My wife and I are planning a trip to Jamaica this spring and I'm looking for help on where to stay. We have 2 small girls 1yo and 6yo.
We want high quality food, good clean rooms, and a good child watch program.
We've been to Beaches and as someone else said they are a little "cheesey". I've read reviews on Rose Hall Plantation and everyone loves the waterpark, but the food and rooms seem much to be desired. Though those reviews were from 05 and maybe they've updated since then. Half Moon sounds great but I'm a little concerned about my bank account afterwards. Lastly FDR sounds interesting with the nanny situation but they seem to advertise more about that than the food and the facility.
Also we're not locked on Jamaica so if you have other family friendly upscale resorts I'm open to that as well.
Thanks in advance.
PS if this is the second message on this board sorry. I can't find my orignial post. I'm kind of a rookie at this.

When we go to Jamaica with our kids we rent a private villa (with cook and cleaning person) or stay in a cottage in Negril....haven['t found a need for a kid's club yet as the kids like to swim, mainly, and go traveling about with us.

If you decide to go that way instead of AI I'm glad to share ideas.

Half Moon would be my pick from your list but you get what you pay for and it's nice

FDR, if I remember it right, is a rather dated looking high rise hotel, albeit on a lovely beach, that I have driven by and said "I'm so glad I'm not staying there".

But my preference is for smaller, tropical feeling hotels, not large resorts, so take my opinion with that.

Hi...we are heading to FDR (not Pebbles) in March, so while I can't give you firsthand info yet, I can tell you that we did our homework! We made our decision to go there based on 100's of reviews on another travel site (if you'd like to e-mail me, I'll tell you which one, but I don't think Fodor's would appreciate me posting it here!). The only negatives I read were from people who went without kids (what were they thinking!???). The biggest sell for us, aside from the Nanny, was that the 2 bd suite is huge, (we have 2 kids, age 2 & 4), and the many repeat visitors said the food has been greatly improved over the past couple years. It's certainly not 5-stars, but who needs/wants that with young kids? As long as they are happy and we get to have a little down-time, I'm there! The other thing I liked about it is that it is not a huge resort (definitely NOT a high-rise), so the kids will be within eyeshot with their Nanny. The beach at the resort is a great size for little ones, but a larger beach is within walking distance.

Hope this helps! Maybe we'll see you there!

Deb
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Sorry Deb, it is Starfish Trelawny that is the high rise...

Hi. We also have young kids and have done Beaches and FDR, and I have to admit probably would go back to FDR. I describe it to people as a "ma and pa"run hotel. the food is fine, not great. The beach is finr, not great. BUT the nannies were all amazing and the staff as well. Being such a smaller scale hotel they really all get to know you and your kids. Even the gardener knew our kids by the 3rd day and pick flowers for them (2 girls) ever morning. If you can get past the fact that it is not a fancy place but very clean, great staff and service - then it is worth a try.

you are a great candidate for FDR; I've been to both Half Moon and FDR--you are right, Half Moon will set you back more and it is not going to be as great for your 1-year old as FDR will (there just weren't as many little kids at Half Moon as there were kids your older daughter's age, plus she won't be eligible for the kids camp, while your older daughter will and you guys won't get a break); FDR is fine, it is not super luxe, but it has real suites which most places don't have in the Caribbean, there is an adults-only restaurant (but not to worry because for a ridiculously small amount of money your nanny will stay and babysit and take your children to a limbo party or put them to bed), there is a little spa and there is golf next door.

We thought FDR would be really cheesy, but it wasn't, the food was decent, they had fun activities and we all relaxed.

They run lots of specials so be sure to check their website.

Having said all that, Half Moon is really lovely, but a different kind of resort.

Let me know if you have questions.

Mary

Thanks so much for your feedback everyone. I really appreciate it.
Gotta go, my 1yo just told me so!

A few years ago spent a week at FDR with family. The only positive and it was a big positive were the Nannies. These women were lovely and made what was otherwise an overwhelmingly negative experience into a simply poor one.

Property is modest, although the suites are spacious.

Beach is small.

Few activities unless you are under 5.

Mediocre food.

Crime. Our unit was robbed as we slept.

So, no, I wouldn't recommend it.

Deb again here,
Just got back from FDR Runaway Bay and it was fabulous! They have made many improvements to the place over the past 2 years, and many people we met there were repeat guests who said they have seen a huge difference in the quality of food etc. They have also done a lot to improve security. I had to go out one evening for medication and everything was locked-up tight with guards at every post. Our kids, 2 & 4, had so much fun, and my hubby and I were truly able to relax for the first time since before becoming parents! Highly recommended for people with young kids. We're definitely going back next year!