Plans are underway for Half Moon, the luxury resort located in the exclusive Rose Hall enclave in Jamaica, to debut an expansive new spa facility and spa suites in early 2007.
The US$4 million dollar project, set to begin this summer, will see the conversion of the resort’s signature villa, Fern Tree House, into a 68,000 square foot sanctuary for the mind and body.

Drawing on Jamaica’s lush landscape and centuries-old healing traditions as inspiration, the Fern Tree Spa will meld modern spa techniques with Jamaica’s ancient healing remedies of native herbs, fruits and botanicals.

Having at its foundation a philosophy of wellness, Fern Tree Spa will introduce clients to a Spa Elder versed in the art of holistic healing, to guide clients through the four phases of wellness: addressing the individual, the body, the mind and the spirit. Incorporating the natural herbs and botanicals found in Jamaica as a base, the Spa Elder will create a treatment menu that reflects both traditional remedies and present day spa techniques. Clients can also benefit from the Spa Elder’s expertise with private consultations to develop personalized treatments or a regimen of treatments and programmes that follow a path to wellness.

Borrowing from Fern Tree House’s original colonial design of hardwood floors, grand entryways and opulent furnishings, treatment rooms will be 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-styled 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 separate living room and spa treatment room affording the group quality bonding time and private tranquillity. The Fern Tree Spa complex will also house a relaxation lounge, yoga pavilion, hydrotherapy swimming pool, sculpture garden and several water features.

This extensive development will also include the creation of six signature beachfront spa suites adjacent to the spa. The suites will provide all the comforts found in a traditional hotel suite along with added features and services of a personal spa. Each spa suite will feature an expansive bedroom with sitting area, an oversized bathroom, private patio overlooking the Caribbean Sea with outdoor soaking tub and shower and a personal studio that can be used for private en-suite treatments, personal fitness or yoga. Special features of the spa suite will include special an organic spa refreshment bar and spa bath bar.

“The creation of this new world class spa has spent many years in development; creating the concept, doing research on what spa-goers want for their spa experience. I am confident that when finished the Fern Tree Spa will be one of Jamaica’s best spas,” said Richard Whitfield, Half Moon’s managing director.

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