The Perfect Getaway
A short drive from the airport but a long way from the hustle and bustle, Half Moon, A Rock Resort is an easy getaway for friends, family or romance—if you can tear yourself away from the resort’s fabulous Fern Tree Spa.
The 68,000-square-foot spa follows the open layout of a former plantation house, with a lush landscape, ringed by fruit trees. Relax by the spa’s “Fern Tree Falls,” a mini waterfall for toe dipping, sip a smoothie in the outdoor courtyards, or simply lounge around a reflecting pool surrounded by the red and pink ginger, baby moses and bamboo, and listen to the birds. (Book an early morning yoga class followed by a massage in one of the most soothing spa venues anywhere: the open-air bungalows at the edge of a wooden pier jutting into the lapping water.)
The Half Moon Pedicure features a brown sugar and allspice exfoliation, with a honey and organic coconut moisturizing foot mask (all handmade, with ingredients organically grown on-property). The supremely relaxing Bush Bath is a detoxing outdoor herbal soak seasoned with hand-picked lemongrass, rosemary, hibiscus and cerasee, a “traditional Jamaican healing remedy,” according to spa director Tanya Vassell.
There is tennis, golf, a labyrinth for meditation and a dolphin cove, where you can wade into the water with the beautiful animals, or book a ride at the Equestrian Center and swim into the sea on the back of a horse. (The horses are calm and well cared for, perhaps because they get regular treatments from a local reiki master!) A Jamaican beach barbecue is one of five delicious dining experiences on-property—and do not miss a meal at Sugar Mill.
Or you may be just as happy to do nothing but lounge on the beach with a shot of Blackwell’s rum. halfmoon.rockresorts.com