Club Med Ixtapa, Mexico is gorgeous and the best Family resort anywhere (3/08)
Club Med Ixtapa, Mexico is quite the adventure. A wide variety of sports, activities, shows and some of the most amazing food I have ever had at any resort or Club Med in the past. The staff were very friendly and hospitable and the atmosphere was breath taking. The resort has recently gone through a $20 million renovation with plush rooms, new furniture, flat screen TVs and more. They were closed for eight months last year during the remodeling and reopened in December 07. There are currently 99 rooms and in the near future there will be a total of 298 rooms for this top of the line family destination vacation resort. 60 of the rooms will be family suites with beautiful designs. This club predominantly caters to families, as there are multiple areas/activities for kids.
The baby club med features one building strictly for infants up to 23 months old where the staff takes care of your baby when you wish. The fee is around $300 per week, which includes bottle service, changing, strolling and sleeping rooms. A personal chef prepares fresh baby food daily and there is a 24-hour convenience room for the parents with all necessities and amenities. In room baby-sitting is also available at a nominal fee. The babies learn games; watch puppet shows between their naps. The next designated area for kids 2-3 yrs old in the petit mini club where they learn games, songs, art and sports with their own schedule. The mini club med caters to children 4-10 years old while the junior club med is for teens with special programs, schedules and activities. The Sirena restaurant is located at the mini club med serving exclusive meals for the kids 4-10 yrs. old with entertainment at every course. Parents can drop off or pick up their children at their leisure anytime during the day. The flexibility allows the adults time alone for their own activities.
There are so many aspects of this great resort but my personal favorite was the food. There are so many options changing daily at the main restaurant (El Encanto) for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Chefs Jon and Jason provided fresh and delicious fish every day along with an assortment of pizzas, pastas, rice & bean dishes, soups, salads, a taco/quesadilla station, meats, cheeses, and specialty items each day. There is also a huge dessert platter, ice cream station and fresh baked bread station. The white chocolate bread is a Must! The Miramar Brazilian grill house is an open dining area overlooking the ocean and open for late breakfast, late lunch and selected dinner nights. Reservations are required for dinner and can be made at 12pm for that night or the following night. Enjoy this casual fine dining sit down experience with seafood choices and the most tender meat dishes with a selection of sauces for dipping during your evening. The staff will come around to see how your meal is doing. The fancy Luna Azul also requires reservations and is only open for dinner on selected nights. This beautiful place is worth the visit with its creative fusion menu of fish, meats, and unique dishes. The romantic setting and hospitable service and staff makes this restaurant stand out for at least one night. All in all, the food is incredible and where else can you dine in shorts or casual wear while enjoying high quality food.
After dinner, enjoy the daily evening shows ranging from the “GO” (Genuine Organizers also known as the Club Med staff), the kid’s circus show or the local Mexican musicians and dancers with local vendors setting up some of their stuff. These are the shows I saw but every night is different and entertaining. Following each show, all guests are welcome to join with the crazy signs participation with after music & entertainment while you dance and mingle with the GO’s and other GM’s (Genuine Members also known as the guests at Club Med).
The activities and sports were plentiful. Water activities included kayaking, sailing on your own (beginner lessons at 11am & 3pm), cardio splash workouts and swimming in the pool or ocean. Land sports we enjoyed were tennis, organized hockey/volleyball/basketball and soccer, yoga & workout class, archery, mini-golf, rollerblading, wall climbing, and trampoline to name most of them. We enjoyed playing the land sports with the other GO’s and GM’s including the kids as it was all around fun.
The flying trapeze for adults and circus for kids is an extreme activity and very adventurous. Our only recommendation would be to have better instruction and explanation on some of the possible hazards of the flying trapeze in which injury can occur. It is pertinent to not only explain what to do but what not to do, as your natural tendency to react is not the norm on this activity, which can be dangerous.
The landscape and grounds are magnificently located. All the rooms are different sizes and styles with great views. The standard room is for a couple and one child only with the couch being used as a bed. The regular suites, family suites and deluxe suites are upgrades. Many come with balconies. In many rooms, there are Jacuzzi tubs and adjoining rooms for the kids. More information can be obtained by visiting their website or talking to a customer service representative before booking.
The Spa is incredible overlooking the Ocean. You can hear the waves from your treatment room. I had the hot-stone deep massage by Kristi, which made me feeling like jello for a couple days. There are also little huts on the beach for selected massages, which are very nice and intimate. Body wraps, facials and other popular massages & treatments are available from 50-75 minutes.
Overall, this Club Med is top of the line and many GO’s told us this was their favorite village as many move to different Club Med resorts every 6 months- 2 years. We can see why as the layout and newly designed resort would be hard to beat. Many families love this resort as there are so many activities and care for the kids. Club Med specializing in families is the #1 resort destination in the world for families with kids of any age. Everyone is pampered during your stay which makes many people return. This is the closest Club Med from Los Angeles and not too difficult to get to. There are some direct flights from LA and other US cities to the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo airport. Worst case is you make one stop in Mexico City before connecting. The Club Med staff will arrange a transfer to the village upon your arrival and it takes about 30 minutes to get there from the airport. You are welcomed by staff and shown around the property at your leisure. So book your next family vacation to Ixtapa Club Med, as you will be in true paradise.
We would like to thank and acknowledge the following GO’s who enhanced our visit:
Jon and Jason (head and assistant chefs) for their wonderful food, preparations and creations; Johnny and Kyle (sailing and kayaking); Coco and Kristi (spa manager and therapist); Eduardo (ATV excursion); Andrew (rollerblading and mini-golf); Jon (hockey, soccer and archery); Coca (head of PR); Jean Marc (chief of the village).
For more information, rates, activities, and photos can be seen at www.clubmed.us