Below you'll find info about several promotions at Club Med villages. But first, some...
Background about Club Med for Families
Club Med has some wonderful family resorts, including one right in Florida. Club Med has all you'd expect from an all-inclusive; it also has some unique features.
For starters, Kids Programs are eye-popping. At Club Med Sandpiper, Baby Club Med has separate rooms and programs for 1 year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year olds, etc. Programs for older kids are more like camps, very active, very geared to teaching --trapeze, inline-skating, waterskiing...
Club Med is also leading-edge in fun for teens. Passworld (themed areas, for hanging out and for cool activities) is offered at twelve resorts; Club Med Punta Cana also has The Ramp, a giant skateboard ramp with lounge tucked underneath.
Club Med also gets points for friendly ambiance due to the policy that guests and staff (called "Gracious Organizers") socialize together. Works great at a family resort! Kids meet staff in the kids' clubs, then greet their new friends at dinner, in the evenings, etc.
Read more about Club Med features, and kids programs at these resorts that welcome families:
- Club Med Punta Cana in the DR
- Club Med La Caravelle in Guadeloupe
- Club Med Sandpiper in Florida
- Club Med Ixtapa and Club Med Cancun Yucatan in Mexico.
Club Med Deals
Club Med has excellent specials, throughout the year.Family Winter Sale Event
This promotion offers savings of up to $3000, on a 7-night all inclusive vacation. Book by Jan. 4 2010, for travel by June 11 2010; participating resorts are Club Med Cancun Yucatan (Mexico), Ixtapa Pacific (Mexico), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Sandpiper (Florida-USA), Caravelle (Guadeloupe-French West Indies) -- all with kids programs. The sale is also offered at Buccaneer's Creek (Martinique-French West Indies) and Columbus Isle (Bahamas): these are resorts "for everyone", that welcome kids (two years and older, at Columbus Isle), but don't have kids' clubs.
7-day Weekend
This deal is over, but it's returned from time to time, offering 7-day all inclusive vacation for the price of 3 days, at Club Med resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Florida.
Last Minute Deals
Every Friday, check for last-minute deals at www.clubmed.com. Example: "Short Stays Family Escapes" at Sandpiper, from $999, for 3 nights for four people.
Look for a repeat of these deals:
Kids Stay Free
The booking date's passed for this great deal (-was February 28, 2009, for travel between February 14 and October 30, 2009), but look for a repeat.
Thanksgiving and Holiday Season Specials
Perhaps there'll be a repeat in 2009: savings of 30% for booking early, for Thanksgiving, Holiday Season, and President's Week, at family-friendly Club Med Punta Cana, DR, Sandpiper in Florida, and Caravelle, in Guadeloupe.
Family Reunions
Check for special perks for groups of 20 and more (in 10 or more rooms): for ex., the organizer and a guest may stay free in an upgraded room; families may get a private beach picnic or group portraits.
Promotions for Newsletter Subscribers
Club Med's free email newsletter -- the Club Med Wave-- sometimes offers special promotions for subscribers, such as free room upgrades. Sign up at the Club Med site.
Misc.: Hurricane Guarantee, Travel Insurance
A complimentary Hurricane Protection Program gives guests a Future Travel Certificate if Category One hurricane force winds impact the resort during their stay. The Certificate is for the value of the land portion of their vacation for the number of days impacted by the hurricane force winds, and is good for up to a year at a number of resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, Florida (with some blackout dates.)
Another point: Club Med guests must purchase a membership, which includes travel insurance benefits. (Membership for one year costs $50/adults, $25 for kids under 11.) An optional enhanced Travel Insurance and Protection Program includes "cancel for any reason" coverage.
-- deals change, so be sure to check the resort's web site! --
*photo © Teresa Plowright
