The 9 Best Club Med Resorts for Families in 2022
Upon entry there was a large foyer with closets and with the bathroom and commode area off it . Then there was the kids’ room with two twin beds, and then our living room. The living space had more closet space, our coffee station, another twin bed / daybed couch, and access to the balcony. From here we also had a king bedroom off the living area. During neals coffee shop our stay as we started to share on Instagram and Facebook about our Club Med experience, we received countless messages from people about their lifetime enjoyment of the worldwide resorts. Some people shared that they’ve been going to Club Med for 30+ years, and others shared that since having kids the brand has been their go-to choice for vacations.
The resort was NOT crowded so there was room for everyone. Bring water-friendly shoes for your kids if they typically have sensitive feet. The beach can be a bit rocky in a few spots along parts of the shore and even a few feet in here and there. Nothing an adult or older child can’t handle barefoot but smaller kids who aren’t accustomed to that bumpy feeling may be bothered. We didn’t take any our second time around and it wasn’t a big deal at all — but I didn’t have my complain-y kid with me on that trip.
There are times each day just for adults and just for kids, plus a few slots on the schedule each week where the whole family can go together. Club Med’s properties are all-inclusive — save for top-shelf liquors, high-brow wines, and off-resort excursions. When you hear all-inclusive, you can’t help but picture buffet lines and food that’s languished for too long under heat lamps.
For an extra fee, parents of kids four months to 10 years old can use the Pyjamas Club from 8pm to 1am, or make babysitting reservations. There is a dedicated Bottle Room next to the Baby Club that is open 24 hours a day. Even new parents can look forward to some time off, thanks to Club Med’s extensive kids’ programming. Baby Club Med is for little ones four months to 23 months old. Petit Club Med is for the two- to three-year-old set.
We felt the food in Indigo was fine but in no way compared to the excellence found in the buffets. Breakfast had a couple of solid options but nowhere near the variety you could find at Samana; however, if only Hispaniola is open, I’d opt for Indigo. Dinner at Indigo has amazing ambiance but the food doesn’t live up to the environment. While our apps were delicious, mains were small and forgettable.
CREACTIVE is one of the newest family-friendly attractions in Club Med Punta Cana. All activities are supervised by trained employees called Gentils Circassiens. Patient and understanding, they seem to have a good handle on the balance of helping the young and old fly outside of their comfort zone, without pushing too hard and stopping the fun. Club Med Punta Cana has a really intimate feeling. With only 500 or so rooms to be had, allowing about 1,800 total guests at any given time, that makes sense.
There is also less choice of restaurants to eat at than other Caribbean all-inclusive but the food is of a good standard. The traditional hacienda-style resort of Club Med Ixtapa on Mexico’s Pacific coast has large, modern rooms and plenty to do on site. It is located on Playa Quieta, 30 minutes from the airport and near a fishing village. The Exclusive Collection Space, also known as Tiara, is a 5T space in a 4T resort (that’s Club Med’s rating system for its own properties). Superior and Deluxe rooms feature a balcony and a minibar stocked with non-alcoholic drinks. Borrow equipment and have a game, or join one of the group tennis lessons to learn some new skills.
Be sure to save some time to enjoy the 2,000-foot private beach. The property has three swimming pools, including one dedicated to the children’s clubs, which has a small water park area with slides and sprayers. Outdoor activities at the resort abound; you’ll find basketball, beach volleyball, bocce ball, football, tennis, kayaking, water polo, snorkeling, scuba, and sailing, among others. There are beginning group lessons in sailing and windsurfing, as well as group lessons at all levels for aqua aerobics, archery and tennis. There is also a weight room, and a super-cool skating ramp for kids ages 11 and older.