Club Med on Sale for Spring Into Summer Getaways

At a recent travel show, I had a long talk with a Club Med official. As I'd read in a recent New Yorker article, the organization that pioneered the all-inclusive resort concept was now having a problem distinguishing itself from the many imitators that have emerged over the decades. Club Med has been hoping to regain its status as a leader in the market by expanding and upgrading. In fact, the company has spent $1 billion in the last decade (according to the official I interviewed) opening new resorts and upgrading the old ones.

And currently, it seems to be trying to get a leg up on its rivals by throwing a sale. It has slashed rates on 60 resorts, and will be allowing kids 4 and under to stay for free (beginning April 27).

For resorts in the Caribbean and North America, for example, rates will be starting at $949 for 7-nights all-inclusive. This is for travel through August 23, for those who book by March 5 at the Sandpiper Resort in Florida, as well as resorts in Ixtapa and Cancun (Mexico), Columbus Isle (The Bahamas), Punta Cana (the Dominican Republic). Other Club Meds in the region seem to be starting at $999 during that period. Those prices include all food, drinks (even alcoholic ones), kids, babies and teen programs, all activities and nightlife offerings.

In Europe and Turkey, resorts are being discounted by 10%; 20% is the discount in Asia and Latin America; and prices at ski resorts are being cut by up to 30%.

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