“Vacation Nanny (Tonya) Made the Trip”

We were sure what to expect when we booked this resort. We have a 6 year old and a 22 month old so finding a resort that suited our family was important. The vacation nanny seemed like a novelty but I can't imagine going without one. She was a great companion with our shy 6 year old and helped her make friends and stay busy while the baby took naps. She was also an effective concierge helping us decide what to do and helping to arrange to activities at the resort (glass bottom boat, meals, etc.) The rooms and facilities are not luxury by any means but they seem in line with other resorts we've been to. Everything is functional but could use a coat of paint. The food was good and plentiful. The kids appreciated the all day kid's menu at the grill.

“Awesome place!”

1. Food - Amazing. They have lots of choices and it tastes great. They will go out of their way to please you - if you do not like the items presented on the menu. Grade : A+++ 2. Service - Excellent service by all the departments. Grade: A+++ 3. Travel to and from airport: Needs improvement. Going into resort: We had to wait 20 minutes to get assigned to a bus that will take us to the resort. After that we had to wait 1 hour for the bus to get filled with travelers that are going to other resorts (along the way) for the bus to even start. Then it took an hour and 15 minutes to get to the resort. Same happened to our friends for going to the airport. Grade: D+ 4. Wi-Fi : Although it says that there is free Wi-Fi connection, it is only available in certain part of your suite. Grade: C 5. Water Ride: Very good water ride - there is only one ride. However, I would have liked a little bit more water pressure and bit more speed. We thought someone would be there always but when we got there at the posted time (10 AM) we had to wait 1.5 hours to get the thing working. Grade: B 6. Nanny service: Excellent. very professional, responsible and love to take care of the children. Grade: A+++

“I actually read a book at the pool”

We were looking for a combination of family time and relaxation without the kids, and that was exactly what we got at the FDR. Just as others have said, it's not the place to go if you're looking for a 5-star resort, but it is the place to go if you want caring people to help with the kids, excellent service, decent activities and good food. Every staff member was exceptionally friendly and helpful, and the nannies went out of their way to keep our three kids happy at the pool, beach, craft area or whatever they wanted to do. We loved being able to spend the majority of time with our kids but then sneak off for an hour here and there to read and relax. The beaches are small but perfect for kids under 8 or 9. My husband and I went swimming at the bigger beach next door a few times but the surf was too rough for our 5 and 7 year olds, so we were glad to have the smaller, protected lagoons at our hotel. As far as food goes, they really had something for everyone in the buffet. Fresh fruit, pancakes, french toast, smoothies and made to order eggs (among many other things) in the morning and delicious grilled chicken and fish at lunch. If we had any complaints about the hotel it would be that the bathroom in our room was somewhat dated and we ran out of hot water once or twice, but the accommodations were clean and comfortable and the views from our room were spectacular. If you have young kids and want to relax, the FDR is the place to go.

“The best family vacation spot!”

This is not a luxury resort. This is not a resort appropriate for couples looking for romance. This is not a resort for someone who is looking for nightlife. But if you are looking for a great, relaxing, fun FAMILY vacation, you have found THE spot. Every family is assigned a nanny when you get there, and her job is to look after the needs of your children and ensure you have a relaxing vacation. If you haven't been able to read a book by a pool since you had your kids you will love this place. The food is okay, the resort is pretty clean and maintained, but it is really the staff that make it all worthwhile. There's lots of silly games and activities on offer -- kind of like a summer camp, really, but you can opt out and just lie by the pool and read. I got caught up on my sleep, worked out every day, relaxed and read by the pool, all while my kids were having the time of their lives hanging out with other kids and doing activities ranging from tie-dying to fishing to goat racing. This was our second visit, HIGHLY recommend.

“Great for families”

We read a number of reviews about FDR before our trip in January 2011, and so were not surprised when we had an excellent experience. First, our flight to Jamaica was cancelled and the airline couldn't get us there until two days later. FDR simply altered our reservation by two days on both ends, without charge. The resort is a ways from Montego Bay airport, so plan on an additional 90 minutes to two hours in travel time. The major attraction of FDR is the vacation nanny program, which assigns a nanny to each family for the duration of your stay. We paid an additional $20 per day for a second nanny, because we have a two-year-old and a five-month-old, who are on very different schedules and activity levels. The nannies were great. They work from 9:00 to 4:40, with an hour off for lunch. Virtually every family has them work extra hours into the evening, so the parents can go to dinner alone. Extra time is $6 per hour, paid to the nanny in cash and that same evening. The nannies don't get much in salary from the resort, so they rely on tips to supplement their income. Other guests and reviews peg the going tip rate at about $20 per day per nanny. So bring a fair amount of cash with you. The food is only okay, but not bad. Everyone at the resort is extremely friendly and works very hard to make your stay enjoyable. The resort's "beach" is really just for kids; resort guests have access to a neighboring beach, which requires a walk around a fence and over some rocks to get to.

“Nannies are the biggest plus.”

There were no surprises, after reading many feedback from tripadvisor website everything pretty much was as expected. We did, however, have to change 1 nanny, because she was simply bad, she behave like she was volunteering there rather than working. Don't use laundry, too expensive and bad cleaning. No beach on promises (just small one for kids). Snorkeling and fishing (at the end of the pier) is great. Liked - poker night, beach volleyball and different contents. This place is not cheap, mainly because nannies are included (I kept them until 9pm for extra pay). Expected more fruit varieties, like in Dominican. Maybe it's just this resort. By the way, 2 persons in our party of 8 got some type of rash. Just keep in mind that if you go to a doctor + medication can easily cost you $250.

“Awesome Family Resort!!!”

The service is spectacular, there is nothing that is a problem that can't be solved with a minimum amount of hassle. Staff will know you by name by your second day and you will quickly feel like on of the many guests that have been going there for years. The warm friendly atmosphere, young family focus and smaller size make it the perfect choice with young kids. The spacious suites and of course the personal vacation nannies are what set this place apart and make it a fantastic value. I would recommend this resort to any family with young children but if you are looking for late nights and wild nightlife this might not be your place. This is not your standard corporate resort so don't be surprised when the owner wanders by and joins you for a beer by the pool to chat, if he does, say hi to Frank for us!

“Wonderful smaller resort”

We absolutely loved this resort! The best resort for family vacations! The staff was all very friendly and well-trained. The resort is somewhat small, so they really try to learn and remember all the vacationers. It makes you feel like family! The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and upon arrival, decorated with fresh flowers. There is a couch in the living room, and we thought that it was a pull-out couch for our son but a few minutes after arrival, a porter brought an extra twin bed. We didn't have to ask for it or anything, they just showed up with it. Just an example of how much care they take to ensure your comfort. Each staff department wears a different color uniform, so it is really easy to distinguish waiters, bar staff, nannies, etc. Speaking of nannies, they are amazing! They play with and take care of the kids, clean your room, and stock your fridge for you. There are plenty of activities for every age range. A nice teen center, arts and crafts for kids, and kayaks, snorkeling, tennis, scuba diving, and sail boats for teens and adults. The bar staff wanders the beach and restaurants, making sure you are never thirsty. A grill is open from about 10 am till midnight, so there is always food available. There is a main dining room where you can eat as a family, and 2 adult restaurants. I do wish there were more dining options for families, though. Food is plentiful and good, but does not vary greatly day to day. Bottom-line, a great little paradise for families!