It's been a busy time at Half Moon in Jamaica. We've know for a long time that the Half Moon is one of the best Jamaican destinations, but when Conde Nast Traveler magazine rates the new Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon one of the world's 76 hot new spas, we've got to take another look. So should you.
The Official Press Release:
Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List Honours Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon - Half Moon’s Spa Named Among Best Destinations Worldwide
Rose Hall, Jamaica (April 2008) Half Moon’s newly opened Fern Tree spa is one of the world’s 76 hot new spas say the editors of Conde Nast Traveler, the authoritative American travel magazine.
Conde Nast Traveler recognized Fern Tree’s intimate atmosphere, the Spa Elder’s extensive knowledge of indigenous remedies, unique Jamaican treatments, and the spa’s spacious layout that includes a labyrinth, yoga studio, pools and sculpture garden.
"We are delighted to be recognized among the finest destinations in the world," said Half Moon’s Managing Director, Richard Whitfield. "We have spared no expense in 
creating a holistic sanctuary, entirely unique in its approach to fitness and wellness."
Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List recognizes restaurants, spas, night spots, hotels and resorts worldwide that have been opened since January 2007 and represents the finest in hospitality as judged by Conde Nast Traveler reporters from anonymous visits.
Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon has received much acclaim since opening in October 2007 with its 68,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space that includes water features, gardens, treatment rooms with private outdoor patios, spa café, meditation labyrinth and yoga pavilion. Having as its foundation ancient Jamaican remedies handed down from generation-to-generation, Fern Tree features a Spa Elder, a guide to creating bespoke treatments and therapies that utilize fresh indigenous ingredients picked from the spa’s herb garden. Additionally, six adjacent beachfront spa suites, the first of their kind in the
Caribbean, offer chorma-therapy baths, the exclusive Half Moon Memories bed as well as a spa-studio for decadent in-room treatments.
For further information visit Half Moon on StarCite or visit the Jamaica photo album right here on the StarCite Destination Solutions BLOG: http://starcite.typepad.com/photos/jamaica_destination_partn/index.html
Also catch a glimpse of Half Moon via YouTube.com.
See Half Moon on StarCite.
Half Moon Introduces Video Conferencing System
Rose Hall, Jamaica (April 2008) — Meeting and event organizers planning an event in Jamaica can now connect participants from around the world thanks to Half Moon’s new state of the art video conferencing system (VCS) with worldwide capabilities.
The new VCS is remotely controlled and includes a camera that can pan, tilt, zoom and be pre-set to over 100 different positions. Displayed on a 50" high-definition plasma monitor, the VCS can show video clips, audio clips and data image with a high-powered audio system. A tabletop conference phone allows video calls to be dialed directly. The conference phone has a built-in microphone that lets users speak naturally up to 20 feet away and still be heard clearly.
The VCS has an IP based system which is available 24 hours a day for optimal convenience. Its multi-point feature allows the user to videoconference with three different sites at the same time. The VCS has a high tech audio system featuring satellite speakers and a powered subwoofer. The Polycom StereoSurround has audio capabilities that offer voice clarity during simultaneous conversations.
The new VCS was introduced in Half Moon’s newly refurbished board room. The room features large conference table, plush executive chairs and seats 14. In addition to the board room, the adjacent meeting rooms, Montego, St. James and Rose Hall meeting suites, were also refurbished. The suite of rooms totaling 3,675 square feet features retractable air walls allowing the option of one large meeting room that seats 295 theatre-style or three smaller breakout rooms for more intimate gatherings.
In addition to the Montego, St. James and Rose Hall meeting rooms, Half Moon also offers a 12,000 square foot ballroom, a 4,600 square foot conference centre with stage, sound and lighting capabilities and other indoor function and meeting space for a total of 27,000 square feet indoor space. The resort also offers an array of outdoor event locations.
Half Moon offers plenty of incentives once the meetings are over. From golf and tennis courts, to an exclusive Dolphin Lagoon and the brand new Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon the resort offers something for everyone. The new spa completed in October 2007, features 68,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space. In addition Half Moon is the only resort in Jamaica with a full equestrian centre. For those looking for a break from meetings but still want to stay connected, the resort’s 51 pools offer Wi-Fi.
About Half Moon
Half Moon is a luxury resort situated on twin crescent-shaped white sand beach, with 398 rooms including suites, cottages and villas. In addition to luxurious accommodations, Half Moon also features a recently renovated Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed 18-hole golf course, the Half Moon Golf Academy, 13 lit tennis courts, equestrian center, fitness center, superb cuisine, 51 swimming pools, recently constructed Anancy Children’s Village, water sports, Dolphin Lagoon, 24-hour medical center and more. Recently opened Fern Tree, The Spa at Half Moon features beachfront spa suites, water sculptures, hydrotherapy swimming pools, yoga pavilions, and therapeutic/healing spa treatments. Half Moon has over 27,000 sq. ft. of meeting space which includes a ballroom and 15 break out rooms. Half Moon has a dedicated meeting team to ensure personalized service for groups of all sizes and coordinate special packages, such as "Meetings on the Green."
Catch a glimpse of Half Moon via YouTube.com.
With beaches, pools (51), golf, spa, great food, meeting facilities, video conferencing, WIFI, even kids activities...Half Moon has it all and more.
See Half Moon on StarCite.
I'll sign off as usual, but wirth a twist:
Keep traveling, as long as you swing by Half Moon, Rose Hall, Jamaica this season!
Chip Stockman
StarCite Destination Solutions Team
July 2008 – After tallying responses from readers in its 13th annual poll, Travel +Leisure has named Half Moon to the magazine’s 2008 World’s Best List. Amassing a score of 82.86%, Half Moon ranks among the best resorts in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas.
