Caribbean Corner

CARIBBEAN CORNER

FERN TREE, THE SPA AT HALF MOON, JAMAICA’S PREMIERE SPA, OPENS WITH CEREMONIAL RIBBON CUTTING

In addition to the Spa, Six Signature Spa Suites make their Debut at Half Moon, the Caribbean’s Most Complete Resort.

Newly sworn-in Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Honorable Bruce Golding recently cut the ribbon to signal the opening of the new Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon.

The October 6 event marked the conclusion of a 15-month project that saw the conversion of the resort’s signature villa Fern Tree House into a 68,000-sq. ft. indoor/outdoor sanctuary for the mind and body.

In addition to the new spa, Half Moon also unveiled six beachfront spa suites, the very first of its kind in the Caribbean. Each of the state of the art suites has added features that provide for in-room treatments, yoga, etc. further extending Fern Tree’s wellness experience into guests’ accommodations.

Drawing from the local lush landscape and 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, hydrotherapy swimming pool, sculpture garden and several water features.

“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 50-plus year history, 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.”

Fern Tree will introduce guests to a Spa Elder, a guide versed in the art of using Jamaica’s natural therapeutic remedies, to guide, create and counsel clients on a path to wellness with bespoke programs and regimes. With more than 35 years of experience, Stella Gray, the Chief Spa Elder, has been creating these treatments for decades. The elder individually meets with guests to develop treatments for their specific needs. The majority of her therapies come from the natural herbs and botanicals grown in the on-site garden that she personally tends.

The spa’s menu includes signature spa treatments, such as the Jamaican Bush Bath and the Jamaican Green Coffee Envelopment, as well as personalized therapies made by the Spa Elder. In addition, options specially created for men, teenagers and kids are also available.

Borrowing from Fern Tree House’s original colonial design of hardwood floors, grand entryways and opulent furnishings, 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 rooms affording the group quality bonding time and private tranquility.

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 en-suite treatments, personal fitness or yoga and a private patio overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Special features of the spa suite include an organic spa refreshment bar and spa bath bar.

GOLF ENTHUSIASTS TEE OFF TO VICTORY IN JAMAICA

The second Jamaica Invitational Pro-Am 'Anne's Revenge concluded recently with US team Port Jefferson taking the honors with a total of 233 points. At the gala awards ceremony Donnie Dawson, deputy director of Marketing - Sales, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), hands the award to Port Jefferson team members (second left to second right) Jeff Lollo, Donald Moran, Kenneth Light and James McCann, while product manager of associate sponsor TaylorMade Golf Clubs, Will Miele (right) looks on. Anne's Revenge is a luxury lifestyle event highlighting the high-end facilities that Jamaica offers to discerning visitors such as golf courses; hotels; cuisine and amenities. A total of 55 teams from the US participated in the event with each team comprising one professional golfer and three amateurs. The golfers played on the White Witch and Half Moon golf courses. Host hotels were the Half Moon and Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort.

RIO MAR BEACH RESORT CASINO REOPENS AFTER $5 MILLION EXPANSION

Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort, has reopened its 7,000-sq. ft. casino after a $5 million expansion and remodeling project.

The work included addition of 180 slot machines, 12 gaming tables, a bar with five 50-inch plasma television screens and new carpeting, chairs and tables. The new slot machines offer ticket-in, ticket-out technology, unique in Puerto Rico.

The casino offers Blackjack, Roulette, Three-Card Poker, Caribbean Stud and Texas Hold’Em Poker.

Mark Stevenson, Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa managing director, said the resort’s casino is “the most technologically advanced in Puerto Rico.” Members of the Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa and its sister property, the Sheraton Old San Juan Casino, can use home membership privileges in either property. “Casino openings are extremely challenging technically, but tremendously rewarding once successfully accomplished,” Stevenson said. “This casino will enhance our overall guest experience by extending the resort’s entertainment offerings.”

The Rio Mar Casino also now offers its sister property’s Club Bahia card brand, which promotes repeat play and allows players to accrue points that can be redeemed throughout the resort including the spa, restaurants and accommodations.

Tishman Hotel Corporation of New York designed and installed the casino interiors. The overall gaming concept for the casino was created and implemented by the Talisman Group of Las Vegas.

Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa has elected to retain the services of George Jacobs, former casino director for the Ponce Hilton in Puerto Rico, to lead the casino team.

“I am excited at the opportunity to lead a great team in the newest casino in Puerto Rico,” Jacobs stated. “With our commitment to provide a great entertainment experience to our guests, I am confident that we will bring a new level of excellence in the gaming experience to Puerto Rico and the resort.”

Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Resort is situated on 500 acres along a mile-long stretch of tropical beach adjacent to El Yunque National Rain Forest and the Mameyes River. In addition to the casino, it features 48,000 sq. ft. of function space, including the Caribbean’s largest ballroom; two world-class, 18-hole golf courses designed by Tom and George Fazio and Greg Norman; a 7,000-sq. ft. spa and fitness center; 11 restaurants, lounges and entertainment venues; international tennis center; water sports center; and two beachfront pools.

For more information about Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Resort, call (877) 999-3223 or visit www.wyndham.com.