CLUB MED vs AI RESORTS
 

Just curious. I have stayed at all inclusives (ie, Sandals)and was interested in hearing reports on Club Med. CM claims to be all inclusive, but when reading their details it seems that you still have to pay for all drinks in bars, and many of the activities, even the pool tables, have extra charges imposed. So, how is that all inclusive. It also seems that all meals are served buffet style, no sit down full service eating places. So just what is the deal? I know that at Sandals you pay and all is included except for spa services if the resort has a spa. Help me understand.

Drinks are not included at Club Med except wine/beer/soft drinks during meals. If you are a social drinker, Club Med is a much better deal, since most true all-inclusives charge you about $150 per day for drinks.<BR><BR>The only other activity I ever paid for at CM was a special tennis camp which was $150 for a week. Regular tennis is included.<BR><BR>All the Club Med villages I have been to have at least one restaurant with menu service. You might want to check their web site for details on the village you were considering.<BR><BR>Comparing Club Med to Sandals, Club Med IMHO is a much better operation--particularly if you are into sports. If you are just going to lay on a beach and drink all day, definitely Sandals is the way to go. And Club Med overall is a much better value.

Which CLub Med(s) have you been to. We will be at the Punta Cana CLub Med in March.

I am a hard drinking, food eating fool and I hate sports. I like to ogle the young cute girls in their string bikinis or less. Where should I go. Please help.

Oh yes I like to see their cheeks hanging out........while I have another drink or three...

We went to Club Med St. Lucia. I didn't care for it much, though it was our first Carib trip so nice for that reason.<BR><BR>This was about 15 years ago, FYI. We bought "bar beads" which are like money, different colors for different amounts of $. We had to sit with others at dinner - tables were for 8. They asked us at each meal if we wanted a French or English speaking table. (lots of Europeans)<BR><BR>We didn't pay anything extra except for a day trip we took to the other side of the island (nicer, much less windy, we went to Anse Chastenet), and a volcano. We went out in the town near it - Soufriere I believe, and had a great time at the local rum joint, but that was not an "official" excursion.<BR><BR>What really bugged me was the "Hands Up" song after dinner, I learned to avoid that area of the resort until it was over 'cause if you're anywhere in the vicinity you feel you have to do it, everyone is. It has hand movements that go with it...<BR><BR>I'm sure other villages have different setups.<BR><BR>It truly was like summer camp for grownups, I could see it might be nice for singles, lots of opportunities to meet others, for a couple it was so-so. Cheaper than Sandals though.<BR><BR>:) Liz

Michele... We have been to the villages geared towards couples, but not Punta Cana. You might want to check this web site for more info on Club Med in general:<BR><BR>www.blackpearls.net

Have been to 2 CMs, both times went by myself ... I am early 30's ... had a blast but 2 different vacations. Playa Blanca, Mexico, geared to singles and young party couples. Some of the elders got pissed off at our wild party antics. Mainly drank, most excursions geared to drinking, a lot. My bar bill on top of my vacation was $375 US!! All excursions were extra, drinks in disco and outside of lunch/dinner were extra. A lot of people brought there own booze (duty free) and indulged in their room throughout the night. Club Med, Varadero, Cuba .. quite different. Mainly couples, met 3 other single women. Beautiful beach, windsurfed everyday. A very relaxing vacation, which was what I was looking for at the time. The one weird thing was everything was in French!! The menus, shows, activities because they gear toward the Parisians from France who are their main clientele. Doesnt say anything about that on their website or anywhere.

DOM, isn't school back in session, better go you'll be late.<BR><BR>I have been to 2 CM and had a great time at both, Eleuthera and Martinique, Eleuthera is closed now, it was devistated by Hurricane Lenny a couple of years ago, and not sure if they are planning on rebuilding.<BR><BR>Martinique was nice, not much of a beach but the water was beautiful and each night there was a nite cruise, I went on that twice. Also really enjoyed the opportunity to learn to sail. All of the sports were included.<BR>I would go again, and would look at some of the newer clubs, they have more amenities, some of the older clubs are a bit worn down.<BR><BR>CM is running deals right now that look pretty good and with the wild card program, which is a last minute assignment to a club. Can be a really good savings.<BR><BR>Hope this helps and have a great trip.<BR><BR>tweedy

Tweedy, do you cheeks hang out when you are in your little sring bikini? Hmmmmm? Do you like to swim with DOM? Oh come swim with me baby

hee hee Tweedy he got ya.............

Hey DOM you better watch it or I will have to come over there and slap you up long side of the head boy! I didn't bust my butt setting up all those fake Enron partnerships and getting a trophy wife like Tweedy to have you bashing her...so chill out.

HEE TOPPER THIS OH BOY IS IT FUNNY HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Lorene,<BR><BR>The reason everything is in French is because CM was originally a French company. Not sure who owns it now but probably still French. Been there twice - once 12 years ago and once 8 years ago. LOVED IT! I was in my late 20s when I went the first time and obviously in my early 30s the second. I love the European feel, the excellent food and getting the opportunity to socialize with lots of people. I am not a huge drinker so the all-inclusive thing didn't bother me. I didn't pay for anything else except Scub Diving and it was minimal.

I have been to Club Med three times, and I loved each time (though both resorts very different). Club Med at Cancun (I went twice - in 1985 and 1996) has mostly American clientele, lots of activities/water sports, everyone is friendly and social, two restaurants (buffet at Cancun has OK food, because Americans generally expect less from a meal than the Europeans), good night club and excellent night life on the resort (sorry those party poopers didn't like the club med &quot;hands-up&quot; song), and the best snorkeling in Cancun (Club Med owns property on a nature reserve and the most beautiful reef in the region).<BR><BR>I also stayed 10 days at Club Med in Martinique. The accommodations are simple but beautiful and peaceful. No TV, no phone, no clock (a true antidote to civilization), and my french doors opened out to the beach. Lots of water and land sports on the social &quot;rock and roll&quot; beach -- volleyball, football (soccer), water aerobics, etc -- and a quiet beach down the way if you just want to veg out by yourself. I had the greatest time meeting people from all over the world, and eating wonderful French cuisine. (The French and Italians I met said they came to this Club Med because of the Chef.) <BR>

Lara: Most AI's charge $150 a day for drinks? I've never encountered this EVER. While I know there are some very expensive AI's, I've been to many - some just ok and some quite good for the money. I've never paid more than $225 per day at an AI resort and that included not only all drinks (yes, including top shelf), but also all food, hotel, airfare, airport transfers, etc.