Family Vacation - Cranford,NJ

We went to the RIU resorts in Nigrel and Purerto Plata, Dominican Republic and LOVED IT! The DR is cheaper than Jamacia.

I stayed at the Wyndham Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay and it was the best vacation I ever had. I did not have a child at the time, but I would definitely go back with my son. You would have to check specifically about child-friendly amenities. I remember a small playground. The beach is very mild and a child could easily play near the edge of the water. I don't remember if there was a walk in pool, which would be a great feature for a little one.

Yes, T. Jamaica is graet!! we had an awesome time there. I took my daughter to the Holiday Inn Sunspree where they totally catered to kids. I just sat back, relaxed and let her run crazy if she wasnt in my eyesight for 1/2 a second. The life gaurds always pointed her out to me. They had lots of kid activity at the time my daughter was 9 it was well worth an all inclusive trip.

Do enjoy

Last year my husband and I took our five year old to Jamaica for spring break. We stayed at the Riu Ocho Rios Resort. You can read about it on their website here: http://www.riu.com/en/clubhotel-riu-ocho-rios-jamaica.html
The resort is only a few years old and is extremely clean. There are two very large pools and the beach is beautiful. The food was ok, but you never get great food at an all-inclusive anyway. It is a ride from the airport (1&1/2 hours by bus) but well worth it!

Hi T.!
My husband and I went to the Rose Hall Resort (all-inclusive package available) when I was pregnant with my second and my 1st was 12 months old. There was babysitting available, but we brought my Mom along who stayed in another room and she watched our son when we went out to dinner (the one time) and at night. The food was pretty good - a wide range to eat with several theme nights. You eat outside but under cover incase it rains. There are three restaurants - two you have to make reservations for - one fancy and on that we had no problem bringing our son to. There are 2 snack bars by the two pools that have food all afternoon in addition to one inside restaurant (that had excellent greek salads) and the buffet. I brough a sippy cup and the waitresses were always more then happy to fill it with whole milk for me. The room was spacious and we were able to get a crib for our son to sleep in. There are high chairs at every place you eat. There is one pool that mainly adults swam on sat out in the sun. The other pool (where we always were) had an easement to go into the water (kind of like a beach) so my son was able to walk in and just get his feet wet or he could go farther in. They also had water "spitters" that would shoot water up that the kids loved to play with. Then attached to this pool (other than a swim and walk up bar and snack bar) there was a lazy river that was never too crowded. We were able to put our son in our laps or we actually brought a tube for him to sit in and they also had them available for about $10 there to buy. They also had two slides you can go down. One slide you went down with tubes. The other one was a set of 3 slides that we would have out son in our laps and when we got to the bottom of each slide we would lift our son up as we fell into the little pools - he LOVED these!!! There are also jacuzzis around the pool area. There is a small playground area that my son would go on the swings. Then there is the beach - but with a 12 month old it was easier to just stay at the pool. Many parents would just have their child nap in a stroller by the pool - but my husband and I took turns going back to the room with my son. We did bring our Combi umbrella stroller. I would recommend this place - but if you are looking for someone to watch your son the FDR resorts seemed nice. We are planning on going to a Beaches when our third is 2/3 years old. Oh and my son was great on the plane, but I did bring a portable DVD player with us that helped a lot it also helped at the hotel at times.

Hi Jen, I had clients that stayed at FDR and was very unhappy with the resort. Too old, needed refurbished, not enough food selection, beach was too small, etc... Not a good choice.

I reccommend one of the Beaches Resorts. Perfect for families. Send me an email with dates, and I'll be happy to research some deals for you!

D. ~ Tropic Travels ____@____.com, P: ###-###-####, www.tropictravels.net

I just came back from the Copamarina resort in Puerto Rico. It's on the Caribbean Sea and was very family friendly. There were a lot of families with babies, kids and teens. A few pools and several activities for all ages. www.copamarina.com