Want to experience a different kind of vacation? Where its genuinely ‘all included’, where you are spoilt for choice for activities and entertainment (again, all included) and where you are truly treated as a guest by professionally trained staff. If your answer is yes, then a Club Med holiday is exactly what you are looking for!
What is Club Med?
Club Med (meaning Club Méditerranée) is a French corporation of vacation resorts set up in many parts of the world, usually in exotic destinations. In addition, each resort has an exceptional location in that destination – either by the ocean or in the heart of the mountains.
‘More happiness than you can imagine’ is the brand promise. Club Med’s core philosophy is encased around “happiness” which is about bringing joy to everyone. Club Med is considered the original all-inclusive resort and the fun package offered by Club Med includes sumptuous international gourmet cuisines, all day open bar that features both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, children's club that keeps the kids really engaged, endless sports activities and daily entertainment programs that include music as well as comedy shows.
In this blog post, we introduce you to the Club Med resorts in Asia located in Maldives, Bali & Bintan (Indonesia), Phuket (Thailand) and Cherating (Malaysia)
Kani (Maldives):
Kani is an island paradise within a turquoise lagoon located 30 minutes by speedboat ride from Male airport. With 75 lagoon suites on stilts, the island on which Kani is located resembles a giant palm tree growing out across the lagoon when viewed from sky.
Kani offers luxurious suites on stilts which gives you an awesome sea-view. However, apart from 75 lagoon suites, you can also choose your accommodation among 24 beach villas and 143 superior rooms.
Explore the magnificent marine life and coral reef or just laze on a pristine white sandy beach which is equipped with deckchairs, parasols, hammocks, showers and beach bar. Enjoy swimming in your own private pool or relax over a comfortable massage at the spa or sip your drinks at the chill out bars close to the beach or at the main bar near the theatre. There are two restaurants serving international gourmet cuisine. Club Med also offers an array of sports activities and games for guests.
How to reach Kani from India:
From India, Indian Airlines offers direct flights to Male, the capital of Maldives from Bangalore and Thiruvanthpuram. Sri Lankan Airlines offers flights from Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai to Male via Colombo. Club Med offers speedboat transfers from Male airport to Kani.
Best time to visit Kani:
The best time to visit Kani or any place Maldives for that matter is between November and March when the climate is cool. However it’s the most expensive time of the year and its advisable to visit Maldives between April and June or September and October when the climate is moderate and the tariffs of most the resorts are much cheaper than the winter months.
Cherating (Malaysia):
Cherating is a beach town in Pahang, Malaysia, located about 47 km north of Kuantan in the Eastern part of Malaysia. Club Med in Cherating is like the ‘Garden of Eden’, located in a jungle reserve on the South China Sea. This Garden of Eden strives to the rhythms of the macaws, gibbons, giant lizards, rare species of birds and multi-coloured butterflies.
With its bungalows on stilts nestling among luxurious vegetation, this 197 acre Club Med Resort has 297 rooms divided between 15 three storied buildings. With a private balcony for each room, you can enjoy a picturesque view of the ocean that showcases a unique blend of casual beachside lifestyle and traditional luxury.
Facilities in Club Med Cherating includes two restaurants - Mutiara and Rembulan, two bars – Orchid and Monkey Bar which is located on the sea-edge, swimming pool, kids club and more. Activities include rainforest walk, sailing, flying trapeze school and circus activities, archery and sports like basketball, badminton, beach volleyball, soccer, squash, volleyball, tennis and more.
How to reach Cherating from India:
Malaysian Airlines has multiple daily flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan, the closest airport to Cherating. And Malaysian Airlines flies connects Kuala Lumpur with multiple cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. From Kuantan airport, Club Med offers complimentary transfers to the resort.
Best time to visit Cherating:
The best time to visit Cherating is between June and September.
Club Med Phuket (Thailand):
Club Med is located in Kata Bay in Phuket which is just minutes from the bustling Patong beach. The resort is spread out over 61 acres and is set in a vast palm grove on the beach of Kata Bay.
The resort has 305 rooms which are decorated in the hues of cream and white and accented with teak, silk wood and touches of marble. For the accommodation, you can choose from deluxe rooms, Club rooms and suites.
Club Med Phuket has two restaurants - Mamuang which is the main restaurant and Chu-Da, the speciality restaurant, two bars – one with fantastic sea views and the other, located at the edge of the swimming pool and Bamboo, the night club.
Facilities include swimming pool, golf school, flying trapeze school and circus activities and sports like basketball, badminton, beach volleyball, soccer, squash, volleyball, tennis and more.
While in Phuket, enjoy some of the local attractions which include The Big Buddha, Elephant Shrine at Phromthep Cape and the Amulet Market. Evening entertainment options include a walk on the famous Bangla street in Patong, the Siam Niramit show and a live Thai kick boxing match at the Patong stadium.
How to reach Phuket from India:
From India, you can fly to Phuket via the South East Asian hubs of Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
Best time to visit Phuket:
December to March is the best time to visit Phuket when moderate climate keeps you in the best of spirits.
Club Med Bintan (Indonesia):
Although Bintan island is part of Indonesia, the closest city to this island is Singapore. A 45 minute ferry from Singapore gets you to the idyllic island of Bintan.
Club Med Bintan Island is a haven of tranquillity and refinement combining modernity with Asian tradition. The Resort has 311 rooms designed with exotic wood using local crafts and you have a choice of deluxe, club and suite rooms. Most rooms offer a stunning views of the sea.
Club Med Bintan has two restaurants - Waterfall which is the main restaurant and Terrace, which offers spectacular views of the China Sea. To keep your spirits soaring, the resort has four bars – The Santai Bar in the main building, the Bagus Bar which is attached to the night club, The Panorama bar with breathtaking views of the sea and the Matahari Bar located at the beachfront.
Sports Facilities include an archery school, a flying trapeze school with circus activities, a golf school and other sports like basketball, badminton, beach volleyball, soccer, water polo, windsurfing, volleyball, tennis and more.
How to reach Bintan Island from India:
Singapore is the closest airport and Bintan is a 45 minute ferry ride between Singapore‘s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Bintan’s Pura Ferry Terminal. Airlines like Singapore Airlines & Jet Airways fly directly from multiple cities in India to Singapore and options are also available via the South East Asian hubs of Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
Best time to visit Bintan Island:
The best time to visit Bintan Island is between March and October because the rains commence in November and it can get quite wet and windy.
Club Med Bali (Indonesia):
Bali is a premier beach holiday destination in Indonesia which attracts tourists from all over the world. Club Med in Bali is a beautiful family resort set among lush bougainvilleas with beach stretching for half a kilometre in Nusa Dua area.
Club Med Bali offers a choice of 393 rooms located in 5 buildings designed in traditional Balinese style architecture. Choose from Club Rooms and Suites, both offering views of the magnificent tropical gardens.
The resort serves gourmet cuisine from a choice of two restaurants – Agung and Le Batur. There are two bars, Kintamani which is located near the swimming pool and the Beach Bar located on the beach.
Sports activities included are swimming, archery school, golf, tennis, beach volleyball, water polo, basketball, squash and soccer. For swimming, you have choices between main pool and tranquillity pool. Kids are kept engaged with the kids facility where games and entertainment for kids are provided.
While in Bali, explore Ubud - the cultural nerve centre, Kintamani mountains and the bustling Seminyak area.
How to reach Bali from India:
Airlines like Jet Airways, SilkAir, Garuda, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines offer one-stop flights to Bali from various cities in India.
Best time to visit Bali:
The best time to visit Bali is May to October as this is the dry season that has neither extreme summer, nor extreme winter.
Odyssey Tours and Travels has been appointed as the Preferred Sales Agent (PSA) for Club Med Resorts in Pune. Call us if you are looking at a entirely different holiday – we are confident that once you experience a Club Med Holiday, you will be hooked for life.
About Odyssey Travels
Odyssey Travels is a leading IATA accredited Travel Company, established in 1992. We specialize in planning customized holidays in India and abroad for our clients which includes air ticketing, worldwide hotel reservations, inclusive tours, sightseeing activities, visa assistance & travel insurance services. For further information or to make a booking contact 020-66442929 or visit www.odysseytravels.net