrival, guests will pass through several security gates before reaching the circular drive and open-air lobby. A large front table serves as the welcome and reception desk, with benches and a small, colorful seating pit in the center of the room. The opposite side has two small private rooms, one with public computers and free Wi-Fi, and the other with a tour desk and information on local attractions and activities. Guests can walk right through the lobby to the large main restaurant and dining area, which features a big stage and open doors to the rest of the resort.

A private section of Negrils Seven Mile Beach

Located off the busy Norman Manley Boulevard, Hedonism II is tucked away from the road, on a private and secluded section of Negrils beautiful Seven Mile Beach. The beach itself is a small area of land that juts out from the rest of the island, making it isolated, and the greenery and gardens provide further shelter. Although no other buildings or hotels are visible from the property, the hotel is a short drive from a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as local attractions and craft boutiques.

Basic, dated rooms, all with mirrors above the beds

The rooms here are quite basic: tile floors, dated floral bedding, and white stucco walls are the norm, and some guests have reported issues getting hot water. There is visible wear and tear. Since the new ownership took over, rooms have received some upgrades, such as fresh paint jobs, but there is more work to be done. Classic Rooms are older, and include flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, while the newer, Premium Suites (on the nude side of the resort only) are larger, with nicer, more spacious bathrooms. Some also feature patios or balconies with hot tubs. All rooms have mirrors above the bed and there is some porn to be found on the TVs. Guests that prefer a quieter room should book on the less expensive prude side, while guests that want to party late and be close to the pools and beach should book on the more lively Nude side. Guests have access to the entire resort, no matter which side they book on.

Spa, casino, and lots of entertainment

The wide assortment of nightlife options and an energetic entertainment crew are some of the main draws here. With live music, dancing, theme nights, costume parties, and shows, something is always going on at Hedonism II. The pools, hot tubs, and beaches are also hubs of activity, and there are options on both the nude and prude side (nudity is required at these areas on the nude side). The prude side pool has been spruced up and looks more upscale, while both the pool and the hot tub on the nude side can get pretty raunchy, especially at night.

There are a ton of water sports available, including scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and sailing, while on land squash, shuffleboard, table tennis, regular tennis, and basketball are on offer. There is also a sizable spa offering a range of treatments, as well as a steam room, sauna, and a fitness center with Lifecycle and Lifestep machines.

For food and drink, this all-inclusive resort offers five bars, three restaurants, buffets, a piano bar, and a nightclub. Appetizers and cocktails are offered on the beach at sunset. Pizza and burgers are served at the nude pool from midnight until 4 a.m.

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Hedonism II Hotel - Jamaica | Oyster.com Review & Photos

Film Streams and the Joslyn Art Museum will hold a special screening of Marie Antoinette at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Ruth Sokolof Theater, 1340 Mike Fahey St.

The screening of the Sofia Coppola film coincides with Joslyns exhibition Bijoux Parisiens: French Jewelry from the Petit Palais, Paris.

In the film, Kirsten Dunst plays Frances ill-fated queen, who overcomes her isolation in the royal court through the pleasures of her extravagant lifestyle, her hedonism to the soundtrack of several garage rock and New Wave classics.

Dana E. Cowen, Joslyns associate curator of European art, will kick off the evening with an introduction to the exhibition. Film Streams director of education, Diana Martinez, also will offer a critique of Coppolas portrayal of excess in Marie Antoinette.

Following the film, there will be a short presentation about the historic Marie Antoinette. The talk will be moderated by Juliette Parnell, a professor of French at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She will highlight the affair of the diamond necklace, a scandal that rocked Versailles and France in 1785.

Tickets are $9 general, $7 for students, seniors, teachers, military and those arriving by bicycle, and $4.50 for Film Streams members. Get tickets at bit.ly/2tMUd7e or through the Film Streams box office, in person or at 402-933-0259, ext. 15.

To request a Spanish or ASL interpreter, patrons can contact dene@filmstreams.org or call 402-933-0259, ext. 21.

The screening and discussion are part of Film Streams Community Development Program, which facilitates partnerships with other nonprofits and community groups for film-related events.

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Film Streams, Joslyn team for screening of 'Marie Antoinette' - Omaha World-Herald

Authors Note: I recently found this column I wrote 23 years ago, dated Feb. 6, 1994. I hope readers can relate because of the good times they had with their first pickup truck.

We were joined on a sunny April afternoon in 1983 a free spirit and an eager help-mate.

We met on the asphalt, but we blazed a trail across dirt and gravel, from the farm fields of Central Kentucky to the sandy beaches of Floridas east coast. It was a perfect marriage, entered into by willing participants on a collision course with outdoors fun. Hedonism meets raw power on the open road.

Now our life together is in the ditch.

Weve been pulled from each others embrace by the reality of time and metal against metal, rubber on the road. The good times are over. The end is near. My pickup truck is dying. Sure, she cranks to life when I turn the key, as faithfully as ever. The spirit is willing, but the body just cant get it done anymore.

All we have are memories now.

When the good times were rolling. Our kids and dogs in the bed of my first pickup truck. (Art Lander Jr. Photo)

My pickup truck makes noises like a wounded animal. Colored fluids drip onto the snow. When I put her in gear the transmission sounds like its gargling marbles, and the rear brakes are gone. All four tires are nearly bald, and the struts dont strut anymore.

For over a year the odometer has been stuck on 161,291, like some grotesque clock with a shattered face.

Our war stories dont seem funny anymore. Its too quiet inside the cab. I feel sad sitting in a parked truck that isnt going anywhere. Its a helpless feeling. I feel for her because to me she is the embodiment of the passion of youth.

Looking back, both our lives have changed in the last decade. We started fresh, turned our backs to the suburbs and moved to the old farmhouse down the long gravel lane. A front yard with a view of woods and fields stretching to the horizon.

Real land provides all we need. Silence in the grip of snow and cold. Coyotes howling at the Harvest Moon. Hawks soaring on updrafts.

Trees for shade in summer and wood for heat in winter. Clear well water. Fertile, warm soil in spring for a vegetable garden. Theres deer, wild turkeys and abundant small game.

We were young and slim as poplars. Her red paint was as smooth as water cascading over bedrock. Now were both worn, rough around the edges, like a deers coat in late winter.

At first we played all the time camping, fishing and hunting leaving town behind for as long as the money lasted. We motored to Beaver Creek Wilderness in March for long backpacking trips. My stomach growls at the thought of rainbow trout sizzling in the skillet.

In May we netted shrimp and caught coolers full of sea trout from the Indian River near Melbourne, Florida.

Theres nothing quite like a summer sunrise on White Rocks in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, followed by the long hike down the winding footpath to Ewing, Va. A cool pop on the steps of a country store.

October was special, bow hunting in the mornings, then fly fishing the afternoons away catching bass from the Kentucky River. We made so many trips together. Journeys of spirit.

Now we have a wife and a family. There are farm chores to be done and children to take to school. Now we stop for diapers or milk at the store on the way home from work, instead of driving backroads till dusk and sleeping under the stars.

Theres a story behind each dent on her body and scratch across her gentle curves.

The tail light was cracked the day we cut up the big ash tree felled by the tornado.

The tailgate is long gone, replaced by a cargo net.

We were rammed into as we sat at a stoplight. Cities always proved more dangerous than rural backroads.

Like a horse with colic, my truck is ailing. We both know how bad it is. The four-wheel-drive refuses to engage and the engine light blinks off and on, unsure of whats happening.

The hardest part is what to do next. Should I put her up on blocks in the front yard like some trophy or sell her away to a man of the tools? Will her flame die when I turn my attention to another?

I know one thing. There will never be a better pickup truck in my life. Never.

Art Lander Jr. is outdoors editor for NKyTribune and KyForward. He is a native Kentuckian, a graduate of Western Kentucky University and a life-long hunter, angler, gardener and nature enthusiast. He has worked as a newspaper columnist, magazine journalist and author and is a former staff writer for Kentucky Afield Magazine, editor of the annual Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide and Kentucky Spring Hunting Guide, and co-writer of the Kentucky Afield Outdoors newspaper column.

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Art Lander's Outdoors: The good times are long over, but memories remain from beloved first pickup truck - User-generated content (press release)...

Ibiza is one of my favourite holiday destinations. I've been travelling here for over ten years, each time discovering something new. Whether it's hedonism or holism you're looking for, Ibiza has something to suit everyone.

Beaches and Beach Clubs There's no better way to explore the island than by hiring a car and giving yourself a few days to tour around. There are over 40 beaches on the island to discover, after all. Car hire is relatively cheap, but choose your insurance carefully so you don't get stung at the end of your trip. There are plenty of very narrow, winding roads to deal with particularly in the mountainous regions.

El Chiringuito at dusk

If you're looking for long lunches Jockey Club on Ses Salines, Amante and El Chringuito de Es Cavallet are some of my favourites. El Chringuito does exceptional food, but you need to book in advance as it's immensely popular. If you like seafood, I recommend the sharing spaghetti frutti di mare. It's rich with locally sourced prawns, mussels and clams with a tasty garlic and lobster infused sauce. The portion for two is enough to comfortably feed four. If you like your meat, you can't go wrong with their slow roasted lamb shoulder or "Iberian secret", a lightly marbled cut of pork that's packed with flavour.

Amante Beach Club on the South East of the island is a particularly picturesque location - it's set up on a cliff above Sol D'en Serra Beach. Whether you come for lunch, sundowners or a romantic dinner, it's simply idyllic. Top dishes include their signature fish croquetas, the monkfish, king prawns and squid served with "sofrito marinero" and their succulent fillet steak.

Looking down from Amante's restaurant

For a bit more of a party vibe, Cotton Club is a beach club located on Cala Tarida. The menu is a fusion of Asian and Mediterranean with a wonderful selection of sushi. It's also an excellent place to people watch. If you're looking for the perfect sunset spot with cocktails to match the view, head to Experimental Beach Club on Cap Des Falc.

The view from Cotton Club's roof

If you like your beaches without the club, Cala Mastella is one of the best and has an incredible seafood restaurant, Es Bigotes. It's rustic, authentic and famed for apparently once refusing to serve the King of Spain as he arrived without a booking.

Sa Pedrera, otherwise known as Atlantis, is another beauty found on the South West coast down a rocky trail. It's not an easy path, but it's worth the journey. The historic hotspot is laden with century-old carvings of extraordinary faces and other creatures across the rocky cliffs. As for the other 40 or so beaches, their secrecy is part of the island's charm. Go and spend some time in some of the more traditional bars and restaurants and get chatting to the locals.

Formentera If you're staying for more than just a couple of days, Formentera is an absolute must. It's easily reached by ferry or a private yacht (if you're feeling lavish!). It's a heavenly world of white-washed houses and miles of sandy white beaches. It's paradise. If you're a competent driver, renting a scooter and driving around on its rough terrain is an incredible way to spend your day.

Outside Juan y Andrea with @heloisenangle

Ferries and catamarans leave Ibiza Old Town every 20 minutes. You can buy return tickets directly from the boat for 20 return - slightly cheaper than the ticket office - and you'll still get a discount on scooters. Tip - don't buy tickets from your hotel as they will charge extra. The average ferry is around an hour, but you can spend it up on the sun deck sipping on a 2 beer. Private excursions start at around 500 for a basic vessel and go up into the thousands for a super yacht.

If you're just popping in for lunch Beso Beach or Juan y Andrea are the perfect place for a long, lazy lunch with delicious food followed by a swim in the beautiful, clear water. If you're a seafood lover, try Juan y Andrea's sharing paella or their baked fresh fish. If you want to spend a night on the island, there are plenty of good options. I love Gecko Beach Club - it's pure luxury and has an insanely good chef.

Evening Dining There's a vast range of restaurants and one to suit every palette. Bambuddha Ibiza is one of the best on the island. It's an all round wonderful culinary experience with some of the finest Pan Asian food I've tasted paired with fantastic service and beautiful surroundings. STK Ibiza, is another restaurant that delivers a high-end experience. It's famed for its delicious steaks and an incredible raw bar.

The quiet before the storm at Bambuddha Ibiza

Wandering around the Old Town gives me that real holiday feeling. I love exploring its web of cobbled streets and the multitude of boutiques. Down by the marina, there's a bustling market with jewellery and gift stalls. If you follow the roads to the top of Dalt Vila there's a beautiful 14th century cathedral, Santa Maria d'Eivissa. My favourite restaurant here is La Oliva where you can enjoy a Mediterranean menu on a candlelit table underneath the stars. La Tana is another favourite with excellent food, wine and service. If you're looking for authentic, modestly priced tapas La Bodega, located beside the drawbridge, is hands down the best you'll find here.

Walking up the Old Town's drawbridge

I often stay at my friend's apartment around Cala San Vicente towards the North of the island. On the far side of the beach you'll find a place simply called Restaurante and Chill Out - On The Beach. It's not high end luxury, but it's a wonderful place to relax or have an evening with live music. It's family run, and serve up some tasty tapas and juicy burgers with a chilled, but buzzing atmosphere throughout the day and night.

On The Beach - Cala San Vicente

In the nearby town, San Juan, you'll find one of my most-loved restaurants, Giri Caf. It's part of The Giri Residence, a boutique hotel and spa. They use local, organic and sustainable produce, much of which is grown in their garden that surrounds you whilst you dine. The food is presented as beautifully as it tastes. I highly recommend the beef cheek wrapped in filo or the flame-roasted sea bass. They also serve up an exquisite breakfast with a varied selection of fresh juices, divine poached eggs sourced from Ibizan hens and, my favourite, home marinated salmon on focaccia. If you're feeling a little fragile from the night before, it's the perfect place to recharge and relax on one of their comfy outdoor beds.

Recovering at Giri Cafe

San Juan holds a midsummer party every year, around the 23rd June. Hundreds fill the decorated streets to dance to live music and jump over a bonfire as part of a cleansing ritual. It's the perfect opportunity to hang out with the locals and experience one of Spain's great traditions.

Nightlife Highlights Ibiza is the party capital of the world and, even if you're there to relax, it would be a shame to not experience some of the incredible clubs. Personal highlights for me include Circoloco at DC10, Together Tuesdays at Amnesia with residents Chase and Status, Disciples and Sigma, Ants at Ushuaa, Guy Gerbers' Rumours at Destino, Solomun Sundays at Pacha and Elrow at Amenesia.

The ultimate opening of 2017 is H Ibiza. It may have replaced iconic superclub, Space, but it's been fully fitted with a state of the art Soundsystem and glows with giant LED screens and incredible ceiling displays. Even the toilets are mesmerizing. Residents include Steve Lawler, Hardwell, Steve Angello and Black Coffee. If you're in Ibiza over the weekend, head to Black Coffee on Saturday. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

H Ibiza

The island has changed dramatically over the years, but its hippie soul is still there. Once you're off the airplane which, let's face it, is likely to have a drunken 'Brits on tour' group on it, you'll find some truly magical places. The island has an incredibly high-level of quartz in its soil - some say that's where it gets that special energy it's known for. And, whether you're wanting to come and explore or just want to have some hedonistic escapism, everyone is welcomed with open arms.

Check out my Instagram @francesca_ny for travel and fashion guides

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Ibiza: Where To Eat, Party And Beach - HuffPost UK