Jamaica with kids – starfish trelawny

Last April we ventured to Ocho Rios for the first time with our children and had a fantastic, affordable, fun, family trip. (Family of four all inclusive with flights $3600.00 )After much discussion, research and preparation, we again planned to travel as cheaply as possible at as calm a travel time as possible. Due to my daughter’s sensory processing disorder, which means everything is louder, brighter, faster and tighter in her world, we have found off season April to be most suitable for travelling. A mere four to five hour flight from Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson, Jamaica’s Starfish Trelawny resort won the day. While we initially tried to book on line, we ended up after much confusion – why would a family resort advertised as such, not permit four people in one room ? – at Sears Travel. Luckily a seasoned travel agent made the call and the room was in fact booked. This trip was chosen by us because of the multitude of activities available on site. At the property there was mini golfing, swimming, whirlpools, pool in the swimming pool, a kid’s club which was top notch, rock climbing, circus school, water aerobics, basketball, waterslides, various evening activities and entertainment and basketball. The kid’s club offered babysitting, regular activities like scavenger hunts, crafts, egg painting and dance offs. Great canopied lounges surrounded the pools and the food was exceptional. It should be noted though that not all on site restaurants were included with the all inclusive price. If activities and food were great, the rooms were mediocre at best. Our family arrived early and our room was not ready at first, so I complained and nothing happened, then after a couple of hours swimming and with very tired kids in tow I complained this time to the manager and a room was quickly found. Too tired to care that the room was really rough and had a horrid view of nothing we collapsed that first night. But eventually after discovering the phone and the hairdryer didn’t work we complained again and this time we were moved to a gorgeous room with balcony overlooking the ocean and the magnificent grounds. As thriftymommagogo rates trips also on how effectively service issues are solved this one gets high marks.
thriftymommagogo ratings.
service $$$$.
accommodations $$$
food $$$ 1/2
activities$$$$
affordability$$$$