Half Moon
Half Moon is the kind of resort that makes you rethink what a Jamaica vacation can be. Operating since 1954, it sits on 400 acres with two miles of private beach, a championship golf course, a huge spa complex and an equestrian centre, all about 10 minutes from Montego Bay's airport. Hurricane Melissa closed it in October 2025, and it is coming back in phases: Eclipse at Half Moon, with 57 beachfront accommodations, and the newly reimagined Villas reopened on April 2, 2026, while the legacy rooms at Founders Cove are due in a second phase later in 2026 with no confirmed date as of October 2026. The resort markets itself as Jamaica's highest-rated resort, and travelers who have stayed at several Caribbean luxury properties tend to put it in their top tier. The vibe is old-money barefoot luxury - not flashy, just gracious and very spacious.
Things to Know
- Partially open (Eclipse and Villas) - Founders Cove reopening later in 2026
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +400 acres of private grounds with 2 miles of beachfront - the scale and privacy are rare in Jamaica and difficult to find anywhere in the Caribbean
- +Robert Trent Jones Sr. 18-hole championship golf course, back open after the Hurricane Melissa restoration, with ocean views and a layout that suits a range of handicaps
- +Fern Tree, A Salamander Spa is billed by the resort as the Caribbean's largest spa oasis, with overwater bungalow treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, a fitness studio and yoga and pilates
- +Anancy Children's Village runs supervised programming for kids ages 3-12, split into 3-6 and 7-12 groups, giving parents real time off
- +Equestrian centre with beach rides and a Swim with Horses experience for riders over 10 - something almost no other Jamaica resort can offer
- +Only about 5.5 miles and 10 minutes from Sangster International Airport, one of the shortest transfers in Jamaica
- +Tennis and pickleball with complimentary court time, racquets and paddles, plus included kayaks, pedal boats and paddleboards
- +The reimagined six- and seven-bedroom Villas come with a private pool, dining cabana, personal cook, housekeeper and butler
Cons
- −Only part of the resort is open as of October 2026 - Eclipse (57 beachfront accommodations) and the Villas reopened April 2, 2026, while the Founders Cove rooms are slated for a second phase later in 2026 with no confirmed date
- −Not all-inclusive - meal plans are optional, and the bill stacks up with a 10% resort fee charged at booking, a 15% service charge, 10% GCT and a US$4 per room per night accommodation tax
- −Sugar Mill, the restaurant many past guests came for, is not among the venues open in the first phase; the open list is Delmare, North Pointe, Hayward's, Spice and Hammock Bar
- −Childcare beyond the kids club costs extra - the resort's nanny service is $30 for the first two hours and $15 for each half hour after, for up to two children
- −One of the most expensive stays in Jamaica, and dining a la carte at Delmare and the other restaurants adds up quickly
- −The size of the property means getting between the beach, golf course, spa and dining takes planning
- −Nightlife is intentionally understated - guests wanting a nightclub or party atmosphere will find Half Moon too quiet
The practical experience is defined by that scale, and most of the activity menu is already back: the Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf course, Fern Tree spa, fitness centre, tennis and pickleball courts, watersports, the swimming lagoon, the infinity-edge pool and coves, and beach rides at the equestrian centre. Dining is the area still catching up. The open venues are Delmare for oceanfront seafood, North Pointe, Hayward's, Spice and Hammock Bar, and other outlets, Sugar Mill among them, reopen as later phases finish. Families praise the Anancy Children's Village for kids 3 to 12, and nanny service covers evenings at $30 for the first two hours. Half Moon is not all-inclusive, so budget for meals on top of a 10% resort fee, a 15% service charge, 10% GCT and a US$4 nightly room tax.
Half Moon is best for travelers who want a true luxury property with enough to do to fill a longer stay - couples marking a milestone, families where both adults want serious activity options, golfers who want a well-regarded course near their room, and groups who can fill a staffed villa. It plays in the same league as Round Hill rather than the Sandals and Secrets all-inclusives around Montego Bay, so compare it on experience rather than on a bundled price. The resort's Welcome Back Home offer adds a fourth night free on three consecutive Eclipse nights, with daily breakfast at Hayward's and free dining for children five and under, for stays through December 19, 2026 when booked by December 14. Anyone set on Sugar Mill or a Founders Cove room should check what is open before booking.
Common Questions
Is Half Moon all-inclusive, and what extra charges should I expect?
Is Half Moon fully reopened after Hurricane Melissa?
Which restaurants are open right now?
How good is the golf course, and do I need to be an advanced player to enjoy it?
What is the kids club like, and is babysitting available?
Is Half Moon a good choice for honeymooners, or is it more of a family resort?
Restaurants (2)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Seafood | Delmare |
| Caribbean & local | Hayward's |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown.
What's nearby
Doctor's Cave Beach14 min drive · 6.5 mi
35 min drive · 16 mi
Rose Hall Great House6 min drive · 2.4 mi
Sam Sharpe Square14 min drive · 7.3 mi
Montego Bay Cultural Centre14 min drive · 7.3 mi
Montego Bay Yacht Club25 min drive · 10 mi
More things to do (24)
- Columbus Park (Discovery Bay) · museum55 min drive · 33 mi
- Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue) · town14 min drive · 7.1 mi
- Dolphin Cove (Lucea) · adventure park45 min drive · 25 mi
- Hampden Estate rum tour · historic site35 min drive · 15 mi
- Half Moon Golf Course · golf3 min drive · 1.0 mi
- Cinnamon Hill Golf Course · golf7 min drive · 2.7 mi
- Catamaran snorkel cruise from Montego Bay · excursion14 min drive · 6.5 mi
- Harmony Beach Park · beach14 min drive · 7.1 mi
- Dead End Beach · beach15 min drive · 6.6 mi
- Walter Fletcher Beach · beach15 min drive · 7.3 mi
- Bellefield Great House · historic site25 min drive · 11 mi
- Falmouth · town30 min drive · 14 mi
- Falmouth Historic District (Water Square) · historic site30 min drive · 14 mi
- Ahhh...Ras Natango Gallery & Garden · nature30 min drive · 13 mi
- Luminous Lagoon night boat tour · excursion30 min drive · 16 mi
- Falmouth Cruise Port · marina30 min drive · 15 mi
- Rocklands Bird Sanctuary · wildlife30 min drive · 14 mi
- Burwood Beach · beach35 min drive · 18 mi
- Good Hope Great House · historic site45 min drive · 18 mi
- Rio Bueno · town50 min drive · 28 mi
- Lucea · town55 min drive · 30 mi
- Fort Charlotte (Lucea) · historic site55 min drive · 31 mi
- Hanover Museum · museum55 min drive · 31 mi
- Puerto Seco Beach · beach60 min drive · 34 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Jamaica gets sargassum, typically worst June through August.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 2,393 reviews
“During our honeymoon in Montego Bay, we spent a day at Half Moon Resort, and it was absolutely incredible! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with the kindest hospitality and surrounded by the most breathtaking scenery. The resort is stunnin...”
“We were placed at this hotel for one night by Virgin Atlantic due to an 18-hour flight delay, and I can only say that the resort is absolutely incredible. The grounds are vast, spotless, and truly breathtaking. We arrived quite late, and during chec...”
“We did not stay at the Hotel itself but visited the SPA. The ladies at the SPA desk were so helpful and friendly with booking us and explaining everything to us. This SPA was a nice experience with being able to visit the sauna/steam room before our...”
