Half Moon, a RockResort

The secluded location of the resort is both a blessing and a curse. The beachfront grounds are huge meaning you can holiday in peace despite the large number of rooms (though did not feel busy at all when we were there). On the otherhand you have to be a person who does not mind staying within a resort to enjoy a holiday here since taking a taxi anywhere will cost an arm and a leg. Restaurants and all the extras will add up on your bill very quickly, however definitely recommend a dinner at the Sugar Mill which was comparatively good value; we had a fantastic meal we had there.

Overall, very nice. But not five-stars. The beach is great. The location is great with a relaxing beach, long stretch of coast, lovely golf course, and very tradiational but pleasant villas and suites. My two peeves are: 1) The food was very average - deli-quality at New York prices - and there is nowhere else to go that is simple to get to! 2) I hate having gratuity added to everything (spa, food, etc, etc) and then a space is left for you to add on a tip - it just makes me mad - I would have tipped more than 15% if they hadn't already included it, but I don't like the implication of an expensive meal, plus tax, plus 15% gratuity, PLUS a line to tip...

Wonderful.

The hotel was very welcoming when we arrived! They even upgraded our room since it was our honeymoon. They greated us with jamaican rum while we waited for a new room assignment. The bellhop gave us a tour of the grounds and some insite history on when celebrity stay as guest in the resort. The only thing missing was it was so quiet. It is more for a quiet laid back experience. The food is pricey if it is not all-inclusive. We bought our own drinks with us since our stay could not include all-inclusive. The room (junior suite) was nice that we were upgraded to. We stayed at Sandals Ocho Rios before coming here and I like Sandals better due to the vibe of the sandals. I would not recommend the hotel for those looking to have fun, but more for those who want a quiet vacation.

The Half Moon is a unique and beautiful resort. Rather than one large hotel building, the rooms are spread out along the beach in cottages or villas. Many guests have most of their meals at the main outdoor restaurant so you get to know some of the other guests. A number of families have been back to the Half Moon annually for years. This was our first stay at the Half Moon. While it was beautiful and the staff was very nice, the food was subpar at best. For New York City prices, you received “Island time” service. We tried all of the resort’s restaurants and every one of our dinners took over an hour for the food to arrive. At lunch for example, a $17 tuna sandwich with potato chips took at least 45 minutes. The other problem was water. It was impossible to get your waiter to bring you water frequently while dining and the hotel offered no filtered water around the pool or beach. For such an expensive resort, they seemed almost stingy about things such as water. Another example is towels. There was always a shortage of towels at the beach and pool so you often had to wait for them. This is not the kind of service I expect from such an expensive hotel. However, they certainly know how to provide activities! There are lots of tennis courts and a great staff to take lessons from! There is shuffleboard, bocce, croquet, beach volleyball and basketball. There is a nice fitness center with spin classes. They also offer (for $150+ per person) “swimming with the dolphins.” There are free water activities like kayaking and paddle boating and for a fee, boat rentals, boating excursions, and tubing and water skiing. Most people use the complimentary beach cruiser bikes, which is a lot of fun! It is also practical since it is a 400-acre resort! There is a beautiful golf course (so I heard, we didn’t golf) and squash courts. I was with my three adult children so I can’t speak from experience, but it looks like they offer a ton of activities for young children through adolescents.

I love the homey feel of the cottages. I was fortunate because my room was upgraded when I arrived at the property. The staff was very friendly and helpful. My suite was nice, clean and close to the beach. I plan to visit again really soon. I will most definitely recommend it to my friends.

Thr hotel was beautiful and in great condition. The staff was very friendly and they were well staffed maintaining the property and taking care of the guests. The room was beautiful and very comfortable. The property itself was gorgeous and well laid out. The only negative is that the food and beverage was pretty expensive.

This resort is absolutely beautiful! The food is good, yet quite pricey...so bring enough $$$. Being in a warm tropical climate, we did see a few critters including a baby lizzard in our room. The rooms are clean and the resort staff is very friendly. Lastly, considering the fact the royalty/presidents have stayed at the Half Moon, the should be a hint that this is not a place for people on a tight budget. Again bring enough $$$ to enjoy your stay. Lastly, the duty free shops are a great place to pick up a piece of jewelry, fine watch, etc. If you are use to the nicer things in life this place is for you, just look out for the critters.

Rooms were very large and comfortable. The ameneties at this resort are endless. Great food and view. Food is pricey! Well woth the price. Golf course, horse riding atc, etc, Enjoy!

My stay at Half Moon was one of the most enjoyable travel experiences. The staff was extremely accomodating and every detail for comfort was in place. All facilities were pristeen in cleanliness. I was extremely satisfied with the luxury accomodations which are so very different from typical hotel stays. Even the on-site beach was kept clean as one could see staff early in the morning raking the sand and sweeping the boardwalk. Although I was travelling alone I felt completely safe at the resort which was most important. This will definitely be a repeat destination.