Everything Under The Sun

Nearing the tail end of its ambitious global upscale transformation, which has taken two decades, Club Med reveals its beach resort, Club Med Phuket, after a first phase of renovations. We speak to the brand's CEO of East, South Asia and Pacific, Rachael Harding for all the details

- IAN LEE

Thai boxing, archery, scuba diving, golf, cooking classes, Flying Trapeze, and a Discovery Center that organises excursions — it’s nearly an understatement to say there’s plenty to do at Club Med Phuket, which spans 16 hectares and has been the island’s tropical paradise for 39 years. The all-inclusive experience, which Club Med is synonymous with, also means one never ever has to worry about his or her meals. While the resort is nearly as old as I am, it’s now looking almost as good as new: The property has finished phase one of refurbishment and is about to embark on phase two of renovations. All this indicates how “serious”, as the brand’s CEO of East, South Asia and Pacific, Rachael Harding puts it, Club Med is about its upscale transformation, which began some 20 years ago.

What are some of your personal favourite facilities or elements of Club Med Phuket, after the first phase of its renovations?

It’s a simple question but a hard one because there are two areas that we’ve worked on. One is the centre of the village, which is the heartbeat of the village and where the main restaurant, bar, pool and theatre are located. I don’t know if you saw the resort beforehand, but I feel like we have this beautiful pool and a seamless f low now from the pool into the ocean. Before it was more closed off, and now with the glass panelling, it ’s just beautiful and open. It gives a beautiful atmosphere looking at the sea. The centre of the village is probably my favourite but I have to say also the renovated rooms. The combination of contemporary and modern with a bit of a Thai twist with the materials and fabrics, the wood and the fishermen lights beside the beds — I think the finishings in the rooms are really beautiful.