Hedonism Resorts
Jamaican adults-only resort
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hedonism II is an adults-only vacation resort in Jamaica, owned and operated by Marshmallow Ltd., headed by Harry Lange.[1] The resort has areas reserved for naturism, and it is known for its sexually liberal culture. As of 2020[update], only Hedonism II is in operation. There was never a Hedonism I, and Hedonism III closed in 2010.
| Hedonism II | |
|---|---|
  Location within Jamaica | |
| General information | |
| Location | Negril, Westmoreland, Jamaica |
| Coordinates | 18.337957°N 78.3408558°W |
| Opening | 1976 |
| Management | Marshmallow Ltd |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 280 |
| Number of restaurants | 5 |
| Website | |
| hedonism | |
| Hedonism III | |
|---|---|
Location within Jamaica | |
| Alternative names | SuperFun Beach Resort |
| General information | |
| Location | Rutland Point, Westmoreland, Jamaica |
| Coordinates | 18.469550°N 77.316365°W |
| Opening | 1999 |
| Closed | 2010 (SuperFun Beach Resort in 2011) |
| Owner | Harry W. Lange |
| Management | PB & J Resorts |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 280 |
| Number of suites | 15 |
| Parking | Yes |
History
Hedonism II, built by the government of Jamaica at a cost of $10 million, opened in 1976 as Negril Beach Village and was renamed in 1981.[2] It occupies 22 acres (89,000 m2) at the northern end of Negril beach and has 280 rooms in two-story buildings. In 1989, a 50% interest in the hotel was bought by SuperClubs,[3] a resort company owned by local businessman John Issa and his family, for $12.25 million.[4] On 26 February 2013, the resort was sold to Marshmallow Ltd., headed by financier Harry Lange, with a minority stock held by the Issa family[5] and Kevin Levee, a 28-year employee of SuperClubs.[6]
Hedonism III opened in 1999 in Runaway Bay, constructed on 10 acres (40,000 m2) and containing 225 rooms in 3-story buildings. In August 2010, it was closed temporarily to allow for remodeling work. It reopened on 14 October 2010, as SuperFun Beach Resort and Spa,[7] catering to a wider market through additional tour operators. However, the establishment entered receivership in March 2011 and closed in June.[8] While it was an adult-only resort, SuperFun did not allow topless or nude sunbathing. The property was leased to SuperClubs by the Development Bank of Jamaica, while[9] the hotel's first-ranked secured lenders were Caribbean Development Bank, PanCaribbean, and the Development Bank of Jamaica itself.[8]
In July 2020, a cannabis dispensary, Hedo Weedo, was opened inside Hedonism II as the first such legal and regulated establishment in Jamaica.[10]
Hedo Weedo
| Industry | Cannabis |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 July 2020 |
| Headquarters | , Jamaica |
Number of locations | 1 |
Key people |
|
| Products | |
| Website | hedoweedo |
Hedo Weedo is a cannabis shop located inside Hedonism II. It is known as the first legal and regulated cannabis dispensary in the country.[11][12]
Hedo Weedo was founded by Richard 'Kevin' Levee and Harry Lange and opened in July 2020, following the revival of the Jamaican tourism industry post-COVID-19.[13] According to Levee, the process to acquire licensing had begun five years before the opening.[14]
In popular culture
- In the 2006 "Dwight's Speech" episode of The Office, Kevin Malone suggests that Jim Halpert go to Hedonism for a vacation. He describes it as "like Club Med, but everything is naked".[15]
- In 2010, comedian Daniel Tosh of Tosh.0 lampooned the antics of "Hedo Rick" in a viral video that featured an aging patron of Hedonism II parading in a speedo and promoting the wild women and sexual nature of the resort.[16]
- A travel/humor book about the resort, titled The Naked Truth About Hedonism II, by Chris Santilli, was published in its third edition in December 2019.[17]
- Films loosely based on Hedonism resorts include Hangin' in Hedo[18] (2008), starring Sherman Hemsley, and The Swing of Things (2020).[19]
