Breaking Travel News investigates: Half Moon, Jamaica | Focus

The initial point you discover as you get there at Fifty percent Moon, driving as a result of the manicured lawns and perfectly-maintained tropical gardens, is the outstanding ocean check out. This is a delight which will constantly fulfill you all through your stop by to the venerable vacation resort in Montego Bay. As you enter reception by means of the pavilion-fashion lobby, you are granted the luxury of checking-in whilst seeing the ocean gradually welcome you not only to the lodge, but Jamaica way too. After a extensive flight, it is usually a pleasure to be achieved not only with the views more than the ocean and the humbling Blue Mountains in the background, but also a rum cocktail, environment the tone for a remarkably pleasurable trip.

I stayed in one of the Ocean View rooms at Eclipse, positioned suitable on the beach front with a panorama that I could enjoy from my wrap-around balcony. The decor was uncomplicated, but chic and classy. The check out from my king dimensions bed was one particular of palm trees overlooking the ocean, and that was all the decoration I essential.

The vacation resort delivers a wide variety of lodging to fit a range of teams. Rooms are split throughout the Eclipse at Half Moon, Founders Cove at 50 {46dd52bca0123ad67b2d1222819e83fd0a56e45ca5068239f05f0c514f1e20f9} Moon and Rose Hall Villas at 50 {46dd52bca0123ad67b2d1222819e83fd0a56e45ca5068239f05f0c514f1e20f9} Moon. In full there are 210 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, as perfectly as 27 villas, all with easy accessibility to resort amenities alongside a non-public beachfront. The villas go up to 7-bedrooms, and are best for family members, groups and golfers, with each and every featuring a dwelling and eating place, out of doors living space and personal pool. Every villa will come with a butler, housekeeper and a prepare dinner. So attractive have they been in excess of the many years that Half Moon is able to boast past guests this sort of as HRH Queen Elizabeth II, as very well as other associates of the British royal relatives.

One of the highlights of Half Moon, and any go to to Jamaica, is the beach. The vacation resort lays declare to a private two-mile extend, all of which is set up for your lively pleasure (bikes are also readily available to employ the service of to discover the beach front, resort and surroundings). It was below that I achieved some local vendors who have as substantially longevity and price as the resort by itself, obtaining taken care of a presence and marriage with their stalls on the beach front for around 17 a long time. Chatting will remind you of why you like Jamaica very long into the long term when you reflect back on the country and your holidays right here. 50 percent Moon also offers beachside company and dining at their BBQ Grill, supplying regular Jamaican fare.

For meal and beverages I dined at the North Pointe cafe. Here the sunset views give you an incredible vista, and, if you are fortunate, which you normally are right here in Jamaica, a breath-taking sunset. As the endless layers of golden pink water merged with the infinity pool, you can really easily lose you in the perspective. I started with the Half Moon’s signature cocktail – the ‘Legacy 65’ – which is manufactured with conventional Blackwell rum. It was created by the workers as an homage to Jamaica’s record of sugarcane manufacturing, honouring and elevating a glass to all these who worked, and go on to get the job done, in the many sugar cane plantations on the island. The drink by itself was sweet, fruity, boozy and mouth watering.

Usually at household I try to eat a vegan diet program, so it was refreshing and surprising to see a extensive array of vegan choices on the menu (I later figured out there is also a vegan cafe situated in the onsite spa). In spite of these mouth watering choices, I had formerly resolved that when in Jamaica I would try to eat as Jamaicans do (sorry veganism!). As I had expected there were being various jerk items on the menu, but immediately after many tips from several users of the staff I opted for the sticky ribs as my primary dish. Hardly ever would I visualize that I could explain ribs as decadent, but the reason for their a lot of recommendations became distinct. Falling apart from the bone they ended up the epitome of juicy, sticky and utterly delectable. I also experienced the popcorn shrimp, served with a spicy chutney, leaving me far too whole for dessert.

In its place I retired to watch a neighborhood jazz band enjoy on the veranda of Lester’s Bar, which neglected (you guessed it) the ocean, as well as diners in the Haywards cafe. As I savored the tunes alongside the nightly sound of crickets and tree frogs, I admired the breathtaking gardens all over me. Jamaica is a fruitful land which Fifty percent Moon celebrates with their onsite banana, apple, coconut and mango trees. Consistently throughout the resort it is obvious they constantly try to emulate the sensation of getting outside when you are within.

The subsequent early morning I ate at the Haywards restaurant exactly where I was equipped to appreciate a conventional breakfast of ackee saltfish and dumplings. Breakfast was served buffet type, so I even further indulged with a side of bacon, fried plantain, boiled inexperienced banana as well as a facet plate of fruit. When I liked the offerings of fruit juice, I was told 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 continue to be.

There are a wide assortment of routines obtainable onsite, ranging from horse riding on the beach, golfing, tennis or ocean view yoga. My picked out variety of workout was to simply just swim in the infinity pool, which was generous sufficient in dimension for lengths. For a deeper sense of entire relaxation and retreat, there are a few further pools in the resorts’ Salamander Spa to indulge in. Consideration to detail does not go amiss listed here, supplying an option to further more retreat inside a retreat. You can also enjoy the personal gardens, wherever all herbs employed in services and cooking are grown on-internet site.

Even though unfortunate, it is unattainable to not mention that we are dwelling in a time of Covid-19. Fifty percent Moon went earlier mentioned and over and above my expectations by no means as soon as did I see a staff member with out a mask, when hand sanitizer was out there throughout the vacation resort and cleanliness was maintained to the maximum benchmarks. But what amazed me the most was that in the midst of owning to adapt to this new way of dwelling and doing the job in hospitality, what I was met with by team and locals alike was a Jamaican’s normal aptitude for warmth and friendliness. The capability to maintain that human connection in a time like this is laudable. When I spoke to Laura Redpath, the resort’s manufacturer and communications director, about my practical experience, she stated: “Since we opened in 1954 our variety one precedence has often been to assure that our guests come to feel welcomed, comfy and secure. And we do not want this to alter due to the fact of Covid-19.”

This sentiment was obvious throughout my time with 50 percent Moon.

As an added bonus, the Fifty percent Moon searching village which neighbours the resort, have transformed their at the time grocery shop into a clinic exactly where rapid Covid-19 antigen and antibody screening is accessible onsite for guests. This proved to be remarkably hassle-free, indicating I could get tested just several hours right before my flight residence. On my vacation back to the airport, conversing to the driver and presently reminiscing about my shortly to be above remain, he explained: “You can go anywhere in the earth, but you will hardly ever discover a nicer established of people today than in Jamaica.” Following my keep at 50 percent Moon Vacation resort I would be inclined to concur.

Extra Data

Located just 15 minutes from Montego Bay airport, friends at Fifty percent Moon appreciate a triumvirate of accommodation solutions alongside two miles of non-public beach: the deluxe Eclipse, the iconic Founders Cove and personal residences at Rose Corridor Villas.

The resort is managed by Salamander Resorts & Resorts, although a few of the initial founding people even now keep on being as homeowners.

Locate out additional on the formal web page.

Emily Clark