Cinque Terre

Bonnie,

I definitely agree with the others. Given your "multi-generational situation", I'd also suggest Monterosso al Mare. It will provide the greatest selection of lodgings (possibly with elevators), and the easiest walking around town for the older family members. It also has the nicest beach. Lodgings in the "old" part of town might be a bit more authentic.

The smoking regulations in Italy are quite strict, so the one person that smokes will be spending some time outdoors!

For hiking the trails you'll have to buy a Park Pass at the local rail station. This has to be validated before use. If you stay in Monterosso, you might take the train to Riomaggiore to begin the hike (that's the easiest section). If the older people are tired when you reach Corniglia, they could take the train back to Monterosso and the rest of the group could continue the hike. The sections from Corniglia to Vernazza and Vernazza to Monterosso are the hardest, so that might be advisable.

Happy travels!

On the pass mentioned by Ken above, you can buy a 1-day, 3-day or 7-day Cinque Terre pass that will give you unlimited rides on the trains from Levanto in the North to La Spezia in the South, all trails, all mini-buses in the towns and the open air museum. Each person will need their own pass. If you are there for 3-days or so, it's a great value.

Note that the mini-bus may be very useful for the grandparents as they go to the tops of the towns. Note also that they don't go between the towns.

I would say Monterosso. Flatest of the villages, probably larger hotels that would house all of you (3 or 4 rooms), and the best sandy beach for the kids, and things on level ground for the grandparents to get around and see.

Paul has a good idea on the town. Expect stairs in most of the other smaller places to stay. Aside from a few larger places in Monterosso, you might need to consider two smaller places elsewhere (but close together).

For the "hike", I would suggest going to Riomaggiore and walking the coastal trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola. Very flat and a very easy walk. It takes about 20 minutes if you walk fast or whatever if you stop, take pictures and look at the flowers. Very scenic. You'll need to pay to walk the trails. The next trail from Manarola to the Corniglia train station (not the town) is also quite easy although there are a few stairs. This walk will take you about 40 minutes. We're also seniors about 10 years behind your grandparents and we found these two trails quite easy.

Finally, you can take the ferry roundtrip from Monterosso to Portovenere. Have lunch and return. Highly scenic and the ferry pulls into some of the towns (with good weather).

We were there in September. My husband hiked the trail and divided between 2 days. I relaxed and enjoyed our hotel. I also took the Ferry ride on the 2nd day between all the towns. Make sure you all take the ferry ride.
The hotel we stayed at has a beautiful view. We had breakfast and dinner there both night. It is fairly expensive (actually more then we had orginally planned on spending) but I am glad we spluged. It was in Monterrosa which everyone is recommending to you. It is called the Hotel Porto Roca. A gate goes out the back of the hotel for hikers to start the trail. If you call them from the train station, they send a car down to pick you and your luggage up. The hotel is built into the side of hill overlooking the town and the water.
The hotel web site is - http://www.portoroca.it/hotel_e.htm

I think Monterosso. It is the flattest of the towns, has the biggest beach for the kids and I think nightlife as well(we stayed in Vernazza so didn't do any nightlife). For hiking take as much of the trail as you want then get on the milk run train back to your town. We couldn't do the whole route because part of the trail had been washed out. Our kids enjoyed the water in Vernazza, the beach in Monterosso, and the cat stations along the trail. Each has a dozen or so cats hanging around a picnic table and a donation box to help feed them.