Club Med pulls out of US market — for now
Club Med is saying goodbye to the U.S. until 2024.
The brand parted ways with its popular all-inclusive location in Florida, the Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, on Sept. 5, the hotel group confirmed to TPG.
Altitude International Holdings now owns the former Sandpiper Bay Resort and is continuing to operate the resort, honor existing bookings and take new ones.
"The resort will continue to operate after Club Med's departure, and, while in operation, will undergo an extensive renovation to be completed over the next two years," Altitude Holdings CEO Greg Breunich said in a statement in July in announcing the sale agreeement. "This is an integral part of Altitude International Holdings, Inc. long term developmental plan for the property."
Club Med's departure from the 335-room property came without much fanfare. The only public indication of the change this week was a notice that pops up on the resort's website that "Club Med Sandpiper Bay has closed its doors."
For more than 40 years, the Sandpiper Bay resort was an important property for the Club Med brand, especially for travelers based on the East Coast, thanks to its convenient location along the Atlantic Ocean. The 200-plus acre property had a variety of fitness and sports activities for guests, including tennis and pickleball courts, a circus trapeze, an 18-hole golf course and a golf academy and a large and well-regarded kids' program, including circus school.
"Moving forward, the new ownership group will incorporate a hotel and sports academy that complements the property’s extensive athletic installations and infrastructure," a Club Med spokesperson said.
Popular with adult travelers and families alike, Club Med currently operates 20 all-inclusive properties across Canada, Europe and Asia, the latest of which opened in December in Quebec, Canada, for a total of 70 resorts across more than 20 countries.
Travelers with upcoming stays booked through Club Med for the property can request a refund, apply the reservation to another Club Med resort or receive a future travel credit for use at another property, according to Travel Weekly, which first reported this news.
Altitude International Holdings didn't respond to a request for comment for this story in time for publication.
However, for those who wish to carry on with a planned stay, Altitude has said it will honor all previously booked reservations from Sept. 6 forward and is also taking new bookings for the property. For more information, call 772-323-0625 or email info@altdacademies.com.
The change in ownership means travelers won't have a Club Med property in the U.S. to visit until December 2024 at the earliest, when Club Med plans to open a new ski resort in Snowbasin, Utah.
Located roughly 35 miles from Salt Lake City, the Snowbasin Resort will have 320 rooms combining "American luxury with Club Med's renowned French savoir-faire," according to a statement announcing the new hotel. Snowbasin guests can enjoy ski-in and ski-out access, children's clubs for family travelers, group ski and snowboard lessons, lift tickets and a heated swimming pool during the ski season.
Related: Club Med will open its only ski resort in North America this winter — and it’s all-inclusive
"Looking ahead, Club Med will continue to develop new upscale resorts across the world, including in North America," the spokesperson said. "Currently, Club Med has committed to opening 17 new resorts and completing 13 renovations or extensions of existing resorts by 2024."
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.