HALF MOON

Half Moon and I share a history that stretches back to my earliest days—not simply because Half Moon is just two years older than me, but because, in 1970s Salzburg, Half Moon became Europe’s top nightclub—and my personal dance floor. It quickly earned a reputation spoken of in hushed, admiring tones—a place where entry was a privilege, a place blessed to be. And the same allure surrounded the mysterious Half Moon in Jamaica. “It’s even managed by an Austrian!” they would say. Even from afar, I could feel its magic.

During bitter European winters, the warm seas and endless sunshine of Jamaica called to us—a perfect escape. When the French Riviera closed for the season, the elite naturally sought warmer shores. Resorts like St. Moritz, Vail or Aspen entertained the skiing enthusiasts for a while, but soon, the latest bikinis demanded unveiling on sun-drenched beaches. So, the European society set—“soi disant” (© Noël Coward)—was drawn to this latest paradise, flocking to the Caribbean as eagerly as my American friends.

The joke went that Half Moon marked the “third wave” of beach resorts: “The first generation escaped New York for Palm Beach; their children moved on to Nassau; and in the 1950s, they found Jamaica to escape their parents!”

Of course, Half Moon wasn’t built on a mere anecdote. With nearly 1,000 employees, it’s a serious player in the community. People live with and by Half Moon—supporting charities, children’s homes, schools. The staff enjoy a top-notch kitchen and recreation area. The brand-new food storage facilities meet international standards. I look forward to visiting the Field to Fork programme.

In the 1950s, visionary investors bought land here and began building charming bungalows along the dazzling coast—thus, the Half Moon legend was born. Ownership here wasn’t merely real estate; it opened doors to an exceptional social circle. Many a tennis star has rallied here, many  a golfer has claimed their Jamaican Open prize on these grounds. Important people have spent considerable time here.

Today, I return to Half Moon. I arrive at Eclipse, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and newly renovated Hibiscus rooms and suites. The landscape is renewed—fitness centre, lawn sports, and pickle-ball courts, Anancy’s kids’ paradise—all tended with Salamander Resorts’ careful touch. And here, oh dear! A crocodile.

Fitzgerald, the towering, warm-hearted bellhop at Eclipse, greets me with his trademark cheer. Janice Rankin paints outside the Lester Gallery. Chef Klaus oversees the kitchens, balancing the culinary armada of the resort. Christopher Golding’s Sugar Mill kitchen team sources ingredients. Sasha-Gay patrols the beach, tracking turtles.

Shernette Crichton began her journey as a management trainee in 1990, and today she zips to reception in her golf cart to greet guests as Half Moon’s first female general manager! Then there were the old stars—cherished names, some now long gone. Solomon Gardner, who started in 1964 as a trainee bartender, rose to maître at the Sugar Mill. Wordsworth Watson, born in 1935, climbed from bus-boy to estate manager. He became the longest serving employee (over 60 years). Leading the list of General Managers is Heinz Simonitsch, who ran the hotel for 39 years. And perhaps a new career is just beginning—a watchman on Sunrise Beach dreams of becoming a chef.

In this book, we tell the story of Half Moon through essays and images—a vibrant overview rather than a complete encyclopaedia. We had to choose some 400 from over 6,500 photographs, each a valuable historical document. I hope that’s all right.

Occasionally, I join Chairman Guy Steuart III, who inspects the grounds with a steady eye, picking up stray plastic with an unwavering stride. He’s drawn to the new Rose Hall Villas. Along the path, Hines carves wooden turtles by his hut. “How many have you crafted over the years?” I wonder. He smiles. At the early-morning coffee station, I meet Doug McCloy, an eye surgeon. He started Mission of Sight at Half Moon’s Professional Village in 2016. Today, MoS performs over 1,000 cataract and other eye surgeries annually, treating more than 5,000 Jamaicans across the island from Half Moon / Rose Hall Village. Did you know that? I didn’t. Truly important things often shine through modesty.

Fern Tree, the spa, calls each morning with yoga. At seven o’clock! Chairman Guy is there, punctual. Always after (!) his morning walk.

My wife Carola awaits our “morning meeting”. Breakfast is served at Hayward’s, across from the new Great House—aptly named Eclipse. This holds symbolic meaning: a time of renewal, a vision turned forward. An eclipse marks transition, a moment when one phase slips into the next. Perhaps Half Moon is best symbolised by the Eclipse—constantly evolving, like the Caribbean tides, ever shifting, ever returning, always in motion.

Follow me back to a time when sailing ships graced the bay of Montego, sailors loaded bananas and sugar cane with sturdy strides, and stocked barrels of rum. Take a moment to admire the exquisite aquatints on the following pages before we journey into the modern era, where tourism becomes the island’s driving force.

Andreas Augustin

For decades, we have followed the development of Half Moon. For ten years, we have been researching its history.

Special thanks go to Guy Steuart III, Chairman of Half Moon, who supported our work extensively with his personal research.
We are indebted to Guy Steuart II and Margaret “Peggy” Steuart, Cornelius Reid, William H. Pearce,
Nina Pearce, Richard Whitfield and Peter Wise.
General Manager Shernette Crichton
We are most grateful for the memories of Heinz and Elisabeth Simonitsch, and thankful for all assistance and advise to Peter Komposch, Erma Clarke, Wordsworth Watson, Giorgio Rusconi, Elvis Malahoo, Kevyn Cunningham, Spencer Edwards and Troy Gichie.
Personal thanks to Laura Tanna, Tony and Sheila Hart, Robin and Trina deLisser, Chris Blackwell and Mark Kerr-Jarrett.
We are indebted to (in alphabetical order): Alford Anglen, Shirley and Annabelle Arber, Everette Baker, Attila Becsy, Sherine Blake, Joan Coore, Fitzroy Kirlew Dobson, Andrew Douse, Myrtle Dwyer, Claudio Facchinetti, Josef Forstmayr, Klaus Frauenschläger, the late Solomon Gardner, Christopher Golding, Stella Gray, Jonathan Greenland, Hans Heusinkveld, Brian Langford, Paula Lilly, Sasha-Gay Lindsay, William C. Marlatt, Navardo Mighten, Guyan Morris, Tamika Williams and Ras Natango, George Palmer, Georgia Rookwood, Ian Smith, Tanya Vassell and all the others who so enthusiastically contributed to this book.
Special thanks to Half Moon’s Brand and Communications Director Laura Redpath for her support.
We are also much obliged to Sandro Fabris, who initiated the history research during his term as general manager of Half Moon.

Most important: We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful staff at Half Moon, whom we could not all mention here but who continuously made our time at Half Moon so special.

Photography: Roy Graham (Ventura), Cindy Steuart, Holger Leue, Casey Cronin, Roberto Bonardi, Joplin Sinclair, Archives of Half Moon

Historic photos: Steuart Family Archives, William Pearce, Cornelius Reid, Jamaica National Heritage Trust, The National Library of Jamaica, Heinz Simonitsch Collection, Famous Hotels Archives

Half Moon History Database: Carola Augustin