In Montego Bay, the Caribbean’s Best Villa Resort Is Getting a New Look

By: - March 29th, 2024
montego bay villa resort
The villa resort is getting a new look.

You wake up to a freshly-prepared breakfast of ackee and salftish, fried dumplings and fresh papaya juice. Then it’s time for a choice: a day at the pool, gazing out at the sea; or perhaps a wellness journey. Your butler arrives with a smile and suggests an itinerary, pouring you a mug of Blue Mountain coffee and reminding you every choice is the right one.

This is one of the ultimate vacation experiences in the Caribbean, something that Jamaica does better than just about anyone: a staffed luxury villa. And when it comes to Jamaican villas, one resort towers above the resort: the Rose Hall Villas at Half Moon.

A collection of 19 iconic, grand villas set on the beach and amid lush gardens, they’re large, endlessly comfortable and fully serviced, meaning everything is there for you, from an impromptu jerk barbecue dinner to daily laundry service. Even better? You get all of the amenities of the legendary 400-acre Half Moon resort, from the spectacular pool at Eclipse to the championship golf course dubbed the “Caribbean Augusta; the postcard-perfect beach to the magic Sugar Mill restaurant. And did we mention Jamaica’s greatest rum bar?

inside
The interiors are getting a complete makeover.

The villas are a mix of give, six and seven-bedroom villas, all with a dedicated staff including a personal chef, housekeeper and butler. It’s an experience that’s unrivaled in Montego Bay and beyond, a way to experience the art of luxury living in Jamaica’s inimitable style.

Now, in time for the 70th anniversary of the resort, the Rose Hall Villas are getting a major makeover.

The plan, led by design firm Atelier-Vidal, is to completely modernize and transform the villas, with 11 villas transformed between now and November 2024; and another eight villas seeing similar changes over the same period next year.

the first phase with green lawn
The first phase includes 11 villa transformations.

“For seven decades, Half Moon has simultaneously remained true to its roots while evolving for the
discerning traveler,” said Shernette Crichton, Half Moon’s General Manager. “We are excited to
further elevate the elegantly relaxed guest experience at our popular Rose Hall Villas, while also
retaining our Jamaican design inspirations. We look forward to sharing the beautiful renovation in
the coming months.”

Each villa will retain its original “architectural footprint,” but will otherwise see a transformation, from fresh layouts and expansive glass-pane doors and windows to new wood and stone finishes.

Each villa will also get an “enhanced” pool experience: cabanas with large screen TVs, expanded seating and some getting infinity-edge pools.

Inside, each villa will get a “complete makeover,” along with the addition of a family game room, new appliances and new and upgraded bathrooms.

It’s the latest in a series of major improvements at the resort, including the 2020 debut of Eclipse at Half Moon, a new luxury resort-within-a-resort.

For more, visit Half Moon.

About the author

Alexander Britell is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caribbean Journal and one of the top experts on Caribbean travel worldwide, with decades of on-the-ground travel to the region and comprehensive knowledge of the entire Caribbean Basin.
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