Dear Potential Club Med Guest:
Before leaving for Club Med Cancun I read all of these reviews. The consensus was that the beds were hard, the air conditioning did not work as good as it should, there were bugs in the room, the snorkeling equipment was not perfect, the staff was rude and the drinks were watered down and it took a long time to even get a drink. Well, some of it is true and some of it is not true.
1. The beds were very comfortable.
2. The Air Conditioning was too cold and I like it really cold.
3. There were a couple of times we saw ants in the room but humans are a little bigger - they were no bother at all and kept to themselves.
4. When I was there, the snorkeling equipment was plentiful, new and in fine condition.
5. The staff was helpful and very courteous. It's their job to be - if you are rude to them, I'm sure they will be rude to you. But if you are polite - every singe person there will be polite toward you. It works like any other place in the world.
6. The drinks were watered down? How can they be? In an all inclusive resort you can ask for as much alcohol in your drinks as you want. Not enough booze in your drink? Tell them you want double or even triple, they will give it to you.
7. During very busy times it does take a bit longer to get drinks - so plan for it. Get two or three and then when you are down to the last one - go to the bar, by the time you are done with the last one, you will get service. Most of the time it was no problem getting drinks.
8. The food here is fantastic. You can have something different every day and never duplicate for your entire stay. The chef does an incredible job. Each day is a new theme and new food. It's all fresh and great to eat. Even the most fickle eater can find at least one great entree to eat every day.
9. The activities are great and plentiful. The excellent thing is that it’s all inclusive. Want to learn how to water-ski? Not a problem. Show up at the appointed time – don’t be shy (it’s in your schedule book), tell the person there it’s your first time and they give you lessons. How much extra would that cost at another resort? The same goes for dance lessons, kick boxing, yoga, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, volleyball, aerobics, water sports of all types, juggling, trapeze, tennis, soccer and the list goes on and on – every person there will help you at whatever level you are.
The staff there works very hard. Sometimes 14 to 16 hours a day 6 days a week and sometimes they do not get a day off.
They are up early and go to breakfast with the guests, then they go to their jobs. At noon they break for lunch, again mingling with the guests, then it's back to work.
At 5 PM they go to their dorms and change to be at dinner with the guests by 7:15 – 7:30. After dinner it’s back to the bar to socialize with the guests.
Then the staff puts on a stage show, after the show they either are in a meeting, rehearsal for another show, or out in the bar still socializing. After the main bar closes you will find many of them in the disco until 4 AM. And they do this 6 days a week for 6 months at a time. Incredible.
Much of this socializing is part of their job. They are required to sit with new guests at every meal; they are required to be with you at the bar. 99.9999% of the staff are very friendly and approachable. They will smile at you, greet you and do whatever they can to help you.
Though it is their job and sometimes it is very demanding you can tell they enjoy it. So be nice, be patient (after all you are on vacation – why the big rush?) relax, take it easy and enjoy. Life at Club Med is good and a bargain too. Also make sure you get them drinks at the bar. They have to actually pay for any drinks they order. Considering they are there entertaning you and they are paying for it out of their pockets, it's a nice gesture when you order drinks for them. Remember it will not cost you anything. Trust me when I say it is the right thing to do.
The staff there comes from all over the world - France, Brasil, Africa, North America, Asia you name it. They are diverse, talented, and very interesting to talk with. You will be surprised and delighted. Again be nice and the world will be yours at Club Med
There is one and only one problem I saw with Club Med. The drinks are not made with the best liquor. The Vodka is not Grey Goose. But then again if you were running an all inclusive resort you would also opt for serving less expensive alcohol. My suggestion, if you need to drink Skyy, Johnny Walker Black or some other high end liquor - you will have to bring it yourself.
Will I go back? Yes, I can't wait!
Sincerely,
David Malek
