Luxury and wellness have always had an inextricable bond at Montego Bay’s world-renowned Half Moon, so it comes as no surprise that the features of the property’s newest addition of accommodations has the same ‘wow’ effect.
The eastward expansion of the property’s offerings coincides with its 65th anniversary and features an expansive beachfront, with a promenade of breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea from each accommodation – depicting a great house-style setting.
Set to officially open in December for the start of the winter tourist season, some 32 rooms at the area called the ‘East Cove’ opened for Presidents Week, followed by the Reggae Sumfest period, when rooms were in high demand, evoking very positive feedback from the guests.
“This is our transformation. It is bringing contemporary rooms to the property. We are 65 years and we have not done anything grand since 2003, when we opened up the Hibiscus Suites. So with all the new products around us, we have to stay competitive and out front, and we believe that this is very competitive and that our guests will love it,” general manager of the property, Shernette Crichton, told Hospitality Jamaica.
There are four East Cove cottages, each with a total of eight rooms and 16 rooms in the estate houses, plus nine rooms at the great house, making a total of 57. The rooms feature paintings from Jeffery Samuels, one of Montego Bay’s best fine artists, as well as some from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
The Prestige Ocean Room offers a spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea and promotes indoor-outdoor living with its extensive patio area with a daybed; which makes it perfect for simply chilling or for a romantic dinner as guests bask in the lap of luxury.
“One of the features that our guests love is the fact they can lay outside with chaise lounges right by the ocean,” she said.
Half Moon has always been an ecologically friendly hotel with bounteous amounts of fruit trees, and the tradition continues with apples, naseberry, breadfruit, ackee, among others, spanning the grounds of the new section. Food has always been the essence of the hotel since its inception, and its two newest eateries account for it now boasting a total of 12 restaurants.
“We have a lot of coconut trees because we have an experience called our coconut bottler that provides our visitors with fresh coconut water during the days. So they get a taste of the plantation and a tour.”
In addition, the new East Cove will be featuring two new restaurants – Del Mar, which is a seafood restaurant right on the water, as well as the great house restaurant, which a three-meal dining facility, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Both will be complemented by a new jerk shack called Spice, giving visitors the Jamaican flavours which will be enhanced with a hammock bar experience.
“So you are sitting in a hammock at the bar tasting the natural juices as well as smoothies,” Crichton explained.
Embracing the fact that wellness tourism had become very popular for persons travelling today, Crichton said Half Moon has kept up with the trend.
“We have to take a holistic approach, so that’s one of the reasons we have placed our new ital restaurant at the spa. Right next to the spa is our yoga pavilion and our meditation area. We also have our new herb garden right next to the yoga pavilion. We also have the largest infinity saltwater pool in Jamaica, opposite the great house,” she added.
The hotel offers several payment options, including a European Plan, a Premium Plan, which includes all meals and a beverage credit; as well as a Full American Plan. Non-motorised water-sports activities are complimentary to all guests, unlimited access to the fitness facility, morning coffee and infused water throughout the property, as well as a beach butler service, where guests have access to a smoothie, and a hot or cold towel as part of the elements of luxury.
The Salamander Group is now managing the Jamaican resort, and will be assisting with the day-to-day operations, budgeting and purchasing, food and beverage operations, and all other components that keep the hotel going.
Salamander operates the Hammock Beach in Florida, Innsbrook, Copperhead Golf Course and the Salamander Resort in Virginia.
“The partnership was a no-brainer for us because they are into golf; they are into equestrian; they are into tennis; and Half Moon is about that,” said Crichton.