TORONTO — Club Med has opened its first European Exclusive Collection resort on the Mediterranean Sea, the newly-transformed (and now Club Med’s flagship resort in Italy), Club Med Cefalù in northern Sicily.

“Standing alongside Sicilian-elected representatives and our partners in Italy and around the world, I am particularly happy to celebrate the rebirth of Club Med Cefalù, the first of its kind in Europe,” said Henri Giscard d’Estaing, President of Club Med.

The all-inclusive pioneer opened the refurbished property on June 10, fresh off a 90 million euro investment. The investment “is a milestone in our continued efforts to solidify our position as a world leader in upscale, all-inclusive vacations,” he said.

Originally introduced in 1957, the resort has since undergone major renovations for a complete transformation, but maintains its beautiful views across the bay and over the historic and authentic town of Cefalù, a short walk from the resort. Open 10 months a year (from March to early January), its accessibility – 90 minutes from Palermo airport – is ideal for international clientele, says the company.

Club Med Cefalù

Club Med is positioning the Cefalù resort as particularly suitable for active couples, groups of friends and families with children over the age of eight. The property offers a range of land and water activities, including stand-up paddle boarding and, for the first time at a Club Med resort, electric surfboard.
 There’s also the Carita Spa, fitness lessons or Sicily’s first natural swimming pool, situated in the resort’s Zen Zone.

Three restaurants offer their own take on Sicilian cuisine, led by Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton who created the five-star menu at the Palazzo Gourmet Lounge restaurant.

As the first Exclusive Collection resort in the Med, Club Med Cefalù joins a premium level in the Club Med brand. Billed as a superior collection and the most elite of Club Med, the Exclusive Collection resorts offer unique sites, architecture inspired by the local culture and personalized services such as champagne offered from 6 p.m., and a 24/7 concierge.

Future Exclusive Collection resorts in Europe will soon join Club Med Cefalù, including Le Belvédère, the Exclusive Collection Space at Les Arcs Panorama mountain resort in the French Alps, set to open in December 2018, and the Chalets at Grand Massif Samoëns-Morillon in 2020.

In North America, the first Club Med Exclusive Collection resort is set to open in the Dominican Republic at Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda in 2019.