After undergoing a full renovation, this family-friendly property reopened in 2015 as a luxury resort that feels more Vegas than Jamaica. The spacious and modern rooms come with large flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and private furnished balconies with water views. Family Deluxe Rooms include two adjoining rooms -- with cute extras for the kids, such as mini bathrobes, and plastic sand buckets and spades. There are four restaurants and four pools, including a FlowRider surf machine blasting out waves, a waterslide, and a kids’ waterpark area adjoining the Playroom, which includes an indoor playground and ball pit. Water sports include snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, and scuba diving -- but some command fees. The 705-room property is located in a gated, private beachfront setting a short walk to downtown.

Kids are everywhere here -- and with good reason. The 223-room resort's Camp Sesame is a huge hit with little ones. They can spend a few hours or the entire day with Elmo (and certified nannies) while participating in organized activities indoors and out. It's open until around 9, so it's even possible for parents to have a romantic dinner alone. Older kids (if you can tear them away from the water park and snorkeling gear) can hang out in the XBOX 360 game garage. In-room babysitting services are provided for a fee. Together, the whole family can enjoy Sesame Street parades, beach bonfires, and talent shows. Beaches Ocho Rios isn't as extravagant or modern as Moon Palace, but it is definitely one of the most kid-friendly hotels on the island.

This is one of Ocho Rios’ largest all-inclusive resorts. In fact, the 846-room ClubHotel Riu feels like a city unto itself, with seven restaurants, an enormous private beach, and two large pools with whirlpool hot tubs. The kids' club can't hold a torch to Camp Sesame, but it does have an indoor playroom and a gated playground with a kiddy pool. There's a constant lively atmosphere, but it never rises to the level of spring-break raucousness (the resort actually forbids spring breakers from staying here -- a plus for young families).

Amid dozens of of other hotels and resorts along Jamaica's north shore, the Royal DeCameron Club Caribbean is a pleasant, mid-range, beachfront hotel about 20 minutes from Ocho Rios by car. This all-inclusive hotel provides a solid list of amenities, including a wide beach, two pools, and three open-air restaurants. Decor in the hotel's 203 rooms is sparse and simple, and standard amenities include are limited to flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges. While there is a decent fitness room and facilities for kids, the lack of a spa or free Wi-Fi is disappointing in a hotel of this class. The upper-middle-range ClubHotel Riu Ocho Rios is nearby and has more amenities, but rates there can be about double.