This was a first, I thought to myself. With a 4-days/3-nights trip coming up and having a very busy few weeks prior, I had:
- NO schedules to organise
- NO budgets to review
- NO research to do
- NO shopping lists to create
- NO stresses on getting recommendations or tips on where to go and eat. It’s all included, just pack. Phew!
Club Med is an all-inclusive resort. This means that your accommodation, meals, drinks, activities, entertainment, and childcare are included in the price of your stay. You might like things more “off the beaten path”, but trust us: with little kids in tow, it’s refreshing to have everything structured and organised for you for a change!
Why We Loved it
A Club Med experience has never been on my radar of family holidays to explore, until now! We were recently invited for a stay at their resort in Phuket, the biggest island in Thailand. And really, it was our most stress and hassle-free family holiday experience to date. Here’s why:
- I balanced family fun with alone time.
- All meals were prepared for us.
- Activities lined up for the kids and adults.
- Quality time with the spouse, while the kids were cared for safely.
After 1.5 hours by air from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket, we took 1.5 hours via van to arrive at Club Med Phuket. As you step in, you’re immediately greeted very warmly by the extremely friendly Gentle Organizers (G.O.s) who are there to help you throughout your stay.
What makes Club Med Phuket unique?
Wait! Isn’t there a Club Med much closer to home, on the beautiful laidback seaside town of Cherating in Pahang? With over 70 resorts in some 26 countries around the world, each Club Med is truly unique. here’s why we embraced this one, on the southwest side of Phuket.
Rooms Amid Thick Lush Foliage
What first struck me about the 16-hectare property (we hear it’s on average three times larger than most resorts on the island!) was how the rooms were nestled among swaying palm trees in the midst of lush thick foliage on the grounds, with breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. The resort has more than 300 rooms, ranging from standard and deluxe rooms to suites. My family of four had two newly-designed superior rooms to ourselves, part of a major renovation in 2022, blending contemporary aesthetics with a touch of Thai heritage.
Tip: If you’re booking as a family, do request for inter-connecting rooms.
If You’re Bored, That’s On You!
With close to 30 activities and entertainment options, there’s never a dull moment. Activities change daily, so there always seems to be something new to try each day. This mama was very happy to don her chef’s hat and apron for her very first attempt at making Tom Yum Goong. With a little induction cooker to myself, all the ingredients prepared and a printed recipe on hand, I must say it was truly enjoyable.
When in Club Med Phuket, try an authentic Muay Thai training session. My husband and son had a total body workout with this one! All you need to do is show up for the one-hour session and be prepared to get into the boxing ring with the instructor, once you’ve learned the basics.
Club Med Phuket also offers an impressive array of land sports, including golf lessons, tennis, the all-trending padel, volleyball, archery, wall climbing, and more. If you’re an aquaphile, look out for water games, water polo and the aquagym. Also included are fitness classes and fun options, like the flying trapeze school. The only watersport included here is snorkelling.
What the Kids Might Enjoy: Our Top Picks
Foam in the Sun
Look out for the Foam Party, held at the Mini Club + (for kids aged 4 to 10 years old). There is also a Family Friendly Foam Party at the main pool too.
Wall Climbing
Both my kids enjoyed the indoor wall climbing session. Ensure that the kids are attired in proper sports shoes before they start.
Cooking, Arts & Crafts and Circus School
Donning highly cute aprons and chef hats, the little ones got to try making dumplings. If your child, like my daughter, loves all things arts and crafts, look out for themed-workshops like mask-making, origami time, tie-dying activities and more. Other recommendations include The Flying Trapeze and juggling classes.
Remember, You’ve Paid For It All
We found Coral Island to have medium visibility (I’ve seen clearer waters on our spectacular east coast beaches like Pulau Perhentian) – but we manage to see lots of coral and some colourful marine life, to the delight of the kids.
Food and Beverages: We’re talking 6 meals a day with all-day snacks, all-day drinks
As someone who loves Thai food, I was very much looking forward to the options at the main restaurant, The Mamuang, during the buffet. Although there wasn’t a huge variety of options, the spread provided was, in my opinion, worth it, with plenty of salads, desserts and fruits, and Chinese, Indian, Japanese, French, and Western food options.
We absolutely enjoyed all our meals here, mainly seated outdoors with a wonderful view of the lush island landscape. The Chu-da Restaurant, an à la carte venue, is your other dining option. Although we preferred The Mamuang, the Thai-fusion food here is worth a try if you’re staying a few nights.
The Sanook Cafe-Bar
Snacks, plus beachy, fruity and zesty mocktails, cocktails, milkshakes and fruit juices are yours to savour from The Sanook, a cafe by day and a lively bar by night – though some of us used it as a bar the whole day!
The Sanook is directly opposite the main pool. The pool area caters to those experiencing FOMO and want to be in the midst of all the excitement. Surrounded by sun loungers, it offers views both of the pool itself and outward-facing day beds with a picturesque beach backdrop.
Kids Clubs
For a good balance of family time and to sneak in blocks of fun moments with your partner as well, Club Med are the experts when it comes to taking care of your kids!
| *0 to 2 years | *2 to 3 years | 4 to 10 years | 11 to 17 years |
| Baby Club Med | Petit Club Med | Mini Club Med + | Junior Club Med |
*Additional Cost
The Night is Still Young
Did we mention it’s vacation – ALL day, every day here! Club Med puts on shows like traditional Thai dances, circus acts and fire shows every single night.
Tell me you’ve been to Club Med, without Staying in Club Med
If your family is staying close to Club Med, we recommend trying their Day Pass at 3,700 baht (about RM478) for adults and 2,200 baht (about RM284) for kids aged 4 to 11 years old, which allows you access to the resort from 10.00am to 6.00pm. You could walk in and sign up at the reception counter or opt to book with Klook.
Things to Do in Phuket with Kids
If coming to Phuket, there are ample kid-centric places you could take the kids beginning with waterparks. Popular ones include:
- Andamanda Phuket – One of the most visited waterparks in Phuket.
- Splash Jungle Water Park – close to Phuket International Airport at Mai Khao Beach.
- Aqua Kingdom Waterpark & Kindee Bistro – close to Bang Tao Beach.
Places like the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket gives kids the opportunity to feed, play and bathe with elephants safely. Aquaria Phuket in Phuket town should also be a stop, if your kids are into marine life. If you’re headed to Rawai Beach (about 8km from Kata Beach), stop by the Rawai Park Kids Club for a fun time with the young ones.
Best Be Safe
While we had a wonderful time in Club Med, we were aware that there were cases of the stomach flu around Phuket. This is especially prevalent in rainy weather, so here are our top tips if you have any concerns:
- Use bottled water to brush your teeth (ask housekeeping for extra, especially if you have kids).
- Avoid drinks with ice cubes.
- Carry sanitisers.
- While sampling street food is all part of the experience, be careful about what you consume.
- Pack some anti-vomiting or diarrhoea pills, if you think it might help.
Kata Beach
Phuket is surrounded by over 30 magnificent beaches and thanks to this trip, Kata Beach (right across Club Med) has become one of our favourites. We found it to be a pleasant, relaxed, yet vibrant place. The 1.5km strip of fine sand meeting the crystal clear waters is extremely suitable for families with children, compared to the much busier Patong (about 10km away).
The waves can go up to two feet and proved to be exciting for my kids, who were thoroughly entertained by the big splashes and frothy waters that followed. Other water sport activities to try out are Stand Up Paddling (SUP), jet skiing, banana boat rides and wakeboarding.
Easy access to surrounding shops and restaurants, as well as family-friendly resorts (all within walking distance from the beach) is reason enough to stay around here. Don’t miss the Kata Beach Walking Street Night Market, a five-minute walk from Club Med where you will be able to try delicious local food and shop for souvenirs at a steal!
Here are some leads on places to eat around Kata Beach: Istanbul Turkish Restaurant (Halal), Curry Delight (Pork free), Issara Restaurant & Bar, Arisa Kitchen and Highway Curry.
No hassle, No stress, Yes to Coming Back
Our stay has sadly come to an end, but memories of Club Med Phuket are locked in. Seriously, mamas – it offers an unparalleled all-inclusive family vacation experience, ensuring stress-free relaxation and endless entertainment for all ages. There’s never a dull moment and the resort’s prime location with easy access to Kata Beach adds to the appeal. With convenient booking options and attractive discounts for children, it’s our top choice for families looking to enjoy a hassle-free holiday.
Tip: Upon booking your stay, we recommend you download the My Club Med App to look up activities scheduled for the whole family. Also, check out the dress codes for Theme Nights and pack the right gear! Be a member of their Great Members loyalty programme for extra perks and benefits.
makchic’s stay at Club Med Phuket was sponsored. The writer’s opinions, however, are solely her own. For more information, please visit the website, check out their Instagram or download their resort brochure.
