OK, so we just booked the air to Jamaica for Spring Break. 2 kids, 11 M and 14 F want beach, sports, safety and fun (who cares what the parents want). 7 days, so we might want to stay in 2 different places. Anyway,
Beaches resort in Nigrel is sold out, and the other one got bad ratings at tripadvisor.com. Plus, Beaches might be TOO much American; without a lot of local flavor.
Any other suggestions are MUCH appreciated.
We are looking now at Wyndham Rose Hill and FDR Pebbles to name a few. THANK YOU!

That's kinda a tall order if a primo beach is nec. No beach that I've come across on JA can top that of Negril. Though there are many accomodation options that are family friendly, I think Beaches is really the only one of it's caliber that is family oriented. That said, if you can give up the AI requirement you might check into Coco La Palm which is family friendly and smack dab in the center of best part of the beach (IMHO) There are many many dining options very close by that will please everyone in the family. Plus there's always someone going up and down the beach offering banana boat rides, jet skis, and the like. The money you'll save from Beaches would more than allow you to take advantage of all these things. CCLP is just the right size in my opinion. www.cocolapalm.com
This is not meant to be a commercial fo them, and the place is most likely not nearly nearly as posh as beaches but it will give you a better local flavor and the people there are pretty friendly as well. Also...there are some very nice dining options which it would be a shame to miss out on because of the AI options.

We've stayed at FDR Runaway Bay several timesand loved the place for our then 5 and 9 yr old. It is bar none the most family friendly place we've ever stayed at. That said, I think a 14 yr old would be bored and though there is a nice public beach next door, FDR itself really has none, just a "bay" and it's small. We once toured FDR Pebbles and frankly I was not impressed. Poor beach, didnt like the location and just didnt do much for me. (again IMHO)

The Wyndam might be OK. It does offer a nice river pool and such. So so beach though and I've also read very very mixed review of that place.

Personally I'd stick with Negril for this trip and work out what you can with accomodations. You also might want to reconsider Beaches Sandy Bay (I know you said bad reviews) but it look pretty good to us and if you're stuck on AI, it would really be your only other viable alternative I think.
Just know that it is not really on the main Negril Beach. (though it is a pretty one) You can walk to the main Negril beach (we did) but it's a pretty good hike through a grassed beach path along the road to get over to it. Whew!!! Hope I have not overwhelmed you. Good luck let me know if you have questions.

If you decide agianst AI, other hotels to consider are ROndel Village (2BR villa), Nirvana (2 and 3 BR cottages with cook), Whistling Bird (2BR cottage). All are in excellent mid-beach locations and offer a living room, kitchen etc in addition to bedrooms that you don't have to share. As Michale said, there's plenty to do on the beach in terms of water sports.

Treasure Beach is another area to consider, with lots of villa options.

just returen from W. Rose Hall Resort and being my 1st AL don't have any to compare but we were treated very well and really enjoyed ourselves( 4 adults). there is a small water park on property and all the kids there/adults too, had a great time.the staff we spoke with said during school breaks they get lots of families. yes, the beach is not the most beautiful or largest i've been to in the caribbean but it served our needs.this also has "waves" not a calm water beach. they do have watersports that your children would enjoy..catamerands,kayaks,banana boat rides and parasailing. there was entetainment nightly..some good..some..well..it wasn't vegas!! my only complaint is the rooms... nothing outragesously wrong..just dated..need a facelift. this resort has been bought by another hotel group so i would anticipate an overhall. my husband played golf a few times and loved the course..if you're golfers you'll love it !! in all, this resort was just what we needed..relaxing, good food and very nice staff and sevice. price was right too !!!

Half Moon Bay. Great old style Caribbean resort that has also kept up with new pools bars etc.

Lots to do for adults and kids including horse back riding, tennis, golf, 7 or 8 restaraunts and most importantly from my perspective with kids...freedom. The place is safe, with acres and acres where kids can do what they want. The one thing it becomes harder and harder to provide children (even teenagers these days) is freedome that also makes us as adults comfortable.

Look up Half Moon Bay and enjoy