Think Maldives and you think honeymoon, or adults-only getaway right? That was right until Club Med Kani opened in 2005, bringing Club Med’s family-friendly, active holiday style to the high-end Indian Ocean Island destination.
A rarity for upscale resorts in the Maldives, Club Med Kani has a children’s club for four to 10-year-olds,a tweens and teens club for 11- to 17-year-olds and family activities for two- to three-year-olds. That’s in addition to the smorgasbord of land and water activities Club Med has become legendary for ever since founder Gerard Blitz first conceptualised the brand in the early ‘50s.
Blitz believed that what Europeans needed to re-energise body and mind and snap out of their post-war slump was a new style of holiday, one which centred around the great outdoors and plenty of sports and physical activity. And so the first Club Med village officially opened in 1954 in the coastal Italian town of Palinuro.
Club Med Kani is a far cry from that first rustic village, both in distance and luxury levels, but the Maldivian resort stands true to Club Med’s family-friendly active values, offering activities ranging from a flying trapeze school with circus activities to sailing and other watersports, beach soccer, bocce ball, badminton, beach volleyball and soccer, to name a few.
The ultra luxury resort has plenty for adults, too, from cooking lessons to meditation sessions, big game fishing, wakeboarding and surfing. A top diving destination, Club Med Kani offers the best of scuba diving for underwater enthusiasts
The best part for family travellers is that all meals, drinks and most activities are included at this all-inclusive resort, so there’s no need to worry about a bill shock at the end of your stay. The kids can go wild while parents sip complementary champagne by the pool every evening knowing it’s all included and paid for
The resort’s overwater bungalows are best suited for couples, while the beach bungalows are perfect for families with young kids. For meals, guests can choose between three restaurants with a choice of four bars for pre- or post-meal drinks. Or take advantage of room service from 11am to 11pm daily (included in the package).
The Maldives is also a great choice for family travel for summer 2020/2021 due to its relatively low Covid-19 cases: the nation has recorded 37 Covid-19 deaths in total and as of last month reported cases stood at just over 11,000.
Maldives probably has its geography to thank for not being hard hit by the pandemic: the island nation comprises 26 coral atolls scattered over 90 000 square kilometres of ocean between Africa and India. Aside from the main island of Mahé, almost all islands in the archipelago are strictly “one island, one resort” and the nation’s sparse population of less than half a million people are spread out across its 1 192 coral islands, making the Maldives one of the world’s best (unintentional) social distancing destinations.
Despite having a relatively low Covid-19 infection rate, the Maldivian government is playing it safe since reopening its borders in July. All visitors must present a certificate of a negative Covid-19 test carried out within 72 hours prior to departure. The test result must be attached to the Traveller Health Declaration form, which must be submitted online within the 24 hours prior to arrival. There is also a ban on movement between islands, with the exception of transfer from Mahé to your resort island.
At Club Med Kani temperatures will be taken on arrival and before entrance to all restaurants, while mask wearing is compulsory in enclosed spaces for adults and children over 10. Strict safety protocols, including temperature testing and sanitising, will be enforced at children’s’ clubs and at all sports and activities. Club Med is also offering guests a Covid-19 test at the resort prior to departure (at an additional cost), which they can use to re-enter South Africa.
Other than this, it’s business as usual at Club Med Kani this summer.
Save up to R15,300 when you book a seven-night Club Med Kani package with Sure Travel.
The fly-in package is priced at R35,850 per person sharing (usual price approximately R52,000) and valid for travel from 25 March 2021 to 1 April 2021.
It includes:
* Return flights with airline levies and taxes from Johannesburg to the Maldives
* 7 Nights accommodation in a Superior Beachfront room
* Return airport transfers
* Full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
* Open bar and snacks (Ts and Cs apply)
* Sports including kayaking, sailing, snorkelling and more
* Daily entertainment
* Free WiFi
View the package here.
To book, contact your nearest Sure Travel agency, or call 0861 47 48 49.