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We have told you about the Grand Lido Resorts
in Jamaica. We have told you that they are “incentive quality”. We have
told you that they are “all-inclusive”. We have told you that they offer
excellent value. With all that said, I will tell you that Grand Lido
Negril is better than ever!
I arrived to Montego Bay on this particular site inspection early in the
morning. Once on the transfer I noticed one thing immediately – the road
was paved! Yes, it’s true. The road from Montego Bay to Negril is done.
The transfer was smooth and is now about an hour versus the almost two
hour ground transfer prior to the road being finished. Upon arriving at
Grand Lido Negril, I was met with the customary cold towel and champagne
cocktail. Check in was quick and easy as I was pre-registered (as all
group guests would be).
The Rooms
Grand Lido Negril is undergoing a total room renovation. As of my visit,
all beachfront rooms had been upgraded to include new bathrooms complete
with marble tiles and whirlpool bathtubs. The “rock block” is a room
cluster that over looks the ocean and dock. All rooms in this block are
scheduled to have renovations completed by the end of July 2003. Standard
suites are spacious and feature a king or 2 queen beds, satellite
television, stereos with cassette and cd, personal safes, bathrobes and
slippers, a terrace or patio, and sitting area with couch and coffee
table. Also available are one-bedroom suites with an additional parlor
room to the suite and Presidential suites that feature private terraces
with hot tubs as well as dining room and parlor.
The Restaurants
The choices are plentiful. Grand Lido Negril currently features 5 dining
outlets with the 6th under construction.
Gran Terrazza
Casual, open-air buffet dining for breakfast and lunch. Opens from 7:30am
to 10:30am and 12:30pm to 3:30 pm respectively. There are 2 sumptuous
dinner buffets, 7:30pm to 10:00pm weekly. On Mondays there is an
extravagant Caribbean Beach Carnival Night on the main beach and on Friday
the spectacular General Manager's Grand Gala.
Cafe Lido
Specializing in continental dining, casually elegant atmosphere (no
shorts). Open 6:30pm to 10:00pm nightly, except Mondays and Fridays.
La Pasta
Casual Italian pasta bar. Open from 3:00pm to 10:00pm daily.
Scotch Bonnet
Scotch Bonnet tempts you with the best of local Jamaican favorites, from
jerk chicken to Rotti and more.
Piacere
Formal elegance in a luxurious, candlelit setting, serving Nouvelle
cuisine. A world-class pianist accompanies your dining experience. Open
for dinner from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, nightly except Mondays and Fridays.
Formal attire. Jackets, slacks and shoes required for men. Jeans,
T-Shirts, sneakers or sandals should not be worn to Piacere. Reservations
and jackets are required.
Munahana
Currently under construction, the Munahana restaurant will feature
innovative Japanese fare in a casually elegant atmosphere.
The Yacht
Grand Lido Negril owns the 147-foot M/Y Zein, a luxury power yacht
presented as a wedding gift to Princess Grace and Prince Rainier by
Aristotle Onassis. The M/Y Zein cruises on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
and Saturdays for an incredible sunset cruise. Hold a meeting onboard, use
the yacht for a private group event or even use the yacht to transfer your
guests from Montego Bay to Negril. It’s all possible! Periodically, under
international maritime law, it is necessary to take the M/Y Zein out of
service for routine inspection and government certification. At these
times, Grand Lido Negril will be without the services of the yacht.
The Experience
Grand Lido Negril is a truly all-inclusive resort with meals, drinks,
taxes, gratuities, golf green fees at Negril Hills Country Club, and land
and water sports at no additional charge to guests. The staff and service
are excellent at this 5-star resort. From the General Manager to the line
attendant, all staff members are readily available and take a genuine
interest in the quality of the experience for each guest they encounter.
The food and presentation is excellent at each of the restaurants. 24-hour
room service from the full menu is also available. The beach is among the
best in Jamaica and the staff ensures that anything you need is there for
you. All guests are also offered a complimentary pedicure and manicure. A
full spa menu including the latest in massage and treatments is also
available to guests at an additional cost.
My particular experience was excellent. The hotel’s General Manager, Mr.
Bryan Drew, presented several new ideas to us. For example, private
cooking classes with Chef Martin McGinley – Executive Chef of Grand Lido
Negril. At 28, an age considered by many to be mere youth in the culinary
field, Chef McGinley was named the Top Chef in the Caribbean for 1999
copping the first place for Jamaica at the Caribbean Culinary Federations'
Taste of the Caribbean Competition in Miami in September. He won from a
field of 20 chefs representing 18 different countries. What a great team
building or spousal program and better yet – no additional charge!
It is this kind of flexibility and progressive thinking that make this
resort ideal for your incentive and meeting needs. With just about
everything imaginable included, you can specialize your program without
busting the budget.
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