Club Med is a name that’s synonymous with kids clubs and family-friendly holidays. This October, the renowned travel and tourism operator celebrates its 75th anniversary. So we’re taking a look behind the scenes to find out what makes it tick!
The history of Club Med
1950: A new family-friendly holiday experience
Gérard Blitz was a resistance fighter and former Olympic water polo player who was passionate about three things: sport, nature and shared happiness. In 1950, to bring his utopia to life, he set up a village of tents on the warm sands of Majorca and introduced an idea that would revolutionise vacations: two all-inclusive weeks, filled with activities, meals and friendships.
That first summer, 2,400 people enjoyed their beachside break in Alcúdia, joined by sporty friends of Gérard who were eager for water skiing, pétanque and underwater fishing. Those friends became the very first “Gentle Organizers”, or GOs, the term still used today for the resort hosts and hostesses who help make a Club Med stay memorable.
1957: Bar necklaces and bikinis
Club Med’s all-inclusive holiday concept aimed to bring everyone together under the same banner and free people from norms and social classes. An extension of this philosophy was the invention in 1957 of the bar necklace as the only in-resort currency; inspired by Polynesian flower garlands bestowed on guests on arrival, it featured beads of different colours that could be used to order your favourite tipple at the bar. It still exists today, transformed into a digital bracelet.
1965: Easy eats and fun kids clubs
As a pioneer of a new kind of relaxation, Club Med introduced the buffet experience to holidays as early as 1965. Two years later, the iconic Mini Club was born, the very first vacation childcare programme. Moments together became more intentional, allowing everyone to thrive at their own pace – something of a revolution for travelling families!
1970s: Life is a celebration
The first GOs brought beachside evenings to life by playing the guitar and encouraging others to share their own talents. This set the ball rolling, and by the 1970s these open stages became the Forum, now known as Club Med Live. From film festivals aboard Club Med 1 to jazz festivals in Marrakech and dance festivals in Djerba, the list of performances grows, serving as a springboard for today’s artists.
1950-2025: Postcards from the edge of the world
The enthusiasm for the all-inclusive experience quickly spread far beyond the Mediterranean coast. Passionate about Polynesian culture, Club Med opened a village in Tahiti in 1955, and set off to cool down in the very first snow village in Leysin, Switzerland two years later. Over the years, the company has embarked on a quest for then unknown destinations, from opening in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in 1983, to China in 2010, as that country was increasingly discovering the joys of vacationing. Next year, a new Club Med will open in Borneo, Malaysia, and also in South Africa – scroll down to find out more!
Five tips from the Club Med team on how to impact the footprint you leave when you travel
#1 Stay closer to home
Explore nearby destinations so you can minimise carbon emissions while discovering hidden gems on your doorstep and supporting regional businesses at the same time.
#2 Holiday for longer
Choose a single destination and explore it in depth; you’ll help the local economy and reduce transport-related emissions. Longer stays also allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture and create more authentic connections.
#3 Research your airline of choice
Airlines vary in their commitments to reduce environmental impact. Some invest in fuel-efficient aircraft and more responsible aviation fuels. Prioritise those that share your values and actively work to reduce carbon emissions.
#4 Choose alternative methods of transport
Discover an eco-friendlier and more comfortable alternative to flying. Train is one great option, and Club Med utilises this where it can, for example by offering trains from Paris to all its French ski resorts on Sundays.
#5 Offset your carbon footprint
Along with the tips above, you can go a step further by offsetting your footprint through investment in projects that prevent additional emissions or capture existing carbon.
Sustainable travel
Sustainability has been part of the Club Med DNA from 1950. The aim today is to offer resorts that not only blend harmoniously with their surrounds, but also contribute to local development, while taking a vigilant approach to energy efficiency, water treating and recycling, promoting renewable energy sources and more.
Preserving natural heritage and sharing value locally
- Concrete eco-commitments include the elimination of single-use plastic, combatting food waste and also the promotion of animal welfare
- Resorts offer different activities to discover and protect nature
- Support is offered for local farmers and agroecology through the “Green Farmers” scheme
Creating happy team members
- 75 percent of jobs are filled locally
- 100 percent of Chefs de Village come from internal promotion
- 46 percent of management committees are women
- 90 percent of resorts have GOs of at least nine different nationalities
Caring for the environment
- 100% of the construction of new resorts has been BREEAM eco-certified (or equivalent) since 2018
- 46 resorts are certified Green Globe for their sustainable management. They include 100 percent of Asia Pacific resorts, with Platinum status achieved by the likes of Club Med Bali, Phuket, Cherating Beach, Kabira and Sahoro.
- Discovery Tours by Club Med have been ATR (Act of Responsible Tourism) certified since 2017
The Club Med Foundation
Created in 1978 to encourage staff to take action for good causes around its resorts and offices, the Club Med Foundation identifies key partners on the ground, selected for their reliability and effectiveness, and prioritises access to education and recreation, and the protection of biodiversity.
The Friends of the Foundation collection fund was launched in 2012 in response to demand from guests who were also keen to participate in the projects identified by the Club Med Foundation. Discover some of the current projects at clubmedfoundationfriends.com.
Family-friendly holidays with Kids Clubs – and even Baby Club Med
Anyone who has juggled suitcases and documents while also looking after the needs of a baby or toddler knows that family travel isn’t always easy. Club Med helps to lighten the load, by providing hassle-free experiences where you can forget about logistics and instead make fabulous family holiday memories.
One way it does this is by offering Kids Clubs for all ages.
4 to 23 months
Baby Club Med includes everything to help make your holiday (and theirs) as gentle as possible, from childcare equipment to meals designed for babies and a range of babysitting services.
2 to 3 years
Hosted by GOs specialising in early childhood, Petit Club Med provides a playful and comfortable space that gives children the perfect balance between their first activities (sports, crafts, expression, games) and moments of rest.
4 to 10 years
With its spaces and activities custom-made for each age, Mini Club Med was conceived especially for the stage of childhood where holiday memories are the most striking and colourful – you can expect sports, discovery, art, shows and more.
Note: Selected resorts have introduced “Mini Club Med +”. This enhanced childcare offering features new fun-packed activities and a Positive Education framework, inspiring children to be happy, bond and blossom with confidence.
11 to 13 years
The Teens Programme builds on social connections through shared interests, from ice-breaking activities to active sports, and concluding with an entertaining teen show. Children are free to both participate in activities offered by the GOs or explore sites created exclusively for them at their own pace.
14 to 17 years
Club Med Chill Pass is designed to encourage social interaction and independence, and includes designated hangout spaces for making new friends, engaging in laser tag or snorkelling, and enjoying beach dances.
Bring the family closer together
Club Med has introduced its new “Amazing Family!” programme, which gives parents the opportunity to create special memories with little ones through a fun-filled weekly agenda of activities. It’s a great way to ditch the screens and also connect as little and big kids.
The Amazing Family! Programme is included in the Club Med Premium All-Inclusive package and is currently available at Club Med Cherating Beach, Club Med Bali, Club Med Bintan Island, Club Med Phuket, Club Med Guilin and Club Med Kabira Ishigaki.
Activities range from outdoor sports and games, to collaborative activities, environmentally-friendly arts and crafts, cooking classes and also treasure hunts, themed parties and more.
Deals and discounts
A bonus for Club Med guests with the brood in tow is that kids under the age of four can stay for free all year round, whether it’s in a “Sun” resort or a “Snow” resort – from beachside Club Meds in the Maldives, Phuket and Bali, to Hokkaido skiing resorts like Tomamu and Kiroro Grand.
Also, at many locations, kids between 4 and 11 years can stay for up to 40 percent off the adult price. Teens can enjoy 20 percent off, including access to the relevant Kids Club.
Taking good care of yourself
They say that one of the secrets to a good life is finding the ideal balance of being happy and healthy, without sacrificing too much on either side. Club Med makes it easy to find the right mix. Its all-inclusive holidays pair gourmet dining on the menu alongside a diverse range of activities. Here are some of the ways to make wellness a holiday focus, whether you’re in Bali, Bintan, the Maldives or beyond.
# Spa sessions
Synonymous with a healthy and relaxing retreat is a spa treatment. That moment enjoying a massage while watching the sun set over the ocean, or an essential oil treatment after a long day on the slopes. Nothing beats it, right? The Spa at Club Med collaborates with some of the biggest names in beauty and wellness, so you can be sure that you’re unwinding in style.
Tip: The Club Med team normally suggests that guests book their spa treatments upon arrival at a resort to secure their spots.
# Yoga and Pilates
Yoga has been making something of a comeback in recent years – including at Club Med. This is no surprise, as its focus on body, mind and also breathing provides a powerful shield against stress and anxiety. During your stay, you can try Ashtanga, Kundalini, Bikram or Vinyasa yoga, or perhaps a more subtle workout like yoga Nidra. In some resorts, these sessions are held on or beside the beach, which helps with the mindset too!
Pilates, meanwhile, is the perfect mix of relaxation and strength training. Inspired by yoga, dance and fitness, it’s a gentle yet intense technique that harmonises breathing and posture. It’s a great way to use your Club Med stay to help eliminate the built-up stresses of a busy working life.
# Sauna and hammam
There’s something instantly relaxing about a sauna and hammam ritual, especially in an ocean paradise like Mauritius, Bali or the Seychelles, for example. The sauna offers that soft light and faint woody smell, the subtle hissing of water evaporating on contact with the hot stones, and a dry and enveloping heat. (Also, don’t miss the invigorating shock of a dip in cold water between each sitting!) Meanwhile, the hammam’s bath of wet steam welcomes you like a soft cocoon. Both make for a dreamy bookend to a long day spent at the beach or on the slopes.
More relaxing activities to try at Club Med:
- Tai Chi
- Aquafitness
- Weight & Cardio Training
- and many more!
Note: Activities are offered either with or without an additional charge, depending on the particular resort.
What’s coming up for Club Med?
A new opening for 2026 is Club Med Borneo, Kota Kinabalu. This 41-acre property is flanked by tropical rainforests and fronted by kilometres of pristine beach – the ideal getaway for families, friends and couples. Kota Kinabalu is only a three-hour flight away from Hong Kong, so it’s also a convenient getaway.
A new resort will also open in South Africa in July 2026 (sales opening: October 2025).
Find out more about Club Med’s all-inclusive holidays for families in Asia and beyond at clubmed.com.hk.
This article first appeared in the Autumn 2025 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
