At Jamaica’s Hedonism II, guests enjoy sun, sand, sea–and possibly sex with strangers
He was the July pick for a calendar of Toronto’s sexiest men. I’d seen him earlier in the night, but he really caught my eye when I spotted him with the other calendar models on a stage in a club at the Jamaican resort I was visiting.
That year, I’d been struggling with my body image, seeking out burlesque and hip-hop dance classes as a way to grow more comfortable with how my curvier body shape moved. Yet, I felt sexy that night in a lacy lingerie one-piece, leather skirt, and black strappy heels.
When Mr. July left the stage, I danced my way over to him in the crowd. We locked eyes and danced with each other for one song before he whispered in my ear, “Do you want to go to the playroom?” I had yet to visit the infamous “playroom”–a space reserved for sexual activity between consenting guests–but I nodded and took his hand.
I was at a sex resort called Hedonism II, after all, and this felt like a first good step in finding my sexy again.
Hedonism II in Negril, Jamaica, is a world-famous sex resort, but it’s not the only one. Temptation Cancun Resort in Cancun, Mexico, Rooftop Resort in Hollywood Beach, Florida, and La Mirage Swingers Complex in Gran Canaria, Spain, are also known for drawing couples and/or singles interested in sensual and erotic travel experiences.
Like any other hotel, sex resorts boast amenities like restaurants, bars, spas, gyms, and on-site activities. Unlike other hotels, there’s usually a sexy angle to each aspect of the property – like rooms with mirrors hanging above the bed. Hedonism II serves travelers sexy themed nights, live sensual shows, Tantra workshops, and spaces where they can get spicy, like the aforementioned playroom.
It should be mentioned that sex resorts are different from resorts with clothing-optional areas. Sure, both have sensual, playful, and party vibes, but sex resorts specifically offer erotic amenities. Clothing-optional resorts usually do not (but that’s not to say you can’t meet someone at the pool and have fun in your room). Naturalist or nudist resorts are also different, as they lack sexual or sensual elements, especially if they’re family-friendly.
Sex resorts have long been angled toward straight couples who like to swing. For instance, both Desire Resort Riviera Maya and La Mirage Swingers Complex are couples only. Temptation Cancun Resort and Hedonism II allow singles to stay, with Temptation being the more LGBTQ+-friendly of the two. Hedonism II has booking rules in place related to single men, like “more than one male per room is not allowed. MM, MMM, and MMF bookings will not be accepted.” In this day and age, such rules feel exclusionary towards polyamorous relationships and queer men.
During my time at Hedonism II, most guests were white, heterosexual couples in their 40s and older. However, there happened to be three groups of younger (20s-30s), single groups staying, who were diverse in terms of race and sexual orientation.
As you would imagine, rules are important at sex resorts as the goal is for everyone to have positive, safe, and sanitary experiences. Some hotels make guests sign “contracts” that ensure visitors understand consent, while others hand out (and strongly encourage) condoms for safe sexual experiences. To protect guests’ privacy, phones and cameras are often prohibited in nude spaces. Most likely, the sex resort will have au natural areas, like specific pools, and other places where clothes are required, like restaurants (for sanitary reasons).
For the most part, sex resorts limit sexual or intimate play to guest rooms or playrooms. In fact, during the day, Hedonism II looked like a normal resort, with people lying on the beach reading books, having a drink at the bar, or cooling off in the pool.
That’s not to say that guests don’t engage in some sexy touching in public spaces – even if it’s technically against the rules. My first full day at Hedonism II, I saw a woman on a floatie in the ocean being pleasured by her male counterpart with his hands. They were being discreet and quiet, which was likely why staff didn’t notice and put a stop to it.
The sexy themed nights at Hedonism II had guests dressing up in lacey lingerie, leather, or sexy togas, which inevitably led to sensual engagements. My first night, we stripped down and jumped in the pool to play nude volleyball with the Toronto models. Another night, I passed a room where a young couple had a blue light in the window to invite guests in to chat and check out their sex toy collection.
Playrooms are perhaps the “hottest” spots for sex in a sex resort. When the Toronto model and I arrived at the playroom, we undressed completely and handed our clothes to the attendant. Inside, it was spacious, filled with glass showers, beds, and various shallow pools for people to play in.
Visiting Hedonism II was a life-changing experience for me. I spent my time swimming in the ocean or pool, dancing at a foam party, eating sunset dinners on the beach, taking a boat trip around the island, and connecting with people from all walks of life. Not once did I receive unwanted looks, touch, or attention. I was treated with respect by other guests, which is ironic considering that it doesn’t always occur when I’m fully clothed in my day-to-day life. In fact, I returned home feeling more confident, alluring, and comfortable in my body.
And yes–I had amazing sex and sensual experiences which taught me that there is nothing wrong with seeking out places that promote play. After all, travel should be both rewarding and pleasurable. Don’t you think?
