This was our first visit to FDR. I say 'first' because I can definitely see us returning sometime in the future. However, it will probably be in a few years, when the kids are older. We booked this one largely because of the nannies. However, it wasn't the panacea we had hoped it would be. Mostly because of scheduling. For example, the nannies work from 9-4:40 with an hour off for lunch. Since the sun rises before 5am, the younger kids are up and about for several hours before the nanny comes to help. (The fact that breakfast doesn't start until 7:30 also added to the frustration). We took advantage of the fridge stocking service and I could feed the kids breakfast (cereal, milk) and I could have tea, but any other options had to wait until after 9--like a quiet breakfast for the grown-ups. I could give other examples, but the gist is that it was hard to keep the young kids on the schedule they were used to at home, and with naps& bedtime delayed or shortened it made for difficult afternoons with the toddler. However, once I got the nanny on board with feeding the toddler lunch earlier (making sandwiches from the breakfast buffet that ended at 10:30 (11:30 at home)) instead of waiting until 12:30 when lunch started, then naptime could start earlier and the afternoon went much(!) easier.
The other problem with scheduling was that I was still nursing the baby. Several times a day I had to 1)find the nanny to get the baby, 2) find the nanny to return the baby, oh, and 3) find the nanny to start her break (for both lunch, and dinner if you're having them stay into the evening). I did a LOT of walking around that little resort. Next time I would arrange for an extra key for the nanny and have her meet me with the kids back at the room when it was time for her breaks. I would also pack toys/games for the times that the kids need to be entertained in the room. (great room, by the way--2 br, 2 1/2 bath)

which brings me to the other issue that would have changed my planning for the trip: the sidewalks. In the pictures, you can see beautiful walkways through the resort. However, the walkways are paved with a tile that becomes extremely(!) slippery when wet. And they are wet just about all day, every day, either when it rains or when they get washed, or when wet feet from the pool drip their way to the bathrooms. I wish I had packed more shoes with rubber soles for traction for both the kids and the grownups.

I took the advice of an earlier review and brought a couple of tea towels for the kitchen. Those were very useful-thanks!

I forgot to pack swim diapers. Uh oh! None for sale in the giftshop, either. I found a supermarket on the shopping trip to Ocho Rios, though, that had several sizes stocked. (from the brick marketplace where they drop you off, go out the small chained gate at the back and turn left. The supermarket is about 100 yards ahead and although tiny, has a good selection of just about everything. --great place to get souvenirs for back home (jerk seasoning, red stripe beer, etc). Oh, but if you want a larger (more American feel...relatively) supermarket, there is one just to the side of the blue-awninged "craft market". I think it was "General Foods" (?) The shopping trips are scheduled three times a week and are only for a couple hoursm so with a 30-minute drive time, there's not that much time for shopping AND running errands.

I also didn't bring enough cash with me to both shop AND tip the various folks(baggage, drivers, nanny, restroom attendant at the public faciilties in Ocho Rios, etc). However, in Ocho Rios, there's a Scotia Bank with an ATM (the one in front) that will dispense both Jamaican and US dollars.

I did manage to pack enough sunscreen-barely. We went through a lot of it, but even so, the two older kids got burned (they forgot to re-apply at lunchtime. Luckily the giftshop stocked aloe gel. I'd plan on having one bottle/tube per person and an extra to keep near the door.

As it turns out, I had way too many "resort" clothes and would have been fine with much more casual clothes. There's not that much to do at the resort that doesn't involve water, so I would've only needed a couple outfits for the off-resort trips and maybe something to wear for dinner---but still, any of this could be shorts/t-shirt attire. Some folks did clean up and dress a little nicer for dinner. Many just came in what they were wearing. I think a lot of it depended on how late we went to dinner. The Jamaican Restaurant and the Italian Restaurant are co-located on the far side of the resort from the family buffet (both on the water, though). They were never open at the same time and neither were open on Wednesday or Saturday night. Wednesday was buffet on the beach with entertainment (stick around for the second (adult) part of the show--really funny). Saturday was Jamaican buffet--I'm vegetarian, so it was salad night for me--too late I realized there was also a pasta station. oh, but speaking of, there was always a vegetarian option on the menu at the family buffet whenever it was open. But ya know, whenever we had dinner at the family buffet, we made the mistake of choosing seating that was near the water--you'd think that would be nice, right? hear the sound of the waves lapping while you ate? Nope. The bands and/or kids talent show were piped through the speakers MUCH louder than you might expect they would be. Next time we'd sit further away from the 'stage'.

The tennis pro was 'awesome' at giving one-on-one lessons--I wish I had started earlier in the week. He really helped me improve my swing. He's around to just play a game, too, if you don't need help. Make sure to bring footwear for tennis & the workout room, too. Early morning stretching in the gym got hot--the breeze is blocked by the trees. However, the teen room/billiard room is quite breezy and a wonderfully quiet/serene place to be.

I wish I had brought clothespins for hanging the wet clothes outside over the balcony. They dried pretty quickly in the sun/breeze, but were likely to get blown over the side, too.

I also wish I had brought more white t-shirts (for each person in the family--even adults)--they do tie-dye every afternoon. Be sure to give yourself a few days for it to dry completely.

We had a load of laundry washed at the resort near the end of our stay. It was $9 U.S. and they provided the soap, etc. You just leave it in a bag at the washing place and they'll set it out for you when it's dried. They don't fold it, though, so expect wrinkles unless you pick it up right after it's finished.

There's a nurse on property, but not 24-7. Plan to bring your own: bandaids, neosporin, tweezers, itch relief(sun-rash) (mosquitoes), tylenol, benedryl, etc.

we did okay with 2 swimsuits per person, but next time I'd pack more. also, (girls) a one-piece is preferable for the pool volleyball game, as well as some of the water sports activities. The giftshop sells sarongs, but plan to bring several from home as they'll be MUCH less expensive that way.

Final piece of advice--use a polarizing filter on your camera. It makes an incredible difference!
ok, last-final bit---stop by the fishing section of your local discount store before you go to pick up inexpensive polarized sunglasses. You'll be glad you did!

I hope this helps y'all plan your trip.

We just returned from our second stay at FDR. I wish I was still there.

My wife, 7-year-old, and I flew in Saturday, June 14th, for a 6-night stay. The road from the airport to Runaway Bay was much, much better than the last time. The ride wasn't bad at all. Grab a Red Stripe as you leave the airport and relax. By the time you hit the pit stop, you can get another.

The FDR is locally-owned. I asked the driver what was better for Jamaica: staying at the foreign or locally-owned places. Of course he said staying at the locally-owned place was the best for Jamaica.

We had a massage on Sunday. It was good. The kiddo got her hair braided and the Little Mermaid treatment. She loved it.

I dove every day. It seems that scuba is no longer part of the package. However, the dive shop at the resort is good and I would pay for packages from them. Fruity was a really good divemaster.

The food was OK to pretty good. I ate my weight in jerk chicken from the grill. Anything they made with Red Snapper was really good. Don't go if you are going just for the food.

The drinks were good. Never waited over 30 seconds to get service.

The activity department was more active this time. We had a good time playing the games. The Booze Cruise was a hoot. Snorkeling was fun for me and the little one. Take some bread or crackers with you if you go and you will be swarmed by fish.

Our nanny was Crystal. The kiddo liked her a lot. One nice thing about the FDR is that they are cross-training some of the nannies. Some were being trained as bartenders while so they can work more.

Met some great people. Sorry Max, but I lost your address. Email me if you see this. There were plenty of kids for ours to play with. I think they captured every hermit crab in Runaway Bay. It was a catch and release program though.

Loved the room (127). The rooms here are not overly luxurious, but are very large and comfortable. I would rather have the extra space than a marble sink for sure. Crystal kept Pepsi, pineapple juice, and a couple of Red Stripes in the fridge.

Take some tip money. These folks work hard for it.

We will go back soon I'm sure. It is a relaxing vacation that both kids and adults love. There is a reason why the FDR gets so much repeat business.

to whom it may concern....
i am writing this letter to let you know how my family and i feel about FDR. we absolutely love it!! we have had many other opportunities to take our children and go to other islands or ski trips out west...but our kids would not hear of it. they only want to go to FDR. we have now been there 14 times. we still use our same nanny, claudette and now we have added another nanny to our FDR family, lorraine. they are not just our nannies, because at this point my kids are old enough to take care of themselves, but they are family and we could never be in jamaica without them. we also have the best person taking care of the activities for the kids, his name is dale. he is a riot and always makes us laugh. he is like my kids big brother. he takes them on bike rides, fishing, swimming, snorkeling and anything else my kids would want to do. donovan, the fitness instructor there is amazing. you can tell he really loves people...i have never seen him without a smile on his face. he has many activities as well like walks in the morning and water aerobics. the nice thing for my husband and myself is that we can just chill from our everyday, hectic life and relax and read a book if we want to or do activities with our kids if that is what we choose to do. we love the outdoor restaurants, the food is good and you can hear the ocean hitting the rocks which just adds to the whole experience. usually there is a jamaican show that my kids still look forward to. all of your waiters and waitresses are so amazing. they are so sweet and always greeting you with a smile. they can't do enough for you just to make you happy?? i would strongly recommend your resort to anyone with kids. the parents can totally trust the nannies and they can relax and read books or go to the beach or do whatever they want. FDR is a fantastic resort, i couldn't imagine not spending time there. we are very fortunate to have found this resort, because not only did we find a great resort, we found a great family!!!! thanks, judy

We went down for a family wedding with approximately 28 people. Some families had children, others did not. The families with children were each provided a Nanny who cared for the children daily and even stayed in the evenings so the parents could enjoy the wedding get togethers. The kids loved it and the parents loved it more. Those without children had a great time. We all enjoyed the all inclusive meals and drinks. The staff was extraordinary: friendly, helpful, and above all catering to everyone's needs. I would highly recommend this resort. It is great to see the employees enjoying what they do. Basically, the staff made the vacation. The wedding decorations and ceremony was one of the best I've seen. Casual, but still elegant. The wedding meal and service was second to none. If you have children and want to enjoy a vacation with them but still want to have the freedom to do the activities you enjoy, then FDR is the place to go,