Franklyn D Resort & Spa
Family-friendly resort in Runaway Bay. Family, Quiet.
Atmosphere
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(534 discussions)
Franklyn D Resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica has earned a devoted following by solving a problem that plagues family vacations everywhere: parents can't actually relax because they're always on parent duty. The solution here is the vacation nanny - a dedicated, trained childcare professional assigned exclusively to your family for your entire stay, included in the all-inclusive rate. This is not a shared kids club or a drop-off playroom. It's one person, for your kids, from morning until whenever you're ready to take over. Families who arrive skeptical of this often become its most evangelical promoters, describing the experience as the first trip since having children where they finished a meal together, had an uninterrupted conversation, and remembered what relaxing feels like.
The resort itself is modest - you are not coming here for pristine facilities or gourmet dining. The suites are spacious and comfortable, the activity list is genuinely extensive (water slides, snorkeling, mini golf, tennis, diving, fishing, and more), and the staff earn consistent praise for their warmth with children specifically. The food is the most common complaint and it's worth taking seriously: the buffet and restaurants are described as adequate but uninspiring, and the variety doesn't match what you'd find at a larger Sandals or Hyatt property. If dining quality matters deeply to your vacation enjoyment, adjust expectations or plan some off-resort meals in Ocho Rios.
Franklyn D Resort is genuinely one of the best options in the Caribbean for families with children under 10 who want a real parental vacation experience, not just a resort that tolerates kids. It competes in a different category than Beaches Turks and Caicos, which offers more glamour and activity scale - FDR wins on the personal nanny intimacy and the authentic Jamaican hospitality. It's priced for what it delivers: not luxury, but something arguably more valuable to a tired parent - actual rest.
Pros
- +The signature vacation nanny program assigns one dedicated nanny exclusively to your family for the entire stay, included in the all-inclusive rate - no extra charge, no sharing
- +Nannies are trained childcare professionals who can manage infants through older children, giving parents the first vacation in years that actually feels like a vacation
- +Spacious suite accommodations that give families room to spread out - multiple bedrooms, living areas, and enough space that everyone isn't on top of each other
- +Exceptionally complete activity list including water slides, mini golf, tennis, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and a kids club - there is genuinely never a moment where children are bored
- +Warm, family-oriented atmosphere with staff who treat kids as real guests - not just tolerated add-ons to an adult experience
- +Yoga classes and spa treatments give parents genuine relaxation options during nanny time, making the wellness offering meaningful rather than decorative
- +Runaway Bay location puts you within driving distance of Ocho Rios, Dunn's River Falls, and other North Coast Jamaican attractions without the traffic chaos of Montego Bay
- +Nightly entertainment and nightclub on-site mean adults have evening options after children are in bed with the nanny
Cons
- −Food quality is the most consistent criticism - the buffet and restaurants are described as adequate but not impressive, with limited variety compared to what the price suggests
- −The resort is smaller and more modest than luxury all-inclusive competitors in Jamaica - guests expecting Sandals or Hyatt Zilara-level polish will be underwhelmed by the facilities
- −Beach quality is unremarkable by Jamaican standards - the sand is not the powdery white variety found at top Montego Bay resorts, and the water can have seaweed days
- −Nanny quality can vary - while most families report excellent experiences, some have had nannies who were less engaging or had limited pool-swimming ability
- −Advertised amenities have occasionally not been available during stays - some guests have arrived to find specific room features or activity equipment out of service
- −The gym is functional but basic - serious fitness travelers will find it limiting compared to what larger resorts offer
- −Value perception splits: families who embrace the nanny program find it extraordinary value; those who don't need or use it may feel they're paying a premium for a service they don't use
- −The resort's intimate size means limited restaurant variety - meal times can feel repetitive over longer stays, and there are few options for food customization
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Google Rating
Google Reviews
“This is a bit of a strange review, as I stayed at FDResort about 30 years ago! We went there twice when our kids were very young - 1 and 3 and 2 and 4 maybe. One time we took a grandmother with us as well. I'm back here on this review page because...”
“My families experience at this resort was next to none. It definitely needs updating but what the lack in modern flare they make up for in location, entertainment, childcare and the level of attentiveness and joy their staff bring to us the resort u...”
“Shops are a drive away. But the beach is wonderful. 8 days stay and we didn’t miss a day without time in the soothing waters of the Caribbean sea. Clean beach, you can see the clean sea floor even at depths of your height. A place designed for childr...”