In the past 10 years, one holiday brand has been investing in skiing and broadening its appeal beyond its traditional French client base. The secret to Club Med’s growth in popularity, especially with British skiers, is simple – huge investments in new luxury hotels across the Alps, and constantly delivering value for money.
Since this well known French hotel group was acquired by a group of Chinese billionaires, the company have gone from strength to strength. Access to billions of Euros of investment capital has enabled the business to expand quickly with the opening of a new ski resort in each of the past 6 years.
The recent openings include new 4* hotels with 5* spaces in Valmorel, Val Thorens, Samoens, Les Arcs and opening for the 2021 ski season is a new slopeside hotel in La Rosiere. In 2022 a new Club Med resort will open on the East Coast of Canada in the Quebec area, the first North American resort for Club Med.
Planning has also been approved for a replacement new hotel in Tignes, currently, code-named “Ski Line”. This remarkable new hotel will be highest in Europe and will include an indoor ski slope, perfect for guests visiting in the summer months.
The group are not only building new hotels but also carrying out a multimillion Euro upgrades were completed last winter at the resorts in Alpe d’Huez to add more luxury rooms, and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and Val d’Isere to upgrade rooms to a 5* standard and complete fit-out to the public areas within the hotel.
5* space in a 4* hotel
Several of Club Med’s ski resorts, now have 5* areas, while the hotel is rated 4*, a limited number of rooms are graded 5*, guests see a number of added benefits besides larger and nicer rooms, these included, private resort transfers, access to exclusive 5* lounges and spas, concierge services and room service. Priority bookings in the spa and speciality restaurants.
Another new concept from Club Med are their private chalets. These 2, 3- or 4-bedroom apartments have a private butler and access to 5* spaces. (not available in all resorts) Guests have full access to the other areas in the hotel but have their own private space, very popular with family groups.
Club Med pioneered the concept of the all-inclusive holidays which was quickly copied by hotels and tour operators. The reality of most all-inclusive holidays is a typical “tour operators” idea of all-inclusive, a Greek hotel forced by the tour operator to include limited free local drinks and a beer, canteen styled dinning and if you are lucky ice cream for the kids, which was proudly announced to be all-inclusive.
Club Med pushed the all-inclusive to the limited to include everything you need on a skiing holiday except travel insurance and Ski equipment rental, if its required, many skiers have their own equipment.
Everything that’s included in the Club Med all-inclusive price.
Flights from most regional airports including resort transfers (ATOL bonded)
Full area ski pass
Full days ski lessons (5 days)
Qualified ski guides for off-piste skiers- safety equipment provided
Kids clubs and childcare
All acholic drinks and cocktails- (Champagne only included in 5* hotels spaces)
A massive buffet Breakfast
4-course buffet lunch with unlimited wine
4 or 5-course evening meal either buffet styles or in the table service speciality restaurant
Unlimited wine and cheese with evening meal
Après ski high tea and soup
Snack and hot drinks throughout the day
Pre-dinner canapes
Evening entertainment
Room with interconnecting rooms
Free ski carriage on all Club Med’s charter flight
These little extras you’d expect to pay for in the ski resort, such as your lift pass, ski lessons or guide, all add up, especially on a family skiing holiday. A full area ski pass can cost upwards of €300 for a 6-day adult pass. Ski School, another £200. Mountain lunches, wine, snacks and après ski drinks, can be expensive in ski resorts, especially if you ski in a group and it’s your round!
Food is a special treat at Club Med
Whether you are a foodie or have children who are fussy eater, the dining experience at Club Med will not disappoint. The new Chinese owners of Club Med while providing lots of capital, haven’t influenced the company’s French roots. Good food is very much at the heart of the Club Med offering. For example, the executive chef at Club Med Sensations resort in Val Thorens is local, Edouard Loubet, the holder of two Michelin stars.
One of the most vital meals on a skiing holiday, has to be breakfast, it sets you up for a day of activity. At Club Med, the choice is endless, from the classic English cooked breakfast, continental breakfasts with breads and jams, fruit, yoghurts, cheeses, cereals, cooked meats, pancakes, fresh juices and tea & coffee.
Lunches are probably the most fun meals on a skiing holiday. Most of Club Meds resorts are ski in ski out, so returning for lunch is simple. The resort at St Moritz is the only one that isn’t, so Club Med have their own private restaurant on the mountain exclusively for Club Med guests, naturally, its included in the cost of your holiday. There is a similar restaurant at Club Med Pragelato, in Italy, although this is ski in ski out, it’s in the corner of the ski area, so for guest’s convenience, there is an option to dine on the mountain, or return to the hotel.
In several of the most popular ski areas, in France, Like the Espace Killy, Three Valleys and the Paradiski domains Club Med have several resorts and its possible to have lunch at any of the other hotels by simply making a reservation with the hotel reception. Its included in the cost of the holiday!
Where ever you choose to lunch, your in for a treat. If it’s sunny, the tables on the terrace’s will be ready for your return. The choices will include, fish dishes, various meat dishes, curry, rice, pizza, pasta, wide choice of salads, Asian inspired dishes, sushi, even fresh oysters and foie Gra.
Most guests dress up for dinner, normally congregating in the bar area. Club Med encourage the party atmosphere with changing dress codes each evening. Canapes are served in the bar area before guests make there way to the restaurants. In the evening you can choose either the buffet option or dine in the speciality restaurant for local mountain dishes such as raclette or fondue. The speciality restaurant should be booked in advance via the reception. The cost is included in the price of the holiday. The buffet option changes daily, one of the popular nights is the seafood, expect oysters, Lobsters giant prawns, razor clams and huge choice of shellfish and white fish dishes. Steaks, pasta, Pizza and a huge variety of salads and desserts are always available. The cheese table is something to behold, if like me you have a thing for cheese.
The other guests at Club Med
Club Med is an international brand, with sales offices worldwide, consequently, the guests are truly multinational. Not surprisingly France is the biggest market, closely followed by Brazil! The British are the third biggest market for Club Med.
Adult only groups, which often have many different ability levels enjoy the ski included lessons and guiding and Im dare say saves guests a lot of credit card bills when it comes to buying a round of après ski drinks. Additional discounts are available for groups of 8 or more and in most cases are offered private transfers between the airport and hotel.
Families are particularly well catered for. Most of the rooms are the newer Club Med resorts are interconnecting, very popular with families but it’s the kids clubs and child care and included full days ski lessons, that’s the biggest draw for families. All Club Med’s hotels have areas for youngest’s and teens hang out, with supervised activities and games available.
For Couples, Club Med is a great choice too, excellent large rooms, many with views across the slopes. In house spa’s and treatment rooms allows couples looking for a more intermate ski holiday to enjoy time together.
Angus Kinloch is the Managing Director at Ski Line. Ski Line specialist ski agency that provides luxury ski holidays to Europe’s and North America’s most popular ski resorts.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Angus Kinloch is the Founder and Managing Director of Ski Line, an awarding winning specialist ski travel agency with 25 years in the ski holiday business. Angus has first-hand experience of the many different types of holiday accommodation available through his ABTA bonded agency, including ski chalets, the best slopeside hotels and apartments and all-inclusive skiing holidays by Club Med. Angus has skied extensively with his family and friends across Europe, North America and more recently in Japan.
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8 Comments
Skiing used to be big when I was at school as an outing and a few students would go to the Alps for a few days, but it was always reserved for a small number of people because it was quite a special thing and pretty pricey too. It’s more accessible these days to do it and that’s great, but there’s still something about its general image that makes it more reserved for those with money. I guess in part because a lot of celebs and royals like their ski holidays. I’m not surprised places are investing more in luxury travel, I wouldn’t expect any different from Club Med.
I always cringe when you read of companies being bought out and some mega rich Chinese or whatever billionaires taking over because it seems like such a shame, but you can’t deny they’ve done pretty well. A new ski resort every year for 6 years, that’s impressive. It’s interesting to see what’s actually included in the all inclusive package too, you get quite a lot for your dosh by the looks of it. I never used to go AI when going on holiday but the last couple of times I have and I think I prefer it, pretty sure I’ve saved money doing it that way as well. I like that they offer a buffet option for dining, I love those, much prefer it to formal sit down dining on a restrictive set menu.
All Inclusive simply gives you a more relaxed holiday. The worst type of holiday for me is where you casually sign for extras all week and then get faced by a huge bill on checkout.
When you are on All Inclusive it’s simply more relaxing knowing that you can have a coffee, drink or snack whenever you want it. I like the idea of not having to worry about money for a few days.
For me the fact that Club Mex is an international brand is an added bonus. I like talking to people from different countries. I like getting their take on international issues. Last year I had some very interesting talks about Brexit. Also, people on a ski trip are usually very sociable and chatty, which makes for a good time.
I like that mix, too. And you can get a much more enriching experience with a diversity of people and cultures. Brexit though? I’d avoid that topic of conversation like the plague!
I love an all-inclusive resort where you don’t have to worry about the small details. And I’ve known about the reputation of Club Med for years now and would trust that I would be taken care of every time I come to visit. It’s the sort of place I would go to splurge or get pampered. They even have family friendly packages, one of the things that actually drew me to their services.
It’s always good to stop for a moment and think about what makes a company successful and to focus on what its customers like. Usually the answer has something to do with great people. Then then of course the final questions is, “Its great but is it right for me?”
The recent openings include new 4* hotels with 5* spaces in Valmorel, Val Thorens, Samoens, Les Arcs and opening for the 2021 ski season is a new slopeside hotel in La Rosiere. In 2022 a new Club Med resort will open on the East Coast of Canada in the Quebec area, the first North American resort for Club Med.
Planning has also been approved for a replacement new hotel in Tignes, currently, code-named “Ski Line”. This remarkable new hotel will be highest in Europe and will include an indoor ski slope, perfect for guests visiting in the summer months.
The group are not only building new hotels but also carrying out a multimillion Euro upgrades were completed last winter at the resorts in Alpe d’Huez to add more luxury rooms, and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and Val d’Isere to upgrade rooms to a 5* standard and complete fit-out to the public areas within the hotel.
5* space in a 4* hotel
Several of Club Med’s ski resorts, now have 5* areas, while the hotel is rated 4*, a limited number of rooms are graded 5*, guests see a number of added benefits besides larger and nicer rooms, these included, private resort transfers, access to exclusive 5* lounges and spas, concierge services and room service. Priority bookings in the spa and speciality restaurants.
Another new concept from Club Med are their private chalets. These 2, 3- or 4-bedroom apartments have a private butler and access to 5* spaces. (not available in all resorts) Guests have full access to the other areas in the hotel but have their own private space, very popular with family groups.
The recent openings include new 4* hotels with 5* spaces in Valmorel, Val Thorens, Samoens, Les Arcs and opening for the 2021 ski season is a new slopeside hotel in La Rosiere. In 2022 a new Club Med resort will open on the East Coast of Canada in the Quebec area, the first North American resort for Club Med.
Planning has also been approved for a replacement new hotel in Tignes, currently, code-named “Ski Line”. This remarkable new hotel will be highest in Europe and will include an indoor ski slope, perfect for guests visiting in the summer months.
The group are not only building new hotels but also carrying out a multimillion Euro upgrades were completed last winter at the resorts in Alpe d’Huez to add more luxury rooms, and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and Val d’Isere to upgrade rooms to a 5* standard and complete fit-out to the public areas within the hotel.
5* space in a 4* hotel
Several of Club Med’s ski resorts, now have 5* areas, while the hotel is rated 4*, a limited number of rooms are graded 5*, guests see a number of added benefits besides larger and nicer rooms, these included, private resort transfers, access to exclusive 5* lounges and spas, concierge services and room service. Priority bookings in the spa and speciality restaurants.
Another new concept from Club Med are their private chalets. These 2, 3- or 4-bedroom apartments have a private butler and access to 5* spaces. (not available in all resorts) Guests have full access to the other areas in the hotel but have their own private space, very popular with family groups.
Club Med pioneered the concept of the all-inclusive holidays which was quickly copied by hotels and tour operators. The reality of most all-inclusive holidays is a typical “tour operators” idea of all-inclusive, a Greek hotel forced by the tour operator to include limited free local drinks and a beer, canteen styled dinning and if you are lucky ice cream for the kids, which was proudly announced to be all-inclusive.
Club Med pushed the all-inclusive to the limited to include everything you need on a skiing holiday except travel insurance and Ski equipment rental, if its required, many skiers have their own equipment.
Everything that’s included in the Club Med all-inclusive price.
One of the most vital meals on a skiing holiday, has to be breakfast, it sets you up for a day of activity. At Club Med, the choice is endless, from the classic English cooked breakfast, continental breakfasts with breads and jams, fruit, yoghurts, cheeses, cereals, cooked meats, pancakes, fresh juices and tea & coffee.
Lunches are probably the most fun meals on a skiing holiday. Most of Club Meds resorts are ski in ski out, so returning for lunch is simple. The resort at St Moritz is the only one that isn’t, so Club Med have their own private restaurant on the mountain exclusively for Club Med guests, naturally, its included in the cost of your holiday. There is a similar restaurant at Club Med Pragelato, in Italy, although this is ski in ski out, it’s in the corner of the ski area, so for guest’s convenience, there is an option to dine on the mountain, or return to the hotel.
In several of the most popular ski areas, in France, Like the Espace Killy, Three Valleys and the Paradiski domains Club Med have several resorts and its possible to have lunch at any of the other hotels by simply making a reservation with the hotel reception. Its included in the cost of the holiday!
Where ever you choose to lunch, your in for a treat. If it’s sunny, the tables on the terrace’s will be ready for your return. The choices will include, fish dishes, various meat dishes, curry, rice, pizza, pasta, wide choice of salads, Asian inspired dishes, sushi, even fresh oysters and foie Gra.
Most guests dress up for dinner, normally congregating in the bar area. Club Med encourage the party atmosphere with changing dress codes each evening. Canapes are served in the bar area before guests make there way to the restaurants. In the evening you can choose either the buffet option or dine in the speciality restaurant for local mountain dishes such as raclette or fondue. The speciality restaurant should be booked in advance via the reception. The cost is included in the price of the holiday. The buffet option changes daily, one of the popular nights is the seafood, expect oysters, Lobsters giant prawns, razor clams and huge choice of shellfish and white fish dishes. Steaks, pasta, Pizza and a huge variety of salads and desserts are always available. The cheese table is something to behold, if like me you have a thing for cheese.
The other guests at Club Med
Club Med is an international brand, with sales offices worldwide, consequently, the guests are truly multinational. Not surprisingly France is the biggest market, closely followed by Brazil! The British are the third biggest market for Club Med.
Adult only groups, which often have many different ability levels enjoy the ski included lessons and guiding and Im dare say saves guests a lot of credit card bills when it comes to buying a round of après ski drinks. Additional discounts are available for groups of 8 or more and in most cases are offered private transfers between the airport and hotel.
Families are particularly well catered for. Most of the rooms are the newer Club Med resorts are interconnecting, very popular with families but it’s the kids clubs and child care and included full days ski lessons, that’s the biggest draw for families. All Club Med’s hotels have areas for youngest’s and teens hang out, with supervised activities and games available.
For Couples, Club Med is a great choice too, excellent large rooms, many with views across the slopes. In house spa’s and treatment rooms allows couples looking for a more intermate ski holiday to enjoy time together.
Angus Kinloch is the Managing Director at Ski Line. Ski Line specialist ski agency that provides luxury ski holidays to Europe’s and North America’s most popular ski resorts.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Skiing used to be big when I was at school as an outing and a few students would go to the Alps for a few days, but it was always reserved for a small number of people because it was quite a special thing and pretty pricey too. It’s more accessible these days to do it and that’s great, but there’s still something about its general image that makes it more reserved for those with money. I guess in part because a lot of celebs and royals like their ski holidays. I’m not surprised places are investing more in luxury travel, I wouldn’t expect any different from Club Med.
I always cringe when you read of companies being bought out and some mega rich Chinese or whatever billionaires taking over because it seems like such a shame, but you can’t deny they’ve done pretty well. A new ski resort every year for 6 years, that’s impressive. It’s interesting to see what’s actually included in the all inclusive package too, you get quite a lot for your dosh by the looks of it. I never used to go AI when going on holiday but the last couple of times I have and I think I prefer it, pretty sure I’ve saved money doing it that way as well. I like that they offer a buffet option for dining, I love those, much prefer it to formal sit down dining on a restrictive set menu.
All Inclusive simply gives you a more relaxed holiday. The worst type of holiday for me is where you casually sign for extras all week and then get faced by a huge bill on checkout.
When you are on All Inclusive it’s simply more relaxing knowing that you can have a coffee, drink or snack whenever you want it. I like the idea of not having to worry about money for a few days.
I get very, very hungry when I go skiing. I don’t want to be worrying about what I’m are ordering. All inclusive is all good for me.
For me the fact that Club Mex is an international brand is an added bonus. I like talking to people from different countries. I like getting their take on international issues. Last year I had some very interesting talks about Brexit. Also, people on a ski trip are usually very sociable and chatty, which makes for a good time.
I like that mix, too. And you can get a much more enriching experience with a diversity of people and cultures. Brexit though? I’d avoid that topic of conversation like the plague!
I love an all-inclusive resort where you don’t have to worry about the small details. And I’ve known about the reputation of Club Med for years now and would trust that I would be taken care of every time I come to visit. It’s the sort of place I would go to splurge or get pampered. They even have family friendly packages, one of the things that actually drew me to their services.
It’s always good to stop for a moment and think about what makes a company successful and to focus on what its customers like. Usually the answer has something to do with great people. Then then of course the final questions is, “Its great but is it right for me?”