We stayed at Half Moon last year and had such a great time we decided to come back again. We have now decided to make this an annual trip, as it seems to get better each time! Last year, we were able to get an upgraded room right on the ocean, but this time, they were unable to accommodate an upgrade, due to two weddings taking place on the property that week. However, our check-in agent took the trouble to place us on a waiting list for any cancellations and updated us throughout our stay. We stayed in an Oleander deluxe room, which was more than adequate regardless. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the bathroom had been completely updated. The A/C in the room worked to perfection and was a pleasant respite from the Jamaica mid-day heat. My husband golfed almost every day and had great things to say about the courses, although because of the low season, many of them were being aerated, making the conditions a bit rougher. I visited the spa a few days, which has also been completely renovated. Absolutely beautiful! I highly recommend their bath soaks. The spa also offers Pilates classes, and even though I ended up being the only one to sign up for the classes (again, during the low season), I got a challenging, hands-on Pilates class! The food, just as last year, was top-notch. Our favorite restaurant was the Sugar Mill, and we ate there 5 nights out of our 7 night stay! We took part in the Half Moon plan which I highly recommend, as you can eat and drink as much as you want--you will very easily exceed the price per day if you do not do the plan. We also did a couple of excursions--an ATV excursion (tons of fun), and an inner-tube excursion down a river (ran really late and had lots of bugs). The Half Moon staff was tremendous--very friendly and helpful. The day we were to leave, our flight ended up being delayed 9 hours! The staff at Half Moon was gracious enough to provide us with transportation back to the resort and allowed us to have access to our room and expense account so we were able to comfortably enjoy our delay, rather than being stuck at the airport! The only complaint I had was not even related to Half Moon--never fly Air Jamaica! It's the only nonstop for us from Chicago, but both times we have flown on it, we have had significant delays such as the 9 hours we incurred this time. Both times it was because the airline did not have a plane available! What airline does not have a plane for a scheduled flight? But I cannot say enough about the great experience we had at Half Moon and we look forward to returning in the future.

My husband and I went to the Half Moon in May for our fourth time. We stayed in a Royal Suite on the west end. The bathroom was a little outdated, however, the suite itself was very charming with a nice pool. The hotel is an easy flight for us and it is only 15 minutes from MO Bay airport, so it makes for a convienent get-a-way for us. We always enjoy dressing up and having pre-dinner cocktails at Lester's Bar while listening to Winston play his piano. The staff always treats us like so nice and they even remember our names from visit to visit. We always feel like we are coming home when we go to the Half Moon.

My husband and I stayed at the Half Moon towards the end of May for a week. We went for the all inclusive package which was purchased through Virgin Holidays - which included transfers to and from the airport.

As soon as we arrived, we were taken to the VIP check in room (not sure why) and we were both offered welcome cocktails. We had originally booked a superior room but upon arrival, we were given a Hibiscus Suite - not that I was complaining but I think this was due to the low season.

The resort itself is massive. We were taken to our room by a golf cart. The room had a sea view and could be accessed via the patio doors, past the garden.

For meals in the main area (by reception) it was a 3 min stroll so a golf buggy was not really required. Just remember to book where you want to go for dinner!

There are 5 restaurants you can choose from for dinner - 2 near the main reception, 2 in the shopping village (where the majority of shops have now closed and moved to further down to Rose Hall) and one on the golf course. For the latter 2, there is a free shuttle that continuously goes around the resort and stops at various points - it is not a walkable distance!! If you're on the all inclusive plan, all 5 dinner places are included in your meal plan.

Everything you need to have a relaxing holiday is available in the resort. The only time we ventured outside the resort was for a day of deep sea fishing which was arranged for us by the hotel concierge. Other activities the resort boasts is the dolphin lagoon (my husband went swimming with the dolphins), a golf course (where we also played on once) and I believe you can go on horse-back along the sea front (I saw the horses but didn't see anyone take this up).

The rooms were kept very clean - clean out in the morning and a turn down service in the evening. The only problem we experienced was the refrigerator in the room didn't work and we had to call reception 4 times before someone came out to fix it. Mind you, you are on holiday and it's the Caribbean way of life to take things slowly.

I would thoroughly recommend this place if all you want to do is relax with all activities close by. I guess we could have been anywhere as we stayed inside the resort but the people were friendly and they really do say "yeah man" all the time!

Just returned from half moon with my wife and 2 kids.
It has the potential to be a great hotel...but it is not 5 star.
Attention to detail sets apart the 3s from the 5s.
I compare everyplace we stay to The Cloisters at Sea Island Georgia which is in my mind a 5+ hotel.

The Jamaican culture and its people are the reason we wouldn't return. Very aloof. Some friendly, some quite rude. Do not get the warm and fuzzies when walking around.

The room we stayed in had two single beds pushed together as my wife/I bed. No place worth the price they charge should have two single beds pushed together. My children did not each have their own bed even though, when booked, they knew we had 4 travelers.

The TVs were cheap and old and they would turn off on their own.

The minibar fridge had to be replaced and the replacement wasn't cold either...don't like drinking semi cold beer and bottled water.

Didn't know there was different levels of "all-inclusive". Make sure you know as I thought everything was all inclusive as the name suggests but we had the "good time package" not the "platinum package" which is what thought we were getting. Didn't hear those terms until after we got there--will speak with my travel agent about that.

Be prepared to tip. The help expects it even though it states that gratuity is included.

The Jamaican airport on return was terrible.Hot, no air conditioning. We sat in line for 2 hours with literally hundreds of travelers trying to leave on USAir with only 3 people--whose two modes were slow and stop--booking people in. Make sure you get there 3 hours early or you'll miss your flight.

We will try Aruba next.

The scenery in Jamaica is beautiful and the water fantastic.
Would definitely go there if you've never been but, for us, we've seen enough and will not return.