Club Med Cefalù in Sicily reopened to guests last week, so Sarah Bridge offers the lowdown on what to expect from this all-inclusive Italian resort
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The facts: This clifftop resort, 90 minutes from Palermo airport, reopened on May 29 and is one of Club Med’s top-selling properties this summer. The all-inclusive resort isn’t a designated family village but children aged eight years and up are allowed. It not only boasts epic sunsets but also has stunning views of beautiful town Cefalù, a 20-minute walk away along a sweeping bay.
To enter the resort, guests should have a PCR or antigen test within 72 hours of arrival, or proof of a vaccination, and the property offers testing facilities prior to return with 50% off Randox tests on-site. Check FCDO advice and latest testing requirements before travelling.
Accommodation: There are 311 rooms ranging from Superior and Deluxe to one-bedroom suites, many of which are in the two-storey Il Borgo building with its drystone walls. But the Villettas are the real highlight, a series of 134 wooden villas perched on rocks around the resort, some featuring wraparound sea views to make the most of the clifftop location.
All are kitted out with a coffee machine, Wi-Fi, smart TV, free-standing baths, rainfall showers and sun loungers on private terraces.
Club Med is known for its activities and Cefalù is no exception
Activities: Club Med is known for its activities and Cefalù is no exception: tennis, archery, sailing, snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are available, plus scuba diving and kite surfing at extra cost.
For a relaxing workout, there’s the Eco Zen Pool in a secluded retreat called the Zen Zone. The unheated natural pool is purified by plants rather than chemicals, making for a fresh and exhilarating swim and a great way to feel at one with nature. Another wild swimming option is the Club, down a winding path to a sandy beach where floating docks provide direct access to the Mediterranean.
Dining: Main restaurant La Rocca serves an international buffet at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The 18th-century building Il Palazzo has two floors of all-day dining, including a late breakfast (starting the day with scrambled eggs and a bloody mary on a terrace overlooking the sparkling bay was a treat) and dinner menus designed by Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton featuring local meats, cheese and grappa.
Unlimited champagne is available each evening to add to the range of complimentary drinks. La Riva beach restaurant, nestled among the cliffs, serves freshly grilled seafood, while its beach bar is perfect for a tranquil sundowner. But main bar Azzuro, overlooking the infinity pool, is the social hub.
Hardy travellers will enjoy the 45-minute climb up rocky outcrop La Rocca for amazing coastal views
Excursions: Guests can experience authentic Italian life in Cefalù, popular for its sandy beaches, historic buildings and narrow cafe-lined streets. Beyond the town, hardy travellers will enjoy the 45-minute climb up rocky outcrop La Rocca for amazing coastal views, while fitness enthusiasts can try guided hikes around Parco delle Madonie, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
A more relaxing option is to see the island from the sea on a sailing excursion, or hire a Fiat 500 to explore the shops and museums of Palermo, the architectural wonders of Castelbuono, plus Taormina and Mount Etna.
Book it:
Seven nights’ all-inclusive starts from £1,341 excluding flights or from £1,571 with flights from Heathrow departing September 25, based on two sharing with transfers.
clubmed.co.uk
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