Half Moon – the luxury resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica has opened its US$4 million Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon. The project has seen the conversion of the resort’s signature villa Fern Tree House into a 68,000 square foot indoor/outdoor sanctuary for the mind and body.

In addition Half Moon also unveiled six beachfront spa suites, the very first of their kind in the Caribbean. Each of the state of the art suites provide for in-room treatments, yoga or exercise further extending Fern Tree’s wellness experience into guest accommodation.

Drawing from the local lush landscape and using centuries-old healing traditions as inspiration, Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon melds modern spa techniques with Jamaica’s ancient healing remedies of native herbs, fruits and botanicals. The Fern Tree Spa complex also houses a relaxation lounge, yoga pavilion, meditation labyrinth, hydrotherapy swimming pool and sculpture garden. In addition to the nine treatment suites within the spa complex there are two over the water treatment areas,

“We have spared no expense in creating the finest spa in the Caribbean,” said Richard Whitfield, Half Moon’s managing director. “Throughout Half Moon’s long history stretching back over 50 years, our guests have come to expect nothing but the best. Fern Tree’s world-class treatments and design, paired with Half Moon’s signature hospitality and service will be no exception.”

Unique to Fern Tree is a personal consultation with the Spa Elder who is versed in the art of using Jamaica’s natural therapeutic remedies, and who will guide clients on a path to wellness with bespoke programmes and regimes which can include treatments, exercise and diet. Stella Gray, the Spa Elder has been creating these treatments for over 35 years. She also has the option to create personalised preparations from the natural herbs and botanicals grown in the on-site garden that she personally tends.

Also unique to Fern Tree is the Jamaican Bush Bath, which can be enjoyed in large, hand carved outdoor bathtub. Based on a Jamaican tradition, the bush bath aids in cleansing and revitalisation while relaxing the mind and spirit. Freshly picked herbs, roots, leaves and fruit are steeped in hot water and added to a soothing bath. The guest then lies back and soaks in the goodness.

Other signature treatments include the Jamaican Green Coffee Envelopment, the Cerasee Body Scrub and the Jamaican Allspice Sugar Scrub. Options specially created for pregnant women, men, teenagers and children are also available.

The treatment rooms are set amidst lush gardens allowing guests the option of having their room enclosed or open to their own private garden terrace. Couples can reserve the plantation-style couples massage room, bedecked with wooden millwork, pitched ceilings and private patio with dipping pool. Families, wedding parties and groups will enjoy the spa cottage, offering a separate living room and spa treatment room, outdoor relaxation area and waterfall feature dipping pool.

The six new signature beachfront spa suites are adjacent to the spa. The suites provide all the comforts found in a traditional hotel suite along with added features and services of a personal spa. Each spa suite features an expansive bedroom with sitting area, an oversized bathroom, a personal studio that can be used for private in suite treatments, personal fitness or yoga and a private patio overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Special features include a chromatherapy bubblejet bath, an organic spa refreshment bar and spa bath bar.

The Fern Tree Spa is the third in a series of major refurbishing projects to be undertaken by Half Moon in recent years. Other upgrades included the rebuilding of the beachfront Hibiscus Suites; the renovation of the 41-year old Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed golf course; refurbishing the Oleander deluxe suites; the addition of a new children’s play area; and upgrading two of the resort’s speciality restaurants.

For more details visit www.halfmoon.com