Day Trip To FDR Runaway Bay

A  Kids’ Friendly Jamaica Resort

Day trip to FDR Runaway Bay - Recently a friend and I visited this Resort to meet up with her daughter and family while they were on a short vacation break from the USA.  It was a good opportunity to have a personal experience of Franklyn D Resorts Runaway Bay. 

We drove from St Elizabeth on south coast Jamaica through the mountains of Manchester, Clarendon and St Ann parishes and arrived at FDR  Runaway Bay at 9.30am, on time for breakfast with several hours to have a great visit.

Find the best Ocho Rios Hotel deals here

Day Trip To FDR

As we turned into the property, the brightly coloured FDR logo above the entrance stood out,

We were welcomed at the front desk by very friendly staff and soon after we met the cutest little 2 year old you can ever hope to meet and later we met her sister of about 8 months - equally adorable.

Day Trip To FDR -The Property

As we passed reception on to the grounds of FDR Runaway Bay, the setting is of a tropical garden style.

Lots of greenery, small ponds, a tennis court and shaded garden paths came into view. 

A walk through the gardens took us to a large swimming pool with loungers and water slides. 

The spacious ground floor accommodation is decorated with vibrant Caribbean colour.  

Large wall mural and large kids friendly wall paintings  complimented by dark wood furniture. 

Find the best Jamaica family hotels deals here

The living space consists a double bedroom, shower room, lounge/diner with small child's bed, a comfortable two piece suite, baby cot/crib, a dresser, table and chairs and a refrigerator. 

The large settee could comfortably sleep another small child.

Day Trip To FDR - Resort's General Appearance

The Verandah Restaurant opens out to the pool on one side and the ocean on the other. Many white chairs and tables extend out to walkways and landings looking out to the ocean. 

Two piers stretch out along the coast where you can sit and enjoy quiet time, whether it’s reading a good book/magazine or just enjoying the whoosh of the Caribbean Sea as the waves roll across to the beach area. 

Hotels in Runaway Bay

To the left of the Pool is the main bar and piano lounge with a gym and fitness centre overhead and above the Verandah restaurant is a games room. Adjacent to the Verandah Restaurant is a Kiddies Centre, Teens Computer Centre and adult Cyber Centre.  

Day Trip To FDR - 1 Trained Nanny per Family

At FDR  Runaway Bay each family gets a trained nanny at no extra cost and they are available 9.00 am to 5.00pm daily.  The nannies are very energetic and excellent with the children. 

As I relaxed and took in the scenery, there were many kids running around having fun, each with the young nanny in toe, being the source of their entertainment. 

The nannies are extremely kids friendly – they sing nursery rhymes, organise games and generally run around with the kids as part of the game. 

Hotels in Ocho Rios

My friend’s daughter and her husband were extremely happy and comfortable with the Nanny (Karlene) assigned to them.  They felt she knew exactly what to do with the children, and was a pleasure to be around. 

Up to the time of writing this page, I have recommended FDR Runaway Bay to several friends with young children based the excellent child care facilities I witnessed  FDR.

Restaurants

We had breakfast at the Verandah Restaurant which also serves lunch and dinner daily.  The menu is mixed, (international cuisine) with a focus on kids friendly foods such as frankfurters, sausages, potato wedges etc. 

Day Trip To FDR - Adults only dining

Later I noticed that there were a couple of adults only restaurants on the property on the propert  and  if we had time, we would have stayed for dinner.  However on closer research, I noted the following:

• The Pier Restaurant is Italian cuisine serving al la carte menu and is opened for dinner on Sunday’s only - 6.30pm to 9.30pm and;   
• The Overproof Restaurant serves authentic Jamaican cuisine opens for adults only dining Tuesdays and Thursdays only - 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

We were there on a Saturday so even if time was on our side, we would have had to take a raincheck.

Grill/Buffet at FDR

Find the best Ocho Rios Hotel deals here

If you prefer grilled foods, check out the Sea Cotton Tree Grill to the left of the pool and sample something grilled such as, jerk pork, chicken or even a Jamaican Patty. 

Grilled sandwiches are also available from the sandwich bar and they will also serve something kids will love here too.  They are open daily from 11.00 am to midnight. 

The FDR beach front with its shallow waters is perfect for small children to splash about together with a few kiddies playing pools dotted around.

Day trip to FDR - After lunch, while the kids were down for their afternoon nap, we took the opportunity to get some adult time.

We went for a swim on the beach adjacent beach to FDR Resorts to the right which is fronted by Jewels Runaway Bay Resort. 

Equipped with our own canvas for lounging and towels we had a nice swim in the warm waters and relaxed on soft golden sands before we had to leave for the long drive back. 

Return from Day trip to FDR Runaway Bay to Jamaica Resorts

Return to Jamaica Vacations

Go to top