Travelbiz in The Dominican Republic with Club Med

Club Med Punta Cana is located on one of the world’s finest beaches featuring over 600 metres of white sand set in a coconut grove where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean in the Dominican Republic. This all-inclusive resort recently underwent a major renovation and to highlight the enriched experience now available to Irish holidaymakers an exclusive press trip for a select group of travel media , including Declan Mescall (Features Editor Travelbiz), spent six days enjoying many of the 36 activities included in the cost of a stay.

Our very attentive host is Nicolas Bresch (Club Med Managing Director UK, Ireland & Nordics). This stunning resort boasts the largest Club Med water park with more than 20 water games, slides and fun areas and is a clear favourite with families. The significant renovation included key facilities such as a brand new lounge and welcome area as well as extensive dining rooms, public areas, lounges and bars together with high quality accommodation which have all been reborn and reimagined. Stay tuned to Travelbiz to learn all about this exciting all-inclusive Club Med Caribbean resort.

Early in the morning of September 12, 2024 a massive fire broke out in the Club Med Punta Cana Village Centre. Significant damage was caused to the resort’s central areas, including the reception, main restaurant and pool bar but did not affect any guest bedrooms. No injuries were reported. The resort was temporarily closed for nearly two months for safety and repairs. Most guests were accommodated in the other Club Med Punta Cana resort of Michès. The resort reopened for guests while the remaining substantial repair work was underway.

A total refurbishment of the reception area, main restaurant and pool bar was completed recently and to celebrate the occasion a grand reopening ceremony was held over a three day period to showcase the very impressive new facilities. Stéphane Maquaire , President of Club Med, together with other Club Med executives from all over the world were in attendance. Travel media, travel agents and tour operators from North America, Europe and Asia, together with local government VIPs were among the guests. Travelbiz Features Editor Declan Mescall was among the select media contingent from Ireland and the UK and we were accompanied by our host Nicholas Bresch,(MD Club Med UK, Ireland and Nordics).

The newly refurbished iconic Club Med Punta Cana is the flagship family resort, situated on 41 acres, between the jungle and the sea and boasts over 600 metres of white sand set in a coconut grove where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean in the Dominican Republic. Opened in 1981 as Punta Cana’s first all-inclusive resort, and today, following an upscale transformation, is beautifully reinvented and reimagined as Club Med’s Family Flagship once again on this tropical Caribbean island.

Club Med was the inventor of all-inclusive holidays in 1950 so this year celebrates its 75 years of success and today boasts 70 family and couples friendly resorts globally across 40 countries.

As it continues its pioneering all-inclusive concept it is reinventing its formula for happiness. In the words of the founder:

“The purpose of life is to be happy.

The place to be happy is here.

And the time to be happy is now”.

For 75 years, Club Med has set the standard since pioneering all-inclusive holidays in 1950 and continue to lead the way in upscale, sustainable and innovative travel by offering holidaymakers gourmet dining, premium drinks, endless activities and dedicated kids’ clubs which cater for 4 months to 17 years of age. The newly extensively renovated Club Med in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is a flagship for the brand and certainly lives up to the brand’s iconic lifestyle reputation. Combined with blue skies and temperatures of 30 degrees surely we experienced the best of what’s on offer to guests. Incidentally, during our stay, guests included couples and families and an exceptional number of multi generational families. Facilities aimed at families include thrilling sports, engaging family games and circus activities combined of course with numerous swimming pools and the largest Club Med water park with slides games.

Adult only areas include a Zen Beach ideally located beside the spa and the Zen Oasis which has a magnificent oversize lagoon pool, a spacious hot tub and a sun deck with cabanas and daybeds.

The endless list of activities on land and on water includes yoga, archery, fitness, tennis, pickleball, cardio training, sailing, kayaking and standup paddling to name just a few and are available every day at no extra cost. An extensive list of additional activities such as horse riding, big game fishing, excursions, scuba diving, snorkelling and kitesurfing are available at additional cost.

Top Travelbiz tip is to download the Club Med app which gives full details on a daily basis of all available activities.

Dining here is a delight with over 10 world cuisines and the finest local specialties, with the Caribbean ocean as your backdrop.

Club Med Punta Cana has a range of accommodation to choose from and includes family superior rooms, new deluxe rooms and Zen Oasis suites.

In addition to the Dominican Republic resort in Punta Cana, Club Med also has a second resort in Michès Playa Esmeralda and our UK and Ireland media group paid a visit. This Exclusive Collection all-inclusive resort is situated 75 minutes from Punta Cana airport and located between a pristine beach and vibrant jungle and offers tranquility, luxury amenities and elevated service levels. The resort offers both family and adult only areas together with a range of sports and activities, zen pool, fitness and spa facilities but with a very laidback, relaxed atmosphere. I counted four pools, eight bars and four restaurants, offering local and international cuisine so nowhere is ever crowded. It’s on a much smaller and more intimate scale than Punta Cana.

On our way back to Punta Cana we visited Montana Redonda, one of the highest points in the Dominican Republic, with 360 degree panoramic views of the mountains, lagoons and waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It has several unique viewpoints including giant swings on the edge of the mountain, hammocks and old brooms, which create the optical illusion that you’re “flying” on the mountain. It is said to be the second most photographed location in the country.