Which of these would you recommend. We are going with our 3 year old daughter. Thanks for any input.

That is really a tough tough choice but I'd have to give the edge to Half Moon. Gorgeous old Grand Dame who has been host to the likes of Prince Charles and the Royal family, the Rolling Stones, and just about anyone else you can think of. While I love the Ritz (gorgeous), the Half Moon just has a little extra something. Good luck and trust me, you will not be disappointed with either!

Thanks. They both do look great and I guess that's the problem (although a great one to have) I was leaning toward the Ritz Carlton because you know what you will get. There has also been a lot written on this site about it lately. I would still like more info on Half Moon.

What I like about Half Moon is that it offers you lots of choice in terms of type of accomodation (you can have anything from a standard room to a five room villa with cook, butler and housekeeper at your disposal), the food (more than half a dozen restuarants on property)and you can go for all inclusive or a modified meal plan, the activities (everything from golf to tennis to a full service spa, a shopping arcade with some pretty good shops offering everything from clothing to souvenirs etc). To me, it is an excellent choice of hotel in the Montego Bay area - can't go wrong.

Trying to decide between these two, also, for Easter 2004 vacation. In your opinion, which would be "quieter" and less kids running around?

Also, which facility has a nicer beach, better snorkeling, etc.? Thanks.

Haven't stayed there, but when I was looking into the Ritz for my last vacation a couple of months ago, everything I read and was told was that the beach at the Ritz was not that great.

Stayed at the Ritz last March. There were tons of under 5 kids around (it was not during a school vacation, so fewer of the older kids). Ritz is very family-oriented, there will most likely be tons of kids during Easter week! And yes, the beach is not that great, it may even be a man-made beach as the property sits on a rocky ledge. The service was fabulous and the food was good, not great. It is a beautiful/ generic Caribbean property, most notable for the large amount of space it has. The rooms are nice, it is worth paying the extra for the exec. suite which has 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies and a separate living room. We saw a regular room and they seemed kind of small to us. I have been to about 10 nice resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean and the service was tops but the beach rated on the bottom of the list. They have a beach club they will shuttle you too which is a nicer beach, but I still was not that impressed with that one either.

I've been to both and like them both equally well for what they each offer.
Regarding "quieter" and less kids running around" however I think I'd go with 1/2 Moon if for no other reason than the property is MUCH larger and more spread out. Thus this would lessen your chances of being confined with kids. Have fun! (Beach is better there too.)

I'd choose Half Moon (take this with a grain of salt...I have visited both and stayed the night at neither). Half Moon has an older feel, in a good not run down way, and actually has at least 3 beaches. The one we spent time on most was nearly deserted. It is so spread out that kids are easily avoided. There are little bars and such tucked away in different places so you can escape crowds while still on the grounds.

The Ritz beach was kind of wavy the day we were there, most people seemed to be around the pool. Half Moon has at leat one beach that's very calm and clear and the other was a little wavier but perfectly swimmable...that was the nearly empty one.

I've never seen the Ritz, but I've been to Half Moon twice. We stayed in a villa across from Half Moon and had full access to it during our stays. I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is absolutely gorgeous and the service is impeccable. It is unique in that it doesn't have that hotel chain feel. I worked for a travel agency for about 6 years and traveled to the Caribbean frequently. It was my favorite place in the Caribbean second only to the El Con Quistador in Puerto Rico.

Thanks for everyone's input. I have also stayed at the El Conquistador in PR and am looking for a similar experience in Jamaica.
Is there snorkeling, water sports, etc. off the beach in Half Moon, or do you have to travel to another beach?

Debbie,

Half Moon without a doubt. While the Ritz is beautiful, it's still a "chain" hotel, and you can get the same feeling at any Ritz in the world. Half Moon is unique and has the British Colonial / Jamaican feel. I've stayed there and it remains one of the nicest places I've been to (except for the fact that there's no outlet for a plug for the blow dryer next to the mirror in the bathroom.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Sandals Specialist

haven't stayed overnight at half moon in 10 years but visited a number of times and stayed at ritz twice over last three years. remarks about alot of kids at ritz is correct, the half moon appeared a bit run down in the normal rooms - i stayed in a master suite with a private beach at half moon -highly reccomended...if go to ritz make sure to take the meal plans as u can't go offgrounds -service, food excellent, can't beat ritz kids. either way go to the wyndham hotel for the water park if you have kids

I have stayed at HM twice. The grounds are lovely, average beaches, nice gym, but I found on my last visit that the service was inconsistent. It jsut seemed like no one really cared what was going on. It was quite different from my first experince.

I have not stayed at the Ritz so cannot speak to that hotel.