Twenty years ago, Jamaica invented the "all-inclusive resort," and while singles and couples love the concept, surely guests with kids and grandkids need it most of all. How many times a day, for example, can a child say "I'm thirsty" or "I want an ice-cream"? Who cares, when there's a swim-up bar with unlimited drinks, and a self-serve ice-cream machine?

Family resorts these days have thought of everything: convenient suites; exclusive kids restaurants, waterslides, toddler pools, mini-golf, trapeze. Kids clubs are de rigueur, with their roster of games and crafts; daily family activities are scheduled, too, from sand sculptures to reggae dance lessons.

Another plus is safety within the resort grounds: older kids can dash around on their own, or with pals they've met in the kids club.  Below is an all-inclusive resort in Curacao that will show a good time from kids to grandparents. 

Like its sister resort, the Starfish Trelawny in Jamaica, Breezes Curacao features trapeze, rock-climbing, "ice" skating, yoga, spa services, kids club, and excellent a la carte Japanese and Italian restaurants. But Breezes is a SuperClubs "super-all-inclusive" resort boasting that "you won't need to spend another penny once you're here."

"Here" in this case is a Dutch Caribbean island with a UNESCO World Heritage Site town. This site is the capital Willemstad - a short drive from the resort - which has photo op's that look like Amsterdam colored in pastels. It will be a highlight of your visit; points of interest include a beautiful synagogue that's the oldest in the Western hemisphere; a floating walk-bridge that opens and closes; a floating market with fruit and fish sold off boats from Venezuela; and the world-class Kura Hulanda Museum. (This museum packs an emotional wallop; for many kids, some sections won't be suitable.)

As for the resort, its outstanding feature is the 1,500-foot stretch of sheltered beach. A breakwater creates a large area for kayaking, windsurfing, or snorkeling.  Kids can also see lots of fish near the rocks at the north end, so they can snorkel whenever they please - no need for boat outings. Teens and grown-ups can snorkel with an escort on the far side of the breakwater. 

Kid fun includes trapeze instruction, rock-climbing, bike riding, and a novelty pool with a fountain. A Camp Breezes Kids' Club is located in a family zone that's near the kiddie pool, beachside Carousel Grill, and a playground. Kids from 2 to 14-years can have a theme dinner at the Carousel Grill and be entertained until 9pm. The daily club closes at 5pm during the winter months. 

Teens can play games in the teen center, a colorful "hut" with air hockey and other fun activities. Teens can also take advantage of a great scuba program: Start with instruction, then do a shore dive each day. For grown-ups, daily activities include tennis clinics and lessons in Papiamentu, the island's local language. The largest casino in Curacao is also on the premises. 

Breezes has 339 rooms and suites, but the layout and landscaped grounds feel spacious. Elevators are available in a six-story wing, but families generally stay near the kiddie pool where several ground-floor rooms are available. Different models of suites can sleep up to six. I must say that I have heard some complaints recently that the plumbing and air-conditioning could be upgraded in several rooms, but we had no problems at our visit. 

The Jimmy Buffet restaurant serves three meals a day, with kid-friendly sections such as sandwich plates (peanut butter and jam), build-your-own-tostada, and an ice-cream stand. A beachside grill serves casual meals. For fine dining, try the Italian Pastafari, or excellent Japanese food at the open-air Manuhana. 

Just a five-minute walk from Breezes is the Curacao Sea Aquarium and Dolphin Academy, which makes a fun outing. Enhanced programs which opened in 2004 mean you'll need a second day to try swimming with a dolphin, running your fingers through a marine life touch tank, visiting with flamingos and stingrays, or arranging a supervised class for your 4 to 12-year-olds, who can take half-day programs while adults are led away on scuba or snorkeling expeditions.

Be sure to visit Willemstad: a free shuttle makes a daily trip from the resort. You can also book a city tour with a stop at the Queen Emma Bridge, a 19th-century pontoon bridge that sways as you walk over it; or a guided hourly tour to the Hato Caves to see the rich variety of stalagmites and stalagtites in these hollowed-out, old coral reefs. The Curacao Ostrich Farm puts visitors on a Land Rover tour of the grounds where kids can feed ostriches, iguana and pigs. Other companies offer daytrips to the isolated beaches at Banda'bou, sunset cruises and snorkeling trips.

For information online, visit "Breezes Curacao" at the SuperClubs site. Call them at 877/GO-SUPER for deep seasonal discounts and "Kids Stay Free" deals.
 

Top Points for Grandparents: 

• 10 minutes from the airport 
• Fascinating UNESCO World Heritage town nearby 
• Many shady palapas by the beach 
• Huge sheltered beach, very protected for kids 
• Sea Aquarium a five-minute walk away

Teresa Plowright mothers three active boys, guides the TravelwithKids.About.com website, finds time to write, and travels extensively from her home base in British Columbia, Canada.