The initially issue you notice as you get there at 50 percent Moon, driving via the manicured lawns and effectively-managed tropical gardens, is the incredible ocean perspective. This is a delight which will persistently meet you through your go to to the venerable resort in Montego Bay. As you enter reception through the pavilion-type foyer, you are granted the luxury of examining-in although watching the ocean slowly welcome you not only to the hotel, but Jamaica much too. Immediately after a prolonged flight, it is often a pleasure to be achieved not only with the views in excess of the ocean and the humbling Blue Mountains in the qualifications, but also a rum cocktail, setting the tone for a remarkably pleasurable vacation.
I stayed in 1 of the Ocean See rooms at Eclipse, positioned right on the beach front with a panorama that I could delight in from my wrap-all-around balcony. The decor was very simple, but chic and elegant. The check out from my king sizing mattress was one particular of palm trees overlooking the ocean, and that was all the decoration I desired.
The resort gives a wide range of lodging to match a vary of groups. Rooms are break up across the Eclipse at Fifty percent Moon, Founders Cove at Fifty percent Moon and Rose Hall Villas at Half Moon. In full there are 210 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, as nicely as 27 villas, all with simple accessibility to vacation resort features along a personal beachfront. The villas go up to 7-bedrooms, and are excellent for family members, groups and golfers, with just about every featuring a living and eating room, out of doors living area and personal pool. Each villa comes with a butler, housekeeper and a cook dinner. So beautiful have they been over the decades that Half Moon is equipped to boast previous company this kind of as HRH Queen Elizabeth II, as effectively as other members of the British royal family members.
One of the highlights of 50 percent Moon, and any visit to Jamaica, is the beach. The resort lays assert to a personal two-mile extend, all of which is set up for your active enjoyment (bikes are also out there to retain the services of to examine the seashore, vacation resort and surroundings). It was right here that I met some regional sellers who have as a lot longevity and benefit as the resort by itself, having preserved a existence and connection with their stalls on the seaside for above 17 yrs. Chatting will remind you of why you adore Jamaica long into the foreseeable future when you reflect back again on the nation and your vacations below. Half Moon also offers beachside assistance and eating at their BBQ Grill, offering traditional Jamaican fare.
For meal and beverages I dined at the North Pointe restaurant. In this article the sunset sights give you an outstanding vista, and, if you are fortunate, which you normally are in this article in Jamaica, a breath-having sunset. As the infinite levels of golden pink water merged with the infinity pool, you can really effortlessly get rid of by yourself in the view. I started with the 50 percent Moon’s signature cocktail – the ‘Legacy 65’ – which is designed with traditional Blackwell rum. It was created by the staff members as an homage to Jamaica’s background of sugarcane output, honouring and boosting a glass to all people who labored, and continue to operate, in the several sugar cane plantations on the island. The drink by itself was sweet, fruity, boozy and delectable.
Ordinarily at residence I consume a vegan diet plan, so it was refreshing and unexpected to see a vast array of vegan solutions on the menu (I afterwards figured out there is also a vegan cafe located in the onsite spa). In spite of these tasty offerings, I experienced previously resolved that when in Jamaica I would take in as Jamaicans do (sorry veganism!). As I had expected there had been quite a few jerk objects on the menu, but immediately after several suggestions from a variety of users of the group I opted for the sticky ribs as my primary dish. By no means would I imagine that I could explain ribs as decadent, but the explanation for their several suggestions grew to become obvious. Slipping aside from the bone they were the epitome of juicy, sticky and utterly delectable. I also experienced the popcorn shrimp, served with a spicy chutney, leaving me too complete for dessert.
Rather I retired to check out a local jazz band play on the veranda of Lester’s Bar, which overlooked (you guessed it) the ocean, as well as diners in the Haywards cafe. As I appreciated the music along with the nightly seem of crickets and tree frogs, I admired the gorgeous gardens all over me. Jamaica is a fruitful land which Fifty percent Moon celebrates with their onsite banana, apple, coconut and mango trees. Continuously throughout the resort it is apparent they constantly check out to emulate the experience of becoming outside the house when you are inside.
The adhering to early morning I ate at the Haywards restaurant the place I was ready to take pleasure in a classic breakfast of ackee saltfish and dumplings. Breakfast was served buffet design and style, so I even more indulged with a facet of bacon, fried plantain, boiled inexperienced banana as very well as a side plate of fruit. When I appreciated the offerings of fruit juice, I was informed by a server that “coconut water is the only juice to quench your heart,” which means this was all I drank for the remainder of my keep.
There are a extensive variety of routines available onsite, ranging from horse using on the beach, golf, tennis or ocean perspective yoga. My preferred form of physical exercise was to simply just swim in the infinity pool, which was generous plenty of in sizing for lengths. For a deeper sense of entire rest and retreat, there are a few extra pools in the resorts’ Salamander Spa to indulge in. Interest to depth does not go amiss below, supplying an opportunity to even more retreat within just a retreat. You can also get pleasure from the non-public gardens, in which all herbs employed in solutions and cooking are developed on-internet site.
Though regrettable, it is unachievable to not mention that we are living in a time of Covid-19. Half Moon went over and outside of my expectations never ever once did I see a personnel member without the need of a mask, when hand sanitizer was readily available in the course of the resort and cleanliness was managed to the optimum benchmarks. But what amazed me the most was that in the midst of possessing to adapt to this new way of living and working in hospitality, what I was achieved with by team and locals alike was a Jamaican’s purely natural flair for heat and friendliness. The capacity to manage that human connection in a time like this is laudable. When I spoke to Laura Redpath, the resort’s brand name and communications director, about my working experience, she said: “Since we opened in 1954 our amount one precedence has usually been to make sure that our guests experience welcomed, cozy and protected. And we do not want this to modify since of Covid-19.”
This sentiment was obvious all through my time with 50 % Moon.
As an additional bonus, the 50 percent Moon shopping village which neighbours the vacation resort, have converted their as soon as grocery retailer into a medical center in which fast Covid-19 antigen and antibody tests is available onsite for friends. This proved to be remarkably handy, this means I could get analyzed just hrs in advance of my flight residence. On my journey back again to the airport, speaking to the driver and now reminiscing about my before long to be in excess of continue to be, he reported: “You can go wherever in the earth, but you will by no means uncover a nicer set of persons than in Jamaica.” Right after my remain at 50 % Moon Resort I would be inclined to concur.
More Facts
Found just 15 minutes from Montego Bay airport, visitors at 50 percent Moon appreciate a triumvirate of lodging possibilities together two miles of personal seaside: the deluxe Eclipse, the legendary Founders Cove and personal properties at Rose Corridor Villas.
The vacation resort is managed by Salamander Resorts & Resorts, while 3 of the original founding families nonetheless stay as entrepreneurs.
Find out extra on the formal site.
Emily Clark