When it comes to all-inclusive holidays, Club Med has practically cornered the market. It’s no surprise really since they pioneered the model back in the 1950s. Over the years, Club Med has been the go-to choice for holidaymakers who not only want a memorable, fuss-free vacation but also one that is able to entertain their needs on multiple levels.
The one price fits all concept has been a hallmark of the Club Med brand, as its universal appeal as it makes it a point to ensure entertainment and enjoyment for all. This includes not only delicious food but also activities and entertainment served practically around the clock. A Club Med vacation virtually guarantees full bellies and a corpus amount of fun.
Both Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon and Club Med Alpe d’Huez boasted its own respective appeals with the same common theme of providing a fuss-free and convenient ski-in and ski-out fun filled snow holiday for vacationers of all ages.
Best of all, after a long day of tackling the slopes and other winter activities, you return to the confines of a well-equipped and luxurious resort where great food and other evening activities and entertainment await. All one needs to do is pack away your winter clothes and allow Club Med and its Gentils Organisateurs (G.O.s) to take care of the rest.
A Winter Escapade
Accessing both resorts are rather easy as they’re both located just a two hour plus drive from Lyon or a one hour transfer from Geneva. In the case of Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon, this particular resort is nestled at 1600 metres on the Plateau des Saix. For avid skiers and snowboarders, this area is undoubtedly a prime locale thanks to its numerous snow-capped areas, which are highly- conducive for winter adventures.
The Grand Massif is France’s fourth largest ski area, offering 265km of slopes and over 140 runs. The setting could not be more perfect with excellent skiing areas couple with stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the Samoëns-Morillon valley. To ensure guests get the most out of their holiday experience, G.O.s are ever present on hand to help make the stay a seamless and enjoyable experience from the moment of check-in.
Whether it is skiing, snowboarding or snow shoeing, Club Med G.O.s are on hand to guide each guest through to maximise their experience. This includes inclusive lessons and guides from beginner to expert levels as well as for young guests as well. The Easy Arrival service ensures all needs are taken care off including early reservation of their equipment and booking of lessons provided by the École du Ski Français (ESF) too.
Guests just need to furnish their details early on and they will find their skis or snowboard and boots waiting in their own designated lockers. All one needs to do is put on warm winter clothing and let the instructors guide the way to a fun-filled winter escape.
A Virtual Winter Wonderland
Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon itself has been designed and equipped with all the facilities and amenities that discerning guests would want. It boasts amongst other things, 423 rooms, multiple dining F&B outlets and its own in-house spa. However, the main appeal of this resort is its stunning views of the surrounding valley and incomparable ski-in, ski-out experience.
As with all Club Med resorts, food undoubtedly plays a big role in the overall experience. To ensure all guests and palates are taken off the resort offers a broad array of dining experiences throughout the day for the convenience of its guests. The restaurant’s generous buffet bars explore cuisines from around the world with themed corners including Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Indian food as well as healthy options including gluten-free dishes.
A more intimate dining experience can be found at the “Le Skyline” Gourmet Lounge, housed at the building’s summit, is perfect to enjoy local produce and inventive dishes. The all-day dining outlet also comes with its own panoramic terrace. Young travellers are also not left out of the equation with the Family Experience Restaurant. Here, the children invite their parents to share a dinner with them.
In addition to skiing, the resort also has a number of winter activities on offer such as snowshoeing and hikes. There’s an in-house fitness area with sports-minded high performing facilities and daily group classes curated by leading exercise specialists such as Les Milles, Matrix, Planet Fitness and Pavigym. The little ones are invited to be part of the fun too with specially conducted activities courtesy of Petit Club Med and Mini Club Med.
For those who can’t stand the cold, rest assured, Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon is also perfect to take in during summer. In warmer months, the idyllic location transforms to unveil surrounded by lakes and mountains, all of which provide the ideal setting for explorative adventures like hiking and mountain biking.
An Elevated Winter Experience
Its sister property located at the French Alps, Club Med Alpe d’Huez also offers a similar winter setting, albeit with its own unique style and appeal. Recently upgraded in December, the brand new resort sets the tone for a premium winter escape. Set in the heart of the Oisans mountain range in Isère at an altitude of 1,860 metres, the resort offers exceptional panoramic views on the peaks surrounding the Alps from its large terraces.
But its primary appeal is skiing, as it is situated on the second highest ski area in France and boasts some of the greatest inclines in the world. The surrounding terrain is a virtual winter theme park for winter holidaymakers, especially with runs and descents perfectly suited for skills of all levels. The Sarenne for instance is perfect for intermediates and experts due to its 16km descent, which makes it the world’s longest slope.
The skiing experience on offer here is virtually perfect, which is equally complemented by the upgrades the Club Med Alpe d’Huez resort has been afforded. The new resort now boasts 441 rooms, all of which come with a warm and cosy atmosphere. Its facilities include a ski and snowboarding school operated by ESF, a fitness area with a gym an indoor cycling studio as well as both outdoor and indoor swimming pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi.
For perfect relaxation, the “La Bulle” wellness and meditation space is the perfect place to relax for some quiet time or to partake in some yoga. The resort also houses its own Hamman and spa with a range of therapies and treatments by Payot.
The facilities at Club Med Alpe d’Huez resort is undoubtedly focused towards multi-generational families. As such it also caters to young travellers with a range of childcare services offered to infants as young as four months old.
Like its sister property on Plateau des Saix, this Club Med resort is also not short on dining options. The new Gourmet Lounge, “Les Alpages”, carries gourmet menus and dishes inspired by local specialities. The Wine Cellar’s sommelier is also on hand to help guests to select the perfect wine to accompany their meal. The main “Pic Blanc” restaurant and its rooms with different atmospheres and decor will delight the taste buds of every diner with its traditional and international buffets.