Montego Bay●●●○

Half Moon

★★★★½4.7 out of 5 · 3,715 reviews

5★

Photo: © TripAdvisor contributor via TripAdvisor

Half Moon is a 5-star resort in Montego Bay with 100 rooms rated 4.7/5 by 3,715 TripAdvisor reviewers; typical rates from about $625 a night; direct beach access.

About

Half Moon sits on 400 acres in Rose Hall, east of Montego Bay's hotel strip, and operates more like a village than a standard resort. The 4.7 rating across nearly 4,000 reviews holds up across the board—cleanliness and location both hit 4.8, service matches the overall score, and even value clears 4.3 despite the price tier. That consistency suggests they're doing the basics right at scale, which is harder than it sounds when you're managing villas, suites, multiple pools, an equestrian center, and a golf course. The subratings tell you what to expect: rooms and sleep quality are strong but not perfect, so don't assume total silence or the newest fixtures in every unit. Location is the highest mark, and it makes sense—Rose Hall puts you within reach of the airport and Montego Bay proper without sitting in the middle of the congestion. If you want a lot of ground to cover without leaving the property, this is built for that.

At a glance

Area: Montego Bay
Star rating: ★★★★★
Typical nightly: $625
Beach access: direct
Kid-friendly: ●●●●○
Party score: ●●○○○
Walkability: ●●○○○
Rooms: 100
Casino: –
Swim-up: –
Kids' club: –
All inclusive: –
Vibe: luxury
family
romantic
quiet
wellness

Sargassum: rarely

North-coast location in Rose Hall is sheltered; seasonal seaweed arrivals possible May–October but staff maintains beaches daily.

Photos

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Recent Pulse

What travelers are saying.

Cooling

Low confidence

Travelers say Half Moon delivers consistent, personalized service that turns first-timers into repeat guests. The resort is still recovering from hurricane damage as of September 2026—some sections remain closed for repairs—but operational areas maintain high standards across dining, beach access, and accommodations. Eclipse Estate butler service (Dean, Brenton, Elian mentioned by name) stands out as a differentiator, with staff handling everything from dinner reservations to flight cancellations. Multiple reviewers note staff remember guests across visits and treat requests as opportunities rather than burdens.

Standing out

Eclipse Estate butlers Dean, Brenton, and Elian handle requests from dinner reservations to flight rebooking
4 mentions
“Our butlers arranged everything we needed and helped secure rooms when flights were canceled twice”
Staff across all departments (housekeeping, bars, restaurants, front desk) deliver personalized, warm service
6 mentions
“Every single employee made our stay feel special, no request was too much”
Wedding planner Andrea coordinates seamless events with behind-the-scenes precision
1 mention
“Andrea ran the entire operation while we enjoyed the day, everything happened exactly on schedule”
Eclipse section offers central access to dining, beach, spa, and recreation within walking distance
1 mention
“Eclipse location puts you at the center of everything without needing transport”

Watch-outs

Hurricane damage from October 2025 left portions of the resort closed for ongoing repairs through September 2026
2 mentions
“Some sections are still shut down for maintenance after the hurricane hit last fall”
Beach lacks sand chairs for extended lounging with drinks or books
1 mention
“Need sand chairs on the beach for enjoying drinks and conversations comfortably”

Tips from travelers

Request butlers Dean, Brenton, or Elian if staying in Eclipse Estate
Book the Friday night BBQ in advance
Check current booking offers on the resort website before reserving

Maybe skip if: Travelers expecting a fully operational property should confirm which sections remain closed for hurricane repairs before booking.

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All inclusive

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Restaurants nearby

Montego Bay

Scotchies

Scotchies is a jerk shack on the Falmouth Road just outside Montego Bay, and it's where locals send visitors who ask where to eat jerk chicken. The setup is open-air tables under a covered pavilion, smoke drifting over from the oil-drum pits where they cook pork and chicken over pimento wood. The 4.5 food rating across nearly 4,000 reviews tracks with what you get: charred, smoky meat that's actually spiced right, not just hot. They also do festival, breadfruit, and yam on the side. It's cheap — the price level reflects that — and the value rating bears it out. Service is straightforward: you order at the counter, they call your number, you sit. The atmosphere is what it is: picnic benches, ceiling fans, reggae on the speaker, and a lot of people who drove out of their way to eat here. It's not polished, but that's not the appeal.

Montego Bay

Sugar Mill

Sugar Mill sits on the Half Moon Resort grounds in Montego Bay, built inside an old stone sugar mill from the 1700s — the working waterwheel is still there. The atmosphere rating of 4.6 reflects that: dinner under exposed beams and candlelight does most of the work before you order. The kitchen runs traditional European and Caribbean fine dining, and the 4.5 food score with a 4.6 service mark suggests execution matches the setting. It's resort dining, so you're paying for the occasion as much as the plate — the 4.1 value score tells you that plainly. Half Moon guests treat it as the special-night option; non-guests book ahead and dress accordingly. If you want a formal evening in Montego Bay and you're tired of the hip strip options, this delivers.

Montego Bay

White Witch

White Witch is the Ritz-Carlton's golf clubhouse restaurant in Montego Bay, perched above the greens with sweeping coastal views. The kitchen leans into Jamaican ingredients without overcomplicating them — jerk-spiced proteins, fresh catch, tropical sides — and the execution is cleaner than most resort dining rooms manage. The 4.3 food rating tracks with what you'd expect from a property at this tier: consistent, presentable, occasionally very good. The value subrating sits at 3.9, which is fair given the setting and the check. You're paying for the elevation and the tablecloths, not just the plate. Service runs at 4.2 — polished but not stuffy, which matters when you're trying to enjoy lunch in golf clothes. Atmosphere comes in at 4.3, mostly because the terrace works and the interior doesn't feel like a banquet hall. If you're staying at the Ritz or playing the course, it's convenient and reliable. If you're driving up from town for dinner, know that you're buying the view as much as the meal.

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.