Friday 14 September 2012

Club Med Sandpiper Bay & Kids Club Review


Date: 14th September 2012

We are a family of 4 - children age 15 and 10 ,returning from Club Med Sandpiper Bay. We thoroughly enjoyed our weeks stay.  Kids club for the 10 yr old was perfect as she could sign in and out as she pleased.  Latitude 27 was superb (run by GO Ethan who was amazing)  We saw glimpses only of our children during the week as they ate every meal (stacked burgers, paninis, pasta and pizza only I believe!!) with new found friends.  My husband and I sat in the adults only section of the restaurant and enjoyed some fantastic food - a good selection for everyone.  The wine however is shocking!
The GO staff were by far the best we've experienced at Club Meds - probably the USA service side of life and no tips would be accepted,even by porters with luggage. Check in and departure were a breeze and we even had a stretch Hummer to take us to the airport!  The chef du village , Lionel , was superb.  The evening shows run by Fernando were again the best we have experienced !  The fitness classes run by Audrey were phenomenal - wow!  She has trained celebs and athletes and Club Med are so lucky to have her - she beats any personal trainer I have ever been to!  Washing machines and tumble dryers at $1 a cycle are fantastic!  This is a predominately English speaking CM compared to others I have been to (although Americans there thought it very French!)

Club Med Sandpiper Bay
 

On a more negative side be careful of room selection - apparently there are various Family Rooms - some have segmented areas ( one area with King bed segmented by a wall housing two singles or bunks separated by bathrooms)  Others ( which we were given) are one large room with all beds in one space.  This is the poorest set up with Club Meds we have stayed in.  I asked agent before I left but she was unaware - be aware and ask to see room before hand!  In busy times this may not be possible, but we were their when it was quiet ( Florida schools had gone back) .  The airconditioning sounds like a 747 at take off speed - you get used to it after a 7 nights!!
They also only have 4 catamarans - come on CM - buy some more!!  Also, water skiing used to take place of another Jetty which now looks like its not used - water skiing was stopped due to expense but the bay is perfect for water skiing and not so much for boats!  Paddle boards are readily available - look out for dolphins!
The Discovery centre is exhorbitant- day trips are more than quadruple the cost of a family of four hiring a car.   A local round trip to shops is $35pp Its only 6 miles !! Does anyone use them???   Hire a car independently if you decide and they will deliver and collect from CM ( Avis )  Booking Car rental before you go is much cheaper than when you get there.


All in all, Club Med delivers for a family holiday - it caters for everyone!  We booked through Travel Club Elite who were extremely efficient ,on the ball and got us a good price from CM -- Will definitely be back to use them again!  

Parkinson Family