Club Med, renowned for pioneering the all-inclusive concept, has exciting developments lined up for the rest of 2023. These include a new ski resort in Japan and the completion of renovations at the North American family flagship resort, Club Med Punta Cana. Their Martinique resort, Club Med Buccaneer's Creek, will also undergo a refresh, and enhancements to the teens programming are on the horizon.
In addition to their nearly 70 resorts in 30 different countries, Club Med aims to add three to five new openings or renovations each year. These include a U.S. mountain resort, slated to open in 2-3 years, as well as a new resort in the Caribbean in the near future. Travelers should brace themselves for fun with Club Med as they continue to push the boundaries of all-inclusive luxury.
Japanese Mountain Paradise: Club Med Kiroro Grand
This December, Club Med will unveil its latest resort, Club Med Kiroro Grand. Situated in Hokkaido, Japan's renowned ski destination, this all-inclusive mountain escape is a ski lover’s paradise. The site has white powder snow and a variety of ski trails, including nighttime and off-piste — meaning off-trail — skiing. Thanks to Hokkaido’s 160 days of winter, travelers can ski for the majority of the year — usually as late as May.
The resort offers 23 ski courses for skiers of all levels, with off-piste slopes on the Asari and Nagamine mountains. Guests enjoy unlimited ski-in and ski-out access, lift passes and group ski and snowboard lessons for all ages. For those seeking activities besides skiing and snowboarding, the resort provides options like yoga, cardio training and digital darts. Families with children ages 2 to 17 can also benefit from onsite dedicated Children's Clubs.
After a day on the mountain, guests can relax in Club Med's first traditional Japanese onsen with a wellness lounge, sauna and hot stone room. They can also indulge in the resort's Japanese-inspired restaurants, Club Med Spa and indoor swimming pool.
Apart from winter sports and apres-ski amusements, guests can explore regional culture and traditions through day trips to Otaru, a coastal town known for its glasswork, sake and beer distilleries. Visitors can also learn about the native Ainu heritage of Hokkaido by visiting local shops with hand-carved wood and embroidered clothing.
The resort’s interior is just as captivating as its snowy exterior. Inspired by the Kiroro region's dreamlike scenery, Club Med Kiroro Grand boasts a distinctive enchanted forest theme, evident from the lobby to the 266 guest rooms with natural finishes and traditional Japanese influences.
The hotel is a three-minute gondola ride from its sister resort, Club Med Kiroro Peak, Club Med Kiroro Grand is the brand's sole mountain destination in Asia.
Freshening up the Classics: Club Med Punta Cana
Club Med's flagship resort, Club Med Punta Cana, has undergone exciting renovations and extensions. Highlights include a refreshed restaurant, updated rooms and a dedicated wedding venue.
Hispaniola, the resort's main restaurant, has been beautifully redesigned as a Caribbean beach bistro. The open-air dining area welcomes guests with Dominican-inspired décor, backdropped by the Caribbean Sea. The avant-garde dining concept takes visitors on a gastronomic journey featuring fresh local produce, international dishes and Club Med's renowned French savoir-faire. The all-day restaurant also offers interactive show cooking, live music and festive entertainment.
Club Med Punta Cana now offers 90 newly renovated rooms, along with 48 new Family Superior rooms and 36 Family Deluxe rooms. Designed with families in mind, each room features two bedrooms — one for adults and one for children — and is conveniently located near family-friendly amenities. Guests can enjoy views from fully furnished balconies or open-concept bathrooms with large rain showers. The new rooms reflect the Caribbean’s natural beauty, drawing inspiration from lush greenery, flamingos' bright pink hues and the shimmering turquoise waters.
Responding to the increasing demand for destination weddings, the resort now offers a new on-site wedding venue in partnership with renowned wedding planner professionals, Grupo Bisutti. The venue, called Grupo Bisutti Club Med Punta Canav, can accommodate up to 250 guests and includes a 3,982 sq-ft covered outdoor terrace, perfect for tropical cocktail hours, receptions and ceremonies.
Enhancing the wellness spa experiences, Club Med Punta Cana now features a fully renovated beauty salon located at the entrance of the Club Med Spa by L'OCCITANE. The salon offers a comprehensive beauty treatment menu, catering to guests' wellness and wedding needs on-site.
Caribbean Fun: Updates to Buccaneer’s Creek
Club Med Buccaneer's Creek, located in the lively French Caribbean, will undergo extensive renovations and will debut in late 2023. These include refreshed accommodations, a transformed reception area and enhanced dining concepts.
139 of the resort’s rooms will receive a complete refresh with modern furniture, new décor and fully refurbished bathrooms. Additionally, the reception area will be transformed into a spacious lounge with tropical décor in green, teal and yellow hues, featuring wooden furnishings that create a delightful tropical oasis for guests upon arrival.
The primary restaurant, Pays Mélés, will also undergo a spatial redesign. Two private dining rooms with ocean views will be added. The resort's main bar, The Madou, will offer a new outdoor terrace and stylish furnishings, setting a full seaside ambiance.
As for activities, Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek will continue to offer exciting outdoor adventures, catering to watersport enthusiasts with activities like paddleboarding, waterskiing, kayaking and windsurfing. Guests can also enjoy destination experiences, such as off-road vehicle tours to explore Martinique's rainforests and sugarcane plantations.
For the Teens: New Youth Programming
Club Med is known for its family-friendly approach, and it now offers new teen programming to cater to different age groups: Club Med Teens (11-13 years) and Club Med Chill Pass (14-17 years). Engaging and age-appropriate activities await teenage travelers, including a Teens Show with trendy dances and glow makeup, Big Splash inflatable water course, evening Sports Under the Stars and the exclusive Chill Pass Fest pool party to hang out and make friends under the sun. The program is already available in select resorts worldwide and will be deployed in all Club Med resorts by 2024.
Giving Back: Sustainability Initiatives
Club Med remains dedicated to responsible tourism and corporate social responsibility through their “Happy to Care” program. Recently, Club Med’s North American resorts have implemented weekly volunteering initiatives for both employees and guests. Some examples of this programming include seasonal beach cleanups at Club Med Columbus & Club Med Turkoise, turtle protection and monitoring programs in their Mexican resorts and beehive harvesting at Club Med Québec.
More information can be found at www.clubmed.us, or by calling 1-800-Club-Med (1-800-258-2633). For an inside look at Club Med, follow Club Med on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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