If your family is like mine and loves traveling around the world, you’ve probably thought about doing an all-inclusive vacation where everything from activities and food to accommodations and entertainment is included–and no one person is in charge of making a fun family vacation happen. I recently checked out Club Med, an all-inclusive resort brand that’s ideal for active families, couples, and friend groups, which got me thinking about the best Club Med resorts out there for every traveler type.
After trying out two of the properties in Dominican Republic, what stood out most to me about Club Med is what’s included. From the moment you check-in to the time you get back in the car to go to the hotel at the end of the trip, everything is taken care of. All food and drinks are included at Club Med (everything I tried was great, and miles above what you might expect from an all-inclusive). I also had the opportunity to try out both land and water sports, plus learn how to be a circus performer with the onsite circus school.
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While transfers to and from resorts can be arranged, flights are not included in the standard overall price, but they can be added to the inclusive offer. When it comes to choosing the best Club Med resort for your family getaway, the only thing you really need to think about is where you want to be and which seasonal activities you want to enjoy.
The best Club Med resorts for every travel style
With nearly 70 different properties around the world, Club Med truly has something for every type of traveler. Whether your family is looking for a sunny beach getaway in the Caribbean or a ski-in ski-out trip in the French Alps, Club Med has you covered. I’ve gone through all of the Club Med properties to find the absolute best resorts so you can book the right one for your family’s travel style and interests.
1. Best overall Club Med resort
Club Med Val d’Isère — France
For the family looking for a stunning winter vacation that includes everything from ski lessons to strolls around the quaint French village, check out Club Med Val d’Isère. Accommodations range in style from deluxe balcony rooms that can sleep two people to junior family suites with room for up to five people.
Besides skiing, the resort has 16 included activities including yoga, snowboarding, and an indoor swimming pool. When adults are ready for some alone time, they can drop the kids off at the Mini Club Med, which is for kids ages four to 10, and includes a day filled with programming, ski lessons, and snowboarding lessons.
After your family has had their fill of the snow, take a stroll around the mountain village of Val d’Isère. In the village, you can browse the shops shops and stop in for dinner at one of the town’s pretty and quaint restaurants. There’s also an open-air skating rink that’s open to the public. I love this since it gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture while you’re at the resort. Just know that anything you do outside of the resort is on your own dime.
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If you prefer to stay at the resort, there’s no shortage of nighttime offerings, with two different restaurants to choose from, three bars, and nighttime entertainment to please the entire family.
2. Best Club Med for a romantic getaway
Club Med Cefalù — Italy
Nestled on the water’s edge in the northern part of Sicily is Club Med Cefalù, which is part of Club Med’s most prestigious Exclusive Collection resorts. The resort is in an idyllic location with destinations like Torre Caldera and Palermo less than two hours away from the property, so day trips to explore more of the region are easy.
Rooms at the resorts are bright and airy, many coming with a view of the sea. The most romantic are the Villetta Deluxe Panoramic Sea View rooms, which have a 180-degree view of the sea with an ensuite private lounge area set into the rocks of the cliff.
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If you ever decide to leave the luxurious rooms, you can try activities like standup paddle boarding, hiking, sailing, tennis, and snorkeling. There are also excursions that are available to book, including driving a Fiat 500 to see Mount Etna and riding around Castlebouno on a Vespa, both of which sound like bucket list items to me. Back at the resorts, there are six different restaurants and bars that serve everything from surf and turf to glasses of French and Italian wines.
3. Best Club Med for a tropical beach vacation
Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda — Dominican Republic
If your family is looking for a tropical beach vacation where water sports and calm seas are readily available, check out Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic. I recently stayed at this resort, and it lived up to the luxurious hype.
The resort is located on a beautiful cove in the Dominican Republic, about one and a half hours from its sister property, Club Med Punta Cana. The family-friendly resort is known for being environmentally friendly and has four boutique villages within the larger resort area. Families will love staying in the Explorer Cove village, which is family-exclusive and has a large family pool. The deluxe rooms in this village sleep up to three people, while the deluxe family rooms in Explorer Cove can accommodate up to five people. I also loved that there was an adults-only village close to the adults-only pool so adults traveling without kids can maintain that adults-only vibe.
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At the resort, Mini Club Med is ready to entertain kids from four to 10 years old with a day filled with activities like relay races, group trapeze lessons, and archery group lessons. At night, I loved checking out the secret chocolate room, which is only open on select evenings, and indulging in all the chocolate and candy possible. On the pristine beach, families can also take part in water sports, or just splash and play in the gentle waves.
4. Best Club Med for foodies
Club Med Quebec Charlevoix — Canada
If your family is like mine then food is a big component of a trip. If that sounds like your crew, then the best Club Med for your family is Quebec Charlevoix. The resort is known for its fresh French classics, plus local products that help to highlight the flavors of the region. The property has three different restaurants: an international buffet, a table service restaurant, and a specialty restaurant, the last of which is known for its local charcuterie and cheese fondue, which I would definitely try to eat every day of vacation. The resort also boasts three bars where guests can get everything from specialty coffee to signature cocktails.
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Throughout the week, the resort offers culinary activities for the entire family. The first is purely for kids with Mini Club Cocktails, which takes place after the performance of the Mini Club Show. Here, your kids will get their fill of sparkling apple juice, candy, cupcakes, and more at a sweets buffet. Every Wednesday, the resort has an “After-Ski” experience that highlights local charcuterie and regional treats. No trip to Canada is complete without tasting maple syrup, and at Club Med, the resort showcases the ingredient in cocktails, candy, and more so you can try all the variations.
5. Best Club Med for nature lovers
Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido — Japan
Families looking to connect with nature will enjoy Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido. The Japanese resort is known for its incredible outdoor activities. Together, families can take part in mountain biking, a family nature walk, or even take an excursion to the Hokkaido flower fields or Blue Pond, the latter of which is a beautiful bright blue pond in the middle of a forest.
For a truly spectacular view, head up to the Unkai Terrace, which is 3,280 feet above sea level. The terrace can be reached via a short gondola ride, and once you’re at the top, your family can view the sea of clouds that cover the top of the Hokkaido Mountains. Imagine that view early in the morning just as the sun was coming up over the clouds.
Family accommodations can sleep anywhere from three to five people, and some even come with incredible mountain views. When it’s time to eat, there are two main restaurants to choose from—a buffet with international dishes and regional Japanese items, and a specialty restaurant that highlights Japanese cuisine. Over at the Nest Bar, adults can enjoy premium Japanese whisky and sake, plus a small selection of appetizers before or after dinner.
6. Best Club Med for a secluded getaway
Club Med Seychelles — Seychelles
If you and your partner are looking for a quiet getaway, consider Club Med Seychelles. The resort is nestled on the island of Saint Anne, and it’s the only resort on the island. Live the high life in one of the stunning sea view suites, which also comes with a private pool, deck, yard, and view of the Indian Ocean.
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At the resort, you can do everything from learning how to scuba dive and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters to taking a group hike or yoga class. You can also choose to do nothing at all but lie by the pool—there are three pools open to everyone plus a pool in the spa for those who have appointments. (I love getting to the spa early to enjoy the spa pool and the relaxation area. I try to bring a book with me so I don’t endlessly scroll on my phone when I’m supposed to be disconnecting from the world.)
Then as the sun sets, you and your partner can enjoy a private dinner on the beach, complete with champagne and a great view.
7. Best Club Med for a quick getaway
Club Med Cancun — Mexico
If your family is looking to maximize long weekends, school vacations, and PTO, consider Club Med Cancun. The destination has direct flights from big cities like Miami, Austin, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, San Francisco, and New York, making this a quick getaway with little hassle. I love that the resort has three beaches plus direct access to a coral reef. And since it’s low-rise (the tallest buildings are three stories), even when the resort is full, you still have plenty of room at the beach and everywhere else.
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Here, families can take part in activities like family tournaments, crafts, tennis, and mini golf, or parents can drop their kids off at Mini Club Med kids club to enjoy some time without their kids. This Club Med has a trapeze (kids can do trapeze during specific age-group hours, with their Mini Club Med group, or during the designated family time).
For adults, the spa is a beautiful escape with indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, plus a stunning relaxation area that faces the internal resort lagoon. If your family is looking for a day trip away from the resort, you can explore the Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza, take a boat ride right from the resort to Isla Mujeres for a day of sightseeing by golf cart, or head to the oceanfront ruins in Tulum.
Of course, no vacation is complete without food, and at Club Med Cancun, there are plenty of tacos, tequila, and other Mexican dishes to try, plus everything else. There are two sit-down a la carte dinner restaurants here (you’ll need to book in advance to score a spot), but the buffet is also great and has a terrace for outdoor dining.
8. Best Club Med for a once-in-a-lifetime trip
Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie — Morocco
A trip to Africa is on most people’s bucket lists, including mine. While you could go the traditional route of doing a safari, why not head to Northern Africa and spend time at Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie in Morocco. The resort is located in the heart of Morocco’s oldest palm grove, which makes it feel even more exclusive. From the resort, you can take a quick ride to Jemaa el-Fna square to take in the atmosphere of local life, plus visit the incredible Medina with its colorful stalls and winding pathways.
Accommodations range from Moroccan-inspired deluxe rooms for two to interconnecting rooms that sleep up to eight in the family oasis part of the resort. When you’re ready to head out for the day, the resort offers plenty of activities, from golf lessons and archery to bike rides and trapeze lessons.
There are also three pools, including an adults-only pool that’s a serene escape from the lively family areas. Then when it’s time to settle down for the evening, head over to the El Kebir restaurant, where an outdoor patio overlooks lush gardens and authentic Moroccan food is served.
9. Best Club Med for winter escapes
Club Med Tignes — France
If your family is looking for a beautiful winter escape, Club Med Tignes has it all. The new resort is located in France’s Val Claret and has a snow adventure for every skill level. This is a great resort for families with younger children because the resort offers ski and snowboarding lessons starting at four years old, as well as lessons for adults like me who haven’t ever been skiing or snowboarding.
The all-inclusive Club Med also includes lift passes, so you never have to worry about shelling out extra money to get to the top of the mountain. As someone who often travels with family or friends, the fact that lift passes are included is a huge money-saving bonus for everyone. There are a total of 154 runs on the mountain, so you can try out a different route on every ride.
After skiing, you can relax in your spacious room, head to the indoor swimming pool, try a yoga class, or even try your hand at embroidery. And for those who really want to feel the adrenaline pumping, you can try winter paragliding or ice diving. The resort’s two onsite restaurants feature large windows that look out to the snow but offer a warm retreat when you need to refuel before hitting the slopes again.
