Club Med Ixtapa: Background
Club Med Ixtapa has a prime spot on a big bay on the west coast of Mexico, near Zihuatanejo and about 100 miles north of Acapulco.
Club Med resorts are unique for reasons that go beyond awesome kids programs and signature activities. All Club Med "villages" have GM's and GO's: GM's are the guests (Gentil membres, or "gracious members") ; GO's (gentils organisateurs, "gracious organizers") are the boundlessly energetic staff. Both groups socialize together, which makes a wonderfully friendly ambiance, especially in a family resort: kids love to share a meal with their kids' club leader.
Club Med Ixapa: Features
This is a large resort built in hacienda-style in 3-storey buildings with terracotta tile roofs.
Activities include:
- sailing, kayaking
- tennis, archery (with instruction), volleyball, basketball, mini-golf, in-line skating
- trapeze, with instruction
- evening shows in the theatre. (And at all Club Meds, the weekly Mini Club show is a hit.)
Kids clubs are so extensive, the topic needs to be tackled in sections. One general statement that can be made: typically, you don't see computer or tv screens at Club Med kids clubs; what you do see are many, many groups of kids with their leaders, having fun.
Babies and Toddlers:
Note that Baby and Petit Club Med require extra charges; other kids' programs are all-included.
- Baby Club Med is for ages 4 to 23 months, in two groups. Kids who aren't walking are the "Peanuts" group.
- hours are from 9:00 to 5:30
- activities including learning games, puppet shows...
- for nap time, babies get the same crib all week
- kids have their own cubby, where you can put their special stuff
- Petit Club Med is for ages 2 and 3, usually in two age groups
- Hours are 9 to 5; at 7:30, after dinner with their parents, kids can return for a low-key pajama party until 9 pm
- for ages 4 to 10, usually divided into three different age groups
- Mini Club has its own pool
- open 6 days a week, 9am to 9pm with a break for dinner
- activities include treasure hunts, crafts, sandcastle building, lunch (maybe tasting local foods), pool games, costume parade, stage productions...
- kids clubs will typically participate in all the fun activities noted above: for example, Circus School has with juggling, trampoline, and trapeze.
- Special programs for kids include: "Mini Scientist" fun plus education; Petit Tennis, for ages 3 to 7, with special gear; Hip Hop Kidz®, for ages 4 to 17; "Putumayo World Playground Adventure: Discovering the World through Music" - ages four and up use an activity kit; younger ages get Soothing Songs. Children’s Club
- year-round for ages 11 to 13, and during certain school holidays for ages 14 to 17
- games, parties, arts & crafts, flying trapeze, trampoline, juggling, beach volleyball, sailing, in-line skating, tennis...
- special section in the main dining room
More for babies:
Whether or not your kids go to the Baby Club, any parent can appreciate:
- Baby on Board- at the front desk, parents can get strollers, bathrubs, bottle warmers, potties, steps, portable play-crib
- restaurants have microwaves, blenders, bottle warmers, high chairs booster seats
- a 24-hour convenience room has sterilizers, blenders, bottle warmers
Keep in mind about Club Med Ixtapa:
- many buildings don't have elevators, so if you need to lug a lot of kiddie gear, try for ground-floor
- connecting rooms are available
- at check-in, get the code for entry to the infant supply rooms that have baby food, formula, etc.
- kids clubs are closed on Saturdays
- swimming pool wasn't built for little kids
- Club Med is upgrading many resorts but rooms here haven't been done yet
