Club Med has been a planet unto itself. For many Americans, it is both a familiar name and a large question mark. How is a Club Med vacation different than a standard all-inclusive resort stay? Can it be a good fit for kinds?
Club Med Vacations: What to Know Before You Book
Here are 10 Important things to know to help you determine if it is right for you
Club Med Is About Over Location
Most travelers begin with a destination and build the holiday around the place. However, because offerings vary one of the 68 Club Meds round the planet, it often works better when planning a Club Med vacation to find your fire, then choose the destination.
For instance, Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Club Med Opio in Provence are currently the only two properties in the world to possess CREACTIVE, the Cirque-du-Soleil staffed circus-skills playground for both adults and kids. Club Med Columbus Isle is a adults-only getaway on an island that’s surrounded by endless beaches–and not many people. And Club Med Sandpiper Bay is home to Club Med Academies–sports training facilities staffed by top expert teachers in beach volleyball, tennis, fishing, golfing, and other sports.
Club Med Believes in the Power of Traveling
When Club Med started as an NGO in the 1950s, its goal was to bring the joy of holiday back to Europeans who had lived the tragedies of World War II. After opening the first Club Med–a small summer “village” of tents on the Spanish island of Majorca–former French resistance fighter and Club Med creator Gerard Blitz explained, “Our goal in life is to become happy. The place is here. And the time to be happy is now.” And while the Club Med brand has changed upscale in recent years, its roots shine through in the continued spirit of joy and community.
There’s Terminology
You’ll find Club Meds in far-flung destinations around the planet, but even the English language can sense foreign on a Club Med holiday if you’re not acquainted with Club Med-specific terminology. The people who greets you when you arrive? Those are not employees, they are G.O.s–gracious organizers–and G.E.s–gracious workers. You, the moment you step foot on the property, are transformed from a guest into a G.M., a gracious member.
Club Med G.O.s and returning G.M.s use these along with some other Club-Med-specific phrases regularly, so prepare. And keep your eyes peeled for “mad signs,” that the property-specific dances you’ll see on stage, at the pool, and in the nightclubs.
Club Med Is Your Type of All-Inclusive That Expects You to Come and Go
Many all-inclusives expect that you’ll remain on the house for the period of your holiday, and that may create a sense of mild claustrophobia–particularly among people that aren’t totally sold on the all-inclusive idea. But a growing amount of Club Meds are constructed in proximity to destinations that are unbelievable, and they expect that guests will come and go.
Consequently, there will be a flexibility in offerings on Club Med vacations that allow for folks to go and come without missing out on the abundance of offerings–including meals, sports courses, and activities–built into the Club Med comprehensive adventure.
Club Med Is French in Heart, But International in Spirit
You will see signs of Club Med’s French roots in its attention to mealtime; even at the buffets, you will find carefully plated dishes as well as French favorites such as crepes, ratatouille, and escargot. But this Francophone strategy suggests that North American criteria–for example washcloths and conditioner–might not be room criteria.
But since Club Med caters to travelers from all over the globe, it is pretty good at anticipating and adapting to different cultural preferences, and is likely to have what you want if you inquire. And when French food isn’t your jam, take heart: supplies at breakfast, lunch, and dinner represent palates from all over, including local specialties where you are on the planet.
Club Med Understands That Kids and Grownups Have Different Holiday Standards
Children clubs are a significant draw for parents. However, if the offerings feel too much like daycare, children catch on fast and refuse to return. Club Med vacations resolve that by providing kids a resort track that is parallel focused on imagination and actions.
Children are divided by age so that activities can be age-specific parents may even venture off property while their children are safely ensconced in their mini-Meds. There are late-evening pajama club childcare choices so grownups may have a chance to relive their younger days with a late dinner or dancing.
Children stay at Club Meds for 40 to 50 percent off adult rates, and there’s no additional cost for the kids club.
Club Med Knows Infants Can Vacation, Too
Most children’ clubs at all-inclusive resorts do not allow toddlers or babies. But Club Med has particular care for infants four months and older, an amenity which allows new parents the opportunity to get a break on holiday … even if it’s just napping by the swimming pool or enjoying a diaper-incident-free happy hour.
On Club Med holidays, infant clubs are staffed at a ratio of two-littles per caregiver. Children under four remain free; there is an additional price for your Baby and Petit (toddlers up to 3 years) clubs. Club Med hotels have everything from cribs to strollers and highchairs available to give.
A Club Med Holiday Will Surprise You
Adhering to the music and locating a cocktail party. Snowshoeing into the forests at night and discovering piping hot chocolate in a clearing. Watching a children’s end-of-week performance to detect your shyest kid is belting out a tune in front of the crowd. Club Med seems to comprehend that pleasure and surprise are the holiday memorabilia, and it works quietly to make certain surprise is something.
There Are Options Beyond the Beach
Club Med made its name across the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, but it also has outposts in many other landlocked–but beautiful–settings. Even the Swiss, Italian, and French Alps are sprinkled with ski-centric Club Meds in which the all-inclusive experience takes shape in ski-in-ski-out accommodations, classes for all levels, and serious apres ski offerings. Club Meds in Morocco, China, and Japan all offer more inland holidays, too.
Expect to See More of Club Med at the U.S. Shortly
With its 22 ski-centered hotels in the Alps, China, and Japan, it makes sense that Club Med are looking to the snowcapped mountains of North America too. Plus it’s: There are no specific dates yet, but Club Med is likely to start at least one ski property in the U.S. or Canada within the next few decades.
That will mean comprehensive ski experiences which have classes, other snow activities, apres ski offerings, and meals and beverages. Plus it will not arrive a moment too soon–in recent years, the number of Americans and Canadians coming into Club Med’s 20 ski resorts in the Alps has nearly doubled, suggesting we’re ready for the Club Med approach to winter wonderlands here as well.