MICHES, D.R. — It was a real village celebration – quite literally – in the Dominican Republic last week.

To mark the 75th anniversary of Club Med’s founding, the brand’s North American leadership organized a special trip for media, travel agency owners, tour operators and other industry professionals from Canada, the U.S., Panama, and Mexico.

Club Med chose one of its flagship resorts for the trip: Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, the only Exclusive Collection resort in North America. Opened in 2019, it’s known for its eco-chic design and its four distinct boutique villages. It’s also known as ‘a serene and luxurious retreat that combines sustainability with sophistication.’

PIONEERING SPIRIT

“This resort really embodies Club Med’s pioneering spirit,” explains Vincent Giraud, General Sales Director of Club Med Canada and North America. “We were the first to establish ourselves in Michès, 90 minutes from Punta Cana, after scouting the coast by boat and helicopter to find the best possible location.”

Set at a point where the private Club Med beach is framed by two long stretches of wild coastline, the location is reminiscent of Club Med Cancun, also located on a once-untouched point of land – just like the entire destination was – when Club Med set up there in 1976. 

Even after 75 years, the Trident brand is still at the forefront of resort development.

“‘FREE SPIRIT’ MINDSET”

“While we’ve changed in some ways, our mission remains the same: to offer hassle-free vacations while staying true to our ‘free spirit’ mindset from the brand’s early days,” says Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean. “And it’s that mindset, deeply embedded in our DNA, that makes us so unique.”

Club Med has always been ahead of trends. Not only did it literally invent the all-inclusive concept, the Trident brand continues to seek out destinations where others have yet to venture – even in mountainous regions.

“Since our first mountain resort in Switzerland over 60 years ago, no other chain has offered as much in terms of mountain vacations as Club Med,” adds Giraud. “The product has evolved a lot, and we’ve expanded into many countries – around 15 resorts in the Alps, four in Japan, two in China, and one in Quebec.”

Upcoming Club Med openings include new resorts in Brazil, South Africa, and Essaouira (Morocco), as well as in Italy (San Sicario), Benin, Sulawesi (Indonesia), two in China, and the Sultanate of Oman.

Presentation on Club Med by Carolyne Doyon

CLUB MED’S FIVE PILLARS

“We’re much more than just a standard all-inclusive, and our success rests on five essential pillars,” explains Doyon …

• Beach and Mountain: “No other brand offers both. And no one does mountain vacations like Club Med. Skiers get lessons; non-skiers get tons of activities.”
• Family: “We were the first, in 1967, to create kids’ clubs. It’s important for us that families can travel together – it’s an incredible experience.”
• Gastronomy: “We’re very proud to offer top-tier cuisine with a wide variety of fresh, flavourful, high-quality dishes – all with a French touch.”
• Sports Activities: “We like to say we’re the largest sports club in the world. Each resort offers at least 20 included activities, from classics like tennis to modern favorites like pickleball, Pilates, or wakeboarding. People can try new things – like bungee jumping in some resorts – or hone skills they already have.”
• The Team: “Without our G.Os (Gracious Organizers – the staff), we wouldn’t be anything. They build connections with guests, create unforgettable experiences, lead entertainment, and are so easy to connect with. They come from all over the world, and thanks to them, you’re never alone at Club Med.”

CASUAL CHIC

Another key to Club Med’s success is its sophisticated yet understated vibe – a high-end experience that’s accessible and unpretentious. “What we offer is informal, friendly luxury,” says Doyon.

Luxury has evolved over the years. “It used to mean marble, chandeliers, grandeur, and abundance. Today, luxury means having choices.”

That’s why Club Med guests enjoy unlimited food and drinks and countless optional activities. “Real luxury is being able to choose,” emphasizes Doyon.

Time for refreshments at the Club Med Michès beach

TWO-CATEGORY CLASSIFICATIONS

As for classification, Club Med now operates under just two categories.  Following the recent upscale overhaul of 70 resorts (completed last year), there are now standard resorts (comparable to 4-star) and Exclusive Collection resorts (5-star). “Not long ago, we had a lot more 3-Trident resorts,” Doyon recalls.

Among the standout properties are Club Med Turkoise, still adults-only, and Club Med 2, the brand’s all-inclusive sailing yacht.

That said, Doyon notes that today’s vacationers are more demanding, competition is fiercer every year, and Club Med must keep adapting annually.

“Nowadays, people expect the same or better comfort than what they have at home,” she says. “We always keep that in mind – without forgetting who we are. And while some all-inclusives now offer luxury that rivals or even exceeds ours, no one presents it the way we do.”

One of the splendid Archipelago Suites at Club Med Michès

ENTERTAINMENT GALORE

Of course, theme nights, special events, and evening shows – including the iconic Crazy Signs dances – are a core part of Club Med’s DNA. These give G.Os a chance to shine and involve G.Ms (Gracious Members, i.e. the guests) who want to participate.

Throughout 2025, each resort around the world will host a weekly show dedicated to the 75th anniversary, celebrating the brand’s origins and the milestones that led to its success – all in festive fashion.

Complete details about all of Club Med’s properties and much more can be found here. This article originally ran at ProfessionVoyages.com, part of The Travelweek Group.