You are here: Home / Archives for inclusive

Club Med “The World is on Sale”…sale :)

January 26, 2013 By

Sandpiper Bay 1 300x199 Club Med The World is on Sale...sale :)
I think this is my favorite Club Med sale to date…both for the title and the savings!

That’s right, it’s the Club Med “The World is on Sale” sale.

I feel like I’m always fielding Facebook questions from you all (and even my close friends!) asking, “Is a Club Med vacation really worth it?”

Let me think…

YES!!!!

Come on people, can you really ask me that question? After all, I loved the Club Med experience so much I worked there in my 20′s.

Think about it: it’s the only all-inclusive resort in the United States, plus they have amazing destinations all over the world. They have 5 star cuisine and world-class entertainment, sports and attractions all part of your vacation package.

The trick to saving money on a Club Med vacation, as I tell you with any travel opportunity, is to pick the right time to go.

Well, this is that time.

Just in time for spring and summer travel, Club Med announces “The World is On Sale” with limited time rates starting at only $799 per person for a seven night  all-inclusive getaway. Travelers can enjoy an all-inclusive escape to more than 60 sun and ski resorts worldwide including properties in the Caribbean, Mexico, France, Switzerland, Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand and more. 

In their words:
Experience Club Med’s charming and unparalleled ski resorts where winter sports lovers partake in ski-in ski-out access to the largest ski domains in Europe, gourmet international cuisine on the mountainside and accommodations in cozy chalets. Club Med’s ski resorts provide the ideal family getaway and accommodate every type of skier with miles of ski slopes to enjoy as well as a professional ski school for all levels starting at just four years old. For non-skiers, Club Med ski villages offer alternative activities from hiking, snowshoeing and Nordic walking to dogsledding, ice-skating and ice diving. For those looking to relax after a long day on the slopes, guests are invited to enjoy Club Med’s rejuvenating spas and dedicated wellness centers.
IMG 4808 225x300 Club Med The World is on Sale...sale :)
For more information visit www.clubmed.us or call 1-800-ClubMed.

If you want to see more from inside the club, you can read about my  GO to GM at Club Med Sandpiper Bay trip.

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, Reviews, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Club Med Semi-Annual Sale 2012

November 2, 2012 By

Sandpiper Bay 1 300x199 Club Med Semi Annual Sale 2012
I’m excited to announce a new Club Med Semi-Annual sale for November 2012!

So many of you have mentioned you love hearing about my Club Med adventures, and you’d love to try their all-inclusive properties with your family, but just didn’t think you could afford such a vacation.

Well Club Med has never been more affordable than now!

I’ve seen Club Med sales where a few of their resorts are discounted, but right now more than 60 resorts worldwide are offering deep discounts, including Club Med’s amazing ski resorts in France, Italy and Switzerland and exotic resorts in Malaysia, Brazil and Thailand.

Families, friends and couples are invited to enjoy the savings and hassle free getaway with Club Med — the world’s leading all-inclusive brand with more than 80 resorts worldwide — with limited time rates starting at just $749 per person for families and $999 per person for couples for a seven-night all-inclusive getaway. (and when they say all-inclusive, they mean all-inclusive…for everything from drinks to child-care!)

For more information visit www.clubmed.us or call 1-800-ClubMed.

If you want to see more from inside the club, you can read about my  GO to GM at Club Med Sandpiper Bay trip.

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, Reviews, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

August 16, 2012 By

Sandpiper Bay 1 300x199 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

This summer, I had the opportunity to return to Club Med Sandpiper Bay for a blogger trip. While Club Med Sandpiper Bay (in Port St. Lucie, FL) is known for their famous Kids Club and being the only all-inclusive resort in the continental U.S., the focus for me this trip was unique.

You see, ever since I moved to Nashville from Florida almost four years ago, my best friend and I have been dreaming of taking a ‘girls’ weekend’ away…somewhere that we could relax and spend wonderfully conteplative moments together over great meals, but also find time to pursue our own interests and of course, relax in a beautiful setting.

So when I learned I could bring a guest on my trip, I called Carolyn and off we went!

As we neared the end of our long weekend at Club Med, I asked Carolyn what she thought about our time together there. Since I used to work for Club Med, I realize my opinion can be skewed because I already find so much pleasure and value in a Club Med vacation. But I thought her sentiments perfectly summed what you can expect at Club Med:

“It’s like summer camp, but all grown up!“

After all, just look at what we were able to do each day:

Morning yoga looking over the bay
IMG 4608 300x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

 Then on to a tennis lesson (yes, I know I used to be a tennis GO, but I took an intermediate tennis lesson and whew! I don’t know how I used to do that for 8 hours a day!)
IMG 4617 225x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up
I also humored Carolyn, who is an excellent golfer, by taking an intermediate golf lesson with her. These are perhaps my favorite photos from the entire trip:
IMG 4787 300x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown UpIMG 4789 300x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown UpOf course, one of my FAVORITE aspects of Club Med Sandpiper Bay is the circus school. I dangled myself from a hula hoop hanging from the ceiling (I’m sure there’s a more technical name for it, but I can’t remember at this time):
IMG 4850 300x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

Not bad for someone who’s closer to 40 than 20, right?

I also convinced the circus GO’s to teach me how to do a back handspring and a back tuck on the trampoline. (I had asked my kids’ gymnastics gym for lessons, but they said I was too old to insure – OUCH!)
IMG 4835 225x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown UpAnd of course, I had to take a swing on one of the iconic elements of Club Med Sandpiper Bay, the full size circus trapeze!
IMG 4853 300x225 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

I even got a personal training session from one of their Club Med Academy professionals
IMG 4644 225x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up Tired yet?

Of course, we found plenty of time for the aforementioned relaxing that I was craving, including morning devotions on our patio
IMG 4941 225x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up
…a incredibly relaxing massage at the L’Occitane Spa (also the only L’Occitane spa in the US at this time)
IMG 4940 225x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

…and we even found an incredible two-person lounge on the beach
IMG 4791 300x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up(If you want to see ALL the fabulous Club Med chairs that I fell in love with, check out my “Where will you sit at Club Med?” post)

And took a sunset cruise down the St. Lucie River. Aren’t we cute?
IMG 4866 225x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up
It goes without saying that we found time for fun too! We learned how to make watermelon and a virgin mojito recipe

IMG 4716 300x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up Danced the Crazy Signs around the pool…
IMG 4808 225x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

And I couldn’t resist doing a little art in the Britto Art Center (they said anyone can play & create! Plus Romero Britto is my all-time favorite artist):
IMG 4782 300x225 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up Of course EVERYTHING we did couldn’t quite compare to the satisfaction of eating the infamous White Chocolate Bread at ever meal icon wink Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up
IMG 4718 300x225 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown UpEven in the rain, we still had fun
IMG 4720 300x225 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

But most importantly, we were able to spend time together at a place that let us do as much or as little as we could possibly think of:
IMG 4597 225x300 Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

So if you haven’t checked out Club Med yet, or thought Club Med may have been out of your price range, just look at the sale they have going on right now. Club Med is offering early booking rates and kids under four stay free starting in summer 2013 vacations. 

To take advantage of great rates, guests must book by Oct. 29, 2012 for travel April 27 – Oct. 26, 2013. This limited time offer is available at the following Club Med properties:
  • Sandpiper Bay, Florida
  • Cancun Yucatan, Mexico
  • Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico
  • Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
  • Columbus Isle, Bahamas
  • Turkoise, Turks and Caicos
  • Caravelle, Guadeloupe
  • Buccaneer’s Creek, Martinique

So what are you waiting for? Whether you’re looking for a fun family getaway, a romantic weekend to re-connect, or a sports-lovers paradise, you can find any and ALL of it at Club Med! I just can’t wait for my next trip icon smile Club Med Sandpiper Bay: Summer Camp All Grown Up

Which Club Med activity would you most like to try?

Filed Under: Reviews, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Club Med WOW Sale July 2012

July 14, 2012 By

Sandpiper Bay 1 300x199 Club Med WOW Sale July 2012
I’m excited to announce a new Club Med WOW sale for July 2012!

If you’ve been following my recent road trip, you already know I’m all about helping you experience luxury for less; well, I couldn’t think of a better way to define that than by providing a great deal for one of the premium vacation destinations in the world! Here are the details:

Club Med, the world’s leading all-inclusive brand is pleased to announce the return of the popular WOW Sale, featuring seven night all-inclusive escapes starting from just $899pp. Vacationers can enjoy an all-inclusive escape to more than 60 Club Med locations worldwide including the Caribbean, Mexico, Florida, France, Greece, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand. To take advantage of the WOW Sale, guests must book by Aug. 27, 2012, for travel by Feb. 15, 2013.

For more information visit www.clubmed.us or call 1-800-ClubMed.

I recently got to go from GO to GM at Club Med Sandpiper Bay and I truly hope you all can experience some of the magic and relaxation I had there with your own trip!

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, Reviews, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Are all-inclusive vacations worth the extra cash up front?

June 29, 2012 By

.

Don’t forget to sign up for Ebates this month to get extra cash back on all your shopping AND get great tips from other fabulous budget-conscious gals in the Ebates Savvy Living community! We’re talking about everything from food to family, travel and lifestyle and how to live your best life on less there…so come chime in – we’re waiting for you icon smile Are all inclusive vacations worth the extra cash up front?

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, Travel, Travels Tagged With: , , , , ,

Returning to Club Med Sandpiper Bay: from GO to GM

June 21, 2012 By

Sandpiper Bay 1 300x199 Returning to Club Med Sandpiper Bay: from GO to GM

I’ve been a fan of Club Med ever since my first trip at the age of six to the pink sand beaches of Eluthera with my father. Even as a child, I knew I wanted to return one day as an employee (a “GO” in Club Med lingo, French for “gentil organisateur”, which translates into “nice/kind host”).

I spent the good part of 2 years between 1999-2000 living between Sonora Bay, Mexico and Paradise Island in the Bahamas as a tennis pro/singer/dancer/Crazy Signs fanatic.

In case you haven’t caught it yet on YouTube yet, you can watch the clever montage I created of my days as a GO at Paradise Island here (disclaimer: it’s a little long and contains a lot of bad hair, 90′s hits & beach shots…don’t say I didn’t warn you icon wink Returning to Club Med Sandpiper Bay: from GO to GM

While working for the Club wasn’t all fun in the sun, I have nothing but fond memories of my experiences there.

Which is why, years later, I wanted to know more about what it was like on the ‘other side’ as an adult; yes, I longed to be a GM again! (GM = ‘gentil membre’ in French, meaning nice/kind guest). Sure, I had traveled to numerous Club Meds with my father and then as a GO, but I never got to truly participate in the full Club Med experience as an adult guest.

When I reached out to Club Med last year, my family and I were lucky enough to visit for a weekend after the first phase of their Sandpiper Bay renovation had been completed. Located only minutes from where we used to live in South Florida (Port St. Lucie, to be exact), the only North-American property had been transformed with modern features and thoughtful additions everywhere from the kids’ club to the guest rooms.

So when I was invited back recently for a blogger trip to see the completed renovation, I was ecstatic! But this time, our families were not to be included.

Really?

After all, Club Med Sandpiper Bay is known for it’s Mini-Club. So much more than babysitting, Mini-Club not only cares for children from morning til night, but they fill their days with all the fun things the adults get to do….and more! We’re talking swimming, circus, flying trapeze, tennis, skateboarding, crafts, cooking and more; plus, it’s all included as part of the Club Med experience.

Just look at my then 5 year old son swinging from the trapeze on our trip last spring:

But, as fate would have it, my husband wasn’t even able to get away from work these next two weeks, so I decided to do what I’ve heard many adults commonly do: go on vacation with other adult friends. (I know, novel concept).

Since I was allowed one guest, I immediately called my best friend in Florida and asked if she would sacrifice her weekend to drive up and meet me. After all, we’ve been trying to plan a girls’ weekend (unsuccessfully I might add) ever since I moved up to Nashville over three years ago.

For years we’ve had this dream of vacationing together, just the two of us, and our schedule would look something like this:
-Breakfast together
-Then separate to read those books we’ve been waiting to dive into, journal and genuinely ponder all the deeply meaningful thoughts that we’ve been stirring around in our head but haven’t had adequate time to develop.
-Come back together for lunch to discuss said ideas above
-Find a hammock to relax on together and spill all those deep dark secrets only best friends have
-Dip into a pool and find a cool, comfy chair to lounge on
-Eat dinner and reminisce about our day and how we could do it all again the next day…

So guess what: that’s what we’re doing!

Well, maybe not exactly that schedule. Though you can do as little or as much as you like at Club Med, with their world-renowned sports programs, I don’t believe I’ll be able to sit still for too long there icon wink Returning to Club Med Sandpiper Bay: from GO to GM I’m sure we’ll dabble in tennis, golf, sailing & yoga, and there’s rumors swirling that we’ll even get to try out their new l’Occitane spa. And of course you know I’ll be indulging in their infamous White Chocolate Bread. (Oh, the things I’ll suffer for the sake of my job!).

So if I don’t get back to you immediately over the next few days, know that I’m hard at work researching what may very well be your next vacation spot…

A bientot!

Filed Under: Reviews, Travel Tagged With: , , , , ,

Club Med Discount Flash Sale May 2012

May 21, 2012 By

Sandpiper Bay 1 300x199 Club Med Discount Flash Sale May 2012It’s no surprise I’m a fan of Club Med Sandpiper Florida – after all, I’ve both worked AND vacationed there! So for all of you who have felt a Club Med vacation is out of reach, check out this Club Med discount flash sale!

It’s not often that Club Med offers sales like this and even now you’ll have to act fast, as the prices below are only good through today, May 21, 2012, but you do have a lot of days to pick for future travel icon smile Club Med Discount Flash Sale May 2012

This limited time offer allows travelers to choose their ideal month of travel from June – October, and then Club Med chooses the perfect destination at an amazing price. Rates start at only $109 per person per night for family resorts in the Dominican Republic, Florida and Mexico, and just $99 per person per night for the Club Med resort exclusively for adults in Turks and Caicos (which has some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been to in the world!).

Here is an example of prices you can expect at the different clubs:

Family Resorts                                  Travel Month                      Rates per person per night
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic     June                                        Starting at $129/Kids 50% off
Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico                        July/August                           Starting at $129/Kids 50% off
Sandpiper Bay, Florida                      September                               Starting at $109/Kids 50% off
Cancun Yucatan, Mexico                   October                                   Starting at $109/Kids 50% off
Adult Resort                                      Travel Month                      Rates per person per night
Turkoise, Turks and Caicos               June/July/August                 Starting at $129
Turkoise, Turks and Caicos               September/October               Starting at $99

 

Club Med welcomes families with spacious deluxe family rooms and countless family-friendly amenities and activities. The award winning children’s programs invite little ones to participate and grow in programs specially designed for their age group from as young as 4 months – 17 years. Activities include everything from junior tennis, golf and sailing to circus school, Le Petit Chef™ cooking lessons and Zumbatomic™.

Couples can travel to Club Med Turkoise in Turks & Caicos, known for its expansive white-sandy beaches, clear blue waters and a paradise for diving enthusiasts.

Whether you travel with your family or as a couple, you’ll love the value of a Club Med all-inclusive escape where everything is included in one convenient price. Enjoy gourmet dining throughout the day prepared by international chefs, and a full open bar with premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Take part in an array of activities throughout the day, and enjoy nightly entertainment every evening.

To take advantage of the Flash Sale, visit www.clubmed.us/last-minute-deals call 1-800-ClubMed or contact your preferred travel professional.

I’ll be headed back to Club Med Sandpiper in June, so I’ll have even more updated insider tips and fun photos to share with you!

To entice you further, you may want to check out these posts:
*Our all-inclusive Club Med Vacation to Sandpiper Bay, FL
*Their famous White Chocolate Bread recipe

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, Reviews, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Club Med WOW Sale! Airfare Credit up to $300 per Person!

July 30, 2011 By

Sandpiper Bay 1 300x199 Club Med WOW Sale! Airfare Credit up to $300 per Person!
When we went on an all inclusive family vacation to Club Med Sandpiper Florida this spring, many of you asked how to find a Club Med deal – and now I have one for you: the Club Med WOW sale!

Unfortunately, you have to act fast; the Club Med WOW sale ends on July 31. Not only are they offering some amazing rates, but they are also crediting up to $300 per person for airfare! You can pick a variety of travel days through October 17, 2011. I just heard about this today, otherwise I would have told you sooner, but I hope this helps some of you to enjoy a fantastic family vacation in the coming months!

“I can honestly say that of all the ‘trips’ my family and I have taken over the past seven years, none of them achieved the same level of ‘vacation’ we truly experienced at Club Med Sandpiper Bay.” Click to learn more about Club Med here.

To entice you further, you may want to check out these posts:
*Our all-inclusive Club Med Vacation to Sandpiper Bay, FL
*Their famous White Chocolate Bread recipe

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, Reviews, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Our All Inclusive Family Vacation to Club Med Sandpiper Florida

April 26, 2011 By

Sandpiper Bay 1 300x199 Our All Inclusive Family Vacation to Club Med Sandpiper Florida
I know I’ve told you about how I used to work for Club Med resorts, but recently we were actually able to take an all inclusive family vacation to Club Med Sandpiper Florida!

You may not have been aware that there were any all inclusive resorts in Florida, much less a Club Med in Florida! But it’s true. Not only is Club Med Sandpiper Bay the only all inclusive resort in the United States, but it is Club Med’s flagship resort for premium sports (including tennis, golf, and fitness academies that guests can take part in!).

IMG 3701 300x225 Our All Inclusive Family Vacation to Club Med Sandpiper Florida

The view from our room

Located in Port St. Lucie, FL, less than an hour North of West Palm Beach and just over an hour South-east of Orlando, Club Med Sandpiper is truly an oasis.

Having worked for Club Med, I knew what a wonderful vacation destination it was. So when I was recently invited on a media trip to the newly renovated Sandpiper Bay, I was excited to see what it would be like to be a GM (guest) instead of a GO (worker). But what I didn’t realize was just how much they have to offer families looking for the ultimate vacation experience while still staying on a budget.

As if Sandpiper Bay wasn’t already fabulous enough (after all, they do make their famous white chocolate bread daily), they reopened in December 2010 with $25 million in renovations. While these renovations stretched throughout the resort, there are two I want to make special note of for traveling families:

Kidz Village

There is little more as a mom that’s more important than making sure your kids have a memorable vacation. Perhaps the most important and distinguishing feature about Club Med Sandpiper Bay is the Mini Club. There are children’s programs for kids from ages 4 months through 17 years, and these aren’t any average activities mind you…

As a child on vacation with my dad, I remember leaving him after breakfast and sometimes not re-joining him until after the show at the end of the night. Yes, you heard me right, I said show. When the GO’s aren’t performing Broadway style shows after dinner, the kids participate in everything from circus shows to dance shows. During their days, kids are not just babysat. No, no, no. Kids participate in and learn all the same sports their parents do, including tennis, hockey, basketball, skateboarding, and yes, even the flying trapeze!


In the Kidz Village, the most notable renovations include the splash park, the amazing BRITTO Art Center for children (by the way, Romero Britto is my all-time favorite artist!!!), as well as a new junior’s lounge and hang out – Latitude 27°.
Sandpiper Bay 7 300x199 Our All Inclusive Family Vacation to Club Med Sandpiper Florida

IMG 3794 300x225 Our All Inclusive Family Vacation to Club Med Sandpiper Florida

The originaly Britto mural in the Kidz Village

Deluxe Family Rooms

Nowhere have I ever seen a resort give such thought and attention to families traveling together! While not all the rooms have been renovated at this point, they have created amazing deluxe family rooms with a private room for parents, a separate bedroom for children, a large living space (with very Ikea-like interior design) and one and a half baths.

I’m always torn on vacation at night because I want my children to get rest, but I never want to put them to bed at a normal time because that means that we, as parents, have to go to bed early as well. Now at Sandpiper Bay, you have two great options: the Deluxe Family Rooms or the PJ club, and extended hours babysitting service (from 7pm-1am – there is an extra charge for this service).

IMG 3675 300x225 Our All Inclusive Family Vacation to Club Med Sandpiper Florida

The living area of the Deluxe Family Suite (that couch can become a bed too!)

There’s so much more to share about our Club Med vacation (which I promise will come in a post soon), but there’s one point I do want to stress. There are many resorts that may claim to be all inclusive, but Club Med is the only true all-inclusive resort. From the gourmet meals, full bar and activities to the aforementioned sports lessons and kids’ clubs, you will not pull out your wallet while you are there.

I can honestly say that of all the ‘trips’ my family and I have taken over the past seven years, none of them achieved the same level of ‘vacation’ we truly experienced at Club Med Sandpiper Bay.

Filed Under: Reviews, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,