Curtain Bluff

My Caribbean vacations used to be about frozen drinks topped with umbrellas and tote bags filled with best-sellers, but with an eight-year-old and a four-year-old, I needed a place where we could all dig our toes in the sand without wanting to bury our heads too.

Curtain Bluff, on the quaint island of Antigua, was just what we needed. Some islands require planes, ferries, and automobiles, but Antigua was a quick non-stop flight from Newark, and the resort was an easy 30-minute drive from the airport. Curtain Bluff has a casual elegance, and while you’re required to dress up for dinner, it’s flip-flops and beachy-cool the rest of the time.

This all-inclusive resort is ideal for families who want to truly relax on their vacation. Unlike other vacations where I’ve fretted over the $7 milk that spoiled in the sun, Curtain Bluff takes the worry out of the trip with its up-front fee. You’ve already paid for everything, so go ahead and hit the squash court, rent a Hobie cat, or play on the 9-hole putting green. The spa is fantastic. The therapists all hail from Tibet and Bali and give the place a very spiritual feel. There’s live music every night, and the food is consistently good. I’m still dreaming of the warm banana bread.

There’s no structured children’s program, but our kids were happy just digging in the sand, playing on the jungle gym, or hopping in and out of the water. We did take advantage of the resort’s babysitting services twice and were thrilled to find caring individuals who entertained our kids while we enjoyed the amenities of the nearby town. Curtain Bluff’s warm spirit isn’t just a marketing gimmick, either. The resort started the Old Road Foundation nearly 50 years ago to help send local kids to universities around the world. Nigel, the current tennis pro, was one of the program’s first recipients.

I highly recommend the junior suites on the bluff – they’re perfect for families who need a little more space. Or, if you want direct beach access rooms, they have a section of connecting rooms (also great for families) that sit right on the beach. And, one of the best parts was the hammocks nestled between the rooms and the beach. While the kids napped in the room, we were able to enjoy the hammock and still feel the ocean breezes while keeping a close tab on the kids.

Curtain Bluff really let us kick back as a family, and since there are no televisions or radios, we were able to reconnect and enjoy quality time without any distractions other than the sound of the gently crashing waves.