Having a positive experience is the pinnacle of any family ski holiday or summer vacation. There are many elements that make a memorable holiday, especially the type of accommodation you stay in and the services available to you. This review of Club Med Tomamu offers insight into the various aspects that we believe travellers consider important when making decisions on where to stay.
We hope this review provides travellers with the necessary information they need to make informed accommodation choices. The review is completely independent and the opinions expressed are our own.
The Club Med Tomamu Resort
Club Med Tomamu is one of three accommodation options in Tomamu ski resort located in central Hokkaido. It is a resort of the Club Med brand and is presented as an all-inclusive holiday resort aimed towards families. This approach is different to the two other accommodation options, Risonare Tomamu and Tomamu The Tower by Hoshino Resorts, which offer the standard room-only or room plus meal options. The resort can accommodate up to 1000 people at full capacity and has X number of rooms.
Our Review
- Number of Travellers: 2 adults
- Number of Days: 3 days, 2 nights
- Period of Stay: Early August (Late Summer)
- Room Type: Family Superior Room
- Travel Style: By Car
- Travel Duration: 2.5 hours from Sapporo New Chitose Aiport (with stops)
The Vibe
Family-friendly, Fun and entertaining, Carefree and easy
Who does it suit
Those who want convenience with an all inclusive package in one place. If you are a family that prefers to have everything at your fingertips and not have to travel around for different sights and activities, the Club Med resort style will suit you. Accommodation, food and drink, and activities are all provided as part of your stay so you do not have to leave the resort area. There is a kids club where the children spend the day so parents can have time to themselves to relax and drink at the free-flow bar with the resort hosts. You will enjoy Club Med Tomamu if you are looking for a holiday where you and the family can be entertained.
Who it doesn’t suit
If you are interested in trying local restaurants with quality specialty foods, having in-depth cultural and sightseeing experiences and enjoy unique holiday itineraries, the Club Med holiday format will not be for you. The all-inclusive package, while convenient, does not provide personalised or authentic Japanese experiences. The international buffet style, meanwhile, will not suit your palette if you seek high-quality authentic Japanese cuisine. The variety of activities available can entertain the kids but does not provide much cultural or educational experience. Therefore, Club Med will not be for travellers who want a fulfilling holiday experience.
The Room
The room was designed with a calm dark green interior and some artistic features for interest. It was spacious with twin beds and a sofa bed for a third person. The twin beds were moved together to form a double bed but sleeping was still individual since bedding was separate. The beds however were a good size and the bedding was very snug. The room temperature was kept at a pleasant temperature with air conditioning circulating the air. Overall the room was very comfortable and offered a good night’s sleep.
Amenities
Expected standard amenities of a hotel are provided such as bathroom amenities, slippers, coffee and tea, small refrigerator and water bottles. The shower is the standard Japanese-style with a handheld showerhead, decent water pressure and steady temperatures. Club Med do have an environmentally friendly policy so they provide all the necessary amenities without the extravagance. If you want to use the fridge, make sure to switch it on as it is not running when you check-in to the room.
The Welcome
You will be greeted by one of the friendly staff who will sit you down and explain everything to you about your stay. They first check your temperature and ask you to complete a COVID-related form. You then receive information about all the activities taking place during your stay as well as a bracelet with a chip. The chip is your room key, provides you access to all the areas within the hotel, and allows you to make purchases at the boutique and bar. This special feature of Club Med is very convenient as you do not have to carry your key around with you. It is kept on until you check-out.
Food and Drink
All food and drinks are included as part of the Club Med package holiday stay. The main restaurant is buffet style with international food made fresh at every service. There are 4 meals: breakfast, lunch, late lunch and dinner. Special menus are also available for an additional charge.
There is also a bar open all day serving drinks (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic). The space can be used for laptop work or relaxation until the evening when it becomes the main entertainment area. Nightly shows are performed by the staff, such as acrobatics and dance, and guests can drink and chat with the resort hosts until closing time.
Activities
The all-inclusive holiday philosophy of Club Med can be seen in its offering of activities for guests. There is a wide variety including fitness programs with yoga and walking, mountain biking, tennis, archery, and a flying trapeze. Guests also receive complimentary access to the gondola up to the Unkai Terrace and to Mina-mina beach.
Unkai, also known as the “Sea of Clouds” is the main attraction at Tomamu. This is viewed from the terrace located at the mountain peak. To see the unkai is weather dependent however, so be prepared for the possibility that you may not be able to view this spectacle if the conditions are not perfect (we unfortunately were not so lucky).
The other main attraction at Tomamu is Mina-Mina beach. This large swimming complex has been designed to mimic a beach. There are sun chairs and umbrellas, a wave pool, water activities such as Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP), inflatables for hire, and a cafe. There is also an onsen though the water is not natural onsen water. Note that the pool is also open to the public and guests of Hoshino Resorts.
Staff
The staff at Club Med Tomamu are very friendly and attentive. You will always be greeted by them when they see you. From the restaurant and front desk to the cleaning staff, everyone will give you a friendly smile and say hello. They “G.O. team”, who are responsible for taking care of guests throughout their stay, are energetic and engaging. If you are looking for lively conversation, look no further than the G.O. team.
As travellers who enjoy exploring new experiences and authentic Japanese culture, the Club Med resort style holiday was not for us. Whilst a couple of activities were fun and the convenience set-up a plus, the isolated location of the resort and lack of unique sights and things to do meant the 2 night, 3 day stay was more than enough. The food was adequate and there was a wide variety to choose from. However, after a few buffet meals, we were wanting more wholesome and better quality food.
The highlight of the stay was the friendliness of the staff and the service they provided. We highly commend them for that.
Overall, the stay was comfortable and even though this style of holiday wasn’t our cup of tea, it is a good option for families who want an easy, carefree and entertaining holiday.
Our Rating
Photos of Club Med Tomamu
If you would like more information about Club Med Tomamu or wish to make a booking, please get in touch with the Hokkaido Ski Club team via our Contact Us page or at [email protected].
