Half Moon is open again. You arrive along the long curve of coastline outside Montego Bay, where palms line the entrance road and the Caribbean comes into view in flashes of blue between the buildings. It feels familiar to anyone who has been here before. The difference is in the timing. This return carries weight.
After months of closure following Hurricane Melissa in October of last year, Half Moon has officially reopened its luxury hotel Eclipse, bringing one of Jamaica’s most established resort destinations back into operation. The reopening marks a major step not just for the property, but for the wider tourism sector across the island.
And it means that the resort that is, in my view, the leading luxury resort in all of Jamaica, is back again.
A Reopening With Meaning
The return of Eclipse was marked with a ceremony that leaned into symbolism rather than formality. There was no ribbon. Instead, performers created a choreographed sequence built around the image of a phoenix rising, a visual that resonated across a crowd that included government officials, tourism leaders, and hundreds of resort staff.
At the close, the moment turned. Dignitaries stepped aside and applauded as team members entered first, alongside a live band. It placed the focus on the people who carried the property through closure, cleanup, and rebuilding.
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, joined Guy Steuart III, Chairman of Half Moon, and Sheila Johnson, Founder and CEO of Salamander Collection, for the event. The tone remained consistent throughout the remarks: recognition of what the team endured, and acknowledgment of what it took to bring the resort back.
The Setting at Eclipse
Eclipse sits directly along the shoreline, with 57 beachfront accommodations positioned to face the water. From the guest rooms, you’re looking straight out toward the Caribbean, with no interruption between the property and the sea.
The layout centers on an infinity-edge pool that runs parallel to the coastline, with clear sightlines across the water. There are also swimming coves carved into the shoreline, giving you protected access points to the sea without leaving the property.
The design leans modern within the broader Half Moon footprint, with open interiors, wide terraces, and direct pathways to the beach. It’s a distinct environment within the larger resort, one that feels more contemporary while still connected to the history of the property.
You’re not navigating long corridors or dense clusters of buildings. The arrangement keeps everything oriented toward the water.
Dining Returns Across the Property
The reopening brings back a full slate of restaurants and bars, with each venue returning alongside the hotel.
Delmare anchors the dining lineup with a focus on coastal Mediterranean cuisine, while North Pointe continues as one of the property’s signature fine dining experiences. Hayward’s and Spice round out the main restaurant options, with Spice introducing a new beach barbecue offering that extends dining closer to the shoreline.
For drinks, Lester’s Bar and the Hammock Bar are back in operation, offering two distinct settings. Lester’s carries the legacy feel of the property, while the Hammock Bar keeps things closer to the sand, with a more relaxed setup.
The variety matters here. You’re not relying on a single dining room or a fixed rotation. You can stay on property for multiple days and still change the setting each night.
The Villas Are Back, Too
Alongside Eclipse, Half Moon’s Villas have also reopened following a full reimagining. These accommodations offer six- and seven-bedroom layouts, designed for larger groups or families traveling together.
Each villa includes private living areas, outdoor space, and access to dedicated services. They operate almost as standalone residences within the resort, while still connecting to the broader Half Moon experience.
These are a different kind of stay entirely. Where Eclipse positions you close to shared spaces and restaurants, the villas give you privacy and room to spread out across multiple days. I’ve stayed in both the classic and new-build villas, and they’re sublime. The key? The staff — you get a butler, a chef and a housekeeper that cover just about everything you can possibly think of during your stay. After a vacation there, they’re part of your family.
What You Can Do On Property
Half Moon has always operated as a full-service resort, and that structure is back in place.
You have access to Fern Tree, A Salamander Spa, a large wellness complex offering treatment rooms, hydrotherapy experiences, and outdoor relaxation areas. The spa remains one of the defining features of the property.
The Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed golf course is open, along with tennis courts and a full equestrian center, a feature that continues to set Half Moon apart from most Caribbean resorts. It’s a historic, charming track that we’ve called the Caribbean Augusta.
Water-based activities are also back in operation, including watersports, a swimming lagoon, and access to the open coastline. There’s also a fitness center and extensive outdoor areas that give you room to spend the day without leaving the property.
This is the kind of resort where you can fill an entire itinerary without needing to plan off-site excursions, unless you want to.
A Key Location in Montego Bay
Half Moon sits about ten minutes from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, which makes arrival straightforward. You land, clear the airport, and you’re at the resort quickly, without a long transfer.
The property stretches across two miles of coastline, giving it one of the larger beachfront footprints in Jamaica. That distance creates separation between different parts of the resort, even when occupancy is high.
You’re also positioned close enough to Montego Bay to explore the city if you choose, while still maintaining a clear boundary between the resort and the outside environment.
It’s a location that has helped define Half Moon for decades.
Leadership Through the Rebuild
The reopening also coincides with a leadership milestone.
Shernette Crichton has been named Managing Director of Half Moon, a promotion that followed an emotional all-staff meeting just one day before the reopening ceremony. Her appointment places her among a small group of female hospitality executives in the Caribbean, and the only one in Jamaica at this level.
Crichton’s history with the resort spans her entire career. She began as a trainee manager and progressed through roles that included Assistant Sales Manager, Director of Staff Development and Training, Hotel Manager, Director of Resort Operations, and General Manager.
Her tenure includes overseeing major projects like the opening of Eclipse, renovations to other accommodations, navigating the pandemic period, and now leading the recovery after Hurricane Melissa.
During the reopening remarks, she addressed the impact of the storm directly.
“Hurricane Melissa came through Western Jamaica like a thief in broad daylight and took things from us that we never imagined we could lose,” she said. “But look around today – every team member here is proof that Melissa did not get the last word.”
Why This Reopening Is So Significant
Half Moon has long held a central position in Jamaica’s tourism landscape. Its return carries implications beyond a single property. It’s the most iconic hotel on the whole island (it even hosted 007, after all).
The resort is part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection and has consistently ranked among the top-rated properties in the country. Its closure following Hurricane Melissa left a visible gap in the market, particularly in Montego Bay.
Now, with Eclipse and the Villas back in operation, that gap begins to close.
The reopening also signals broader recovery across the region. When a property of this size and history returns, it reinforces confidence in the destination as a whole.
For travelers, it brings back one of the Caribbean’s most established resort experiences — a place where you can stay on a long stretch of coastline, access a full range of activities, and move between modern and legacy accommodations within a single property.
What It Means for Your Next Trip
If you’re planning a trip to Jamaica, Half Moon is once again part of the conversation.
You’re looking at a resort that combines beachfront access, a wide set of on-site experiences, and multiple accommodation styles. You can choose a contemporary room at Eclipse, book a villa for a larger group, or wait for additional sections of the resort to reopen later in the year.
The timing is important,too. Early reopening periods often come with availability that’s easier to secure before peak demand returns.
What hasn’t changed is the core appeal: a long stretch of Caribbean coastline, a resort built to offer variety within a single stay, and a name that carries decades of recognition in the region.
Now, it’s open again.
Prices at Half Moon
You can find rooms starting at $739 right now, based on what I saw on Google Hotels. That gets you an Ocean Room at Eclipse with either two double beds or a King bed. For a larger room on the ground floor with an outdoor shower, the rate goes up to $754.
Karen Udler
2026-04-06 02:02:00