Club Med Cherating Beach

We are coming to Cherating Beach with our 3 young children in late September. We are not usually resort types and travel off the beaten path and in the mountains or rent a house far away from civilization. Northern Thailand was our last big trip in April and it exhausted my kids, as we traveled from place to place. We have been to the US and also China since then and want something different. This will be for them and hopefully we can relax as well.

I am afraid of all of the dancing, the shows and random people sitting with us. I am not unpleasant, just not really much of a participant. I will try EVERY SPORT that is offered and use the spa, but I am already worried about singing and crazy signs. Can I avoid this? Am I the crazy one? Will I be able to read a book and relax?
Will there be other English speaking kids?

Also worried about the domestic flight in Malaysia, as I have heard sketchy things about it...

Oh well, you can sit out anything you don't want to do, nobody will force you to take part in anything. As to meals, I think that would be tricky because the majority of the tables are set up for 8 people. But then again, you may find that having 3 kids at the table may deter others from joining you, so you may well end up with a table for 8 to yourselves. There will be other English speaking kids - all Malaysians/Singaporeans I've met at CM Cherating (and there are many of them), speak English anyway.

And the domestic flights are back on schedule after a month-long period marred by delays. Otherwise, there is nothing sketchy about domestic airlines in Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines has an outstanding safety record, and is the winner of many awards globally.

Maybe I just do not understand the whole Club Med thing. I am thinking that the kids programs will be top notch, which means time alone for my husband and I. We live in Asia(and love it!), so I am not looking for other Westerners or anything. We are just not too keen on group songs and such and are both really low- key.

What would a day be like? Do most people, even sarcastic types, generally like it?
I do not want to think, I want to have fun and take advantage of the sailing and activities. Will we eat with the kids or alone? What are crazy signs? How often are they used? Does it feel like a normal resort or like camp?

Dear queen,
Relax. I have been to 21 club med's and this club med is layback. The "Club Med thing" is a little corrupted from what it was orignally. The early Club Med's, and even the current ones to a lesser degree, were formed on egalitarian principles. All people are equal. If you run a company or you are the file clerk, it doesn't make any difference. That's why there is no tipping, and the GO's, the people who teach you sports, run the mini-clubs, etc. will join you at dinner and at the bar. BTW, you won't be inundated by GO's at a dinner table, there is a limit of 2 to a table. Most of them are very interesting to get to know.

The GO's who run the kid's club at Cherating are exceptional. They are unbelievable with the children. Your children couldn't be in better hands.

As far as the guests at the club (called GM's), there aren't many Westerners. I was the only American there. There are expatriates, of course, some French, South Africans, and some Australians. It is mostly an Asian clientle. Also, let me add that the food is extraordinary.

What is a day like? What ever you want it to be. You aren't going to be pushed into anything. For me, it started out with a good breakfast, a swim, yoga class, archery, kayaking, swim, then pool games (silly ones like trying to chip a practice golf ball into a ring in the pool), lunch, a little reading and relaxation, archery, another swim, nice conversation, get ready for dinner, cocktails, dinner, show, relax at the bar, play at the casino if they set it up that evening (it's play money not real), then go to bed. I also went on three excursions, and joined one of the GO's on her day off in town. The excursions are for a half day or full day, and are very cool.

You can either eat with the kids or eat alone. They usually have a table, especially at lunch, that is strictly for the kids, who seem to enjoy each other's company.

Crazy signs? Originally at the Club, they really were signs, but now they are mainly songs that you join in on. Most are pretty obscure songs, but some are popular, such as Hey Baby!, made popular at the beach volleyball at the Athens Olympics. They are sung, and danced to, after the evening show and then in the bar area. You don't have to join in.

Yes, it sort of is like camp, but in a very comfortable way.

If you like to be waited on hand and foot, then Club Med is not for you.

I would also like to say that the GO's and the Malaysian people made me feel incredibly welcome. Thank you again, Maukitten. Seriously, these GO's are wonderful, and I have never met nicer people than the Malaysians.

As I have mentioned before, I have posted some photos at jdlphotos.smugmug.com. That may give you a better idea of what the club is like.

Sorry for the long answer to your questons.

John

Hello John,

Just wanted to say you really made a perfect description. Actually we should bookmark your answer that would resume Club Med to all new members since it applies to virtually any villages.




Carpe Diem!

What agadou says!

Couldn't agree more with you, John.

Don't we tend to be afraid of things we do not (yet) know about

I still remember how I feld before my first CM holiday. That was a long time before internet. Consequently, no way to ask around. I didn't know about the crazy signs nor the dress codes, etc. I really didn't have a clue what to expect and now I've been hooked for ages.

queenkong, I am sure you'll have a great holiday. And then, Cherating must be really wonderful. Just relax and do what you feel like during your holiday. No one is going to force you to do whatsoever.

dear queenkong

I think you and yr family should do fine I have friends from HK who have gone to club med as apprehensive as you.

If you want quieter moments, you can go to the other side of the Village where the sailing centre is.

Dont feel intimidated if the GOs try to cajole you into taking part as they just want to be friendly or let you try the club med experience.

If i were u, I'd be a wee bit more concerned about the monkeys !!

Aita Pea Pea