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Today we said good-bye to the beautiful Moon Palace Jamaica Grande with one last ride down the big blue slide!
Then it was time to move over to our next new partner resort the Franklyn D. Resort. Paradise Travels, our transportation partner arrived right at noon and our new adventure began.
Our driver professionally loaded up our luggage and was very kind to make sure that we didn’t forget anything. He also acted as a tour guide on our 30-minute drive to the FDR, pointing out tourist attractions, places to get the best meals, not to be missed local favorites, and some truly beautiful beaches. Paradise Travels specializes in private Airport Transfers, Excursions, Cruise Ship Excursions, and Tours across Jamaica. We would absolutely recommend Paradise Travels to other families traveling to Jamaica.
We were so mesmerized by our driver’s storytelling and Jamaican history lessons, that we were surprised when we were told that we were at the Franklyn D. Resort! The travel went so quickly. Once we saw this view and met all the friendly people here, we just knew we were going to be happy for the rest of our Jamaican adventure!
Emmy was so excited to be greeted by fruit punch. I’m a little worried that she is going to be disappointed when there is no punch waiting for her back at home and certainly no water slides either.
Shortly thereafter, we met our vacation nanny, Claudette. At FDR, each family traveling with children is assigned a nanny for the duration of their stay. They help watch the children so that you can get some relaxation done too. So far, Claudette has taken the girls to tie-dye shirts (purchased in the gift shop for $8, or you can bring your own from home), they’ve made bead necklaces and bracelets, gone to the beach, taken them to three different pools and to the water slide over and over again. Aside from the beach trip, and me checking in just to see how much fun they are having, Claudette has done this all while I sit on our porch watching the water and working on my computer. A vacation simply does not get better than that.
Our suite is wonderful too. The FDR is an all-suite boutique resort. Although it’s not your typical luxury hotel, it offers services that are most definitely luxurious. Our suite is decorated in authentic Jamaican oceanfront decor that is both comfortable and very family-friendly.
This is our master bedroom…
This is the view with the french doors open… leading right to our covered porch, hammocks, and the ocean.
This is the girl’s room… there is also a family room and kitchen, along with two full bathrooms and bathtubs.
After we settled in our room, we headed over for some lunch. I’m always curious to see what kind of food there will be available for us to eat as we are all vegetarian and two of us are vegans. We were pleasantly surprised to find that they have a whole menu just for vegetarians that could also be easily made vegan.
I was also surprised that so many here know what vegan is until someone told me that the “Rastas” on the island are also primarily vegan so it’s a known way of eating.
We’ve been well fed on our stay here and the food has been very flavorful. I could eat the spicy tomato rice every day for the rest of my life and never grow tired of it!
After lunch, the girls checked in on their tie-dyed shirts…
And then we headed down to the beach to build sandcastles and to play in the water. Pete and the girls saw some pretty colorful fish! You can see them in the video below…
Then it was dinner time. FDR caters to kids in a really big way and they start the kid’s dinner at 5:30 pm… an hour before the adult and family dinners. That way little ones don’t have to wait for the a la cart service in the restaurants. The kid’s dinner has a buffet and a made to order section. Emmy loved that there was a kids menu just for her and that she could get her own food from the buffet.
Emmy brought her plate of food over to the family dining area and we all had a relaxing meal next to the ocean.
There are activities practically around the clock for both kids and adults, and we all enjoyed a dance party to end the night. About 10 minutes after we settled back in our rooms, the sky practically opened up and we had our first tropical rainstorm of the trip. There is nothing like rain and the sound of the ocean to lull you to sleep…
Here is our video recap of day 4:
That resort is gorgeous. I love the girls’ room, and that dining looks fantastic, too. If I ever get to Jamaica, I want to stay there.
Just when I think it can’t get any more beautiful, you post something more spectacular. And how cool is it that she got 4 cherries on day 4?
That is such a gorgeous resort. The rooms are so pretty, and that outdoor space is great. I loved seeing your little girl and her dink. Adorable.
I think the idea of a vacation nanny is interesting. I would feel guilty not spending time with them and making memories.
I think I mentioned this before, but I used to go to Jamaica a lot in college. I would have never considered it for family, but after reading your posts, my husband and I are seriously considering it – he has four girls and with them and the two of us, Jamaica would also be more affordable than many other places!
Heather, I thought the exact same thing. I thought it was more of a honeymoon or singles place, but it is actually really family friendly. We are planning on coming back here soon!
It is all about first impressions and it sounds like the company that picked y’all up made a great one. 🙂 I love traveling and learning about culture from someone who lives at that location. Sounds like the resort is AMAZING… Thanks for sharing
Jamaica is on my bucket list of must visit places. I’m in awe of your beautiful photographs.
Looks like an incredible time. Great place to spend with family, that’s for sure. 🙂
Looks like you guys had an amazing time! I haven’t been to Jamaica yet but I can already see its going to be worth it!
What an incredible location. It really is nice to see a resort cater to families and offer a nanny to kids and their parents can have fun together or alone.
That master bedroom and that food! I would never want to leave.
I love to travel but have never been too Jamaica. It looks like such a family friendly place and the way is such a pretty turquoise blue. In fact I’ve pinning a photo from your post over on MommyBlogExpert’s Pinterest Board titled Travel Bucket List.
That is such a beautiful resort. The colors are gorgeous! Glad the vacation is going so well for all of you. 🙂
Yes I have visited the caribbean and we absolutely love it there! I have yet to go to Jamaica, but now I know where to stay when we do go!
Your suite was so pretty! I’m loving the covered porch. I’d definitely want to stay at the FDR.
I was thinking the same thing .I love to read hotel reviews, I plan my vacations around the ones I really love sometimes, and this one def. qualifies.
This is definitely the perfect place to take the family to. I love that there are a lot of activities for kids and that they have a buffet and a kids menu. The hotel is just so accommodating and really considerate. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This looks like a fantastic place to stay. It must be fun to get to stay at some different resorts.
I have always wanted to go to Jamaica. It is at the top of my bucket list.
Your photos are stunning! It sure looks like you had a great time! I’d love to take my family and redo this exactly!
I love all your photos. It looks like everyone is having an amazing time! I have always wanted to go to Jamaica. It looks like such a beautiful place to visit.
You guys really had an enjoyable time in Jamaica. After watching your photos and reading of your experiences, I can’t wait to visit Jamaica one day myself.
wow, what a place. The sun, the sand, the towels. My god, that’s a holiday.
I have always wanted to visit Jamaica! This post makes me want to visit even more! Looks like you guys had a great time!
This place is amazing! The rooms are great and what a fun thing to have a nanny assigned to you when you get there to do kid’s activities. I just think this place looks magical and extremely relaxing!
Oh wow. You all look like you are having a wonderful vacation. Love the pics. Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful place for you and your family to stay – you looked like you were all having a great time!
It seems like you guys had a ball!
Your pictures really tell a wonderful story.
What a wonderful place and so beautiful. My husband and I would love to visit Jamaica within the next year and I will have to bookmark this post so that I can remember where to stay. This place looks amazing and Jamaica looks like a great place to vacation.
What an awesome time. Would love to take a vacation like that someday.
That is such a gorgeous resort! The rooms are so pretty, and the food is amazing! I would love to travel there!
Such a wonderful resort to stay & I am sure it could have been a pleasing experience over all. The pictures are so beautiful & the recap video is so exciting as well. Hoping I would get a chance to visit Jamaica sooner.
What an amazing time and vacation for the whole family. Looks really relaxing. How I wish we can do something like this too!
The ocean is calling my name! 🙂 We’ve never been to the Caribbean yet. Hopefully soon!
You had a really good vacation. I love staying at your room looks comfy.
What a fun trip you guys had! I love all the little touches in ammenities, to your driver, to the garnish on your dishes to the cute bed pillows. Jamaica looks beautiful! Maybe one day life will take me there.
That resort looks amazing!! We’ve been trying to plan a getaway like this…but without the kids, lol!
Following your vacation was awesome! It looks like you all had so much fun!
The more I see your videos the more and more I want to go visit Jamaica! Your rooms and the food looks fabulous!
I have loved following your days on your trip! You all look like you have had a great time.
This really is such a lovely resort. It looks like the perfect place to spend some time away with the family.
Looks like you had a wonderful time in Jamaica.. I’ve never been there but would love to visit. Sounds like a great place
I love the beach. It looks like you had an absolutely awesome time! These are some great tips for family travel!