Food & Drink -- 9 days ago
With Club Med, go for the sports but stay for the food
Whether you’re topping up the tan on the beach or hitting the slopes, it’s ‘a rich and diverse culinary journey’ at each resort
Whether you’re topping up the tan on the beach or hitting the slopes, it’s ‘a rich and diverse culinary journey’ at each resort
For those planning the months ahead, you’re likely aware of the overwhelming surfeit of summer holiday destinations on offer, from the rural escapes in Upstate New York to the vineyard tours outside Cape Town. Within the chaos of options, we often fall back on the tried and true, and top among them is Club Med, a leader in the all-inclusive field since the 1950s.
With more than 70 locations across the continents, stretching from Cancún, in Mexico, to the historic hillsides of Sicily, which kisses the Mediterranean, Club Med has been a magnet for its considered, international style, avoiding the copy-and-paste approach favoured by its counterparts, and, instead, tailoring each destination to local sensibilities. This bespoke feel is also corroborated by the fact that there are up to 25 sports on offer – including archery, padel, and kite surfing – at each property, catering to first-timers, dedicated aficionados and those in between. Meanwhile, the inviting feel that exudes through each Club Med location creates a down-home warmth that’s far less strict and sterile in spirit when compared to other luxury stays: ‘Count on our team of dedicated GOs [staff members, who are known as gentle organisers], renowned for their professionalism and attentive service, to curate moments of conviviality’.
Additionally, another key pillar that underpins the Club Med experience is the premium food-and-drinks programme that’s done with a ‘touch of French flair’ and sometimes curated in collaboration with Michelin-starred guest chefs, something that veers well away from the usual mindset of cooking and reheating that’s common among other package operators.
Whether you’re topping up the tan on the beach or hitting the slopes, it’s ‘a rich and diverse culinary journey’ at each resort, so says the venture, with the offerings dovetailing local specialties with international classics, from breakfast to dinner – there are, for example, more than 30 dish combinations available at each live-cooking station. Depending on the stay, one can also dine on a light gourmet meal while sat on a sun lounger in the heat of the day; enjoy the vibrant, communal rhythms of a beach barbecue, burger bar, pizzeria, or food truck; or have a fireside bite in the evening.
Moreover, when wanting to truly embed yourself into the scene and culture, you can book in at a table-service regional restaurant – at Club Med’s sun holidays, for example, you can begin the day with a vibrant selection of exotic fruits and end the evening dining on fish that was sourced from nearby waters (we have a particular penchant for El Kebir, the restaurant within Marrakech La Palmeraie that specialises in Moroccan cuisine); when skiing, a light breakfast will provide the necessary energy for a day up and down the slopes, and refuelling will come courtesy of hearty, soulful meals all washed down by local spirits. Even for those looking for a more sedate dining experience, room service is available, too, so you can catch the latest Scorsese feature or the big sports fixture with a snack and beer by your side.
Complementing this all is Club Med’s beverage selection, which incorporates everything from the morning coffee to soft drinks (in the Marrakech resort, there is even a smoothie bar), chilled beers throughout the day and sundowner cocktails that’ve been prepared by experienced mixologists who draw upon renowned labels as well as bottles you may not have sampled before.
Best of all, with Club Med championing the all-inclusive concept, wherever you eat and whichever dishes or drinks you order throughout the day, everything is built into the booking price, including taxes and tips, as well as the resort’s other extensive offerings, from the slew of activities (land and water sports include archery, horse riding lessons and wake-boarding); childcare and kids’ clubs that make sure your little ones are entertained and cared for throughout the stay; and live shows and music performances, which take place in the evenings. So, all you have to do is leave the wallet in the room and simply relax – you are, after all, on holiday.
Want more from Club Med? Read about its diverse sports programme, here...
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