Round Hill – My Absolute Favourite

Round Hill, with its lush, colourful gardens where every flower seems more vibrant than the last, became my absolute favourite. I can see why it’s attracted everyone from JFK and Grace Kelly to modern celebrities like Harry Styles – there’s something genuinely magical about this place that goes beyond its celebrity pedigree. The grounds are extraordinary – so colourful thanks to all the different varieties of flowers, and lawns so green that the white sand and turquoise blue sea create the most breathtaking contrast.

The 27 hillside villas, ranging from two to six bedrooms, are the real selling point here – private, luxurious and perfectly positioned. Even the smaller Ralph Lauren-designed Pineapple House oceanfront rooms were absolutely charming, with their deliberate TV-free philosophy (there’s just one TV room for business). Yes, they’re more intimate in size and you can see other balconies, but they encourage you to actually soak up this gorgeous setting.

And the three-bedroom Signature Villa we toured was absolutely gorgeous – all clean white lines with mahogany rattan furniture, large and spacious with beautifully landscaped gardens and those incredible indoor/outdoor showers that make you never want to leave.

What I loved most here though was how uncrowded everything felt. Because there are so many villas, the pool area never gets overly busy and there are plenty of loungers around both the pool and beach areas. The kids’ club looked brilliant too – from beach time and t-shirt painting to foosball tables and mini football goals outside. They even offer spa packages for kids with a hair salon, facials and manicures.

Speaking of spa-time, the spa itself is huge, situated at one end of the resort with immaculate lawns and its own private beach. It features a salon, fitness centre, open-air yoga pavilion and pool. Tennis and pickleball are massive here as well – they run tournaments, clinics and private lessons, with floodlit courts for night-time playing. Golf enthusiasts, meanwhile, can enjoy the 18-hole Tryall Golf Course just 10 minutes away with complimentary shuttles twice daily.

Half Moon – Scale and Heritage

What immediately struck me about Half Moon was that first glimpse of ocean through the lobby – it really took my breath away. The famous photos of royal family visits over the years add such prestige to the place, but it was discovering that Jackie Kennedy wrote her last will and testament here on a piece of Half Moon stationery back in 1960 that really brought the history to life for me.

This vast resort spreads across three distinct accommodation experiences – Founders Cove, Eclipse and the Villas – all set on two miles of private beach. Founders Cove features dark mahogany furniture with bright white, airy rooms and suites. I’d definitely recommend the Prestige Ocean Junior Suites upwards – they’re a lovely size with living areas, sea-facing patios or balconies and huge bathrooms. Eclipse has its own separate lobby area where guests access their own restaurants, bars, café, beach and pool, creating a more intimate feel within the larger resort.

The Villas (five to seven bedrooms) were being updated during our visit and were due to reopen from June onwards. From our sneak peek through the windows, they look beautiful and offer excellent variety in positioning. The ones set further back provide complete privacy and seclusion, while the oceanfront properties offer direct sea views – each has its own appeal depending on what guests prioritise.

Half Moon also boasts nine floodlit tennis courts and eight pickleball courts, plus bicycles dotted around the resort to help you explore the expansive grounds. And the 18-hole, par-72, bow-tie-shaped walking golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, deserves special mention – our morning lesson with the lovely British pro Kevyn was so much fun and we learnt so much in such a short time.

The spa here, with its overwater treatment bungalows, is a real oasis and I’d recommend arriving 45 minutes early to take full advantage of the tea lounge. There’s also a lagoon pool with loungers and a café serving revitalising shots and juices. And lunch at North Pointe overlooking the ocean was a real highlight, with great menu choices from shrimp and tacos to salad bowls and burgers.

Island Adventures

But Jamaica’s real magic happened during our array of island adventures. The bamboo rafting down Martha Brae with our entertaining captain was absolutely brilliant – he had stories galore and was incredibly knowledgeable about everything we passed, from farming fields to trees and plants. I even got to have a go at being captain! We stopped under shaded trees for a limestone leg and foot massage while he explained limestone’s benefits for brightening and exfoliating skin. The hour-long journey was so relaxing, though bear in mind this is very Jamaican – meaning rustic – but perfect for a fun-filled day with family or friends.

Mystic Mountain was amazing – there’s something for everyone here. While thrill-seekers can enjoy the bobsled ride inspired by Jamaica’s Olympic team, the Raggamuffin two-seater roller coaster ride (which I loved – flying down the mountain on the overhead track, legs dangling high above Ocho Rios, veering through 14 turns and swinging out over the hanging cliffs below), ziplines, a 30-foot climbing wall, and high rope mazes, those preferring a more relaxed pace can unwind by the infinity pool and water slide, taking in the spectacular mountain views.

Dunn’s River Falls was an insane experience that everyone visiting Jamaica absolutely must do. Pro tip: speak to the Concierge about non-cruise ship days because it gets super busy when ships are in port. There are exit points along the way if you don’t want to climb to the top, but once you’ve done the first bit, the rest is manageable.

Local Lifestyle

The most authentic moments here though were those that had us living like islanders. Our guide took us to Juici Patties for a delicacy that has Jamaicans queuing from early morning before work. They’re like pasties but much nicer, with options including mince, green curry chicken, shrimp, and cheese, served with juice boxes. We also stopped at Road Smash for peanut porridge – another Jamaican work-day specialty that was really tasty and much smoother than our porridge. They also serve Ackee and saltfish, fried dumplings and callaloo, all with rice and beans, for even more authentic breakfast options.

At Scotchies Too in Drax Hall, we experienced how residents dine at lunchtime. This authentic Jamaican jerk restaurant is very rustic in both setting and service, but serves the tastiest jerk pork and chicken with loads of veggie options and the largest festivals (sweet, fried dough shaped like long doughnuts, served with most dishes and absolutely delicious) to share. And the flavoured Red Stripe (the lemon is soooo refreshing!) and classic cocktails were perfect accompaniments.

We also stopped by a neighbourhood shopping centre in Mobay – supermarkets, clothes shops, the works – so all in all we got a real glimpse of everyday island life that most tourists never see.