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JAM | Oct 11, 2025

Mastercard elevates Caribbean luxury with ‘Priceless Experiences’ at Half Moon Resort

/ Our Today

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An overhead view of Half Moon Jamaica’s great house, located along miles of picturesque, white-sand beach in Montego Bay, St James. (Photo: halfmoon.com)

Mastercard Inc. has forged an exclusive partnership with premium Jamaican hospitality company ATWASI, which specialises in designing ultra-luxury experiences, to launch the first-ever ‘Priceless Experiences’ programme in Jamaica.

In a strategic move to capture the Caribbean’s burgeoning luxury travel sector, the collaboration is not simply about hosting; it is about co-creating meaningful cultural and luxury experiences that reflect our 70-year legacy of excellence in Jamaican hospitality.

Centred at one of the Caribbean’s most iconic resort destinations, Half Moon in Montego Bay, positions both brands at the forefront of the island’s evolving ultra-luxury hospitality landscape.

Mastercard Inc. credit cards are displayed in this picture illustration taken December 8, 2017. (Photo: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/Illustration/File)

The partnership represents Mastercard’s calculated entry into Jamaica’s luxury tourism market, which has witnessed unprecedented growth among high-net-worth travellers seeking authentic, culturally immersive experiences. By aligning with ATWASI—a company renowned for its sophisticated understanding of both local heritage and international luxury standards—Mastercard is strategically positioning itself to capture this discerning demographic.

The programme launches with three meticulously curated experiences, each designed to appeal to affluent travellers who value exclusivity, authenticity, and cultural depth:

Garden-to-table culinary mastery at Sugar Mill

Executive chef Christopher Golding leads an intimate eight-course educational journey at Half Moon’s award-winning Sugar Mill restaurant. 

This bespoke tasting menu transforms locally sourced ingredients into contemporary culinary art, with the chef providing personal commentary on flavour profiles, sourcing philosophy, and culinary inspiration. The experience represents an elevated approach to farm-to-table dining that resonates with environmentally conscious luxury consumers.

Heritage Golf Clinic with championship insights

Half Moon’s historic Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed golf course provides the stunning backdrop for Mastercard’s exclusive heritage golf clinic, where golf director Kevyn Cunningham combines world-class instruction. (Photo: Contributed)

Golf director Kevyn Cunningham, drawing from his extensive international background, conducts private clinics on Half Moon’s historic Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed course.

The one-hour session combines skill enhancement with cultural education, followed by a Jamaican lunch featuring elevated local specialities including jerk cashew preparations and artisanal plantain accompaniments.

This offering appeals to affluent golfers who seek both performance improvement and cultural immersion.

Half Moon’s golf director Kevyn Cunningham. (Photo: Contributed)

Transformative wellness at Fern Tree Spa 

The 40-minute master tension relief treatment at Half Moon’s award-winning Fern Tree Spa offers a sophisticated wellness journey. Beginning with a 20-minute outdoor stone tub soak, followed by targeted massage therapy using premium indigenous oils, and concluding with aromatic Releaf Balm application, the treatment includes take-home premium products for continued luxury.

“This partnership represents our commitment to elevating Jamaica’s position in the global luxury market while maintaining authentic cultural connections,” stated Andrea Baskett-Pee, chief executive officer of ATWASI. “We’re creating experiences that satisfy the sophisticated palates and expectations of international luxury travellers while celebrating our heritage.”

The award-winning Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon offers Mastercard cardholders a transformative wellness experience featuring outdoor stone tub soaks, massage therapy with premium indigenous oils, and serene Caribbean relaxation. (Photo: Contributed)

The experiences are exclusively available to Mastercard cardholders through December 31, with limited availability ensuring personalised service delivery. The 48-hour booking requirement reinforces the premium positioning while allowing for customisation typically expected by high-net-worth clientele.

This partnership signals a broader trend toward authentically rooted luxury experiences in the Caribbean market. By combining Mastercard’s global reach with ATWASI’s local expertise, the collaboration addresses the growing demand among affluent travellers for culturally meaningful experiences that go beyond traditional resort offerings.

The initiative also reflects the evolution of the Jamaican luxury tourism sector, which increasingly attracts discerning travellers seeking genuine cultural immersion alongside world-class amenities. Half Moon’s selection as the exclusive venue reinforces its position as a destination for sophisticated Caribbean luxury experiences.

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