There are a handful of Caribbean hotels that could truly be called iconic — and Half Moon in Jamaica’s Montego Bay is one of them. The luxury beachside hotel, which has been in operation for 65 years, has hosted high-profile guests including Jackie Kennedy, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Prince Charles and, more recently (and maybe more surprisingly), rapper 50 Cent and his mother.
Over the years, the 400-acre Half Moon has expanded its offerings to include villas and a Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed championship golf course. The most recent addition to the sprawling resort complex is Eclipse at Half Moon, scheduled to open on March 1, 2020. The resort is currently taking reservations.
“Eclipse at Half Moon is a brand-new resort within Half Moon, created with the intention of providing a tailored experience to the luxury traveler,” said Shernette Crichton, general manager of Eclipse at Half Moon. “Eclipse at Half Moon will primarily appeal to couples, smaller-sized families and social-seekers.”
Eclipse will have a series of 15 residential-style structures that vary in size and that, in total, consist of 57 rooms and suites providing panoramas of the Caribbean Sea.
“The Great House Ocean Suite sits atop Eclipse’s main building, which features reception and concierge services, and will have special appeal for romance travelers,” Crichton said. “With two bedrooms and a spacious living area, the suite offers stunning views across the Grand Lawn to the Caribbean Sea — including an excellent vantage point for sunrise and sunset.”
Eclipse at Half Moon features stunning landscaping.
Credit: 2020 Eclipse at Half MoonThe resort’s landscaping includes 70 mature trees that were carefully replanted. The arboreal piece de resistance is an impressive Rain Tree that presides over Eclipse’s arrival area and Great House.
Half Moon has long been celebrated for it Sugar Mill restaurant, which is consistently voted one of the best in the Caribbean. Eclipse will have its own dining venues, including Delmare, serving Italian seafood in a setting overlooking the sea (reservations recommended); Spice, cooking up Jamaican specialties; Lester’s Bar, serving a wide selection of Caribbean rums; North Pointe Pool Bar; and The Maakit Cafe, for quick snacks and takeout.
One of the appealing aspects of Eclipse at Half Moon is its use of Jamaican art in its decor. This includes a coral reef-inspired wall sculpture created by Jamaican artist David Pinto, on view in Delmare; and a painting by Montego Bay artist Michael Lester in Lester’s Bar, depicting a colorful junkanoo street parade celebration.
Features and amenities at Eclipse include an infinity-edge swimming pool, an equestrian center and a private span of beachfront. Fern Tree – a Salamander Spa will also be part of Eclipse. The spa will have overwater bungalows for massage treatments and will offer yoga sessions.
Half Moon is a 10-minute drive from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, which puts clients on the beach quickly — unfortunately, that isn’t always the case with resorts in Jamaica, where travel time of an hour or more is common.
In addition to the new Eclipse at Half Moon, the Half Moon resort complex includes the original Founders Cove at Half Moon, comprising nine cottages; and the Rose Hall Villas at Half Moon, which has 28 seven-bedroom villas with private pools, either oceanfront or with a garden view. The Rose Hall Villas are ideal for large families and wedding parties.
Fast Facts
According to Shernette Crichton, general manager of Eclipse at Half Moon, the hotel is in the process of identifying travel agent fam dates. Additionally, special agent rates will be extended by request only and on a case-by-case basis.
The travel advisor contact at Eclipse at Half Moon is Arlien Dyer, assistant director of sales. She can be reached at [email protected].
The Details
Half Moon
www.halfmoon.com
