Club Med is one of those vacation destination companies that I was never keen on trying–until I stayed at one.
The Club Med Ixtapa in Mexico was a hit with my then 10-year-old daughter, my husband and me. We were never lacking for something fun to do, the staff was not only kid-friendly, they were kid-focused, and drinks were included in the all-inclusive price. How can you beat that?
Maybe by making it free for kids under 16 to stay at a Club Med.
That’s the new promotion from Club Med, starting today. The kids stay free deal is good for 7-night stays at Club Med resorts in the Dominican Republic, Cancun and Ixtapa in Mexico, and the French West Indies and for 3-night stays at Sandpiper Bay in Florida.
Of course, there are restrictions and caveats and all those sorts of things that irritate consumers who think they’re getting a great deal (I’ve pasted the thick paragraph outlining them below). But take a look and see whether you can find a deal that works for your family.
The Upside of All-Inclusives
Don’t get sticker shock when you look at the prices. Club Med is an all-inclusive resort and I generally think all-inclusives are a great option for a family holiday. Club Med even has all the stuff you need for traveling with a baby, including baby food on the buffet line. So the price shown on the Web site is pretty much the price you’ll pay for your vacation, which is always nice for family budgeting purposes.
I fell in love with the concept of all-inclusive resorts when I visited my first one, The Beaches in Turks and Caicos. I was traveling with my young son who was a notoriously picky eater. It was such a relief not to fight with him about eating. All I did was tell him to take a little of anything that looked good onthe buffet line, try it all and then return to get more of whatever he liked.
The Club Med deals are good through the end of October, but they must be booked by Feb. 28.
The Fine Print
Here are the details and restrictions on the kids stay free deal (I told you it was a thick paragraph):
One child per full paying adult. Maximum 2 free children 15 years and under. Must be booked in same room only. 7-night minimum stay required (3 night minimum for Sandpiper Bay, Florida). Offer does not include airfare and is only available for stays at select resorts. Valid for new individual bookings and must be booked by 02/28/11 for select travel dates until 10/28/11. Holiday restrictions and other blackout dates apply. Promotion may be withdrawn at any time and is subject to capacity restrictions. Club Med membership fees of $60 per adult and $30 per child are additional. Other restrictions apply including brochure terms and cancellation/change fees. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
