The Vibe
Set on a rugged cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the nearby town of Cefalu, Club Med’s newest resort offers some seriously spectacular views. The 14 hectare resort is designed to blend with its beautiful natural surroundings as much as possible, with the buildings constructed from materials like local dry stone and wood. The property is laid-out so that it follows the curves of the terrain and combined with the privacy provided by lush greenery, it gives the 308-room property a feeling of intimacy.
Club Med Cefalu originally opened in 1957, but closed in 2006 to undergo a massive overhaul. The resort reopened in June 2018 as part of Club Med’s Exclusive Collection, the brand’s group of luxury properties. It's poised to attract mainly well-heeled couples with an ambiance that’s upscale but relaxed.
The Rooms
Rooms take the aesthetic in a different direction than the neutral-toned exterior, with their bright, modern look. Decor is similar from room to room, with light woods and white, blue and silver colour schemes found throughout. Even the basic room categories are spacious at 24 m² and all have furnished balconies or terraces (although you’ll need to upgrade to the higher room categories for sea views). Rooms also come with separate bathtubs and showers, bluetooth speakers and comfy bathrobes, along with espresso machines. Suites add roomy separate living areas.
The Features
With a dining program overseen by Michelin-starred Italian chef Andrea Berton, food is a highlight here. Since we visited during the soft opening, we were only able to try the resort’s main buffet restaurant, La Rocca, which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. La Rocca puts on an exceptional buffet spread, with numerous excellent live cooking stations and a killer gelato bar. Other dining options include Il Palazzo Gourmet Lounge, an a la carte restaurant focused on Italian fare, and La Riva Beach Restaurant, which offers casual lunches on the resort’s small beach.
Club Med Cefalu offers the extensive line-up of activities you would expect from a large resort, including electric surfing, paddleboard yoga, archery, diving and more. There’s also a gleaming fitness centre and a spa managed in collaboration with French luxury beauty brand, Carita. The property also includes two stylish pools – one with a “zen” atmosphere for quiet dips and the other designed for more lively pool activity.
The Location
The Club Med’s location, a 15-minute walk from the medieval town of Cefalu, is a big plus. Cefalu is one of Sicily’s prettiest towns, bookended by soaring mountains and sandy Mediterranean coastline. The golden beach bordering the town is among Sicily’s best, attracting sun seekers from across Europe in the summer. Inland, you can spend countless leisurely hours exploring Cefalu’s maze of cobbled streets, quaint squares and historic architecture. The closest airport is in Palermo, just over an hour drive west of the resort.
Rooms start at $230 per night
Localita Santa Lucia, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy, clubmed.ca/cefalu
