The recently opened Club Med Dong’ao near Zhuhai is a perfect place for a luxurious beach resort escape, right on our doorstep
Imagine lying on a king size bed, listening to the soothing sound of the waves or cruising the sea on a jet ski, enjoying the speed and ocean breeze. For us living in Macau, the above may seem very distant. Most people may think they need to take a flight for this paradise-like scene. But paradise is actually closer than you think, in the shape of Club Med Dong’ao.
Zhuhai, our neighbouring city just across the border, has more than 140 islands in its territory. While many of them are uninhabited, some have been developed to cater for tourists, like picturesque Dong’ao Island.
Situated around 35 kilometres southeast from Macau, Dong’ao has long been a favourite destination for people who want to escape from the concrete jungle of urban life. The island has a 15-kilometer long coastline, with several beaches and tourist spots, including a historical military facility and a pagoda on the top of a hill.
While some people just spend one day on Dong’ao, the size of the island makes it impossible for visitors to fully appreciate it in just 24 hours. And when it comes to accommodation, there are basic guesthouses available. If people really want to explore Dong’ao and at the same time enjoy a resort-like accommodation, Club Med Dong’ao is the answer.
Club Med Dong’ao officially opened two months ago and is the third Club Med resort in China. It has a total of 335 rooms in two separate buildings known as 4-Trident Premium Resort (4ΨΨ) and 5-Trident Exclusive Collection (5ΨΨ). Many of the rooms have a balconies and some have private swimming pools facing the South China Sea.
After getting off the ferry at Dong’ao Harbour, guests take the Club Med electric shuttle bus directly to the resort. At the entrance, a group of enthusiastic Club Med G.O.s (Gentle Organizers) wait to welcome guests and throughout your stay, G.O.s will remain nearby, ready to provide any assistance needed.
Inside the bright and stylish lobby, guests are greeted by a stunning ocean view and a cocktail to begin their holiday. Those not familiar with the operational model of Club Med may be hesitant about the welcoming cocktail, not sure whether they need to pay for it or not. However, Club Med’s all-inclusive holiday packages offer the majority of resort facilities and services free of charge for guests, including bars, restaurants, as well as many indoor and outdoor sports facilities, activities and professional training courses.
Each guest room is well decorated and equipped with its own in-room Wi-Fi, though the network is restricted by the Great Firewall of China. Some rooms also have a bathtub on their balcony that allows guests to appreciate the beautiful ocean vistas while enjoying a bubbly warm bath.
After relaxing in the room, guests can start exploring the range of different facilities at the resort. One spot worth checking out is the beach located between the 4ΨΨ and 5ΨΨ buildings, where various water sports and activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking are available. There are also instructors for those who want to learn snorkeling, and if you want something a bit more exciting, jet skis are available at an extra charge.
Just a short five-minute walk from 4ΨΨ building is the sports centre where guests can practice archery and even trapeze under the guidance of G.O.s. Parents can take their children to the Petit Club Med, Mini Club Med or Juniors’ Club Med inside the centre, where G.O.s will ensure they are entertained and well looked after.
There is an abundance of daytime outdoor activities in Club Med to keep guests active, and the fun continues after the sun goes down. After indulging in an expansive buffet dinner at the main restaurant “The French Riviera”, guests can let their hair down at the nightly beach party with entertainment provided by the G.O.s.
Once you recover from your night of dancing and partying, you can get out and explore the beauty of the island on organised hiking, cycling and mountain bike riding expeditions.
Some places on the island definitely worth exploring include the Mi Yue Ge Honeymoon Pavilion pagoda and the remains of a historical Dang’ao Island Chong Cheng Fortress. From the pagoda you can enjoy great views of the island and the surrounding seas. However, visiting the pagoda is not for the faint hearted as you have to first climb 1,008 stairs to get there, so make sure you are in good shape and take plenty of water.
Returning to the resort, there are still lots of activities to enjoy with pool tables, karaoke rooms and even mahjong rooms available for guests. And if you really want to pamper yourself, you can pay a visit to the exclusive L’Occitane Spa.
Macau CLOSER was invited on this media trip by Club Med.
Getting There: Jiuzhou Port and Xiangzhou Port in Zhuhai both have ferries travelling between the city and the island. If you are a guest of Club Med, there will be a chartered ferry to Dong’ao from Jiuzhou Port, which takes around 45 minutes.
PRICE: While the cost to stay at Club Med Dong’ao varies, a three-day stay is between HKD4,000 to HKD6,000 per adult. For more information please Club Med’s website www.clubmed.com.hk .
