Lifestyle: Club Med Is Coming To South Africa

Expect a Unique Beach and Safari Experience

By Sinazo Mkoko

South Africa, rejoice! Soon enough, you will have your holiday destination that will be rivalling Mauritius and the Seychelles. This follows an announcement by Club Med, a well-known global pioneer and leader of premium all-inclusive vacation packages, that they will be opening a holiday destination in South Africa by 2026.

The province of KwaZulu-Natal is the chosen one, as it will become home to the first Club Med beach resort in Southern Africa. Perched on the shores of the Indian ocean, on South Africa’s east coast, Club Med Tinley promises to be a dream holiday destination, where “every day promises a new adventure.”

Club Med promises a unique beach and safari experience at this first-of-its-kind all-inclusive resort with a beach resort in Tinley Manor, north of Ballito on the Dolphin Coast and a safari lodge in the heart of a Big Five Game Reserve, north of KZN. ClubMed stated: “Set along the Dolphin Coast in an unspoilt environment with pristine beaches, breathtaking panoramas, and coastal dunes, this new premium resort with an Exclusive Collection space will offer guests a soothing and revitalising holiday atmosphere, with an emphasis firmly on lifestyle. Combining contemporary and African influences, it is the perfect destination for immersing yourself in South Africa’s fascinating culture.”

The resort promises a unique safari and beach experience, with Safari Lodge spanning 32 hectares, surrounded by a huge, pristine beach, and a Kids Club for children from 4 months to 17 years old. It will be only 30 minutes from King Shaka International Airport and 45 minutes from Durban. If it’s a wellness retreat that you will be looking for on your holiday, the resort will provide an opulent spa, a fitness centre with daily lessons, a yoga school, and an adult-only Zen pool and bar where you may discover the ultimate serenity, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

The development is set to create 800 direct jobs and an additional 1 500 indirect jobs for locals, as it is a R2-billion investment. More than 1 200 construction workers will also be employed, providing a significant boost to the job market in the region. The construction is expected to start early next year, and property developer Collins Residential will be the developer of this massive project. The property developer said this project represents a great step forward in the hospitality industry, serving as one of the larger hospitality projects in South Africa.

Sustainability Is Key

ClubMed added that the resort will be green at heart, “starting with the eco-certification of the construction of all its new resorts with BREEAM or their local equivalent. BREEAM is one of the most recognised international and independent eco-construction certifications in the world. In South Africa, the aim is to achieve a 4-star rating from the Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA) for this development,” they said.

“Sustainability is a key consideration for Club Med, and this project embraces environmental stewardship by spearheading the “Bye Bye Plastics” movement, which looks at progressively cutting the usage of plastic water bottles and single-use plastics in resorts, a commitment already successfully implemented in the brand’s resorts around the world. Echoing this, another eco-commitment by ClubMed aims to achieve food waste reduction across all resorts by 2030.”

The developer stated: “We proudly present this thrilling venture as the developer of this project, with the esteemed Club Med taking the helm as our hotel operators. “Here, the awe-inspiring natural scenery basks in radiant sunshine for over 300 days annually. Amidst immaculate beaches, regal mountain ranges, and wildlife sanctuaries, this province offers visitors an indelible and unparalleled experience as we embark on the planning and development journey of this colossal resort and the remarkable R2-billion investment into KwaZulu-Natal unfolds.”