Just above the bar is a mural by an artist named Michael Lester, one of the great visual storytellers of Jamaican life over the past half century. It is a percussive and colorful painting of Jamaican culture, music, and history.
Just below the picture is one of the great rum collections you’ll find in any bar in the Caribbean, including everything from rare appletons to exotic expressions from Martinique.
This is the signature watering hole of Eclipse, Jamaica’s legendary Half Moon resort, and the essence of what makes it special: quality, variety and an overwhelming commitment to providing a truly Jamaican experience.
Traveling all over the Caribbean and trying to find something like Half Moon, it attracts generations of families and a wide network of sophisticated travelers who get a taste of places exactly like this, returning year after year and having the staff remember your name and time seeming to stand still for days or weeks. This is where the magic of Jamaica is distilled in every corner.
In fact, Eclipse, an intimate 57-room resort-within-a-resort located on 400 acres in the heart of Montego Bay, is as luxurious as it gets in true Jamaica. In my opinion, it is the best luxury resort on the entire island.
Return of a Legend
Eclipse was closed following last fall’s storms, but has now made a triumphant return in April, Caribbean Journal has learned.
The resort’s official reopening date is April 2, the property confirmed to me. This is a big step forward in restarting tourism on the island. Or, as Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett put it, “a strong signal of confidence in Jamaica’s tourism sector and the country’s recovery.”
Previous winner of Caribbean Hotel of the Year at the Caribbean Travel Awards, the resort has set the standard for the island’s luxury sector since its debut in 2019.
What you get from Eclipse
Nestled around the stunning house-style lobby, the rooms are all within walking distance of the sandy beach and a stone’s throw from the beachfront infinity pool, the property’s focal point.
More than a resort
What makes this property so unique – I’ve stayed here about 10 times – is its size. There is literally something for every type of traveler and every type of vacation. These range from the charming and beautiful Robert Trent Jones designed golf club (Augusta of Caribbean Golf) to tennis facilities and an equestrian centre. You won’t run out of things to do here.
And then there’s Fern Tree Spa, a delightful wellness destination that highlights local ingredients in a very practical and down-to-earth way.
Same goes for Villa.
Half Moon also has a sizable villa component, with large villas with at least six bedrooms and ocean or garden settings, some in classic Jamaican style and others with stylish, contemporary homes. The facility also plans to reopen, the facility said.
half moon price
Starting rates in April range from $689 to $895, while May prices are more attractive at around $675 per night. This is also the best time to visit the Caribbean. The water is warm, the weather is perfect, and that’s before any more rain.
what it means
The return of a family-owned resort managed by Salamander Collection (known primarily in the United States for its thoughtful and unique portfolio of properties) is a big message for Jamaica. In many ways it is the dame of Jamaican tourism and one of the symbols of the island’s hospitality sector. When Half Moon returns, Jamaica will be right there.
This means you can come to Lester’s Bar, order one of the resort’s specially bottled Worthy Park expressions (read our detailed review here), and savor a noticeably enchanting Jamaican dinner.
“As we prepare to welcome our team members and guests back, we are focused on the path of recovery we walk together and the opportunities for renewal that lie ahead,” said Guy Steuart III, Half Moon’s president and third-generation owner. “At Half Moon, caring has always been at the heart of what we do – caring for our people and caring for our guests, many of whom have continued to come back to us for generations. Our reopening would not have been possible without the patience of our guests and the unwavering resilience of our team. We are deeply grateful to them both.”
