Half Moon Resort

Half Moon Bay Resort is a small family-run hotel that opened in 1990. It has a jungly, tropical vibe that draws a loyal following -- though the frills here are minimal (indeed, that's part of its appeal to many travelers). A canopy of trees and palms cover the resort, though when it rains it can be tricky to navigate the muddy puddles. One of our favorite attributes of this resort are the ocean views, which are available from just about anywhere on the grounds. All of the resort’s wood paneled buildings face the ocean and the guest-room bungalows are far enough apart that the hotel rarely feels crowded. The resort's restaurant has lots of covered, oceanfront seating. However, since the restaurant and bar are only open for breakfast and lunch, the hotel gets quiet at night -- too quiet for some guests. As this property is relatively easy on the wallet, most hotel guests are young couples, although retirees also call Half Moon Bay home. 

Half Moon Resort is located on the northern edge of West End, the bustling heart of Roatan’s nightlife, dining, and diving. The nearest beach is a four-minute walk from the the resort and there's a snorkeling reef a 10-minute swim from shore. It’s a five-minute walk to the center of West End. In town, guests will find everything from Argentine steak houses to Thai, plus bars and nightclubs, or pharmacies and grocery stores. West Bay -- the island’s second, more expensive hub -- is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. It's home to larger resorts and one of the island's most popular beaches, though it gets crowded when cruise ships are in port. Coxen Hole, Roatan's commercial hub, has supermarkets, local restaurants, and banks, and is a 25-minute drive from Half Moon. The ferry to Utilla is a five-minute walk -- it's a 40-minute ferry ride from there. The terminal for the hour and 15-minute ferry to La Ceiba (in mainland Honduras) is a 30-minute drive. Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel depending on traffic.

The air-conditioned rooms at Half Moon Resort are rustic and simple, with vaulted ceilings and ocean views. Rooms have natural-toned wood walls and plank floors, although in a few rooms, the walls are painted white. They're all quite reminiscent of budget beach huts around the world, and have a humble charm to them. Expect either two or three queen beds with old-school turquoise or blue patterned sheets, modern glass wall sconces, and mustard-colored curtains. The best feature are the private balconies. Their great ocean views, hammocks, and plastic lawn chairs are a real treat. Unfortunately, bathrooms are a mixed bag. Some have crumbling tile vanities, others hardwood or traditional fiberglass countertops. Pressure in the bathrooms' stand-up showers isn't great, and only bar soap is provided. The towels were also worn out and could use replacing. We also saw  ants and lizards exploring the rooms, though this might be expected in the tropics. A limited number of mini-fridges are also available for free (upon request) and Wi-Fi is not officially available in guest rooms (although rooms four and five receive a weak signal). 

As a simple budget property, features are limited here, and there's no pool or proper beach on-site. The oceanfront, open-air restaurant gets solid reviews and serves local and international cuisines for breakfast and lunch. When in season, the coffee and oranges are sourced from the family’s farm on mainland Honduras. Dinner isn't served. The free coffee, hot water, and purified water are all nice perks and available all day. The dive shop, EcoDivers, offers PADI certification, and a variety of dive trips from day dives to shark dives. Dive and stay packages are also available. Snorkeling gear is free. The hotel can assist in arranging tours, airport or ferry transportation, boat trips, massages, and fishing trips. The restaurant will also prepare any fish caught while on a trip they organized for free (although sides are extra). Just offshore from the resort is a decommissioned sailboat that’s become a de-facto water jungle gym with a jumping platform and Tarzan swing. Other hotel features include a book exchange, free parking, and free Wi-Fi in the restaurant and lobby.