FDR Pebbles Hotel

Having 4 children ages 8, 8, 6 and 3 we chose this resort as being geared to families. unfortunately, we were looking for a few more amenities than this resort really offered. The accomodations were just the bare necessities. The property is small, and when full with guests, quite noisy, dirty and crowded. There is nowhere to go to escape the noise and crowds. As for the nannies, they are just overextended housekeepers. Our nanny was responsible for the care of our rooms as well as the kids. She often disappeared for long periods of time. My children were not about to go anywhere with a stranger! The food was fair and the drinks poor. The bar "service" was slow. The beach is tiny and not white sand but rather rocky. If you are looking for a no frills bargain, this is for you. If you want to relax and feel like you are being pampered, go elsewhere. We will not go back.

This vacation was absoulutely fabulous!!! We were traveling with our 10 year old daughter and 18 month son. It was truly a great vacation for everyone. My husband and I were able to enjoy each other's company(which is a problem with a baby) and actually have an adult vacation, and not be to far away from our children. Our daughter met alot of freinds and was busy her entire stay. Our son enjoyed the nanny very much, not to mention the constant 1 on 1 attention he recieved all week. All of the nannies were so very nice, and always willing to help out where they could. If I was to say there was a downfall, I would say they could expand on thier menu, although it was good and we were all satisfied it could be expanded. When viewing the picture's and reading reviews before we left, I thought the beach would be an issue, due to size on resort, and sharing with neighboring resort, but to be honest, once there it was no longer a concern. If your considering this resort, and you have small children, I definately recommend it. In fact we plan on going back again next year. Enjoy. And I hope this review helps! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Kathy

My family of five, kids ages 13,10, and 9 were at Pebbles Nov.21 and 22, 2003. We had a wonderful time. The Vacation Nannies are wonderful. My husband and myself are protective of our kids but felt very comfortable with the kids hanging out with the nanny to do arts and crafts. The rooms are very spacious, with privacy for the parents. The resort offers a stocked refrig. in room, so snacks are always available. The food in the dining room was O.K.-not bad but not great- with the pool grill offering good burgers,jerk pork,chicken,etc. The mosquitos were not a problem for us. After reading reviews on this site, we carried a strong repellent which helped control the bites. If a great beach matters- this would not be the resort for you. The beach is just O.K. We took two tours: Glistening Water(must see)and the Dolphin Swim(Out of this world fun). My kids didn't want to leave but Beaches Negril(wonderful and expensive) was waiting for us. I got a great deal off of Skyauction-Great vacation for the dollar. I would think if one is vacationing on a budget- one couldn't beat the quality for the dollar of this family resort in Jamaica.

Bid on this vacation on skyauction and got a great price for the three of us--me, my husband and 14 year old son. Just a little getaway. We travel a fair amount. What a pleasant surprise. The suite was really nice with a private bedroom for the adults and a separate area for our son, with a really nice balcony overlooking the pool and ocean. The lowdown--wonderful service, good drinks and a great sip up bar at the pool. The food was not special, but good, decent food. Great entertainment, and entertainment staff, good house band and a really warm atmosphere. It was low season so activities were a little low key and the kids programs were not in full swing. We just relaxed and met an awful lot of nice people, fellow guests and staff. Not high end, but good value and very enjoyable with beautiful gardens and an eco friendly environment. Liked it, worth the money.

We visited Pebbles in June. Our party consisted of my sister and I and 4 teenage boys. This was our second trip to Pebbles in 2 years. The boys begged us to take them back after a great trip in 2002. The food is very authentic and is great. Jack, the chef at the pool grill can cook some of the best Jamaican food that we have ever had. He makes a daily special that is worth a try. Also try the Jamaican patties, the jerk pork and chicken. There is always something to do for both the kids and the adults. The pool always has games and activities. At night the entertainment is good. The employees are very nice and can not do enough for you. The teen coordinator Rick is great. He kept the boys entertained for hours at a time. The only problem is the mosquitos so bring a very strong spray. Skintastic did not work well so bring something stronger. We are counting the days until we return!!! Only 210 days left!!

We arrived in Jamaica, not sure if we were going to have fun. We have a 13, 10 and 8 year old. We went into the vacation definitely not wanting a nanny since we like doing everything together. Well, we were wrong. The nanny - Simone, was the absolute best. She helped us all out...even my husband and myself. I felt bad when she would run to the front desk to get us bug spray or anything else. She was great. The people were the best asset of the resort. The food isn't anything to write home about...and the rooms are okay. Definitely bring bug spray, and DO NOT leave your doors open - the bugs will invade and bite you at night!!!!! Bring a white T-shirt - because they tye dye every day! The bus tours are great - and FREE (which is different than any other resort we have stayed at) and the Luminous Lagoon is a MUST See - Do Not Miss it - it is amazing!!!! Go, and fun...get to know the people!!!

We are a family of four with two girls (4&7) and stayed at FDR Pebbles for 11 days 14-25 July03. This seemed to be longer than most, but meant we were able to combine thoroughly relaxing days with trips out of the resort and not feel rushed. I agree with previous reviewers about four things - Firstly, the food is not spectacular, although the Jerk Pork from the lunchtime grill and the abundance of fresh fruit were the properties saving grace. Secondly, the staff are great. Much has been said of the nannies, and our nanny (Diana) was lovely. The girls were never bored and planned their days around the activities offered. Additionally we found the bar and entertainment guys incredibly friendly. They worked long hours with unfailing good humour and remembered our likes and dislikes, making us feel special. Thirdly, the mosquitoes are bad as I fear the lush grounds attract them. FDR Pebbles does all it can - sprays the rooms daily and grounds each night, and supplied us with those electric tab burners. However, the best thing is to take a good supply of strong repellent and bite relief cream with you and use it religiously. Lastly, the pool and swim-up bar are great. We also took the snorkelling trip to the reef almost daily out and our children's swimming confidence increased expontentially. Other things to say - shade is minimal around the pool. All we wanted to do on our days around the property was sit by the pool, read a book, and keep and eye on the girls whilst they splashed around. However, unless we got one of the few loungers under the palm tree we couldn't stay out too long. That said there are a few loungers right on the beach in the shade and freshened by strong sea breezes that are pleasant. Day trips out are recommended if you have the time - the two provided by FDR are basic and did not give us a flavour of Jamaica. We saw more of the bus and our fellow guests than the locals. However, you can arrange trips at the front desk. Taxi's to visit other parts of the island ended up being our greatest expense, but were definitely worth it. We particularly enjoyed Dunns River Falls, the botanical gardens in Ocho Rios (there are three), a trip around Cockpit Country to Windsor Caves and Glistening Waters. All in all, a great holiday in an unsophisticated but friendly property. As long as you go for the kids activities & nanny service, rather than a stylish or refined adult holiday you will be well-pleased.

My son and I went from JUly 4-10. This is a really nice friendly resort. It is small which is a plus. Everyone knows you very quickly. The rooms are very comfortable. We had a great room the was oceanfront and we could not ask for more. There was no one bothering you to buy trinkets, etc. The food is just OK(but we are very picky). It is not that it was bad just not alot of what we liked. The beach is rocky but beautiful. What makes this place outstanding is the service. Not only of your own personal Nanny but everyone from the bartenders to the Taxi drivers were friendly and very helpful. Glistening waters is about a 3 minute ride and well worth it. Overall this is a wonderful place that makes you feel right at home. You can relax as much as you want and never leave the property or go and do something everyday. I would recommend this place to anyone with children. My son(5 years old) loved his Nanny and everything else.

We were at FDR Pebbles from June 20th-27th, 2003. Myself, my wife at three girls ages 11, 6 and 1. All in all we had a great time. The staff was very friendly and attentive, the activities were great and varied. The 11 year old was off all day with the teen coordinator Ric, the 6 year old hung out in the kids center or with the Nanny or at the pool. The 1 year old was with the Nanny alot who would look at her during naps. At night, we had the Nanny for usually 3 hours for 4$ per hour. The Pool bar was great, hardly waited for anything the jerk chicken was delicious. The food is the main dining room was good but nothing special and the Italian resturaunt was not very good at at all. If you are looking for haute cuisine, this is not the place for you. This place is about the kids and activities and keeping them busy. I also went scuba diving and snorkeling which was very nice. The big downside is the mosquitoes. They come out at dusk and can eat your kids alive at night. Spray the kids at night and keep the room cold. If you fail to do this even 1 night they will be eaten alive. The resort sprays each night, but they are still a problem. All in all, for the money this was great time, friendly attentive staff, decent food, nice beach, great pool and super nice Nanncy (Jodine) who made the trip well worth it.

We just returned from our trip. We booked through American Airlines and it was half the price of other family all inclusives. Although we agree with the other reviews about the food and the inside of the rooms are nothing special, the pool was amazing and so many activities for kids, teens, and parents it was hard to be bored. The Nanny was a great thing. She took the kids to activities, to the bathroom, got snacks, sunscreened kids, ran back to the room for things you forgot and for 4.00 an hour after 4:40pm she bathed kids combed hair and took them to dinner so my husband and I could shower and go to dinner in peace. Wish I was still there, JM