Eclipse: The Newest Half Moon Property in Jamaica

In a recent meeting, Guy Steuart III philosophized about his latest project. “We’re in the memory-making business,” he stated. “Hotels can feel like suspended reality, but significant and enduring things happen there. That’s what we do at Half Moon.”

A New Era for Half Moon

The chairman of the iconic resort development, located just outside Montego Bay, sat down with iBestTravel to discuss the upcoming opening of Eclipse: a 57-room luxury property that officially welcomes guests starting March 1. This contemporary addition to Half Moon signifies, in many ways, the next era for this Jamaican landmark—but, Steuart emphasizes, Eclipse remains true to its roots.

Generational Heritage

“My family has owned Half Moon since its inception in 1954,” said Steuart. “I represent the third generation. When a resort has been operating for this long, with such a respected reputation, things evolve.” Steuart hopes Eclipse will offer a new experience that complements Half Moon’s existing properties: Founders Cove, the original old-school Caribbean accommodations built in the 1950s, and Rose Hall Villas, bungalows popular with families and large groups. Moreover, he stated, “We have many stories, so part of our initiative is to extract that from our history.”

Innovative Infrastructure

Eclipse has been in development for years, with substantial changes implemented behind the scenes. “We opened a new back-of-house facility in October 2017,” Steuart mentioned. The state-of-the-art facilities are vital for creating an efficient work environment for the staff who keep Half Moon operating smoothly. “We have over 900 employees, almost all Jamaican. We owe it to them and want to provide resources for the best and brightest in the industry.”

Design and Community Involvement

In collaboration with the hotel group Salamander Hotels & Resorts and architecture and design firm Hart Howerton, Steuart envisioned how the future of Half Moon should manifest. They demolished 26 buildings and redeveloped 20 acres. “Ultimately, we aimed to reimagine hospitality for the next 60 years,” he explained, “and to remain relevant for the next generation of travelers. To create something new, you can’t simply improve upon what was there before; you must start fresh.”

A Connection to Nature

A primary focus of Eclipse is to provide guests with a sense of space and a connection to the breathtaking Jamaican landscape, accomplished through thoughtful design. “We designed Eclipse to embrace the natural environment,” Steuart explained. “It’s not a dense development. Everything is linear and low-slung, allowing a true representation of the landscape.”

All 57 rooms and suites feature a modern aesthetic, with soothing sand-and-sea tones and clean, understated furniture. “We didn’t want to clutter our space with excessive luxury,” Steuart stated. Instead, the team prioritized the resort’s island heritage and the intrinsic beauty of its setting. Additionally, “All our doors and windows are crafted locally in Kingston,” he added, noting the importance of supporting the community.

Engaging Local Culture

This emphasis on place resonates with today’s travelers, who tend to favor experiences perceived as authentic rather than traditional luxury. Steuart believes it’s critical to celebrate the surrounding community. “Jamaica has a rich history of artistry, music, and cuisine,” he emphasized, “and ignoring it would be unwise.” Instead of adopting an all-inclusive model, the resort encourages visitors to explore the local area and welcomes residents to participate in its offerings.

Guest accommodations are divided into three distinct areas. The centerpiece is the Great House, which contains the lobby and functions as the social hub of the broader Half Moon property. It opens onto a stunning saltwater infinity pool at the ocean’s edge, where guests can enjoy live performances of Jamaican reggae, calypso, and jazz. The Great House also features nine rooms, the highlight being the 2,500-square-foot Ocean Suite, showcasing original art by local artist Jeffrey Samuels.

Local artistry is featured prominently in the 32 Ocean Rooms, housed in a collection of cottages located west of the Great House. “We sponsored a competition at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston under the theme ‘vibrant Jamaica,’” Steuart explained. “We selected eight outstanding pieces to inspire the room designs.” Furthermore, there are four Estate Homes on the eastern side of the Eclipse property, each containing four rooms with indoor-outdoor showers and wraparound porches offering views of the sea.

New Dining Experiences

The opening of Eclipse also introduces a variety of new dining options and amenities that are available to guests at adjacent properties. Delmare, an inviting Italian seafood restaurant, features a breathtaking art installation inspired by scallops and mollusks, crafted by local artist David Pinto. Mirrors embellish the walls, ensuring that “no matter where you sit, the sea is always in view.” Additionally, the rum bar, Lester’s, named after artist Michael Lester, showcases a vibrant 16-foot-long mural titled Junkanoo. The bar features over 100 rums sourced from Jamaica, the Caribbean, and Central America. New offerings also include a pool bar, casual beach restaurant, and grab-and-go café. Guests may also enjoy Fern Tree, an exquisite wellness oasis featuring overwater treatment rooms.

Historical Significance

Hayward’s, the all-day restaurant, pays tribute to a significant chapter in Half Moon’s 66-year history. Steuart is particularly fond of the active grill at its center, where chefs prepare jerk chicken and the catch of the day right before diners’ eyes. Even more meaningful is the restaurant’s namesake, Lance Hayward, a blind Bermudian jazz pianist who was once part of the Half Moon house band. His first album was the inaugural recording from the renowned label Island Records. “Chris Blackwell, who founded Island Records, was our water sports instructor in the late 50s,” Steuart recounted. “He discovered Lance through his cousin, who was the daughter of our original resort developer. One evening, after enjoying too many rums, Chris decided to record them. He ventured into the studio with enough funds, and his life changed forever.” The title of that first album? “Lance Hayward at the Half Moon Hotel.”

Sustainable Development Initiatives

Perhaps the most significant advancements at Eclipse are those that remain unnoticed. “Today, people are increasingly aware of their impact on the destinations they visit,” noted Steuart. “Therefore, we must act as responsible stewards.” With the new resort comes numerous initiatives aimed at restoring and nurturing the land, including a comprehensive beach rehabilitation project. The beach stretching along Eclipse had been damaged due to a development project that introduced a dolphin enclosure in the early 2000s. A surrounding wall obstructed natural ocean currents, leading to the area’s deterioration. “It became rocky and overgrown,” Steuart explained, “so we dismantled the wall, facilitated the natural currents, and imported 10,000 cubic yards of sand from Bimini.” With the beach now stabilized, natural sand began to emerge promptly. Steuart remarked, “The beach’s return was inevitable.”

The Eclipse property is enriched with native flora and fauna, including over 70 salvaged trees replanted during construction. “We cultivate our own spices, herbs, and fruits,” Steuart described. “Before construction, we marked trees we wanted to preserve, including fig trees, fish poison trees, sea grapes, and palms. Our goal wasn’t to impose upon the environment, but to integrate into it.” The first sight for visitors as they arrive at the Great House is a magnificent guango tree, which has become a symbol of Half Moon. Known as a ‘rain tree,’ its leaves curl into cups at night and during rainfall, collecting water before it drips back to the roots as the sun rises again.

“There’s a saying in Jamaica,” Steuart shared. “The grass grows greenest under the guango tree.”