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Best Club Med beach resorts, as recommended by families
Club Med are trailblazers when it comes to family-friendly, all-inclusive holidays with a touch of luxury. But are Club Med holidays still worth the money? We've consulted real families to find out.
By Melanie Macleod & Rachel Erdos | Last updated Mar 1, 2024
If you're planning a well-earned family holiday this year, one way to keep your budget in check is on an all-inclusive holiday. And nobody does all-inclusive quite like Club Med - and they just so happen to have a collection of seriously impressive family-friendly Club Med resorts, to cater to your every whim.
When we say all-inclusive, we don’t just mean your meals plus local spirits and wine. A Club Med all-inclusive break includes everything you can think of for a fun family holiday so when you pay for the trip, you don’t need to worry about spending another penny once you’re there. Flights, transfers, activities, childcare and experiences are all taken care of. A Club Med break is brilliant for active families that like a bit of luxury. You'll be able to try your hand at activities like paddle-boarding, kite-surfing, tennis, sailing and golf, and you can expect top-notch accommodation, facilities and food options at each resort.
When choosing a family holiday there's nothing better than a first-hand recommendation and there are plenty of Mumsnetters that have tried and tested Club Med beach resorts in destinations far and wide. Here are the best Club Med beach resorts, as recommended by families that have stayed there.
Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime
For an escape from reality, book into this sprawling resort between La Rochelle and Bordeaux on France's southwest coast. Close to the beach, forests and vineyards, it's a great resort if you love the idea of lounging on the beach, but easily get bored - the city of Bordeaux is close enough for a day trip and there are local salt marshes to explore.
Activities on offer at this French Club Med include tennis, golf, sailing, mountain biking and horse riding on the beach, while children can turn their hand to archery, petanque and sailing (for kids aged 8+).
There are two restaurants - one of which is divided into six different dining areas, and there are three bars, including a quiet pool bar if you want to read, with a glass of wine in hand. Fresh smoothies are on offer too for a health hit, while guests praise fresh seafood as a highlight, particularly oysters and langoustines.
Fans of the resort say it’s a great spot for holidaying with grown-up children, with many families returning year after year.
Guests also rate this Club Med resort for allowing children a little independence, to make their way to activities on their own, safe in the knowledge they’re protected in a family-friendly, secure environment.
Nearest airport: La Rochelle (52 miles)/Bordeaux (95 miles)
Nearest train station: Royan (10 miles)
Albufeira
The Algarve has a reputation for classic family beach escapes, and this location in the popular Albufeira area embodies that ethos, with rocky beaches melting into leafy forests, with golf par for the course.
Perched on the Algarve's red cliffs, Club Med's De Balaia resort has something for everyone - easy access to top golf courses and stunning beaches, an adults-only eco pool and fun kid-friendly activities like mini golf and circus skills.
The food is something fans of this Portuguese Club Med wax lyrical about, with two restaurants (and a well-stocked wine cellar). Dishes range from scallops to tomahawk steak, foie gras to lobster - a far cry from what you might expect from an all-inclusive resort!
Families with young children note how refreshing it is to have a baby club on site, allowing them to have a real, grown-up holiday as a couple, confident that their little ones are being looked after, plus it’s only a 40-minute transfer from the airport, which is great for travel-weary tots.
Other guests praised the lively vibe of the resort, with top-notch entertainment and live music, with the circus club receiving a special shout out.
Guests do mention that French is the main language spoken by staff and guests throughout the resort, which can be difficult for non-French speakers.
Nearest airport: Faro (23 miles)
Evia/Euboea Island, Greece
Despite it being the second largest Greek island after Crete, Evia (or Euboea) is largely unknown to many holidaymakers. That might have something to do with it not having an airport. But that shouldn't put you off considering a trip, especially if you've already ticked off Rhodes, Corfu, Kos and the like. And it's well worth looking at Club Med Gregolimano if you're searching for a family beach escape with easy access to unlimited watersports.
Set on a secluded golden beach, surrounded by tranquil forest, you'll be able to try your hand at a variety of watersports here including wakeboarding, diving, sailing and stand-up paddle-boarding. And less typical of a Greek island, kids can learn circus skills including trapeze classes - nobody can say Club Med holidays don’t offer variety!
If you can bear to tear yourself away from the resort, tours of local sights are on offer too, plus there are two restaurants and nightly entertainment.
This Greek Club Med resort has close to 4,000 ‘excellent’ reviews on Tripadvisor, with many saying it's great for kids of all ages, catering to children aged three to 17 equally well.
One thing to note is that guests highlight that the resort has mainly French visitors, with one writing: “If your kids don’t speak French, they may have trouble mingling with other kids.”
It may be trickier to get to than some Greek islands but it's a fantastic scenic spot for an action-packed off-the-beaten track Greek getaway.
Nearest airport: Athens (149 miles). Access is via the bridge at Halkida if travelling by car or by ferry from Rafina
Turkish Riviera
Set under the Taurus mountains, south of Antalya, this Turkish Club Med resort will be a surefire hit with older kids thanks to its exciting array of activities - and its TikTok-worthy backdrops.
This resort has a club specifically for 11 to 17 year-olds called Club Passworld, with teen-friendly activities on offer including wakeboarding, waterskiing, windsurfing and even a teen spa.
Adults aren’t left out either; paddle boarding, kayaking and a world class spa are all available on site.
There are four impressive restaurants - one with its own moat - so you’ll never tire of the food, no matter if you’re in the mood for a fancy vibe or a laid-back snack.
The resort has over 5,000 ‘excellent’ reviews on Tripadvisor, with fans wowed by everything from the ‘outstanding’ and ‘unbelievably good’ food to the amazing array of watersports on offer.
Nearest airport: Antalya airport (35 miles)
Cefalu Bay
Part of Club Med's Exclusive Collection (luxury resorts with extras including concierge services, champagne served from 6pm, private transfers etc), this chic clifftop retreat overlooks Cefalu Bay on Sicily's north coast.
On-site activities include yoga, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, tennis, kayaking and more. But you can enjoy plenty of down time at the Club Med spa and enjoying delicious Sicilian dishes cooked by a Michelin-starred chef. There's an open-air terrace for all-day dining and a restaurant that sits right on the beach for grilled meat and fish .
Note that the minimum age at this resort is 8 years old.
Nearest airport: Palermo (60 miles)
Cherating
You might think that all Club Med properties are based in the Mediterranean given the brand name but there are resorts in far flung destinations including this tropical resort on Malaysia's east coast.
If your family loves exploring and has a sense of adventure, this is the best Asian Club Med to book into. It’s set in a lush forest, and if you listen hard enough, you’ll hear gibbons chattering away in the nearby trees.
You can treat yourself to a massage in an open-air pagoda, or challenge yourself with rock climbing and sailing sessions. There’s even an adults-only pool for an ultra-relaxing swim.
There are three restaurant options, one with a glorious jungle backdrop, and another oceanside, offering different kinds of cuisines including Malay, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Korean and even Italian. Guests are quick to praise the food, particularly the variety and quality, with one fan even writing: “The food is very diverse and delicious and you will quickly realise that gaining some weight is inevitable after this trip.”
Entertainment at this Asian Club Med also gets a big thumbs up - you can expect dance and acrobatic shows in the evenings.
Nearest airport: Kuantan (35 miles), Kuala Lumpur (210 miles)
Albion, Mauritius
Club Med resorts are known for being luxurious, but the La Plantation d'Albion is a particularly heavenly spot on the west coast of Mauritius.
This resort goes the extra mile to make your all inclusive holiday feel special, with Champagne served from 6pm to toast the evening, before you head to one of the resort’s two restaurants, offering delights such as Mauritian wraps, buddha bowls and falafel, along with detox drinks if you happen to overindulge - these can even be delivered to your sun lounger, so there’s no need to lift a finger.
Evening entertainment is in another league at this Mauritian Club Med, with fireworks, a formal night and an Ibiza-style ‘white night’ all set under moonlit skies.
There’s an adults-only pool if you want a break from the kids, though little ones are likely to be super-busy, with activities including trapeze classes and kayaking, while adults can take part in yoga, paddle-boarding, golf and scuba diving - there’s no chance of getting bored here! There are even dolphin-spotting trips on offer.
Nearest airport: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (18 miles)
Is Club Med still a thing?
Absolutely! Club Med has close to 80 resorts worldwide, in destinations including Europe, Asia, Africa, America and the Caribbean.
Club Med specialises in all-inclusive holidays - not just your drinks and meals, but all activities are included too, so once you’re paid up, you won’t need to reach for your wallet (or ApplePay!) during your stay.
Club Med offers different types of holidays, from ski trips, to sun-drenched beach breaks to adventure-packed watersports holidays. One thing you can guarantee is you won’t get bored, or go hungry.
Is Club Med adults-only?
Club Med is known for their family-friendly settings , but if you fall in love with the atmosphere of the resorts so much you want to go without children, there are two adults-only Club Med resorts: Turkoise in Turks & Caicos and Kemer in Turkey.
Other resorts have adults-only ‘zen zones’ which offer private pools, adults-only beaches and bars. Resorts with these include Da Balaia in Portugal, Bali in Indonesia, Opio en Provence in France, Punta Cana in Dominican Republic, Palmiye in Turkey, La Plantation d’Albion and La Pointe aux Canonniers in Mauritius.
Does a Club Med holiday include flights?
Yes, the price of a Club Med holiday includes everything, from your flight, to your transfer and everything at the resort when you get there.
Child care is included too, which is why Club Med holidays are such a hit with families.
How much does it cost to stay at a Club Med?
Mumsnet forum users frequently highlight that Club Med holidays are pricey - always adding that they’re well worth the price, but given that everything is included, the total price can seem expensive.
To save money, Club Med offers a 5% discount to those who book six months or more in advance. If you want more of a bargain, they also offer last-minute all-inclusive holidays with discounts of around 20%.
Prices vary between resorts and seasons.
How we chose our recommendations
In our quest to find the best Club Med resorts for families, we scoured the Mumsnet forums for Mumsnetter-approved resorts that our users have visited and have given their seal of approval - because there’s nothing better than a first-hand report.
We also kept a close eye on TripAdvisor reviews to make sure the resorts our Mumsnetters recommended were also big hits across the board.
Our edit of the Club Med resorts for families takes into consideration a variety of different locations and we looked at activities offered, dining options and proximity to local attractions to put together a selection of top resorts that are likely to appeal to a range of families with kids of different ages.
About the authors
Melanie Macleod is a digital writer specialising in beauty, health and wellness with over 10 years of experience. As well as Mumsnet, she’s written for Get The Gloss, Stylist, Professional Beauty, The Guardian and Hitched. In her spare time, she enjoys spin classes, Parkrun, spas and chatting. Lots of chatting.
Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel, product reviews and homeware roundups. She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London and loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far.
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