The hotel chain that was born with tents on the beach and now has premium all-inclusive resorts in spectacular destinations

Be as happy as possible. The war – World War II, in this story – had been very difficult and it was time to enjoy life again.

Thus, from those times and with that spirit, the history of Club Medcurrently considered one of the leading resort chains all inclusive of the world.

Under the premise that life is already too complicated and that in vacations people should dedicate themselves only to enjoying (without worrying about where to sleep, what to eat or what to do), in 1950 Belgian water polo player Gérard Blitz set up tents – leftovers from the recent war, supplied by Gilbert Trigano – in Mallorca, part of the Balearic Islands, in Spain. And he summoned a group of tourists with the firm objective of enjoying a few days by the sea.

The demand was suchthat Blitz and Trigano decided to go a little further and in 1954 they built the first official Club Med in Palinuro, Salerno, Italy. In 1957 the first mountain Club Med arrived, in the Swiss Alps.

“(Blitz) put a product on the market that did not exist and he did it not thinking about a business, but following a conviction,” explains Pablo Godoy VP Managing Director of Argentina and Hispanic Countries in South America at Club Med.

The infrastructure was evolving. From tents they went to thatched huts or cabins with minimal services to hotel structures with more and more amenities.

As in the beginning, happiness always remained in the foreground and the most recent communication -“That’s L’Esprit Libre”- takes up this idea: shake off the complications of modern life and look for small moments of true happiness. Club Med resorts promise to help you live happy, unforgettable, unique moments. And enjoy the luxury of “being alive and being together.”

One of the concepts that is maintained over time is prominence of sports activities which still clearly dominate Club Med’s offerings today. From the possibility of doing trapeze and circus with an instructor to trying out water skiing or wakeboarding, taking yoga classes, playing golf or downhill skiing. Each resort is a real sports school.

It is also considered the first in incorporate children’s clubsa concept they have since 1967with proposals exclusively designed for those under 17 years of age.

Another pillar is that the resorts are located in unique and privileged places. So much so that in many cases, Club Med has been pioneer in little-known places which later ended up going strong and developing as important tourist destinations. Punta Cana is an example of this.

The all-inclusive system is also very important: a “everything solved” essential to enjoy a real vacation without worrying about the budget.

“The activities and interaction between clients (GM) and organizers (GO, who promote the activities and multiculturalism in each resort) is vital,” adds Godoy and assures that currently, Club Med’s objective is “to be a world leader in premium all-inclusive vacations”.

Their more than 70 resorts around the world They are 4 and 5 star properties, although in reality, more than stars, here they are managed with “tridents” – Neptune’s trident is part of the company logo (we must also add the Club Med sailboat, with 140 cabins).

But be careful, if what you expect is a 24-hour butler and total silence… it is not the proposal for you. “He luxury “At Club Med it is service of excellence, it is the place where you are and the attention,” Godoy details. It could add attention to details and unforgettable experiences.

But not everything is Sun & Beach in the world of Club Med, although it is true that the Argentine market really likes the beach. Among the preferences, the resorts of Brazil stand out -Club Med Trancoso, south of Bahia, in Porto Seguro; Rio Das Pedras near Rio de Janeiro- and those in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana and Miches).

A very important group is that of mountain resorts that offer skiing in winter. The chain has many properties of this type from Val d’Isère or Val Thorens Sensations in the French Alps to Quebec Charlevoix in Canada. Snow in winter and mountainous adventures in summer.

In addition, every year Club Med add new properties. By 2027, for example, the opening of Club Med Gramado, in Brazila property with 250 rooms that will stand out for its nighttime light displays, an artificial ski slope and high-altitude zip lines.