Half Moon has reopened. Arriving along the long coastline outside Montego Bay, palm trees line the entrance road and the Caribbean Sea flashes blue between the buildings. It feels familiar to anyone who’s been here before. The difference lies in timing. These returns carry weight.
After being closed for months due to Hurricane Melissa last October. half moon The luxury hotel has officially reopened ceremonyOne of Jamaica’s best-known resort destinations is back in operation. The reopening is an important step not just for the hotels, but the wider tourism sector across the island.
And that means the return of what I think is the best luxury resort in all of Jamaica.
meaningful resumption
The return of the Eclipse was marked by a ceremony that focused on symbolism rather than form. There was no ribbon. Instead, the performers created a choreographed sequence built around the image of a rising phoenix. It was a visual impact that resonated with the crowd, which included government officials, tourism leaders and hundreds of resort employees.
The last minute changed. As the team entered first, accompanied by a live band, dignitaries stood aside and applauded. The focus was on those moving properties through closure, clean-up and rebuilding.
Minister of Tourism, Jamaica; Edmund BartlettSigned up Guy Stewart IIIPresident Half Moon, Sheila JohnsonFounder and CEO of Salamander Collection for the event. The tone remained consistent throughout the remarks. In other words, it was an acknowledgment of what the team had endured and what it took to get the resort back.
Settings in Eclipse
Eclipse is located directly along the coastline; 57 beach accommodations Located facing the water. Rooms have unobstructed views out onto the Caribbean Sea.
The layout is centered around: infinity pool It runs parallel to the shoreline and has a clear view across the water. There is also swimming bay It is carved into the coastline, providing a protected point to access the sea without leaving the site.
The design leans contemporary within the larger Half Moon space, with open interiors, spacious terraces and walkways leading directly to the beach. This is a unique setting within the larger resort, giving it a more modern feel while still being connected to the hotel’s history.
You won’t be navigating long hallways or dense clusters of buildings. This arrangement keeps everything oriented toward the water.
Meals returned throughout the property
The reopening saw the return of restaurants and bars, each located next to the hotel.
Del Mare The dining lineup is centered around Mediterranean cuisine. north point It continues to be one of the hotel’s signature fine dining experiences. Hayward’s and sign Rounding out the main restaurant options, Spice is introducing a new beach barbecue service that extends dining closer to the shoreline.
For drinks, Bars in Leicester and hammock bar It works again, offering two unique settings. Lester’s retains the traditional feel of the building, while Hammock Bar stays closer to the sand with a more relaxed setting.
Diversity is important here. It does not rely on a single restaurant or fixed rotation. You can stay at the property for multiple nights and change your settings each night.
Villa is back too
With Eclipse, Half Moons Villa It reopened after being completely reimagined. This property offers: 6 and 7 bedroom layoutsDesigned for large groups or families traveling together.
Each villa includes private living space, outdoor space and access to exclusive services. They operate as largely self-contained residences within the resort, while remaining connected to the wider Half Moon experience.
This is a completely different kind of stay. With Eclipse located close to shared spaces and restaurants, the villas offer privacy and space to spread out over a few days. I stayed in both the classic and new villas and they were amazing. key? Staff – We have butlers, chefs and housekeepers who take care of just about everything you can think of during your stay. After spending their vacation there, they become part of the family.
What you can do in real estate
Half Moon has always operated as a full-service resort, and that structure is back in place.
You can access: Fern Tree, Salamander SpaIt is a large wellness complex with treatment rooms, hydrotherapy experiences and outdoor relaxation areas. The spa remains one of the hotel’s features.
that Golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. It is open with. tennis court and complete equestrian centerIt’s a feature that continues to set Half Moon apart from most Caribbean resorts. This is a historic and fascinating track we call Caribbean Augusta.
Water activities are also back in operation, including: water sports, swimming lagoonAnd there is access to a wide open coastline. also fitness center There is ample outdoor space where you can spend the day without leaving the property.
This is the kind of resort where you can fill your entire itinerary without having to plan any out-of-town travel, unless you want to.
Prime locations in Montego Bay
half moon is sitting 10 minutes from Sangster International Airport in Montego BayArrival made simple. Once you land and clear the airport, you can quickly reach your resort without a long layover.
The property is spread across. 2 miles of coastlineIt has one of the largest beach footprints in Jamaica. That distance creates separation between different parts of the resort even when occupancy is high.
It’s also located close enough to Montego Bay to allow you to explore the city if you wish, while maintaining a clear boundary between the resort and the outside environment.
This is a place that has helped define Half Moon for decades.
Leadership through Reconstruction
The reopening also coincides with a leadership milestone.
Shernette Crichton He was appointed managing director of Half Moon, having been promoted after an emotional all-employee meeting a day before opening. Her appointment places her among a small group of female hotel industry executives in the Caribbean and the only one in Jamaica at this level.
Crichton’s involvement with the resort spanned her entire career. She started as a trainee manager and progressed through roles including Assistant Sales Manager, Director of Staff Development and Training, Hotel Manager, Director of Resort Operations and General Manager.
Her tenure includes overseeing major projects including the opening of Eclipse, renovating other lodging properties, navigating a period of the pandemic, and currently leading the recovery after Hurricane Melissa.
In her reopening speech, she directly addressed the impact of the storm.
“Hurricane Melissa swept through western Jamaica like a thief in broad daylight, taking away things we never imagined we would lose,” she said. “But look around you today, every team member here is proof that Melissa hasn’t made the final decision.”
Why this reopening is so important
Half Moon has long held a central position in Jamaica’s tourism industry. The return is more than a single property. This is the most iconic hotel on the entire island (it even hosted 007, after all).
The resort is part of: Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection Consistently ranked as one of the top-rated properties in the country. The closures following Hurricane Melissa have left a noticeable gap in the market, particularly Montego Bay.
Now that Eclipse and Villas are back in action, the gap is starting to close.
The reopening also marks a broader recovery across the region. Returning this size and nature of the history strengthens our confidence in the subject as a whole.
For travelers, it brings back one of the most established resort experiences in the Caribbean. This means you can stay on a long stretch of coastline, access a variety of activities and move between modern and traditional accommodation within a single hotel.
Impact on your next trip
If you’re planning a trip to Jamaica, Half Moon will once again be part of the conversation.
You’re looking for a resort that combines beach access, a variety of on-site experiences, and a variety of lodging styles. At Eclipse, you can choose a modern room, book a villa for a larger group, or wait until additional sections of the resort reopen later in the year.
Timing is also important. Early reopening periods often provide availability that is easier to secure before peak demand returns.
What hasn’t changed is the core appeal. A long stretch of Caribbean coastline, resorts built to offer variety in a single stay, and a name that has been recognized in the region for decades.
It has now reopened.
half moon price
According to what I saw on Google Hotels, you can currently find rooms starting at $739. Eclipse then offers an Ocean Room with two double beds or a king bed. Rates range up to $754 for a larger room on the first floor with an outdoor shower.
