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| The pool area at the revitalized Club Med Sandpiper Bay. |
Post 9/11, Club Med North America—along with the rest of the travel industry—suffered major financial consequences. Club Med made the decision to move forward with a major repositioning and multimillion-dollar product investment.
The new focus on family upscale vacations proved to be successful with continued annual growth in profitability and customer satisfaction. Today, the brand is ready to reclaim its position as the leader in all-inclusive vacations.
The Flagship’s Facelift
Last summer, Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, FL, generated 39 percent more bookings and 87 percent more sales on a year-to-date basis against the summer of 2010. It was the first summer following the resort’s successful relaunch, having reopened in December 2010 sporting $25 million worth of renovations. The Sandpiper Bay upgrade was part of an overall investment of more than $110 million by Club Med in its North American Zone properties—and guests this year can expect even more new and upgraded amenities.
Initial enhancements to the Florida property included Deluxe Family units with a private room for parents, a separate bedroom for the children, a large living space, and one and a half baths. For the younger set there’s Kidz Village including a splash park, BRITTO Art Center, and a new juniors’ lounge and hangout, Latitude 27°.
Other improvements include a new main restaurant, a new waterfront restaurant, a redesigned bar and lounge, and an impressive waterfront gazebo to be used exclusively for weddings and receptions, as well as a grand ballroom.
Brand New Spa
Last month Club Med Sandpiper Bay opened the new Club Med Spa by L’Occitane— the first and only such wellness facility in the U.S. The 5,000-square-foot spa includes seven indoor treatment rooms, a manicure and pedicure area, and a shop where guests can purchase L’Occitane products.
Club Med Sandpiper Bay also unveiled recent improvements to its 18-hole golf course, including a completely remodeled driving range, practice green and short game facility. Additional upgrades included a new clubhouse, featuring a lounge, retail space, club fitting, video analysis and indoor training facility.
In addition to being the only all-inclusive family resort in the U.S., the 216-acre renovated Sandpiper Bay is the flagship of Club Med “premium sports” resorts.
With the innovation of the Club Med Academies, Sandpiper Bay offers a new product with a world-class training environment in tennis, golf and fitness with coaching from renowned experts in the sports industry including Gabe Jaramillo, who has trained such tennis greats as Andre Agassi and Monica Seles; Brad Brewer, host of the Golf Channel’s Daily Brew; and professional tri-athlete and five-time Ironman Champion Heather Gollnick.
Agents should contact Scott Duncan ([email protected]), sales manager, with queries.
International Upgrades
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: Following $34 million in renovations, this newly redesigned resort has activities for everyone from Baby Club Med to Passworld for teens and plenty of entertainment and luxuries for adults.
Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico: Guests can relax in this award-winning, family-friendly, hacienda-style resort that recently underwent a $20 million renovation.
Cancun Yucatan, Mexico: Discover the cultural richness and the natural wonder of the Yucatan peninsula with tours into historic Mexico at this family-style resort, now even more inviting after a $24 million renovation project
Club Med Valmorel: After a $130 million investment, Club Med Valmorel, located in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps, opened in December. Valmorel offers different levels of accommodations, including the 5-Trident Luxury Space Suite and multi-bedroom Chalet-Apartments, complete with private butler and personal chef.
Club Med Refresher
Club Med has more than 80 resorts in 25 countries worldwide from sunny Caribbean beaches to snow-capped ski slopes in the Alps. Club Med offers a variety of accommodations, now featuring new Luxury Spaces, Sol (Ixtapa Pacific), Tiara (Punta Cana), and Jade (Cancun Yucatan), with exclusive services and amenities. It is also known for its children’s programs, for guests from four months to 17 years old.
New VP of Sales
Club Med recently announced the appointment of Patrick Mitchell as vice president of sales for the North American zone as part of a continued growth strategy for the brand. With more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mitchell most recently held the position of vice president of global sales strategy and planning at Norwegian Cruise Lines. He brings extensive expertise in strategic planning, development of sales planning methodologies and growing new sales distribution channels.