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, 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 (89,000m2) 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 (40,000m2) 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]
Controversies
Public nudity is illegal in Jamaica, but the laws are not enforced and may not apply inside the private resort. A nude wedding of eight couples in 2001 at Hedonism III caused protests by the government tourist office and radio talk show hosts, who called the event "improper and offensive". In February 2003, 29 couples were involved in another round of nude weddings at the venue;[11] Hedonism resorts host nudist and swingers conventions; it has been alleged that open sex is common,[12] including in hot tubs at night.[13] SuperClubs owner John Issa has said that he was not aware of this.[14]
Issa also said he was not running a "whorehouse" and that, to his knowledge, "whores are not working" in his Hedonism hotels.[15] Issa sued two employees of Unique Vacations in Miami, Florida, over emails sent in 2007 and 2008, which he said contained "defamatory statements" about activities at Hedonism Resorts, and he sought damages of an unspecified amount for what he claimed were false and malicious statements.[16]
Issa has stated that he feels satisfied with Hedonism's image of "decadence and debauchery"[17] and with the idea, expressed on his website, that "When it's good it's oh so good and when it's bad it's even better and yes, everything you ever heard is true".[18] Issa allegedly also promoted bisexual activities at Hedonism III.[19]
In September 2009, Hedonism Resorts lost a WIPO trial against Relevansanalys,[20] related to the registration of the internet domain name 'hedonismhotels.com'.
Hedo Weedo is a cannabis dispensary based located inside Hedonism II. It is known as the first legal and regulated cannabis dispensary in the country.[21][22]
Hedo Weedo was founded by Richard ‘Kevin’ Levee, and Harry Lange and opened in July 2020 following the revival of Jamaican tourism industry post-COVID-19 pandemic.[23] According to Kevin, the process to acquire licensing had begun five years before the opening.[24]
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.[26]
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.[27]
Films loosely based on Hedonism resorts include Hangin' in Hedo[28] (2008), starring Sherman Hemsley, and The Swing of Things (2020).[29]
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