(photo: Mauro Puccini).
First 5-Trident resort on the Mediterranean Sea is now open, marked as the Exclusive Collection flagship of Europe.
MIAMI – In the presence of more than 300 guests from 28 countries, including partners and investors, media representatives, and Sicilian government officials, Henri Giscard d’Estaing, President and Global CEO of Club Med, inaugurated the first Club Med Exclusive Collection resort on the Mediterranean, Club Med Cefalu (located in Sicily).
Giscard d’Estaing was accompanied by Gianfranco Micciche, President of the regional Assembly; Gaetano Armao, Vice President of Sicilian region; His Grace Giuseppe Marciante, Bishop of Cefalu; and Rosario Lapunzina, Mayor of Cefalu for the inaguration.
The Rebirth of Cefalu, a Mythical Resort for Club Med
The resort of Cefalu, Club Med’s new flagship in Italy and the first Club Med Exclusive Collection resort on the Mediterranean Sea, welcomed its first guests on June 10, 2018.
For the investor, Lagune Pasithea, a French real estate fund that already has a stake on select Club Med resorts in the French Alps, this resort represents a total investment of more than $105 million.
This resort project created approximaely 800 direct and indirect jobs within the region. Due to the partnership of activities and excursions provided through local service providers, and the money spent by guests and employees around the resort, Club Med Cefalu is expected to impact the local economy positively.
Club Med will also help drive international awareness to the city Cefalu, and to the Italian island of Sicily, through the promotion of its 33 Club Med Cefalu websites designed in 14 different languages.
Cefalu: the First Club Med Exclusive Collection Resort on the Mediterranean Sea
This former ‘village of holiday huts,’ which opened in 1957, is now back to life and completely transformed. Located on an exceptional site on Sicily’s northern coast, it offers a breathtaking view across the bay and over the historic and authentic town of Cefalu, situated a short walk away from the resort.
The resort will be opened for 10 months of the year (from March to early January), and its accessibility – just over an hour from the Palermo airport – makes it ideal for all international guests. It is particularly suitable for active couples, friends, and families with children over 8 years of age.
It offers a wide range of land and water sports activities, including stand-up paddleboarding and electric surfboards (available for the first time at Club Med). Among its wellness offerings, guests can enjoy the Carita Spa, fitness lessons, and Sicily’s first natural swimming pool, situated in the resort’s Zen Zone.
To explore the culinary delights of Sicily and Italy, guests can choose from three restaurants offering different atmospheres and refined cuisine that showcases the Sicilian art de vivre. The menu at the Palazzo Gourmet Lounge restaurant has been created by four-time Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton. Andrea Berton is one of Milan's most distinguished chefs, and a model for many chefs in Italy. His childhood spent in the region of Friuli and his apprenticeship under the tutelage of French Chef Alain Ducasse have strongly influenced his cuisine, working local products with a touch of modernity.
The design of the resort, by acclaimed interior designer Sophie Jacqmin, combines a baroque, mineral spirit with an innovative modern architecture conceived by the Italian architecture firm King Rosselli. The site also integrates historic buildings that have been preserved, such as the fully functional Chapel, the Genoese towers and the Palazzo.
With this new resort – the first one of the Exclusive Collection range on the Mediterranean Sea – Club Med reinforces its unique positioning as the world-leading provider of upsacle, all-inclusive vacaions.
Exclusive Collection: The Most Premium Offering
During the launch of the resort, Club Med presented its Exclusive Collection range, which now includes its most premium products: 5-Trident/Exclusive Collection resorts, 5-Trident/Exclusive Collection Spaces in 4-Trident resorts, and the Villas & Chalets.
Exclusive Collection products are defined by:
- Unique sites;
- An architecture inspired by the local culture;
- High-quality personalized services, including in-room breakfast options, premium drinks such as champagne, and 24/7 concierge service;
- and all-inclusive Club Med offering.
Club Med has also announced the opening projects of its future Exclusive Collection resorts and spaces, including:
- In the French Alps: Le Belvedere, the Exclusive Collection Space at Les Arcs Panorama mountain resort, due to open in December 2018, and the Chalets at Grand Massif Samoens- Morillon in 2020;
- In the Americas: Miches Playa Esmeralda, the first Club Med Exclusive Collection resort in the North America zone (and the second Club Med resort in the Dominican Republic), scheduled to open in 2019;
- In Africa: on Sainte Anne island in the Seychelles, in the heart of the Sainte Anne Marine National Park;
- In Asia: the Exclusive Collection Space at the future resort of Lombok in Indonesia.
On this occasion, Henri Giscard d’Estaing, President and Global CEO of Club Med, declared: “Standing alongside Sicilian elected representatives, and our partners in Italy and around the world, I am particularly happy to celebrate today the rebirth of this mythical resort, Club Med Cefalu, the first Exclusive Collection resort on the Mediterranean Sea.
With nearly 90 million euros invested – generating more than 400 direct jobs and as many indirect jobs – Club Med Cefalu is a major project for Cefalu and for Sicily. It will have a positive impact for the different economic players directly or indirectly linked to the resort. It demonstrates our attachment to Italy, the strong ties that unite us to Sicily. Club Med Cefalu will reinforce the attractiveness of this destination.
With the support of our shareholder Fosun, Club Med confirms its position as world leader in upscale all-inclusive holidays, and especially thanks to the new Club Med Exclusive Collection.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
