Families "resort" to fun: the all-inclusive amenities of Caesars Brookdale in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains combined with nearby attractions ensure that parents and their children will have plenty to do and plenty of time to do it.

• Author: Barrett, Wayne M.
• Position: Going Places

LUCKILY FOR US, the weathermen in Pennsylvania--specifically, the Pocono Mountain region--are no better at forecasting than those in our home state of New York. Two days of rain to start our family vacation at Caesars Resort Brookdale had us scrambling nervously to the TV sets for the rest of the week's outlook. Gloomy and cloudy, with on-and-off rain, was the prediction. Uh-oh, we thought. Even though we had done well the first 48 hours despite the persistent raindrops, another five days of rain was not a pleasant prospect. The weathermen, however, turned out to be all wet, as the sun finally broke out--and stayed out for the remainder of our trip--on Monday.

Since our oldest had just a half-day of school on Friday, we used that as our travel day. Good thing, too, because it poured during the entire three-hour drive. We arrived in late afternoon and found our way through the 250-acre grounds to the Woodlands Villa, where our accommodations awaited. The relentless raindrops did not quell the excited voices of our kids--Julie (six), Alex (four), and Trevor (two)--who excitedly pointed out the paddle boats docked at the lake; playground bursting with a variety of slides, swings, and climbing apparatus; tennis courts (Dad's latest passion); outdoor swimming pool; archery targets; fishing dock and covered bridge; and, of course, everyone's favorite--the miniature golf course.

The excitement grew (for Mom and Dad, too) once we reached our suite. The kids, overjoyed to be free from the restraints of the minivan, were treated to a lot more room than they've been accustomed to in past vacation stays. A large, sunken living room, replete with fireplace, pull-out couch, loveseat, and big-screen TV (with VCR), garnered immediate attention, as did the half-wall that sectioned it off. Despite their ages, our trio is pretty good at doing what they're told. (Well, Trevor ... sometimes.) Yet, we could make no headway with the half-wall. At every opportunity throughout our stay, they were on it: crawling, shimmying, bumping, and, worst of all, dive-bombing onto the loveseat--sometimes cannonball style, sometimes headfirst--whether I was sitting underneath them or not. (They wouldn't dare pull such a stunt on their mother.) No amount of ordering, threatening, or pleading could get them to stop performing gymnastics routines on this tempting wooden barrier. After a couple of days, we just gave up and let them have the run of the place.

The fireplace, too, proved quite popular. Although it was mid June, nighttime in the mountains remained cool--at least enough to throw a log on each night. Unlike at home, where we go through a long drawn-out process of crumpling up newspapers, strategically spreading the kindling, and carefully perching a log or two upon the newly created base before finally setting it all ablaze (and then dashing outside at precise intervals for additional logs that have been inspected for rot and insects), at Caesars we simply purchased a preconditioned log at the front desk or gift shop, put it in the fireplace, lit it, and sat back to enjoy three hours of dancing flames.

The bathroom setup proved quite convenient as well, since there were two, which divided up the inevitable traffic splendidly. The master bathroom further served to diffuse usage arguments by having twin sinks, sauna, shower, and a whirlpool bathtub for two. The double sinks were a godsend, as when it comes time to wash up or brush teeth, our crew all seem to head for the bathroom at once. Also, while we didn't take advantage of the sauna's therapeutic effects--we're saving that for when we come back to one of Caesars three couples--only resorts (Cove Haven, Paradise Stream, and Pocono Palace) in Pennsylvania--Alex did use it as his personal dressing room. Moreover, the toilet was sequestered behind a door. This, coupled with the half-bath found near the front door, meant no lines--Nirvana!

While the dividing wall received the most attention and the bathrooms the most use (although the wet bar, breakfast nook, and refrigerator were welcome amenities as well), the most-talked-about item undoubtedly was the Murphy bed, which pulled out of the wall (and returned when not in use). Julie and Alex usually delight in sleeping on a pull-out couch whenever we travel. In fact, they insist on any room we take having one. Yet, the wonders of the Murphy bed silenced any and all talk of any pull-out. Of course, it still couldn't halt the debates over who would sleep on what side, who was hogging the most covers, who was breathing on "my" pillow, etc.

The master bedroom--with two double beds, a large closet (perfect for hide-and-seek), television set, and a huge picture window that looked out on the distant lake--was where Trevor, who can be a bit of a night owl, enjoyed hanging out after his brother and sister were asleep. So, he'd cozy up with Margaret while I watched baseball or "Leave It to Beaver" by the fire in the living room. The Beave, though, is one of his favorites, too, so he'd sometimes come out to join me on the couch and identify the characters as they appeared on screen. "That's Wally. That's Eddie. That's Lumpy. That's Beaver's father ..." and so on.

Caesars Brookdale in Scotrun, Pa., is both a family resort and a great getaway for couples. As a year-round draw, it also pulls in the skiers and snow-tubers in the winter. It's a favorite training spot for boxers as well, including Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Gerry Cooney, Riddick Bowe, and, most recently, Lennox Lewis (as he got ready for his bout with Mike Tyson). Actually, it was Lewis' 13th stay at Brookdale and, on his latest visit earlier that month, he had occupied the same Woodlands Villa complex we were staying at.

Personally, I was thrilled to be able finally to spend a vacation in just one place. Although my wife is an expert at packing--having refined her craft over the years as our family swelled from just us to three, four, and finally, five--on past vacations we inevitably were on the move, never staying at less than three locales, meaning I had to do a lot of lugging in not a lot of time as we rushed off each day to a new adventure. At Caesars, however, we could settle into a sort of home away from home. There was great anticipation each morning when I drove off to the Main Lodge for coffee and the day's itinerary.

Sunday, for example, kicked off Family Festival Week. After breakfast, the action got going in the Family Fun & Fitness Center, the site of indoor miniature golf, a roller-skating rink, an indoor swimming pool, and various exercise equipment. It's also the locale for Kids Kamp, run by activities coordinators who are first aid-, CPR-, and lifeguard-certified. Children five and older can be left off while parents go do their thing as their offspring enjoy a few hours of youth-geared activities. Youngsters are broken up into three age groups: Toga Tots (five-seven), Brookdale Explorers (eight-12), and Mountain Rangers (13 and up). Parents can sign them in and out at any time, and naturally are more than welcome to check on the kids as often as they like. Children under five must be accompanied by an adult or babysitter, which can be provided by the resort. When Brookdale says your vacation will be all-inclusive, they mean it.

Julie and Alex made kites, using magic markers to decorate them to their liking; played Bingo; and participated, as best they could, in a soccer game with some of the older kids. Trevor, meanwhile, whose usual forte is whiffle ball, took immediately to miniature golf, using the indoor course to hone his skills for the more--difficult outdoor 18-hole challenge. The rain had given way by that afternoon, so the resort's planned events--ably and entertainingly run by its ubiquitous social director, "Uncle Steve"--were not a wash-out.

Another plus of resort life is that you're never stranded far from your room, which is just a couple of minutes away. So, when Trevor became cranky for his nap, instead of struggling to get him to fall asleep all scrunched up and sweaty in his stroller, we were able to whisk him away to the room in just a few minutes. As an added bonus, I was the one doing the whisking, meaning I got to take a much--appreciated nap, too. While Trevor and I were enjoying our respite, Margaret, Julie, and Alex had an active afternoon with...