This Ritz-Carlton has raised deluxe standards since it opened to fanfare in 2000 as Jamaica's first major new hotel since 1974. Its owner and developer also planned the new Palmyra Resort nearby and is responsible for the original touristic boom that today is known as Rose Hall. Spanning 10 hectares of prime beachfront, this glamorous place has Ritz-Carlton written all over it, from the stellar service to the neoclassical atmosphere more attuned to Mozart than to Marley.
A sweeping driveway winds to a porte cochere fronted by a fountain in an enclosed forecourt that exemplifies the pervasive colonial tone here inspired by Jamaica's great houses. The soaring lobby echoes the theme in its vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, arched doorways, paneled rosewoods, and lavish British colonial furnishings upholstered in elegant patterns. Reception, with staffers in spic-and-span uniforms, is to the right of the lounge that is the setting for afternoon tea. To the left, a coffee bar serves Blue Mountain brews.
Guests are provided with several dining options (even those who partake in the all-inclusive plan): a terrace restaurant; a casual poolside eatery for lunch and dinner; the White
Witch Club House Restaurant, boasting a veranda with sweeping views of the fairways, mountains and sea; a jerk stand on the beach; a spa cafe; and a smart, casual signature restaurant, Jasmine, offering a fusion of Asian and Jamaican cuisine. New executive chef Lee Goble is adding his signature touches to the menus after completing respectable stints at The Ritz London and a well-known six-restaurant Egyptian resort. Additional options include a Mediterranean menu and a clubby lounge.
A grand staircase descends to the grounds, which feature a waterfront cloverleaf pool with whirlpool. The twin beaches, one with motorized watersports, are edged by a shoreline walkway that leads to a beach club. A shuttle and catamaran are links to the beach club. An expansive fitness center meets expectations in its appointments and new-age equipment, and the spa and beauty salon offer the works, including nearly a dozen treatment rooms, sauna, steam room and relaxation areas. Sports fans also enjoy the 18-hole White Witch Golf Course (16 holes have direct views of the sparkling sea) and two lighted tennis courts, with a well-stocked pro shop and a juice bar. A supervised children's program keeps wee ones amused. A shopping corridor features name-brand boutiques, and guests can reach the Half Moon Shopping Village 
by private walkway.
Ballrooms grace each wing and can handle groups of up to 800 people. Business travelers appreciate the wireless Internet access, allowing them to e-mail from the pool or beach using an access card rented from the hotel for US$25 a day. A technology butler (common at most Ritz-Carlton properties) makes the rounds to assist with any computer-related snafus.
The box-shaped accommodations display soft tropical pastels—pinks, yellows, mint green—color-coded by wing. Ceramic floors with oval rugs offer a gleaming base for hardwood reproduction furnishings, including spiral lamps and raised queen and king beds with Frette linens, feather beds and down comforters. Thick drapes help seal out the light that pours in through the tall French doors leading to furnished balconies. Gilt-framed tropical prints adorn pastel walls, and pineapple motifs abound. Cordless phones with data ports, high-speed Internet access (for a fee), minibars, coffeemakers, snazzy flat-screen TVs and safes are standard. White-and-gray marble baths feature robes, slippers, Bulgari toiletries, his-and-hers basins, separate tubs and glass-encased marble showers.
The only difference between sea-view rooms and the less-expensive garden-view rooms is the view. Ground-floor rooms, though, suffer limited views of any kind. The 36 premiums enjoy a private elevator with keycard access, a lounge and 24-hour concierge service. Five daily food and beverage presentations in the lounge impress not only with quantity, but with exquisite style and presentation. Executive suites are almost twice as large, and parlor rooms are separated from sleeping quarters by French doors opening to covered balconies. Fourteen rooms are wheelchair accessible.
Room service runs nonstop, and housekeeping visits twice daily to perform turndown service. This recent establishment in the famous and respected Rose Hall area signals its penchant for luxury and high-end clientele. The Ritz-Carlton name cements that fact, and guests here will surely be amazed. Some may need more differentiation to indicate this is Jamaica instead of a typical Ritz resort. Its neighbor Half Moon Bay has plenty of local culture and style stuffed in providing a fine alternative for culture-starved visitors.
