LOCAL FLAVOUR

Often thought of as vanilla, all-inclusive resorts are thinking up ways to get guests exploring.

- Jen Salerno Yong

"YOU PRESS THIS button and push forward," said Steve Martin, the butler who was showing my husband, Julian, and me how to use the drop top on our loaner Mini Cooper convertible. A few minutes later, Martin, who laughed with us about sharing his name with the celebrity, would hand over the keys and send us off for an afternoon in Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao.

It was hardly the all-inclusive experience I had expected when I booked a stay at the Sandals Royal Curaçao (doubles from 35,000). For sure, the property had that completely carefree, roll-up-to-any-bar vibe and next-level pools and beaches. And it had plenty of dining options on site: eight restaurants and a trio of food trucks. But the explicit suggestion that we go out and explore the island on our own was a welcome departure.