If you would’ve asked me about Club Med last year, I’d have told you the brand went the way of dial-up and tanning beds—a concept either gone or close to extinction. Fortunately, I was so very wrong about the 75-year-old, French-born company known for its all-inclusive resorts around the world.
Recently, I had the pleasure of staying at one of its newest properties, Club Med Michès, located on Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic. A scenic 90-minute drive from the airport, this 93-acre beachfront resort sits on an untouched stretch of coastline, blending eco-tourism with luxe accommodations. It’s also Club Med’s first full Exclusive Collection resort in the Americas, meaning everything is premium, and it shows.
Why stay at Club Med Michès?
Opened in 2019, Club Med Michès draws guests for a range of reasons: maybe you’ve already done Club Med Punta Cana and want to explore another five-star option; maybe you’re craving something remote and eco-friendly, but don’t want to rough it; maybe you’re curious about all-inclusives or planning a family trip where everyone needs something different—or maybe, the beach is just calling.
Parents love Club Med for its built-in family programming—think day camps for all ages and even nighttime babysitting. Everyone gets a break here.
What are the rooms like at Club Med Michès?
The resort is divided into four boutique “villages,” each with its own personality. The Archipelago offers 18 beachfront villas with private plunge pools. Caribbean Paradise is closest to the main pool and features 111 deluxe rooms and ocean-view junior suites. Explorer Cove is the largest, with 158 family accommodations near the resort’s kids' clubs and activities. Emerald Jungle, for adults only, gives access to the Zen pool, spa, fitness center and wellness bar. (Spa guests can also use these facilities.)
We stayed in a beachfront junior suite in Caribbean Paradise—steps from the ocean and within earshot of the DJ in the lounge (bad for FOMO, great for the vibe). It had two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a terrace with a view and very strong air-conditioning (everything we needed as a family of three). Plus, all snacks and drinks were included, a welcome break from the overpriced minibar life.
Which are the best restaurants and bars at Club Med Michès?
As part of the all-inclusive rate, the resort offers several restaurants and one specialty steakhouse, Coal and Copper, which is an additional cost and only open on select nights.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the main restaurant, Cayuco, which feels more gourmet food court than sloppy buffet. Think: pasta made to order with your choice of sauce and toppings and hangover-staving chilaquiles topped with the perfect sunny-side up egg. Menus rotate daily, so you won’t see the same thing twice—except for the burgers, chicken tenders and hot dog station (because Americans, like my husband, like what they like). Servers come around with drinks and aren’t shy about topping off your wine glass.
Between meals, the café serves simple sandwiches, baked goods and hot or iced coffee drinks. The adults-only wellness bar also offers fresh juices.
Coco Plum, the beachfront restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner by reservation. (Pro tip: reserve as soon as you arrive—spots book up fast.) We had a gorgeous lunch of fish tacos, Dominican ceviche (customizable at the raw bar) and chilled French rosé.
Bars are everywhere. There’s a beach shack for mojitos and blended cocktails, a swim-up bar at the adults-only pool and the main beach bar near the lobby for everything else. You won’t go thirsty.
What is the service like at Club Med Michès?
Service is friendly and attentive. Many of the G.O.s (Gracious Organizers, Club Med’s term for staff) are seasonal workers from France, Canada and other French-speaking countries—and they seem genuinely happy to be at Michès. That joy comes through in every guest interaction. Whatever you need, someone’s ready to help.
What is the spa like at Club Med Michès?
The Cinq Mondes Spa blends nature and wellness in a sprawling sanctuary with a Zen pool (so quiet you could hear a pin drop), hydrotherapy circuits, plunge baths, a steam room and sauna.
There are both single and double treatment rooms, though even the singles feel spacious. I liked that the massage therapist stayed in the room while I disrobed (rather than doing the awkward step-out-knock-back-in routine). My therapist, from Mexico, was incredibly talented and deeply passionate, even offering post-massage tips for extending the benefits.
What are the amenities like at Club Med Michès?
There’s always something to do at Club Med. The activity schedule is packed—from yoga in a treetop palapa and paddleboarding to archery, windsurfing and the signature trapeze experience. Around the property, you’ll also find ping-pong tables, mini golf and Crazy Signs, Club Med’s beloved choreographed dance parties that happen twice daily with G.O.s leading the fun.
What’s the area like around Club Med Michès?
It’s remote. About 90 minutes from the Punta Cana airport, this resort is tucked away and fully self-contained. You’ll pass two security gates to enter, and guards are stationed throughout the property. It feels secure, peaceful and intentionally removed from the outside world.
If you’re up for adventure, eco-focused excursions are available to spots like Laguna Limón nature reserve, Samaná Bay’s protected islands, and more.
Why you should book a stay at Club Med Michès
Family vacations can feel like work, but not at Michès, where relaxation is the default and sustainability is built into the experience. The resort partners with local farmers, minimizes single-use plastics and partially runs on solar energy, all while offering spa-level luxury and enough activities to keep every type of traveler happy. You’ll leave feeling rested, grounded and already planning your next Club Med escape.
Address: Miches 24000, Dominican Republic
Price per night: Pricing is all-inclusive and depends on the season and the number of guests. Children under 4 are free. For a mid-summer stay, expect to pay $560 per night for a double-occupancy room, inclusive of food, drink and activities.
Closest transportation: The Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is approximately 90 minutes away.