Half Moon first opened in Jamaica in 1954, and its whitewashed cottages soon welcomed a parade of celebrities and dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Before John F. Kennedy’s inauguration as president of the United States, the Kennedys hunkered down for a month at the 400-acre beachfront resort. Situated a 10-minute drive from Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport, Half Moon has a full range of facilities: A fitness center, children’s village, 11 tennis courts, an equestrian center, Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed golf course and spa.
Now, Half Moon is embarking on a new chapter with the launch of a hospitality experience called Eclipse at Half Moon. Slated to open in March 2020, Eclipse is billed as “one of the most luxurious additions to the Caribbean in a generation.” Along with the 57 rooms and suites—including the Great House Ocean Suite, which will go for $10,000 per night—Eclipse at Half Moon will have two restaurants, three bars, a market café and infinity pool. This will also be the setting for Fern Tree, A Salamander Spa, complete with two overwater bungalows. Guests of Eclipse at Half Moon will have access to a private beach and natural swimming cove.
With the opening of Eclipse at Half Moon, the resort will offer three distinct accommodations options, also including Founders Cove at Half Moon and Rose Hall Villas at Half Moon. Half Moon is managed by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, which was founded by entrepreneur Sheila Johnson in Middleburg, Virginia in 2005. The resort will begin accepting reservations on December 15, 2019.