Club Med Just Completed A Makeover Of Its Cancun All-Inclusive Resort, With A Sports “Island” And A Waterpark

It’s one of the signature all-inclusive resorts in Cancun: the Club Med Cancun, the brand’s premier resort in Mexico.

It first opened its doors nearly a half century ago (in 1976, to be exact) and now the resort has debuted a host of large-scale upgrades.

So what’s new at the resort?

First, there’s a new “sports and wellness island,” with free yoga classes. Mini golf, archery, bocce and, of course, the brand’s popular trapeze-centered circus school.

This yoga deck is part of the wellness “island” at the resort.

That’s along with a new family “oasis” and a children’s club anchored by one of the most in-demand amenities in the Caribbean right now: a water park, along with a splash park, a mini pool for the littlest ones, a playground, a small theater and a “fun zone.”

The resort has also repositioned its kids club, and added a new version of its “Baby Club Med,” with special workshops, classes, painting and focused care for guests between four and 23 months old.

So what about cost?

You can stay at the Club Med Cancun for about $1,403 per night right now, according to the company’s website.

Explore China's Most Attractive Destinations With Club Med's Premium Resorts In Beidahu, Changbaishan, Guilin, Lijiang, And Yabuli

Club Med, the renowned pioneer of all-inclusive holidays, invites you to experience the beauty and diversity of its five premium resorts in China.

Club Med Yabuli - China’s largest snow domain offers over 50km of slopes, perfect for skiing and snow-trekking

From the enchanting snow-covered mountains of Beidahu, Changbaishan, and Yabuli to the serene and picturesque landscapes of Guilin and the cultural wonders of Lijiang, each resort offers a unique and immersive activities for guests of all ages and are a perfect embodiment of Club Med's commitment to provide extraordinary and all-inclusive family holidays across stunning locales.

Club Med Guilin

Where nature meets art, Guilin captivates with stunning limestone karst mountains and lush greenery. Guests can reconnect with nature and explore arts in the resort's open-air museum, featuring over 100 contemporary sculptures, daily Tai Chi lessons, and a 900sqm indoor playground for family fun.

Club Med Lijiang

Nestled near UNESCO heritage sites, Club Med Lijiang offers a serene blend of nature, local culture, and Naxi heritage. Discover ancient towns, enjoy traditional Yunnan cuisine, and explore a year-round indoor water park, all set against the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Club Med Changbaishan

Located in the Changbaishan Biosphere Nature Reserve, this resort is Club Med's first forest hot springs retreat. Explore untouched wilderness, indulge in Ginseng delicacies, and relax in 28 indoor hot springs. Perfect for families, with a focus on wellness and local culture.

Club Med Beidahu

A chalet-inspired retreat in Beidahu mountain nature reserve, ideal for skiers of all levels. Enjoy a long winter sports season amidst breath-taking snow-covered landscapes, with the famous 'rime ice' crystals of Jilin province adding to the magical winter experience.

Club Med Yabuli

China's largest snow domain offers over 50km of slopes, perfect for skiing and snow-trekking. Beyond winter sports, enjoy yoga, swimming, and alpine scenery. Open year-round, Yabuli is a top destination for winter adventures and summer escapes alike.

All five premium resorts in China are designed with families in mind, continuing Club Med's pioneering approach to family-friendly experiences since 1967. Kids aged 4 to 17 enjoy tailored programs in our signature kids clubs, blending education with play. For the youngest guests (4 months to 3 years), Baby Club Med and Petit Club Med offer dedicated care at select resorts (advance booking required). Every detail is crafted to make families feel welcome and enjoy their holidays to the fullest.

SOURCE Club Med

Club Med Announces New Japan Ski Resort, Major Resort Renovations And Enhanced Teens Programming To North American Properties

Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, announced today a variety of new developments launching over the next year, including a new ski resort in Japan, completion of renovations in the brand's North American family flagship resort, Club Med Punta Cana, refresh of the brand's unique Martinique resort, Club Med Buccaneer's Creek, and enhancements to the teens programming.

As Club Med continues to move forward with its ambitious development plans worldwide, the brand plans to expand its portfolio with three to five openings or renovations per year, including a U.S. mountain resort targeted to open in 2-3 years, as well as a new resort in the Caribbean in the near future.

New Ski Resort: Club Med Kiroro Grand

Club Med will debut its newest Japan ski resort, Club Med Kiroro Grand, this December further establishing the brand as the leading all-inclusive pioneer with 20 mountain resorts throughout the Alps, Canada and Asia. Located in Hokkaido, the internationally renowned ski destination of Japan, this untouched mountain features white powder snow and unique ski trails that guests travel from all over the world to experience. The resort will attract families, active couples and avid skiiers to discover an elevated mountain vacation featuring spring skiing until May (with 160 days of winter) along with night and off-piste skiing with new trails. In addition to the skiing and other winter sports, guests can learn more about the culture and traditions of the region through day trips to Otaru, a costal town of Sapporo known for its glasswork and Sake and beer distilleries. Learn about the native Ainu heritage of Hokkaido by visiting their local shops that house beautiful handcrafted wood carvings and embroidered clothing. Club Med Kiroro Grand is a destination for travelers to ski impeccable trails and immerse themselves in the rich cultures and activities of the Kiroro region.

Inspired by the dreamlike scenery of Kiroro's natural landscape, Club Med Kiroro Grand is designed with a distinctive enchanted forest theme, encapsulated from the reception to the 266 guest rooms depicting natural finishes and rich, traditional Japanese influences throughout. Upon arrival, guests will be drawn into the signature mountain charm bringing the great outdoors inside. The resort is situated in an unspoiled ski domain with 23 courses for all levels and off-piste ski slopes across the Asari and Nagamine mountains. Included in the stay, travelers will enjoy unlimited ski-in and ski-out access to a pristine domain, lift passes, group ski and snowboard lessons tailored to all ages and skill levels. Guests seeking active experiences outside of traditional skiing and snowboarding can choose from a plethora of activities at the resort like yoga, cardio training, digital darts and more. The resort also caters to families and children with dedicated Children's Clubs for kids ages 2-17.

spending the day on the mountain, enjoy apres-ski activities like the brand's first traditional Japanese onsen featuring a dedicated wellness lounge with a sauna and a hot stone room or indulge in the resort's Japanese-inspired restaurants, the Club Med Spa, indoor swimming pool and all-day entertainment. Additionally, Club Med Kiroro Grand is a 3-minute gondola ride from its sister resort Club Med Kiroro Peak and will be the brand's sole mountain destination in Asia.

Newly Renovated Flagship Resort: Club Med Punta Cana

Aligned with Club Med's mission of consistent growth, the pioneering brand has unveiled all-new renovations and extensions at flagship resort, Club Med Punta Cana:

Refreshed Restaurant & Dining Experience: The resort's main restaurant, Hispaniola, has transformed into an award-winning design that resembles a Caribbean beach bistro drawing inspiration from Punta Cana's vibrant art, music, and culture. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a tropical, open-air dining area with Dominican-inspired décor, bright colored elements and trendy and modern light fixtures complemented by the backdrop of the ocean. The avant-garde dining concept boasts an expansive range of global fare featuring fresh local produce, international cuisine and Club Med's famed French savoir-faire that will take guests on a true gastronomic journey. Enjoy the restaurant's grill station featuring savory and smoky grilled fish and vegetables, tender roasted meats from the churrascaria, and fresh seafood from the raw bar. The restaurant also features a wide selection of cheeses, freshly baked breads and pastries. For the kids, the restaurant offers a variety of well-balanced options for all palates. To round out the meal, guests are invited to indulge in the extensive wine and beverage selections from the wine cellar and bar. The all-day restaurant offers interactive show cooking and an evolving atmosphere filled with live music and festive entertainment.

New + Renovated Family Rooms: Influenced by the modern Caribbean and playful design throughout the resort, Club Med Punta Cana now boasts 90 newly renovated family rooms as well as 48 brand-new Family Superior rooms and 36 Family Deluxe rooms. Designed with families in mind, each room features two bedrooms – one for adults, one for children – and is centrally located near the heart of the resort and its family-friendly amenities. Modern design is combined with décor that reflects the region's natural elements, which guests can view from fully furnished balconies or the open-concept bathrooms with large rain showers, drawing inspiration from the brand's Zen Oasis concept that focuses on wellbeing and relaxation. The new rooms encapsulate the vivacious Caribbean paradise drawing from the island's vivid greenery, bright pink hues of flamingos and the shades of the shimmering turquoise waters.

A New Destination Wedding Venue: As demand for destination weddings continues to flourish, the resort has a new on-site wedding venue in partnership with the renowned Grupo Bisutti, Brazil-based wedding planner professionals that specialize in destination weddings. Grupo Bisutti Club Med Punta Cana hosts up to 250 guests and features a 3,982 sq-ft covered outdoor terrace ideal for tropical cocktail hours, receptions, and ceremonies.

Beauty Salon: To enhance the current wellness spa experiences, Club Med Punta Cana now offers guests a fully renovated beauty salon located at the entrance of the Club Med Spa by L'OCCITANE. The salon will feature a full beauty treatment menu to complement any wellness or weddings needs onsite.

Club Med Buccaneer's Creek: Renovations + New Design Concepts

Club Med Buccaneer's Creek, situated in the heart of the vibrant French Caribbean, will be undergoing extensive renovations to refresh its rooms, reception area, main restaurant, and bar slated to debut the first phase by the end of 2023 and will consist of:

Refreshed Accommodations: 139 existing rooms will undergo a complete refresh with all new modern furniture and decorative elements including new fabrics, curtains, and decorative lighting as well as a full refurbishment of the bathrooms with new hardware, finishings, and light fixtures. New Welcome Area & Reception: The reception area, which is the welcome center for all guests, will be undergoing a complete transformation into a spacious lounge area with green, teal and yellow tropical décor, wood furnishings and furniture that will transport guests to a tropical oasis upon arrival.

Enhanced Dining Concepts: The main restaurant, Pays Mélés, will be redesigned into a new open-air layout with refreshed furniture, lighting, decorative pieces, and two private dining rooms overlooking the ocean. In addition to the main restaurant, the resort's main bar, The Madou, will include a new outdoor terrace area as well as furnishings throughout the space to create a full seaside ambiance.

Endless Adventure: In addition to the renovations, guests can still expect the same outdoor adventures making it the ideal destination for watersport enthusiasts with included activities like paddleboarding, waterskiing, kayaking, and windsurfing. Also, enjoy destination experiences like a tropical getaway in an off-road vehicle to explore Martinique's rainforests and the banana and sugarcane plantations.

Newly Enhanced Teens Programming
In 1967, Club Med founded their first Children's Club – the Mini Club Med for children ages 4-10. To continue its pioneering spirit to cater to families and foster kids' growth and empowerment of all ages, Club Med has enhanced its current teens programming with: Club Med Teens (11-13 year olds) and Club Med Chill Pass (14-17 year olds) to offer more engaging, age appropriate activities. Teens can participate in new-and-improved group games, workshops and themed nights that combine creativity with fun, with activities including:

Teens Show: A modern approach to a talent show, the Teens show will feature trendy dances, glow makeup with LED lighting and screens. Big Splash: A giant inflatable water course will challenge teens to have fun in the water through a timed race to the finish line. Sports Under the Stars: A variety of sports including glow volleyball will be held in the evening featuring light nets, music and snacks – a whole new exciting way to exercise. Chill Pass Fest: An exclusive teens pool party to meet new friends, enjoy time under the sun and chill with music. The teens programming has launched at select resorts worldwide and is available currently at N. America resorts including Club Med Punta Cana, Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, Club Med Cancún and Club Med Ixtapa Pacific and will be deployed at all Club Med resorts by 2024.

Pioneering Sustainable Tourism

Club Med continues its efforts dedicated to responsible tourism and corporate social responsibility initiatives. To expand on the brands "Happy to Care" program, Club Med's N. American resorts have developed weekly programming to involve both clients and guests on continuing their efforts. Weekly initiatives are organized including:

Seasonal Beach Cleanups: Club Med Columbus & Club Med Turkoise participate in seasonal beach cleanups to help keep the resort and environment clean and debris free. Turtle Protection Program: Dedicated turtle release programs at Club Med Ixtapa Pacific has been developed to ensure proper monitoring and protection of baby turtles. At Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, the resort supports the local government with the launch of the first Turtle Protection and Monitoring Program with plans to develop turtle releases within the resort for the guests. Beehive Harvest and Local Sourcing: Club Med Québec partnered with Hydromel to create a beehive growth initiative to grow and harvest honey for use in local dishes and drinks in the resort. Mini Sea Camp: Club Med Columbus teamed up with Only Blue Diving to organize a mini snorkeling camp for teens of San Salvador to raise awareness of coral reef preservation and education of marine ecosystems.

For more information, visit www.clubmed.us, call 1-800-Club-Med (1-800-258-2633), or contact a preferred travel professional.

Club Med, The Pioneer Of The All-Inclusive Concept, Aims To Become The Most Desirable Lifestyle Vacation Brand

Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept with beach and mountain resorts worldwide as anounced its all-new refreshed and modernized brand identity. Taking inspiration from the original Club Med philosophy – creating simple moments of happiness – the iconic lifestyle brand shares details about its evolution into providing a more premium, family-friendly, and eco-conscious experience. Continuing its strong ambition to be the most desirable lifestyle vacation brand, Club Med also shares details about its ongoing corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Introducing an Elevated Brand Identity In 1950, Gérard Blitz founded the first Club Med resort in the Balearic Islands of Spain in an effort to give people a village to enjoy more moments of happiness and disconnect with an unlimited selection of outdoor activities, entertainment, and food & beverages. From there, Club Med’s concept and signature pioneering spirit was born. Today, Club Med is taking elements from that original foundation, its French heritage, and its core essence – simplicity, epicureanism, nature and freedom – and using them to revive its personality into a premium all-inclusive brand that marries a luxury experience with simple moments.

Now, Club Med’s brand identity offers a truly unique differentiation in the market and speaks to its history of offering ultimate disconnection with a new campaign coined: “That’s L'Esprit Libre”. The slogan renews and reaffirms the optimistic embrace of life that Club Med is famed for: the art of living a happy life. "When the complexities of everyday life are removed so one can focus on special moments, like having ice cream for breakfast and putting on ski boots, or if your family vacation actually feels like a vacation – That’s L’Esprit Libre,” said Kevin Armstrong, Senior Director of Brand & Communications for Club Med North America and the Caribbean. “Our new brand positioning takes inspiration from our long-standing 73-year history and iconic advertising campaigns, reinforcing our pioneering essence as well as our forthcoming journey with simplicity, modernized luxury, and playfulness.” Club Med operates nearly 70 all-inclusive beach and mountain resorts worldwide and sees between three to five new resort openings or renovations per year that appeal to both luxury travel and family-friendly experiences.

The brand’s expansion has also continued to evolve into becoming more upscale with the recent launch of its Exclusive Collection portfolio, a collection of 5-star resorts, villas, chalets, spaces and a yacht around the world that include elements taking luxury to the next level, from artfully-crafted single plated dishes to larger high-design multi-bedroom suites. Looking ahead, Club Med is prioritizing expansion of its Exclusive Collection portfolio by opening more Exclusive Collection properties and including Exclusive Collection spaces within its four-star resorts. “Throughout our 73-year history, we’ve watched our brand redefine the all-inclusive concept and evolve into a product that prioritizes simple luxuries that are ultimately the most meaningful for travelers,” says Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean. “Therefore, we find it important to look back on our roots and pay homage to what has made Club Med what it is today.

Delivering unique experiences in desirable locations with moments of togetherness, personalization, and opportunities to create life long memories to ensure their guests enjoy the feeling of being completely carefree. That’s L’Esprit Libre.” As part of this brand evolution, Club Med is enhancing all consumer communication touchpoints with refreshed logos, iconography, and color palette from its website and emails to the ‘My Club Med’ app and in-resort signage in order to reflect its new identity both in the resorts and outside.

For more information, please visit: www.clubmed.us/anewchapter

Club Med Opens First Hotel In Sicily, Italy.

BY NAHRAIN JOHN

 @karryontravel2018

Warm, welcoming Mediterranean doors swung wide open this week to the region’s first luxury 5-Trident resort aka a Club Med Resort on Italy’s largest island, Sicily.

Club Med expanded its ‘Exclusive Collection’ with the opening of Club Med Cefalu, a coastal property situated within a natural reserve of rugged cliffs.

Legit. The property is so isolated in its cliff-side location that you can barely see it in the image below.

Can you see it? No?

How about now…

Thanks to that peaceful, uninterrupted positioning, the resort comes with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains as well as the crystal-clear Tyrrhenian Sea.

As part of the all-inclusive escape, Club Med Cefalu’s guests can enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as electric surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, scuba diving and a dip in Sicily’s first natural swimming pool in the resort’s Zen Zone. There’s also shore-side sports including volleyball and tennis AND the world-class Parisian Carita spa.

Traditional Sicilian cuisine along with international wines and live music can be tasted in each of the property’s three restaurants overlooking Cefalu Bay.

Club Med Pacific’s Marketing Manager, Marine Blanchetier, described the property as the “ultimate opportunity to unwind, reconnect and embrace the Sicilian art de vivre”.

Click here for more information.

5 Reasons To Warm Up In Martinique

If the chill of winter has already got you down, consider booking a trip to Martinique in the Southern Caribbean. Whether by cruise ship or by plane, it’s never been easier to reach this tiny French-speaking island and you’ll be glad you did when you arrive to the warm breezes, culinary delights and natural wonders that make Martinique a must-visit destination in the Caribbean. Take a look at five reasons to warm up in Martinique this winter.

1. More cruise ships are making Martinique a port of call

A number of cruise ships have added a stop at Martinique’s Fort-de-France to their itineraries, including the Carnival Splendor and Norwegian Pearl, both of which are making their first-ever stops at the Cruise Village in Martinique this winter. Royal Caribbean’s much-feted Quantum of the Seas will also make port in Fort-de-France starting in January. Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Lines recently added Martinique to Caribbean itineraries for sails in 2016.

2. You’ll find an abundance of outdoor adventures

Whether you want to hike across miles of nature trails, go wreck diving to explore 19th century shipwrecks that sunk in Saint-Pierre’s Bay following a volcanic eruption or try out kitesurfing or boating, it’s easy to spend every day of your visit to Martinique engaging in new adventures across the island. New this year: skydiving. Thanks to Air Colibri, visitors can now experience the beauty and colors of Martinique with a 20-minute flight and a tandem dive from 3500 meters up in the sky.

3. Gourmet cooking classes offer immersive culinary experiences 

Martinique has long been known as an exciting gastronomic destination due in large part to its French-Creole influences. New culinary packages offered by Les Ateliers Medelices now enable unsurpassed cooking experiences. Foodies can choose from small group sessions with renowned chef Jean-Charles Bredas, who was selected as one of the Four Best Caribbean Chefs by Bon Appetit magazine, or classes in local Martiniquan kitchens to create authentic island dishes.

4. A number of prize-winning rum distilleries call Martinique home

Considered the Rum Capital of the World, you’ll find 10 distilleries on the small island of Martinique and you can visit them all along the “Route of Rum.” Even better, many distilleries sit alongside sugar cane plantations with colonial mansions and exquisite gardens. Musée du Rhum Saint-James offers guided tours on plantation trains through the sugar cane fields detailing how rum is made. Meanwhile, Habitation Clement features an art gallery, audio guides (in English and French), and of course, rum tastings.

5. Hotels and villas offer a unique French-Caribbean style and authenticity 

You won’t find chain hotels or mega resorts in Martinique. Instead, you’ll find mostly boutique hotels and luxury villas that reflect a level of authenticity not found on other islands in the Caribbean. Even Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek in Sainte-Anne boasts Creole spa treatments and a French chef who created the menus across the resort. Look to the new Domaine des Fonds Blancs for exclusive self-catering villas complete with gourmet kitchens, private airport transfers, concierge service, even private chefs and bartenders.

Contributed by Erin Gifford, www.aluxurytravelblog.com

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport

Top Luxury Holiday Destinations For This Summer

If you’re going on holiday this summer, you should do so in style – here’s a round-up of the top four holiday destinations if you’re craving luxury and exclusivity.

The Maldives

With over a thousand islands dotting the Indian Ocean, there’s no shortage to choose from. Perhaps because of their exclusivity, the Maldives are a favored destination of celebrities—Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise honeymooned here, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z chartered a yacht to explore the islands.

If like, 99.9% of the population, the notion of crystalline clear waters, charming thatched roofs and a thirty-degree year-round temperature sets the pulse racing, the Maldives are for you.

In the Maldives, the five-star resorts that are car-free and feature seamless transitions for sea to shore, are the icing on the cake.

Florida

For tropical gorgeousness and celebrity appeal, Florida is a luxury destination closer to civilization.

Miami has a legendary nightlife frequented by hip-hop moguls, pop stars, and high flyers, and Florida’s stretch of coastline offers numerous opportunities to book a luxury hotel with its own beach.

The idyllic Sandpiper Bay is one of Florida’s more alluring spots. You can visit Florida with Club Med for an all-inclusive vacation at this exclusive resort.

Ecuador

If you haven’t yet heard, the jungle may beat the beach as the new exotic destination. While the joys of sandy beach may become monotonous after a few days, the Amazonian jungle is a constant source of wonder.

Ecuador’s small patch of Amazon is the most biodiverse on the planet, and the opportunities to immerse yourself in wildlife are many.

There are bird-watching ventures, boat excursions down the Amazon and night tours where you can encounter even more species.

Luxury lodges with accompanying spas and all-inclusive packages have developed across Yasuni National Park and the Napo River Valley, so there are plenty of opportunities to arrange a luxury holiday in the jungle.

The Amalfi Coast

A classic destination for ancient Romans and modern movie stars alike, the Amalfi Coast is a continental favourite for those craving stunning settings, famously fantastic food and a location with historical and cultural importance.

The Roman emperor Tiberius built his summer villa at Capri, and Pompeii was known as the playground for wealthy Romans until Vesuvius erupted and buried it in volcanic ash.

In the fifties and sixties, classic movie stars like Sophia Loren and Paul Newman chose Amalfi as their favored holiday spot.

The Amalfi may not look exactly as it did a couple of thousand years ago, but the stunning cliffs, charming towns and Neapolitan cuisine that bring forth its legions of admirers haven’t disappeared.

Between private islands, remote jungle lodges and exclusive beaches, there are plenty of luxurious options for you to choose from. The hardest part will be making that choice.

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Contributed by Aswetravel in Destinations