Half Moon
Montego Bay, Jamaica

Villas at Half Moon

JamaicaTripper Review: Located seven miles east of Montego Bay, this is one of the country’s most elegant resorts, the place to be pampered. It offers a variety of room configurations, from large guest rooms and junior suites to villas that look like something right out of Beverly Hills, complete with sweeping staircases and maid and butler service. The black and white decor, like everything in the resort, is ultra-chic. The resort is a favorite with well-to-do Japanese vacationers, who feel right at home in rooms that offer Japanese-language periodicals.

Half Moon sprawls out across the island’s north coast and you’ll never feel crowded. Along with a new spa, 13 tennis courts, 39 swimming pools, croquet, horseback riding, bikes, squash, numerous restaurants, a dive shop, kids’ program, pricey shopping center, and even a hospital, you’ll find a quiet nature reserve as well as a Dolphin Swim program that's operated by Dolphin Cove (a public facility in Ocho Rios). The dolphin program here at Half Moon is just for guests. The resort also offers the David Leadbetter Golf Plan, with daily instruction from a David Leadbetter-certified instructor.

We've stayed here several times, both in the beachfront cottages (our favorite) and in newly renovated suites; the resort also offers many expansive villas. One thing we really like about the property is that it never feels crowded; you'll find quiet stretches of beach and plenty of places for quiet walks right on property.

Clientele: Couples, singles, and families.

Good Choice If:

you like to golf; the resort is home to an excellent course and a golf school
you love spa treatments; the Fern Tree Spa is one of Jamaica's largest
you'd like to stay in a villa but would like the facilities of a resort
you'd like to take part in the private dolphin swim program; this is the only resort in Jamaica offering dolphin swims on property
you're attending a conference at the resort; it's home to a large conference center at Half Moon Village, an open-air shopping and dining mall

Bad Choice If:

you're on a budget
you want a compact resort. This property is sprawling and some rooms are a good hike from the public areas (so much so that you're welcome to call the bell desk for a ride to pick you up).