It’s not just the world-class facilities and all-inclusive fun that continually draw families back to Club Med, but the friendly faces tasked with creating unforgettable holidays.
Club Med has become a household name synonymous with all-inclusive holidays. Far from its humble beginnings as a tented camp in Majorca in 1950, today, there are 80 deluxe ‘vacation villages’ scattered across the globe. Think cosy chalets amid the snowy splendour of the Swiss Alps, overwater bungalows in the Maldives, and a collection of idyllic properties thoughtfully strewn along the sun-drenched shores of Asia.
Bottom's up at Club Med Bali (image: Club Med)While each resort sparkles with its own personality and has no shortage of amusements, beyond the included bells and whistles is the very heart of what makes Club Med special: its people.
More than just employees, G.Os (Gentil Organisateurs) are the pillars of the Club Med experience. Gilbert Trigano, one of the founders explains: “At Club Med, kindness is a profession in its own right and that profession is more than a job, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a form of life.”
These multi-skilled professionals exude generosity, are inherently approachable and have a genuine passion for creating memorable moments for each guest.
Fifth time's the charm for Daniel Garnsey and his family, who have clocked up four visits to Club Med Bali and a stint at Club Med Bintan Island. They’ve now lined up a sixth Club Med holiday at Cherating Beach.
“We call Club Med an experience because it’s more than a resort with meals and drinks included (which is what we expected on the first trip),” Daniel says.
Club Med G.Os are skilled across a host of activities, including the ever-popular trapeze school (image: Club Med)What the Garnsey family love about Club Med is not just cold ones by the pool, the vast dining options or the tropical settings, but the fact that each member of the family can enjoy the company of fun-spirited people.
“Anyone who has been to a Club Med knows that the G.Os make the experience. The first time we farewelled Club Med Bali we felt like we were leaving friends behind; the second and subsequent times felt like we were saying goodbye to family.”
G.Os man the bar, lead activities and at night, show off their athletic prowess during live stage shows. But where G.Os truly come into their own are at the kids clubs.
Tots, tweens and teens can enjoy age-appropriate activities suited to all interests and personalities, including trapeze lessons, arts and crafts, watersports, cooking classes and foam parties.
Whatever the kids' interests, there's an activity to suit (image: Getty)“The G.Os in the kids clubs show what it means to be patient, kind and full of energy. I completely trusted these guys and girls to watch my son and daughter. Truth be told, we actually had to pull them out of the kids club a few times because we wanted to spend more time with them!” Daniel says.
When it comes to date nights for Daniel and his wife Leanne, they can’t recommend the nanny service enough. They use the same nanny every time in Bali, and there are always tears from her and the children when they have to leave.
"You aren't just paying for an all-inclusive holiday, you're paying for dinner and a show every night and a group of people to hang out with who are entertaining and genuinely love what they do."
