Latest news with #ClubMed
Time Out
a day ago
- Time Out
I found European summer vibes at a beach resort in the Dominican Republic
Junior year of college, I was invited by my then-best friend to spend a few weeks on the beach in Italy with her family. It was a brief but transformative experience, introducing me to the carefree feeling everyone on Instagram is trying to capture and sell. Long days spent mostly on the water, simple meals shared in big groups, casual conversations with strangers that somehow spark lifelong friendships—and so much wine. The way Europeans squeeze every last drop out of summer, doing everything from water aerobics to throwing impromptu beach parties and sitting down for those gloriously long, boozy lunches. The kind of stuff you just can't slap a filter over. Europe wasn't in the cards this summer, but I found that fleeting, anything-is-possible summer feeling at Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic. Yes, that Club Med —the one that peaked in the '80s and '90s and seemed to disappear like tanning beds and dial-up internet. Turns out, the 75-year-old, French-born brand is alive, well and still opening resorts. This one opened in 2019 on a secluded stretch of Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic. Billing itself as a luxury eco-resort, Michès is part of Club Med's five-star Exclusive Collection. Remote, yes—but with every modern amenity and convenience, the 93-acre beachfront oasis packs it in. For those unfamiliar, Club Med is an all-inclusive resort: one price covers your stay, meals and activities. But that barely scratches the surface of what turned out to be an expansive, rejuvenating and seriously fun vacation for me and my family. Like those weeks in Italy and the summers that followed, I made friends, sat down for proper lunches of freshly prepared meals, tried new things—and had champagne at every meal. Every morning began with a group jog around the property, followed by breakfast at Cayuco, the resort's main restaurant. Less buffet, more gourmet food court, the spread ranged from made-to-order eggs to a cornucopia of tropical fruit to a rotating daily station (my favorite) serving Mexican chilaquiles, French crepes, and other hangover-curing essentials. Pressed juices and enough caffeine options to rival a Starbucks rounded it out. Then it was off to the beach. I've been on trips where getting a lounger meant waking up at dawn or bribing someone to hold one. Not here. At Michès, loungers are plentiful because that's literally the point of a beach vacation. I didn't line up for anything, didn't have to make a single reservation. I just walked up to the sports shack, grabbed a paddle and life vest, and hit the water. Fresh coconut water? Available straight from the source, just add your paper straw. It wasn't about entitlement—I'm not above waiting for a piña colada—but about a certain level of ease. And I found that here. Club Med calls its staff G.O.s—Gracious Organizers—many of whom are young, seasonal workers from French-speaking countries. They wear a lot of hats, and they elevate the whole experience. One moment I'm dropping my toddler off at kids' club with an adorable young French girl; the next, her counselor is dressed as the Statue of Liberty at Cayuco for the Fourth of July. My jogging buddy? He also teaches water aerobics and performs in acrobatic shows. The G.O. who checked me in? She's front and center during Crazy Signs, the daily choreographed dance party that's a Club Med signature. Club Med felt more like summer camp led by adults who are professionally fun. The pop-up dance parties reminded me of melon time at One Fire Beach Club on the Amalfi Coast. One moment you're sipping an Aperol Spritz, the next a staffer is smashing open a watermelon and turning the beach into a rave. Two parties, same vibe. I spent hours lounging with a book, but when that got old, there was plenty to do. I tried archery for the first time, paddleboarded after lunch and convinced my husband to do yoga in the jungle. His first-ever class was led by an instructor trained under Jonah Kest, a globally known yoga ambassador. I learned that after the fact, but it tracked. Plus, the palapa had a Zen, treehouse feel that instantly set the tone. I never thought 'activities' would be my thing on a beach vacation since I usually pack as many books as I do clothes. But here we are. There's something to be said about relinquishing control and knowing you'll be taken care of. Club Med's slogan is 'L'Esprit Libre,' or 'the free spirit,' which, to me, meant trying something new and embracing simple moments. It may not have been my dream European beach club, but geography aside, it satisfied that same craving for connection, relaxation and joie de vivre—and I didn't even need to cross the Atlantic.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Stephane Maquaire appointed as new president, CEO of Club Med
PARIS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Stephane Maquaire has been appointed as the new president and chief executive officer of Club Med Holding, succeeding Henri Giscard d'Estaing, the company's board of directors announced Monday. According to a press release issued by Club Med, a company specializing in all-inclusive resort services, a key criterion in the succession process was the continued pursuit of the Group's international expansion strategy while preserving its French roots and long-standing core values. Maquaire is expected to build on the current strategy while guiding the company to seize new opportunities in a fast-evolving travel and hospitality landscape, the company stated. For his part, Maquaire said that he was honoured by the opportunity to lead the renowned Club Med into its next chapter of success. In 2015, Chinese conglomerate Fosun completed the acquisition of Club Med, which at the time was facing operational challenges. Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin has described the investment as a positive development not only for the Chinese investor, but also for the French tourism sector. Since the acquisition, Club Med has grown rapidly and now operates over 70 resort villages in approximately 40 countries. Describing him as a leader with deep experience in the consumer sector and a remarkable international track record, Xiaoliang Xu, co-CEO of Fosun International and Chairman of Club Med Holding, said Maquaire is ideally positioned to accelerate Club Med's momentum and write the next chapter of its extraordinary story. Club Med has also seen significant growth in China. According to Fosun, China became the company's second-largest source market in 2024, with 310,000 visitors recorded across its 11 resorts in the country.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Stunning hotel on gorgeous sun-kissed Turkish beach takes all-inclusive to whole new level
It's not just food and drink on tap here, all your activities from sailing lessons to yoga and even the spa are included. JOIN THE CLUB Stunning hotel on gorgeous sun-kissed Turkish beach takes all-inclusive to whole new level CLUB Med's mantra is 'the purpose of life is to be happy - welcome to your happy place.' As I gazed out over the turquoise Mediterranean Sea with a cocktail in hand, it was easy to see why the motto is well-earned. 10 Club Med Palmiye set right on a long stretch of glorious beach 10 Sunbeds and cabanas adorn the beach 10 The hotel is near the Turkish resort of Kemer Credit: Alamy The iconic brand is celebrating 75 years of holiday bliss and has marked the milestone with an £11million refurbishment to its Palmiye resort in Southern Turkiye. Club Med pioneered the idea of a resort where everything is in one place for one price and have stayed ahead of the game since they unveiled the concept in 1950. And nestled between the majestic Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, this Turkish Delight is now the jewel in their highly impressive crown. I flew from Edinburgh with SunExpress airlines to Antalya and wasted no time in getting down to the main aim of Club Med - getting a break from the real world. Staring at your phone is the world's worst habit, it's certainly mine, but the experiences on offer at Club Med make that impossible You can't be on your mobile when you are cutting through the turquoise sea waterskiing or taking the ropes of a sail boat and becoming your own captain for the day. And the food, drink and entertainment make the resort a one-stop shop for a break like no other. The first thing that grabbed me about the resort was how beautifully clean it was. The investment was well spent as the whole hotel was gleaming. 10 The stunning room at Club Med My room was bright and spacious with double glazed doors out into a balcony for an early evening drink as the sun went down. It also had a very comfy bed with plenty of pillows - always a good sign of quality in my book. I visited the pretty city that straddles both Asia and Europe But I didn't stay long in the room before heading down to the beach front, attracted by the delightful aroma coming from the resort's restaurants. The buffets are class acts - nothing is cold or looks like it's been there too long. Turkish cuisine is famous for grilling and this place didn't disappoint with restaurant The Olympus grill the star of the show. The chicken kebabs for dinner were delicious and lunch was grilled whole sea bass, bream or salmon. It was simple cooking but that's the best kind. There was also a vast array of sides and salads to choose from and a mind-boggling spread of sauces and combinations. Themed nights are a big part of Club Med and we were lucky to experience two of them during our stay. 10 The view towards the beach from one of the resort's restaurants 10 There a numerous restaurants to choose from Credit: Supplied 10 One of the themed parties at Club Med On one evening, guests and staff were all encouraged to wear red and white to celebrate the Turkish hospitality we were receiving. The second was a 'white' party which again led almost everyone to find their best white garb for the night. On that evening, the chefs at Olympus spread the food around the sprawling front lawn and grilled up sirloin steaks how you liked them while trapeze artists carried out incredible stunts and tricks. Of course it's only a bit of fun, you won't get booted out for wearing your normal clothes, but the party nights make Club Med feel more like a community resort. Once the food was digested, that's when the party really got going. Efes beach nightclub was bouncing until the early hours with the dance floor a sea of matched colours dancing the night away. The following morning, we were feeling a little delicate but a visit to the breakfast at Phasalis sorted me right out. The lavish buffet was a sight for bleary eyes - and began with freshly squeezed orange juice. There were numerous cereals, fruits, yoghurts and, in a rather classy touch, fresh honey straight from the honeycomb. I then enjoyed eggs cooked to order and homemade pancakes with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. With the hearty breakfast demolished, it was time to enjoy Club Med's other main attraction - sports and recreation. I'd never attempted any kind of sailing before but after a 30 minute tutorial, I felt like I could take on the high seas. 10 Gordon tried his hand at sailing after a lesson from the hotel's professionals Credit: Supplied Luckily the wind was fair and the waves were calm so my first journey didn't end in a Castaway-style disaster, especially as I hadn't packed a volleyball called Wilson. Nearby, some guests were trying their hand at the far more daredevil sport of waterskiing while some others took the far more sedate paddleboarding to enjoy the view. Back on dry land, Palmiye had around a dozen other sports that all come as part of the package including tennis, archery, ping pong, aerial assault courses and the latest fashion craze, padel. 10 You'll be flying high at Club Med Palmiye 10 Just one of the SIX pools at Club Med Palmiye Yoga and pilates are also available every morning for those who wish to get their zen on with a view of the turquoise coast at the same time. Of course, no Club Med resort comes without swimming pools and Palmiye comes with six - including an infinity pool and zen pool. There was acres of space to chill out and you could pick any lounger and not hear the conversations of the family next to you. After a swim, I headed to one of the two spas in the resort. Again, I had to remind myself that all of this was part of the Club Med experience - it was all included. The plush establishment had two saunas, two steam rooms and an ice bath to get the blood flowing. From there, you walked through to a hammam - a Turkish bath to us - for an experience that has been enjoyed by locals for thousands of years. GO: TURKEY GO: CLUB MED PALMIYE GETTING THERE: Seven nights all-inclusive stay at Club Med Palmiye Hotel from £2,620 per adult (based on double occupancy) with return flights from Glasgow (GLA) with transfers included. See or call 03453 676767. To complete the experience, there was a plunge pool outside with sun loungers to sit and relax in the sea breeze. While most of the Club Med experience was on land, a classy element of the holiday was the boat trip laid on one afternoon. The chance to see the resort from the gentle waters of the Mediterranean, along with some of the 'Turquoise Coast' was a fantastic way to spend a few hours,. After some sunbathing on the deck, I then had the chance to get a snorkel on and jump into the clear ocean to cool off. The whole experience left me with genuine holiday vibes; the exercise that I wanted, the rest I needed and the food I craved. I couldn't remember when I last wore shoes or what day it was - that's Club Med relaxation.
Wall Street Journal
4 days ago
- Wall Street Journal
How Three Friends Built a Multimillion-Dollar Brand by Making Sunscreen Fun Again
Vacation, a pandemic-born personal-care startup, has pursued a simple strategy to make some room in its core category: putting the fun back in sunscreen. The brand design looks like the love child of Club Med and Margaritaville. Discount pop-ups on its website evoke magazine coupons from 1986, down to the dotted lines for scissors. Its SPF 30 mousse comes in a whipped-cream canister. And the handle on its new 20-ounce 'jug' detaches to be worn as a bracelet.
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Club Med to launch first all-inclusive resort in KwaZulu-Natal in 2026
Club Med is bringing its world-famous all-inclusive experience to South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal north coast Image: Supplied In a landmark historic move, Club Med is bringing its iconic experience to South African soil with a brand-new resort set to open in KwaZulu-Natal. The most desirable lifestyle holiday brand is opening its first resort on the north coast in 2026, a transformational shift for South African hospitality. Located along the lush and pristine north coast of KZN, this beachfront resort will offer South Africans the chance to enjoy the international Club Med brand and spirit, and most importantly introduce the all-inclusive offer to local holidaymakers. With gorgeous sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, indigenous coastal forests, and a focus on local culture and sustainability, the game changing resort promises to be a new gem in the Club Med crown. What is Club Med's All-Inclusive Concept? Back in 1950, Club Med changed the holiday game. The innovative idea? Holidays where everything is taken care of and paid for upfront with no hidden extras. Just freedom to unwind and make memories. For many South Africans, the idea of an 'all-inclusive holiday' is still relatively new and seems too good to be true. But with Club Med, it's not just a dream – it's a global standard. And now, that standard is coming home. The promise is simple: you focus on the fun; we will handle the rest. Club Med pioneered the all-inclusive holiday over 70 years ago, and today they operate more than 70 resorts in over 30 countries. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari Resort will offer sweeping ocean views, coastal forests, and curated local experiences Image: Supplied Here's what's included when you book: Premium accommodation Gourmet dining with international and local cuisine Open bar with cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages A wide range of land and water sports (from sailing, surfing to padel and archery) Daily entertainment and live shows Supervised kids' clubs for children aged 4 months to 17 years Wellness options like yoga and fitness classes International and South African staff to enhance the experience Why All-Inclusive is a Game Changer for South African Travelers With Club Med's all-inclusive model, you can fully relax. No need to budget for entertainment or wonder if the kids' activities come with extra costs, you can leave your wallet at home. For families, couples, or solo travellers, that kind of peace of mind is truly priceless. 1. Easy Budgeting You know exactly what your holiday will cost before you even pack your bags. This makes saving and planning far simpler, especially for families or groups. 2. Family-Friendly Without Compromise Travelling with kids? Club Med's expertly led award-winning kids' clubs (Baby Club Med, Mini Club Med, and Club Med Passworld) offer age-appropriate activities - giving parents well-earned downtime, and children unforgettable experiences. 3. Adventure in Beautiful Locations Whether you're dreaming of snorkelling in turquoise lagoons, skiing in the French Alps, or simply unwinding at a beachfront spa, Club Med offers something for every kind of traveller with no add-ons needed. 4. Perfect for Solo Travellers, Couples & Groups Romantic escapes, wellness retreats, multi-generational trips, friends and corporate getaways all benefit from the all-inclusive ease of Club Med. Everyone gets to do their thing – and enjoy every minute. Known for over 70 resorts worldwide, Club Med now brings its signature blend of luxury, adventure, and culture home to SA Image: Supplied Coming Soon: Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari The opening of Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari is more than just exciting news – it's a whole new way to travel and discover a new kind of hospitality. Premium, easy, beautifully curated and right on our doorstep. Get ready to discover incredible holidays and a resort experience unlike anything you've known before. For more information about Club Med's all-inclusive holidays or to stay updated on the KwaZulu-Natal resort opening, visit
