Crown jewel: it's where Prince Charles stays when he comes to Jamaica—but you don't have to be royalty to get the royal treatment at the Half Moon Bay Resort - Executive Travel

South Florida CEO, April, 2003 by Johanna Marmon

If the mood struck you just so, you could devote an entire vacation at the Half Moon Bay Golf, Tennis & Beach Club--nestled prettily among the palm trees in Montego Bay, Jamaica--to taking a dip in each of the 400-acre resort's 52 swimming pools. Or you could make it your mission to play a match on all 13 tennis courts--with a round on the resort's 72-par Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed golf course thrown in for good measure.

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Whatever your agenda, make sure you leave time to sip an expertly-mixed rum punch at any of Half Moon's bars, of which there are more than a half-dozen, along with five restaurants. The point is that, while the resort--named for the crescent-shaped bay on which it sits--goes to great pains to make sure you're never bored, you can laze away the days doing a whole lot of nothing, too.

We recently spent a glorious long week-end at the resort cheerfully finding the balance between lounging on the white-sand beach and taking part in the resort's varied activities, from horeseback riding to squash. Eating, of course, is generally not considered an activity, but you could spend the bulk of your time doing that as well. We were at the resort for barely 15 minutes before being seated at the ocean-front Seagrape Terrace, drinking orange pina coladas and eating lobster salad flecked with diced Jamaican scotch bonnet peppers. After that tasty mid-afternoon snack, it was off to our Royal Suite--also oceanfront, like most of the resort's 419 rooms, suites and villas.

We were pleasantly surprised to find something closer to a villa than a suite when we entered our brilliant white free-standing building. We thought we'd been mistakenly put in a villa until our smiling bellhop assured us we had not. (We can only imagine what those must be like.) Our handsomely appointed bedroom, complete with king-sized bed, opened onto a large tiled waterfront terrace, where we spent tranquil mornings enjoying breakfast delivered by room service. Do, however, get breakfast at the resort's fabulous buffet at least once or twice if you can; regional specialties like ackee (a native fruit) and a well-stocked egg station make it more than worthwhile.

If it's serious action you crave, the resort will arrange a Jeep tour of the island's interior via Chukka Blue Adventure Tours. The four-hour tour in an open Land Rover allows guests to experience the "real" Jamaica, something the average tourist doesn't always get to do. Seasoned drivers venture deep into the island's rugged interior, taking guests to see crumbling ruins of 18th century sugar plantations, historic churches and sprawling tangerine groves. The tour was a highlight of the weekend--but we were equally happy to return to the secluded bliss of Half Moon.

The resort was first opened in 1954 by a group of investors who sprinkled 17 guest cottages around the glittering bay. It's been co-owned since 1963 by hotelier Heinz Simonitsch. In 1979, he acquired the neighboring Colony Hotel, turning it into villas. Today, Half Moon attracts guests such as Eddie Murphy and Whitney Houston; Prince Charles stays there when visiting the former Crown colony.

We're not surprised royalty deems Half Moon Bay appropriate for vacationing--the attentive staff makes sure you're comfortable around the clock.

The hotel has a series of comprehensive all-inclusive plans that incorporate meals and activities based on the kind of vacation you want. You can choose from the Spa Plan (which includes treatments), Platinum Plan (which covers food, drinks, room service, and activities), Imperial Plan (which basically covers everything), and from one of two Golf Plans. A couple doesn't have to share the same plan; she can opt for the Spa Plan, while he can get the Golf Plan. Whatever option you choose--and you can choose none, if you wish--Half Moon will leave you pampered, refreshed and energized. And it's only a 45-minute flight from South Florida.

Half Moon Bay Golf, Tennis & Beach Club. Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Information: 800-626-0592.

www.halfmoon-resort.com.