Club Med has some wonderful family resorts, including one right in Florida. Club Med has all you'd expect from an all inclusive resort, plus some unique features.
For starters, kids programs are outstanding. Baby Club Med has separate areas and programs for 1 year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year olds, etc. Programs for older kids are more like camps, very active and geared to teaching --trapeze, tennis, watersports... And again, there are different programs for several different age groups.
Club Med is also leading-edge in fun for teens and tweens, and Passworld (themed areas, for hanging out and for cool activities) is offered at many resorts.
Above all, Club Med gets points for friendly ambiance due to the policy that guests and staff (called "G.O.'s", for "Gracious Organizers") socialize together. This 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 for families. Note that Baby Club Med is only offered at some resorts, and that a weekly supplement is paid; Baby Welcome, meanwhile, provides handy amenities and services at no charge.
For North American vacationers, the following resorts are the closest locations that welcome families:
- Club Med Punta Cana in the DR
- Club Med La Caravelle on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe
- Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Florida
- Club Med Ixtapa Pacific and Club Med Cancun Yucatan in Mexico.
Club Med has excellent specials, throughout the year.
Club Med Semi-Annual Family Vacation Sale
Book by January 9 2013 for getaways start at $749/pp for seven-nights, for travel through June 28, 2013. Resorts include Club Med Sandpiper Bay Florida, Club Med Ixtapa Pacific and Cancun Yucatan in Mexico, and Club Med Punta Cana in the DR. See details.
Early Booking Rates
Club Med often offers these special rates. Book early for summer, with rates as low as $699/per person. Read more.
Kids Stay Free
This promotion tends to repeat so even if the buy-by date has passed, look for a recurrence... One child 15 and under stays free, per paying adult. And of course, "Stay Free" means "Eat Free" and "Play Free" too.
Family Plan
Likewise, look for repeats of this promotion that offers 7-night all inclusive getaways. Typically, participating resorts include Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Club Med Cancun Yucatan and Ixtapa Pacific in Mexico, Sandpiper Bay in Florida, and Caravelle on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. See the Club Med website for these and other details.
Last Minute Deals
Check for last-minute deals at www.clubmed.com.
7-day Weekend
This deal returns from time to time, offering 7-day all inclusive vacations for the price of 3 days.
Also look for a repeat of an Early Booking Bonus for holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and President's Day.
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.
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! --
