The storied Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay is committing over US$ 15 million to re-design the Half Moon Villas.

This re-design is to commemorate the resort’s 70th anniversary and to maintain a competitive product in the popular resort strip of St James.

The first phase will target 11 villas between April and November 2024, and is earmarked to finish in time for the American Thanksgiving and holiday travel period. The second phase for the remaining eight villas, will see those villas receive similar upgrades in the same period of 2025.

The Rose Hall Villas offer an independent resort experience that caters to families and groups — complete with a dedicated staff including a personal chef, housekeeper and butler. They are located on the eastern end of the resort.

With both seafront and garden views, the spacious, luxurious villas offer five-, six- and seven-bedroom options, as well as living and dining room spaces.

The renovations are being overseen by design firm Atelier Vidal, and will seek to improve the overall experience of the villa, including a fresh layout to optimise the views on the property and open-concept living with lush surroundings, all while maintaining the original architectural footprint.

General manager Shernette Crichton said that Half Moon is committed to maintaining its roots while evolving to meet the needs of the travellers.

“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, ” she explained.

The layout on the immediate exterior will also be enhanced by including outdoor cabanas that come fitted with televisions and expanded seating. Several of the villas will get infinity pools with views of the Caribbean Sea, while each accommodations will receive new doors, windows, balconies and lush surrounding landscaping. The interior of the villas will also be enhanced with the addition of a family game room, as well upgrades to the furniture, appliances and bathrooms.

Half Moon also recently renovated its Hibiscus neighbourhood and the celebrated 2020 opening of Eclipse at Half Moon, which was named as one of the finest new properties in the world by multiple publications. These villa upgrades now serve as the latest investments to the enhancement of the resort as a whole.

As a part of the Salamander Group, run by former BET head Sheila Johnson, Half Moon boasts a variety of sporting/physical activities, including equestrian, watersports, tennis, pickleball and squash. There is also the use of a Robert Trent Jones Sr-designed golf course, as well as a wide range of dining options such as the legendary Cedar Bar and Half Moon’s award-winning signature restaurant Sugar Mill, known for its creative twist on Jamaican cuisine.

If rest and relaxation is the aim of the visit then Half Moon is also the place for that as well, as guests can enjoy Fern Tree, A Salamander Spa, which features two overwater bungalows for massage treatments and yoga classes.