Half Moon Resort
Premiere Golfing Resort In Jamaica

Half Moon Resort | Golf Course (@halfmoonresort)

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Half Moon resort has quite an interesting back story. What started as a business venture between friends is now a beautiful resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Known for its stunning accommodations, award-winning restaurants and most importantly its world-renowned golf course, a vacation at Half Moon could be perfect for family, friends or singles. Let's explore some more of this premiere golfing resort!

The History of Half Moon

For this, we will have to travel all the way back to the 1950s when a friend group consisting of Americans, Bermudians and British business people visited the beautiful island of Jamaica for their winter vacation. They were so mesmerized and captivated by the island's tropical landscape and beautiful shores that they decided to come together and create a beautiful escape for their families and friends to enjoy during the cold winter seasons.

When Was Half Moon Resort Opened?

On February 27, 1954, the half-moon hotel was created. It is located on what once was the Rose Hall Sugar Shipment Loading Dock, a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, that measured in at over 35 acres of land. You might have already guessed it but I’ll tell you anyhow. This bay was the inspiration behind the name of the resort, Half Moon.

The original group of business friends and investors consisted of 17 people. Some of whom were:

• Donald Deskey designer of New York City's famous Radio City Music Hall
• Harvey Firestone, Jr. of the Firestone Tyre and Rubber company
• Richard Reynolds of the Reynolds Metal Company and Jamaican bauxite company Reynolds Jamaica
• oil and real estate entrepreneur Curtis Steuart
• Mrs Laurence Armour of US meat packaging giant Armour Packing Company

When the Half Moon Resort first opened it had, 30 beachfront rooms and 17 private whitewashed cottages, presumably for the 17 investors. 10 of the 17 original cottages remain today, a form of memento to where the resort is coming from.

Today three of the original families, the Steuarts, Pearces and William Weiss, Sr. are still key components to the Half Moon Hotel and carrying on their family legacies. However, the Half Moon Resort now falls under the Salamander Hotel and Resorts, Management Group.

Over the years the resort has seen visits from legendary, iconic, and even royal guests. 

Here are just a few:

• Queen Elizabeth II
• Prince Phillip and Prince Charles
• Prince Rainier of Monaco
• John F. Kennedy and his wife Mrs Jacqueline Kennedy- it is said that one of Mrs Kennedy’s had written wills is now hanging in the resort's main lobby.

But what does the Half Moon Resort offer?

Accommodation At Half Moon Resort

Half Moon Resort | Pool (@halfmoonresort)

For accommodation, Half Moon has 210 suites and private villas that access the resort's other amenities. Half Moon resort gives you three main options to choose from when it comes to accommodation.

Your choices are:

• Eclipse - this option gives you access to spacious rooms with private balconies, ocean views, and a mini-bar. It also gives you access to amenities like a private beachfront swimming cove, infinity pool, 3 bars, 2 restaurants, and much more.


• Founders Cove - this section of the resort hosts the 10 remaining cottages from 1954. With options such as Classic Cottages, Hibiscus, or Ocean Court accommodations. These accommodations also have a minibar, private balconies, and beautiful ocean views. 


• Rose Hall Villas - these villas comprise 5 to 7 bedrooms, living and dining rooms, a private pool, ocean or garden views, outdoor living space, and comes with a cook, butler, and housekeeper.

Restaurants and Bars

• Delmare - an elegant seafood restaurant.
• Hayward’s - a three-meal restaurant with lovely buffets and freshly prepared meals.
• Ital - their vegan café
• Lester’s Bar - a chic cocktail bar.
• North Pointe - Swimming Pool bar and grill
• The Maakit - casual café serving coffee, tea, pastries and more.
• 19th Hole - a café located on the golf course

The resort also has quite a few other restaurants and bars, but the most popular is the Sugar Mill Restaurant, the resort's award-winning local cuisine restaurant, located on the golf course.

Is Half Moon Resort All-Inclusive?

Half Moon, while not a fully all-inclusive resort, does offer some all-inclusive packages and customizable packages to make your stay as luxurious as possible.

Is Half Moon Resort Adult-Only?

No, it is not! They even have fun activities for children to either enjoy with their families or to keep them occupied while you relax and have fun.

Activities At Half Moon Resort

Half Moon Resort | Equestrian Centre (@halfmoonresort)

Half Moon Resort has several fun activities to fill your day whether you are visiting alone or with family and friends. The equestrian centre offers free horse riding lessons and even pony rides for children. Among the other fascinating adventures are the children’s village and family time activities.

For those of us who love sports, there is a golf course, tennis and squash court. There are numerous water sports to choose from including windsurfing and parasailing.

Half Moon Golf Course

Half Moon Resort | Golf Course (@halfmoonresort)

It would be a hard task to think of golfing in Jamaica and not immediately think of Half Moon resort, which is recognized on Golf World's list of Top 100 Best Golf Resort in the World. The course which was originally built in 1962 by Robert Trent Jones Sr, was later remodelled by Roger Rulewich. The bow-tie, classic layout 18 hole golf course has multiple sets of tees is set over 5,035 to 7,120 yards.

And, something I know this golf course has that the others you’ve visited did not, is history. The course’s route takes you through what used to be a retired sugar estate on the hills overlooking the Half Moon. Located close by are the White Witch and Cinnamon Hill Golf courses which means if golf is your sport of choice Half Moon is the perfect destination.

If you are still a novice at the sport, you can book a few lessons from the expert instructors at the golf academy located right there on the property during your stay. Who knows, by the end of your lessons you might even be good enough to participate in the Founder’s Cup! This yearly charity event is held by the resort in support of the Cornwall regional hospital and other mustard seed community outreach programmes.

After a long day of adventures, you can hop over to the Salamander Spa for some well deserved rejuvenation and relaxation? At the resort's spa, you will receive numerous treatments, attend yoga classes or meditate in peaceful over-water bungalows.

You can finish the day with a delicious meal by the water, while enjoying the most stunning sunset. Half Moon provides something for everyone whether you are a family with kids, a couple or singles who are looking to make a little part of Jamaica their home for a while.

Other Pages Related To Half Moon Resort

You will also find these pages quite helpful as well:

• Cheap Jamaican Hotels
  
• Luxurious Jamaican Hotels
• Tasty Jamaican Restaurants

Return to Jamaican Hotels from Half Moon Resort
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Half Moon Resort

References & Sources For Half Moon Resort

1. THE HISTORY OF HALF MOON, https://www.halfmoon.com/pdf/Half-Moon-History.pdf  
2. Half Moon Jamaica.https://www.halfmoon.com/

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