The beach. Club Med Bali

Over-tired, stressed out parents of young kids – lean in and listen close, this article is for you. Our family recently experienced the exquisite Club Med Bali and it acted as a balm to this exhausted mumma’s body and soul.  I love travelling with my kids however I figured out early on that travel with kids is not a holiday. Interesting, stimulating, exciting yes, but restful no. Club Med Bali, an all inclusive family resort in Nusa Dua is an exception.

The main pool and bar at Club Med Bali

Water gardens at Club Med Bali. There were water monitors and water birds to spy here.

Located on a pristine beach the aesthetics alone of the natural and built environment of Club Med Bali are relaxing. The resort is set among lush, lovingly tended tropical gardens. Vibrant blooms abound and the perfume of frangipanis lingers in the air day and night. All perfect antidotes for my profound case of Melbourne winteritis.

The resort itself draws on traditional Balinese architecture and our interconnecting rooms were a cool retreat from the sun during the middle of the day. Our own room, in the recently refurbished arm of the resort opened onto a patio overlooking the gardens.

Quality time at Club Med Bali

Until now, I may have been describing one of many luxury resorts in Bali. What sets Club Med Bali apart is the unique and comprehensive way it caters to traveling families.

Bungy at Club Med Bali

From the Baby Club Med nook in the main dining area that stocked milk and baby food all day long, to the kids program organised by enthusiastic “GOs” to the gated water splash play area the resounding message was that kids are welcome.

For those of you that haven’t experienced a Club Med resort, some explanation is warranted. The Club Med utilises a different model of hospitality to other resorts. As well as paid service staff such as housekeepers and gardeners the resort is staffed by “GOs” an international army of enthusiastic, mostly young people with special expertise that act as your hosts during your stay. The GOs tasked with running the children’s program at Club Med Bali have created a varied and interactive program that both gives parents some overdue (in my case 7 years overdue) time apart from their children to enjoy the resort’s facilities. It also facilitates memorable, and fabulous family events for parents to enjoy with their kids. The result is a winning combination – no parent guilt about time apart (my kids begged to be dropped at the Mini Club Med every day) and quality family time.  The kids enjoyed all of the amenities on site including trapeze, bungy, swimming, the splash park and, the eldest, sea-kayaking

Like me Bub 2 found the trapeze a little terrifying.

The family events were a highlight of our day – accompanied by a sumptuous afternoon tea and mocktails for the kids. Cookie making, mini Olympics and a foam party were some of the family events we enjoyed.

Club Med Bali is one of the only Club Meds in the region that has a Baby Club Med for under 2s. We had booked our daughter into the Baby Club Med where she was cared for by a delightful team of GOs (all with either nursing or childcare qualifications). The little ones aren’t kept hidden away in a room, they are taken into the wading pool, taken on nature walks around the resort and on picnics. Our own toddler’s time at Baby Club Med was cut short by an episode of hand foot and mouth disease and in the interest of other families we kept her away from the other babies after that.

Meals, snacks and drinks (including beer, wine and some cocktails) are included at Club Med Bali. There are two restaurants onsite an international buffet and a la carte beachside restaurant. We did struggle a little with the dining times – dinner was too late for our toddler. It took us a few days to work out the solution – we hired a nanny (an experienced lovely lady who was affordable at $4 AUD/hour) and I would put my bub to bed before heading out to eat with my older children. That is until my boys realised they could have dinner with the other children in the resort and kid’s club GOs at which time we were ceremoniously dumped. The result – delicious dinners in peace while my kids were fed a few tables over. Parent’s gold.

With all this unprecedented luxurious time to ourselves the only decision left was how to spend our days. Options included lazing away at the adults only Zen pool, playing tennis, snorkelling, having archery lessons, going sea kayaking, taking a windsurfing lesson or learning to trapeze. I gave most things a go. Turns out hanging off a trapeze is both terrifying and exhilarating at once!

Beach play at Club Med Bali

Low Tide at Nusa Dua, Club Med Bali

In addition to the family events the other highlight of our stay at Club Med Bali was simply sitting on the sand while the kids paddled in the ocean. There was no surf at the patrolled beach making it a safe swimming space for young children. We loved watching the locals fish, and fly enormous kites on the beach every evening.   Yes, Club Med Bali is an all inclusive spectacular resort but our beach time was rustic and simple and an essential component of our days there.

For those with more energy than us, there is a show followed by an evening event after dinner. If I hadn’t had the kids I would have stayed out to midnight as the parties that I glimpsed were spectacular, over the top extravaganzas.

What to take with you to Club Med Bali

• Kids being dropped at the kids club will require a hat and sunscreen.
• All family members should take sneakers as they are essential for access to the sports facilities
• Sandals and reef shoes that you don’t mind getting we are a must if you plan to go on the snorkelling boat ride.
• Mosquito repellent – we didn’t see any mosquitoes however dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitos in Bali is a risk so be sure to take this with you.
• The children will spend plenty of time in the sun – a rashy or full cover swimsuit is recommended to avoid sunburn.
• Take swimming nappies for children that are not toilet trained.
• A small bag or back pack for the children’s possessions when you drop them at the kids club is useful.
• If you think your children may be involved in kids club activities then take proof of their standard childhood immunisations with you.

A few other things about Club Med Bali

I spoke to a mother who has a child with anaphylaxis. She has visited Club Med Bali 4 times and tells me the procedures around anaphylaxis are excellent and she trusts the staff with her child.

Archery Club Med Bali

Do have a look at the resort photographers shots each day – they are expert at capturing special moments at the resort. Don’t however book a family photo shoot. We did so, at extra charge and were disappointed in the results.

Have you been to Club Med Bali – would you, like me recommend it to other families?

Note: I have no professional relationship with Club Med. This post in unsponsored, unrequested and completely from the heart.

You may also enjoy the post “A Club Med snow holiday at Club Med Yabuli“.

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