Franklyn D. Resort and Spa All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

861 reviews

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  Incredible hidden gem—perfect for single moms, families with young kids, or autistic children.

  Incredible hidden gem—perfect for single moms, families with young kids, or autistic children I can’t recommend the Franklin D. Resort enough. This small, locally-owned property in Runaway Bay feels like a secret treasure. Amenities & activities: · On-site boat for rides, snorkeling, and maybe scuba (ask ahead) · Private beaches right beside the resort · Kayaking, sunbathing deck, and a small beach enclave right out front · Two pools (more if it’s busy) and a water slide · Hammocks, mango and coconut trees (I was lucky enough to eat fresh mango and drink coconut water!) · Walking distance to a small shop, market, and ATM The nanny situation (this is a game-changer): Every stay includes a nanny. Ours was Ms. Trudy, and she was amazing. What I didn’t realize (and wish I’d asked sooner) is you can actually take your nanny along on excursions. For single moms especially—this is huge. You finally get a break, your kids are safe and happy, and you can still see them whenever you want. Perfect for babies up to about age 12–13. Staff that made our trip unforgettable: · Chrissy – bar manager (amazing) · Sammy – bartender (amazing) · Davien – games/entertainment coordinator (amazing) · Shanice – assistant bar manager (wonderful) · Crystal – chef (don’t forget her!) · Alex – the kids were obsessed with him. We had a 2-bedroom, 2-bath flat with ocean views. Incredible. Great for autistic children: Small property, same faces, same routine, not overwhelming. You can walk the entire resort in about 7 minutes if you’re moving fast. We’ll be back. Don’t hesitate to book this place P.s- The nanny situation is everything. Every stay comes with a nanny. Ours was Ms. Trudy, and she was incredible. What I didn’t know is you can even take your nanny with you on excursions. As a single mom doing it alone, having someone you trust watch your kids so you can finally breathe, eat a hot meal, or just sit by the ocean? That’s priceless. You can still see your kids whenever you want. They’re safe, happy, and loved. This is for single mothers with babies up to around age 12–13

  Jun 13, 2026
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  My favorite Caribbean spot.

  Some things changed on the resort due to the hurricane, but the thing I like best (the staff), didn't change a bit. They feel like my family at my home away from home. This was my fifth time coming to this resort and every trip has been so memorable and delightful. I am the gramma that comes every year to spend time in a beautiful place with beautiful people, and FDR never lets me down. My husband and I get the little room next to the beach and pier restaurant. We love it so much! My grandson is now 10 and has been coming here since he was 3. He actually cried because he had to leave the resort to go swim with the dolphins. He ended up loving the excursion. My grands have had the same nanny Tamara every trip and they love her. She is perfect for them. The new Mediterranean restaurant was absolutely delicious and fun! This not a modern high tech resort, but it is just what I like: quiet at night, water, beach, relaxing, very laid back. There is plenty to do, or just do nothing at all. The only thing I can complain about is that I never received my welcome back basket this time, which has some pretty cool things in it, including Jamaican coffee. I can't wait to go back next year anyway.

  Apr 25, 2026
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  Great Staff & Unique Concept — Best for Younger Kids, Limited Social Experience

  We recently stayed at Franklyn D. Resort and overall had a positive experience. The staff were truly the highlight of our trip—everyone from the front desk manager to the waitstaff, nannies, activity supervisors, and masseuse were incredibly kind and attentive. A special shoutout to the afternoon/evening bartender, who was fantastic—he taught me how to play Ludi and went out of his way to make creative non-alcoholic drinks so I didn’t feel left out as the only non-drinker. The level of warmth and hospitality from the team really stood out compared to other resorts we’ve visited. One thing we also appreciated was seeing the progress being made around the resort following hurricane damage. During our short stay, we could already see active repairs and improvements taking place, and by the time we left, there were options available that hadn’t been at arrival. It’s clear the team is working hard to restore and enhance the property. I would say this resort is ideal for families with children under 10 who want a balance where kids can have their own experience while parents also get some downtime, rather than everyone doing everything together. The smaller size of the resort (one restaurant, one bar, one pool) makes it easy to keep track of your children and creates a very relaxed, manageable environment. Because the resort is small and more intimate, you tend to see and interact with the same families throughout your stay. This can create a more communal feel, but it also means guest dynamics are more noticeable than at larger resorts with more variety and space. There were only a handful of families during our stay, many of whom were repeat visitors—which speaks positively about the resort—but it did limit opportunities for meeting new people. I would be interested to see how the experience feels when the resort is at full capacity. One recommendation for future guests is to get a clear overview of all available activities and how to schedule them early in your stay. It took us a few days to fully understand everything that was offered and how to arrange it, and by that point we already had off-resort plans and were nearing the end of our trip, so we missed out on a few things we would have liked to do. In terms of physical setup, we would have loved to see more beach loungers and some improvements around pool seating to better accommodate guests during peak times. Overall, this is a welcoming resort with a unique concept and an exceptional staff. For families with younger children looking for a more relaxed, close-knit environment, it can be a great fit.

  Mar 18, 2026
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  The most relaxing vacation

  We are so glad to return to FDR. Last visit was 2019 and our kids are now 10,12, and 14 and I was a little nervous if they would still love it but they absolutely loved their time at FDR. There were only a few other families there and my kids said it made the feel like VIPs. Some differences since last visit- no longer able to easily walk to next door beach and the pier restaurant isn’t open but these issues were from recent hurricane so hopefully they’ll be back to normal at some point. We only left the resort to go to shopping excursion to get souvenirs, which was nice. The transport to resort went very well and also back to the airport. My kids did the scuba discovery class in the pool and in 6ft deep in ocean and loved it. This is extra charge but worth it. All the food was good. The only thing missing was patties. We had talked up having patties in Jamaica and we were disappointed they didn’t have any. Also would love to have another flavor of ice cream but that’s just bc my kids eat their weight in ice cream every vacation and would love extra variety next time :) My kids had the best time just swimming and having Shirley Temples and loving on the resort cat Leo. And it doesn’t get better for me than reading by the pool and having rum drinks. This is a special resort and we hope to come back!

  Mar 14, 2026
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  Best FAMILY resort in Jamaica

  The best family resort you can find in Jamaica is Franklyn D. Resort & Spa. Huge shoutout to the incredible team who entertain guests every single day — they truly make this place so special. We’re currently still here and honestly, this has been one of our best vacations ever. For the first time in a long time, we’re actually able to relax and enjoy ourselves while the kids are happily busy with their nanny — such a game changer for parents. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. And the best snorkelling we’ve had — such an unforgettable experience. We’ve truly never had a vacation quite like this. 💛

  Feb 20, 2026