Club Med Phuket

My wife and I won a trip to ANY club med except Bora Bora (damn) including airfare for a week. Would like to go in January, looks like Phuket has the best weather and would really like to check out some of Thailand, especially if its free to get there. We're from Canada, so don't have any interest in going to the States or Mexico.
We are in our 30's and leaving the kids at home for this trip.

So many Club Meds to choose from, Any insight you can offer would be great, tough call for us on this one.
Thanks!

Wow, what a great thing to win. I would go as far as possible only if I could add a week on my own or with the Club because of the time wasted flying to far away places. You already have the ticket so maybe ask how much for another week of land only. I haven't been to any Asian CM but you'll probably get a lot of responses.

Congrats!

Phuket is surely a great choice. Also, you'll find a pretty mixed crowd.
A German friend of mine who has been going to CM over years already, just came back and loved that village, the atmosphere, the team, the crowd, etc. Lots of nice excursions to do also, since the village is not isoled. Only downpoint (IMO), no watersports such as sailing, windsurfing, but there's scuba (to be paid though).

You could also look into La Pointe aux Canonniers (Mauritius). High season in January. Very mixed crowd too (Europeans, South Africans, Australians mainly). Last time, there was a South African couple who won their stay as well. They were absolutely blown away by the CM concept and only regretted not to have planned a second week.

You could also look in the French Caribbeans (either Martinique or Guadeloupe). Both villages renovated (Guadeloupe will re-open soon) and very upscale. If your'e into water skiing, Martinique would be it.
The great advantage of them: you'd stay more or less in the same time zone (only 2 hours ahead, I think).

Just one advice: If you should choose a far away village, add a second week, if you can. You'll be jetlagged, not familiar with the CM concept, etc. and you'll regret to leave after only one single week.

D-2

I really hope I am wrong here! But you may want to check the terms and conditions. My friend won a CM trip w/ air but it was only to the North american zone. i.e. flts are much cheaper to cancun than phuket. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Again I hope I am wrong….

Wonderful Day

R

My wife's company is paying for everything so airfare is no problem. Thanks for your concern though!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rease

I really hope I am wrong here! But you may want to check the terms and conditions. My friend won a CM trip w/ air but it was only to the North american zone. i.e. flts are much cheaper to cancun than phuket. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Again I hope I am wrong….

Wonderful Day

R

---

There's also
Kani, Maldives - beautiful if it's just the two of you without the kids - honeymoon paradise tempered with the CM atmosphere.
Lindemann Island, Australia - great casual atmosphere and friendly australians. Height of summer in January.
There's also Sahoro and Kabira but I don't think you are looking for places which are in winter.
Cherating is set between wild jungly hills and the beach and rooms are on elevated wooden walkways - great for a place to get away and just enjoy nature.
Bali is great as there is easy access to a night out in town if you feel like it. Great shopping, great food and the village is set in a place called Nusa Dua which is a wall-surrounded township full of sculpted plants - an evidence of manmade beauty.

**But Cherating and Bali are in monsoon during January and while it most probably will not rain everyday, it's hit and miss for occasional all-day-long rain.

All in all, if this is your first time in Asia, I am sure you and your wife will have a grat time no matter what. But Kiki is right, if you can stay for an additional week, it's even better what with jet lag and all. and hey,... it isn't everyday you win a trip where you can go almost halfway across the globe! :)

Hope that helps!


All in good time

PS: Sorry Jay Tee, I didn't read your post thoroughly. If you wanna go to phuket,. it's best you check on their availability now as Dec/Jan is the high season and lots of times, it is booked out a year in advance.

All in good time

You should definitely go to a village in Asia!! I suggest Phuket and Cherating....but Phuket may be full because its high season then(as its not rainy), and Cherating will be rainy during January. You might also want to check out Bintan.....its a pretty amazing Club Med. You can jetski, sail, do trapeze...all the things Club Med, and the Club Med is really pretty. My favorite is Cherating--so if you can handle the rain that's what I suggest. Then again its just short showers because its in the tropics...but you sure should make reservations ASAP because they all tend to fill up fast. Have fun!! I just got back from CM 3 weeks ago and I cant stop thinking about it....I miss my friends so much.

Hi JayTee,
Congratulations !

Cherating is a very good village, but it is rainy in Jan.
Weather in Phuket is fine in Jan.
Will you think about Kani in Maldive ? Very expensive and beautiful water house in Kani Club Med village.

JayTee,
Wow, that's great. I was at the club in Phuket one January and the weather was just perfect. We had 5 minutes of light rain one evening for the entire two week period. Also, it's not that hot. A perfect choice. If you go, be sure to take lots of excursions. They are great and incredible photo opportunities. If you can, spend a few days in Bangkok.

John

Yup, I quite agree with John. Phuket in January would have really great weather. The good thing about Phuket's CM is that it's pretty easy to get out of the club and have a look around outside - there are some interesting bars, nice spas, good shopping and great Thai food to be found outside. A stopover in Bangkok would be fab if you love shopping. Keep an eye on how the military coup proceeds though.

When do you have to make a decision as to the village of your choice?

Maukitten