I spent nearly a week at Z-Hills for my AFF training and had a great time. The facilities (TV room, ATM, showers, pro shop) are excellent. What sets the place apart though is the vibe created by two of the dropzone's institutions: the first is Janine's restaurant. Janine and her staff offer regular quality home cooked meals at a very decent prize (she could charge a lot more with such a captive market, but she doesn't), with all-you-can-eat buffets most nights; there's attitude all right, but it's good attitude: they care for people, will introduce skydivers to others, help with the occasional need for "ice" to mend inflamed joints, and help form the social epicenter of the place. The other is Paul's bayou-shack-style bar. Paul is down to earth, offers a long variety of drinks at very reasonable prices, and welcomes patrons without pushing for drinks to be bought. Great guy. Without these two institutions the DZ would not be anywhere as warm and cozy a place. That's not to say the rest of it is cold though; the manifest is fun and efficient; the center buildings ("City Hall") whimsical and cozy; a lot of great people service or gravitate around the place (Sherry who offers a cheap and fun ride to the airport, Tony Suits a short walk away, the packers -- like Augie -- are just fantastic and friendly); some schools have their offices there, either permanently or seasonally (Skydive Ratings, Nouvel Air, the Orlando wind tunnel, etc.); the nearby camping is also offering Pip & Judy's trailers, etc. All around, a great place to jump, and a great place to hang around between jumps.
