Sharon,
I think you would enjoy the pool and the beach at the
Caribbean Beach resort. This is the only moderate hotel that will fulfill both of those wishes for your family.
The pool is going through a renovation right now which is set for completion in mid-September. I can’t wait for the new slide to be unveiled. The artist's rendering shows a pirate-theme slide that looks amazing.
Our family loved our stay at this resort. While the walk to Old Port Royale from our room in the Jamaica village was sometimes tiring, I loved the fabulous, tropical views. Even the quiet pool by our building was a pleasant getaway with lounge chairs, tables with umbrellas and night-time lighting. There are several beach areas with hammocks, lounge chairs and playgrounds on the sand. There is no swimming in Barefoot Bay but the sandy beaches are nice places to relax and play.
Character meals are not offered at the moderate resorts so you don’t have to worry about factoring that in to your decision.
One thing I would like to mention is that there are no elevators in any of the buildings. If this is of a concern, please have it noted on your reservation that you would prefer a first floor room. Our son was out of his stroller by the time we stayed here, but I just got to thinking that returning after a long day might be challenging without the elevator to easily maneuver tired (or sleeping!) children.
Also the rooms at the Caribbean Beach resort are a tad bit larger than at the other moderates. I like to request a corner room with two windows!