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SCOUT REVIEW

Club Med has been around in Hokkaido for a long time with its resort at Sahoro. But before the 2017/18 season, Sahoro was eclipsed with a newer, bigger, more stylish flagship resort at Tomamu. Bigger isn’t an understatement. Club Med Tomamu has 340 rooms and the main restaurant can seat 950 people. Yet couples and groups without kids in tow shouldn’t be afraid of the resort being one ginormous noisy, playground (the ski locker room is the largest we've ever seen!). The resort has several smaller, more intimate areas for those seeking a slightly less-hectic environment, such as the speciality fine dining restaurant called Haku (included in the price), a cosy bar, called the Nest bar, where you can have tea lessons or taste Japanese Whiskey or Sake (not included), and Unkai, where you can sit back and relax with a good book and watch the little ones learn to ski.

Back to families, Club Med Tomamu is unbeatable when it comes to fun for the kids and relaxation for the parents. Everything is included; transfers (New Chitose airport is about an hour away), all meals, snacks, lessons (for kids and adults), entertainment (for kids and adults) and even drinks (yes, of the strong variety too) – your signature Club Med wristband replaces your wallet. (It's a pity the bars at home don’t work that way too!)

The cherry on top of this swanky new Club Med is the resort of Tomamu itself. With some of the best skiing in Hokkaido, it has gentle areas for beginners, some long, cruisy groomers for intermediates and advanced skiers will love the powder fields set aside just for them. There are also opportunities for cat-skiing and ski-touring off the back of the resort. The ski resort isn't big, but skiers of all standards should be kept happy for days - particularly if the powder taps are on. And at the end of the day the Ice Village is a magical place for the kids to burn off any extra energy. If you're after a warmer option, try the huge indoor wave pool (right next to Club Med) which is reportedly Japan’s biggest indoor wave pool (called Minamina Beach). It also has onsen/hot pool and an additional kids' pool.

One of the things Club Med does so incredibly well are their kids club and you'll be impressed by this well-oiled machine. Simply drop your child partially dressed in their ski gear and the staff will take care of the rest (including making them go to the loo before heading out, putting on their boots, lining up the smaller ones skis near the magic carpet, and so on). The instructors are first-class and kids often form wonderful bonds with both their instructors and fellow skiers. Lessons are included but optional, so there is no pressure for those wanting to do their own thing after a few days, or make some turns as a family.

The other thing that we always hear from our clients after a Club Med stay is about the amazing food - fresh seafood, enormous amounts of everything you can think of, and being a buffet means that everyone (including the most fussy of little eaters) is satisfied. It really does take the stress out of keeping everyone happy at meal times. Larger tables can be reserved so that families and groups can be seated with each other. Aside from the main restaurant, Itara, which is home for the majority of your meals, guests can head to Haku for an authentic yakiniku barbeque experience.

Finding the ideal room for your family can be a challenge when it comes to booking a ski trip, and lucky for you Club Med has a wonderful range of options to choose from. There are 3 main buildings at the resort that are home to guest rooms, each offering a different room style and varying proximity to the facilities and access to the slopes. The Kitami building is central to all wings, and houses the majority of the hotel's facilities including concierge, boutique and main restaurant and bar. The Hidaka and Yubari wings are located either side, while the Nemuro wing is a little further to walk for meals and skiing and tend to have standard hotel rooms. The family rooms are closer to the gondola access, as well as in the same building as the Petit and Mini Club and Ski Locker room. Scout loves the bedding configurations that allow for a comfortable stay for 2 adults and 2 kids, as well as a privacy curtain, spacious bathrooms, and lots of shelves for clothes (this is a MUST for family ski trips!). Some rooms offer sofa beds for extra guests. All guest room areas are dedicated 'silent zones' so although it may seem hectic in the central areas, you can be assured that the rooms are quiet for that well-earned rest.

Why book Club Med via Scout?

We get asked this a lot, and it's a perfectly valid question when the product is the same for all agents (including direct via Club Med). What we can offer is independent advice about the Club Med product, which Club Med is right for you (or if it isn't right at all) and we also know the right questions to ask Club Med when making your booking. We can also help with all sorts of advice for before and after your time at the resort (such as making bookings for Tokyo, luggage tips etc), and help with any problems should they arise during your travels. Scout is a VIP Club Med agent which means we get priority access to specials & discounts.

Who should stay here

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