I’m a big fan of Club Med’s all inclusive holidays for allowing parents and children to have a holiday that includes the holy grail of family vacations – time together and apart.  This July our family escaped winter to Club Med Cherating beach.  Juxtaposed between rainforest and perhaps the most gorgeous beach in the entire universe Club Med Cherating beach didn’t disappoint.      A nature lovers paradise the monkeys and monitor lizards roam Club Med Cherating Beach.   The resort has two private beaches that seemingly stretch on forever.  The beaches function just as well for twenty somethings wanting to sip cocktails from the well stocked beach bar as for children building a hermit crab sand fortress.

After arriving at Club Med Cherating Beach we were refreshed with cool tropical punch and cool face towels.  Our host GO (Gentil Organiser) told us about the resort, warned us to lock our doors when we went out to stop intruding monkeys and led us to our teak wood accommodation.  Accommodations at Club Med Cherating is minimalist – it is assumed that we would spend most of our time outside our room so the luxurious touches of other resorts are not evident in the accommodation.  In terms of facilities and food however nothing was lacking.  Our all inclusive package included three meals and day and all day snacking.  Beverages including all but the top shelf alcohol is also included.  The international clientele lends itself to the buffet dining on offer at The Mutiara which incorporated Japanese, Malaysian, Chinese, European and Korean cuisine.  Dessert was a highlight of each meal due to the work of the onsite skilled pastry chef.  Those wishing for a quieter dinner or late lunch were invited to the ala carte restaurant The Rembulan (bookings required for dinner)which with stunning ocean views was open at times not suited to our children.

Facilities

The giant main pool at Club Med Cherating Beach incorporates a deep area for competent swimmers which is fenced off from an extensive wading pool and small water splash area.  Under the watchful eye of the life savers we were able to relax in the water and, as evening approached the resident monkeys would congregate in family groups on the roofs around the pool watching the humans swim.   The peace and quiet of the adults only Zen pool was pure heaven.

Zen Pool Cherating Beach

Sea Kayaking at Club Med Cherating Beach

For the Adults:

The opportunity for adults only time that Club Med offers is gold.  There are two beaches – access to the swimming beach and the Zen pool is via a little train or a quiet short walk through the jungle.  The onsite beach, spa, bar and adventure activities cater to every type of adult traveller.  From my perspective, being able to swim, read and explore the natural environment without children was the highlight of my trip.  There are also opportunities for exercise classes, tennis lessons, sailing lesson, rock climbing and tree surfing if you are feeling energetic.  I recommend the nature hike through the jungle for stunning views of the coast line.

For the Kids:

The youngest guests are catered for at Club Med.  Baby Club Med is a service for ages 4-23 months at extra cost and runs from 8.30 to 5 daily.  All other kids clubs at Club Med run from From 8.30 am to 5 pm and from 6.45 pm to 8.30 pm, every day.  The Petite Club is for children aged 2-3.  The toddlers are supervised carefully as they explore the environment and the resort, these littlest holiday makers have their own water splash area and club house.  Mini Club is from 4-10 with children stratified into age groups within this.  I had three children in the Mini club each in a different age group.  This is not a lock the kids in a room with video games and some colouring in type of kids club.  Supervised by Mini Club team members during the day the children experienced all the resort has on offer, under the guidance of specialised activity GOs (Gentil Organisers).   Their days started with trapeze and circus lessons – after 7 days at Club Med I was amazed at what my children had learnt.  My children aged 7 and 10 loved the tree surfing (and I loved giving it a go on the adults course while they were being catered to by the Mini Club Team.  Dropping the kids off with their bathers and sunscreen was a must as they also were taken to the pool and the beach during their mini club time.  My four year old daughter wanted to be with the Mini Club around the clock including meals.  My seven year old valued the activities in the morning but then would join both parents for beach and and pool time.  Having one of one time with our middle child was a blessing for him and us as the lovely kid does suffer from middle childitis.  Our eldest aged 10 was allowed to sign himself in and out of the mini club.  He quickly found a friend and they would peruse the daily resort schedule working out what Mini Club activities they wanted to be part of and then signing themselves out for the various sporting and other competitions running during the day for all resort guests.

Every evening there is a family show.  Be warned – there will be battles over whether over tired kids are allowed to watch these.  The performers in the shows are the resort staff – GOs and they were hit and miss.  The circus shows were really of great quality however some of the other comedy shows were reminiscent of the Benny Hill era and seemed to feature a preponderance of men dressing up as women (including the audience).  I would suggest males guests not keen on being publicly dressed up in drag don’t attend these!  You have been warned.

Trapeze at Club Med Cherating Beach

Petite Club at Club Med Cherating Beach

Cherating Beach Club Med – Tie Die Making

Mini Club Club Med Cherating Beach

How to get to Club Med Cherating Beach:

Club Med prides itself on locating its resorts in the most exquisite locations as such they are more remote they take a little effort to access.  You can fly into Kuantan airport from Kuala Lumpar or Singapore.  Alternatively hire a car and/or driver and drive from Kuala Lumpar (3 hour drive).

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