Eclipse at Half Moon opens on Jamaican beachfront

Eclipse has opened on an extensive private Jamaican beachfront, joining the two existing resort experiences at Half Moon, Founders Cove and Rose Hall Villas.

The new addition is just a ten-minute drive from Sangster International Airport, nestled between Montego Bay and the Caribbean Sea.

Designed by US-based architecture and design studio Hart Howerton, the property celebrates Jamaican culture and reflects the beauty of its surroundings.

The lobby is set on a gentle rise of 17ft above high tide to offer unobstructed views of the sea, while the Anglo-Caribbean aesthetic inspired by Jamaican culture is accented with elegant shutters, vibrant colours and vintage family photographs from the owners’ archives.

Hanging in the reception are custom murals that capture the spirit of Caribbean life, done in the style of Michael Lester, an artist of Polish descent who became famous in Jamaica for his colourful work.

The 57-key property features different room types spread across three areas.

Described as the heart of the resort and framed by a Guango tree, the Great House Ocean Suites comprise second-floor rooms with large balconies overlooking picturesque views. The open plan designs feature up to two bedrooms, living area, dining area and balcony overlooking the Great Lawn and Caribbean Sea.

The Estate Ocean Suites have been designed to offer flexibility, with a butler pantry, large great room, island contemporary furnishings, indoor and outdoor showers, living and dining terraces and up to four bedrooms – each with its own private entrance.

32 Ocean Rooms are positioned in low-profile Cottages. Also offering views over the sea, these rooms are spacious and offer luxury bathrooms, reading coves, colourful artwork by students at the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, and verandas or terraces featuring daybeds.

Across the resort, there are seven F&B venues including Lester’s Bar, a sophisticated space inspired by the eponymous artist’s painting ‘Junkanoo’. The 12-foot-wide artwork depicts a culturally rich festival in the Caribbean and is displayed above a selection of local rums and premium spirits.

Directly on the seafront, the resort’s signature restaurant Delmare serves Italian cuisine, incorporating fresh local ingredients, whilst interiors are enhanced with a commissioned wall sculpture inspired by coral reeves.

Other venues include: Hayward’s, with chef action stations serving Jamaican cuisine and seaside dining areas; North Pointe Bar & Grill, offering speciality cocktails and a light menu set amid driftwood-inspired architecture; Spice, a casual beach grill serving traditional Jamaican barbecue set under shady coconut trees and mangroves; Hammock Bar, offering beverages and relaxed hammocks and swing seating; and Maakit, a healthy option with grab-and-go snacks, pastries, coffees and teas.

The on-site spa Fern Tree, a Salamander Spa, is set in two overwater bungalows, offering massage treatments and yoga classes, as well as Ital Café, a venue offering culinary experience.

“Eclipse is a remarkable addition to Half Moon and the Caribbean’s luxury landscape,” says Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, which manages Half Moon. “Its design and artworks, along with our commitment to delivering superior culinary and wellness experiences, will make this one of the Caribbean’s most appealing destinations.”

CREDITS:
Words: Donna Salek