Any opinions with Half Moon/Rose Hall Resort??

Personally I have stayed at the RIU in Negril and was really aiming towards staying in Montego Bay this time around. I was not a huge fan of the RIU chain in both Jamaica and in Cabo. Pricewise it is totally worth it but for me, it isnt what I am looking for in a hotel. I found that it was very commercialized for my liking. Maybe the one in Ocho Rios is different?! If I go with Jamaica, it will be either Rose Hall or Half Moon unless I find a different island!?!?

 

This is not easy!! I am sure all of you have gone through this!!

Couple of pictures for the Rose Hall Resort --- more to come in one month!!! -- I am so stressed these days looking at the tickler ----

 

Gazebo (I am not having a wedding on the beach but on this gazebo -- not with those decorations though - they are not my colors)

 

Reception (that's pretty much how I want it -- this reception site is called the sugar mills)

Thank you for the pics. Both the gazebo and Sugar Mills look really nice.

The photos look really nice!! Do you have any others? Is the area for the reception going to be away from the hotel sleeping rooms? Is there a cut off time that they stated you must end your functions by?

 

That gazebo looks beautiful. Did you notice any other areas maybe another grassy area overlooking the water in a private area to do the wedding?

 

I am anticipating about 50 guests and a few kids. I am looking for something reasonably priced with lots of fun activities for all especially ppl in their 20s and 30s. Did you check out Half Moon when you were there as well?

Hi! I am getting married at Half Moon this May, and eventhough I have never been, I have talked to people that have, and they say it's SPECTABULAR. I too was thinking about Cabo (it's truly my favorite place so far to vacation) but the flights are anoying and it's far from the east coast. I have alot of family from NY, and my FI family is from Philadelphia, and we needed something that was pretty convenient in direct flights as well, hence the choice for Jamaica.

 

My only two choices in Jamaica would've been Ritz Carlton and Half Moon, because of their premier status. To make a long story short, I ended up at Half Moon, instead of Ritz Carlton. I know of a girl who was making the same decision, and she ended up the Ritz, but she says Half Moon is WAY better. I am getting married at the Lily Pond Wedding Gazebo, and that has the garden with the water fountain and pond feel, that I think you are looking for...But they have several other locations.

 

If you want, you can send me a private email, so I can give you additional information, as it's been a LONG planning process with Half Moon, but for it's status, and the luxury, my travel agent (who is based with Liberty Travel in NY) got me an EXCELLLENT deal for my guests with the AI option for 4 days/3 nights. I have about 70+ people coming, at least 35 of them from the NY area, and I have had no complaints in terms of the price I got.

 

Caution to the wise with planning a destination wedding, especially in Jamaica..EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE, so never take the first price. Even with Half Moon!

 

BTW, Rose Hall is a nice resort, haven't been back since the renovations, but I do have some guests that are staying there because of their kids (the water park is AWESOME! brings out the kid in you!) and it's the closest resort to Half Moon other than the Ritz.

 

Good Luck!

danidst

I am going to Jamaica April 6-14 and have an appoinment to do a site tour and speak with Colleta Collins, the Romance supervisor at Half Moon.

 

Anything in particular that any of you would like me to ask or to take pictures of?

 

TA Jennifer

Danidst..I think your comments are so similar to what I would have said...very similar!!! I am anticipating the same amount. Although the Ritz's name seems appealing, I think that there are other properties that can do a great job as well other than that one specific hotel. I am definitely only focusing on either the Half moon or Rose Hall and am looking for the most value from any property and accommodating everyone!

 

Who is the agent you used in NY? I am looking to provide my guests with either an all inclusive or non all inc option....please email me when you have a chance

 

Thanks!!

From what I remember, the area of the reception is closer to the beach than the resort rooms. Here's a picture of part of the Sugar Mills area when it is not set up for a reception



The gazebo for the ceremony is close to the resort rooms. I know they have different ceremony areas but I did not ask to see the others since my mind was set on a gazebo from the start and I believe that's the only gazebo there -- but they have other settings ... on a golf course, by some water falls, and others I can't remember. Here's a picture with a different angle of the gazebo (the back where there is a small garden). However, if you look in the back, you see part of the building that has the guests rooms - hence, it is very close to the guest rooms.



They did not tell us a limit of the time to party but since we are paying by the hour, our reception is from 7 until midnight (we thought 5 hours to eat, drink and dance is enough) -- our ceremony is a 5 and we have a cocktail hour at 6. Then everyone goes to Sugar Mills for the reception. I did not visit Half moon since it was over my budget for a large wedding (150 guests). But if you have a smaller number of guest, Half moon may be great since my friends told me it was amazingly beautiful.

This is some great information! I am really looking into your advice and "expertise" is in Jamaica since the last time I was there was about 4-5 yrs ago but to Negril. I was also looking into St. Thomas and St. Marteen however I am afraid that the hotels arent going to be very exciting or nice at all. My wedding should be around 50-60 people the most I believe. Originally I was having my heart set on Cabo like I mentioned but the flights were just a pain in the butt!!!

 

I'm just worried that my guests wont be able to leave the resort in Jamaica. I liked the idea of giving them an opportunity if they wanted to leave the resort to shop around or do whatever they want during the day. We are having 2 nights of functions (welcome dinner and the wedding with a brunch to follow the next day).

 

If I am looking to do this in November, I need to step up on this!!! haha

 

How is the Rose Hall with their water slides, etc? Are there any nightly bars/clubs for the younger guests to hang out at?

 

Are the pools and beach nice from what you remember seeing?

I also like the fact that they aren't shutting you down at 10:30pm for your wedding. All of the hotels elsewhere give you a curfew for your wedding at 10:30 and then you have to take your function inside or to the bar or something...