In Montego Bay, an “Immersive,” All-Inclusive Weekend of Rum, Reggae and the Flavors of Jamaica 

Bold rum. Loud reggae. Vibrant spices. If you’ve been to Jamaica, you know the dynamism of its culture — and its hospitality. Now, the island’s top hotel is launching a new way to experience the most famous facets of Jamaica in one memorable weekend. 

It’s called Roots, Rum and Reggae, and it’s the brainchild of the Half Moon resort in Montego Bay, which is launching what it calls an “immersive” weekend of music, food and authenticity. 

Even better? It’s all-inclusive. 

The new event is part of a welcome trend where hotels, particularly in the Caribbean, work to ensure that guests can dive into local culture. And from May 16-18, you can savor what the property calls the “essence of the island.”

We’ve stayed at Half Moon countless times, and it’s a model for authentic Caribbean hospitality – when you stay there, you’re staying in Jamaica, not in a cookie-cutter property that merely gives lip service to its surroundings. 

So what does the all-inclusive Roots, Rum and Reggae entail? 

It stats off with a retro-inspired welcome party, with classic jerk, old-school reggae and a bonfire – with a DJ spinning hits from the world’s most musical island. 

The next day, it’s about getting out on the 400-acre Montego Bay property: you can tee off on the course we’ve called the “Caribbean Augusta,” take a historical trip to the nearby Good Hope; or take a rum tasting. You should note that the hotel is home to Lester’s Bar, a watering hole we’ve called the best rum bar in Jamaica — with an impressive selection of not just local expressions (including the hotel’s specially-bottled Worthy Park edition) but regional classics, too. 

Saturday is the biggest event: for dinner, the action starts with an all-star lineup of chefs for a Jamaican cookout: culinary stars like Shorne Benjamine, Shelly Flash, Osei and Althea Brown will be joining Chef Claudio Facchinetti and Chris Golding’s on-site team, alongside executive chef Klaus Frauenschlaeger.

Then there’s the party piece: a full-fledged private show called Legends: a Reggae Concert, with conscious reggae pioneer Tony Rebel and the “Queen of Reggae,” Marcia Griffiths. 

After an evening of revelry, you can close out with a farewell brunch on Sunday morning. 

It’s the perfect Caribbean weekend getaway, and a terrific way to enjoy a real slice of Jamaica. And a very different kind of all-inclusive experience. (You also have the option of just buying event tickets) 

For more, you can visit Half Moon.