Club Med Columbus Isle I participated in a Club Med Familiarization trip to Columbus Isle May 4-7, 2005. This property is more upscale than some of the other Club Med properties. Public areas are nicely appointed, with many attractive antiques and artwork. The bars and lounges are comfortable and tastefully decorated. There is a brand new beach bar serving snacks throughout the day. The main dining room is bright and comfortable and has many large and small tables. There is also a large outdoor deck for eating “al fresco”. The buffet is extensive, and the menu varies daily. The food was good (some of it you could call “wonderful”). There are two specialty restaurants as well. One is a Brazilian Steakhouse. The food and atmosphere is both wonderful and unique. The other specialty restaurant, equally nice, focuses on seafood. The beach is gorgeous and wide with nice white sand and the water is turquoise and crystal-clear. It is usually fairly calm but occasionally has some surf. Snorkeling on the reefs off-shore is a delight and the equipment is of very good quality. The rooms are arranged in two-story buildings forming several “U”s facing the beach, so that almost all rooms have minimally a partial view of the ocean. One block of rooms, in one-story buildings, is designed mostly for “single share” accommodations, single rooms with a shared bath. All of the rooms are large and well-appointed, with TV, phone, clock radio/CD player, upholstered chair and lounge, safe, hair-dryer, un-stocked refrigerator and terrace or balcony. All bathrooms have a large shower, no bathtubs. The “A” category rooms are oceanfront and have upgraded amenities and linens, flat-screen TV, robes and slippers, stocked and refilled refrigerator. Umbrellas and beach lounges circle the large pool and the beach. Columbus Isle is a Club Med, hosted by the famous young, friendly and eager “GO’s”. There is plenty of water and land-sports with good equipment and instruction, group activities, water aerobics and volleyball tournaments. The Club Med “GO’s” perform in the evening shows and the parties are lively. “Activity” is optional and its presence does not disrupt the overall peaceful atmosphere. Children are allowed, but not encouraged, and there are no programs designed for them. A small number of children of all ages were there and occasionally noticeable. All in all, Columbus Isle would not compare in many ways to most luxury Caribbean resorts, but it does succeed at being a very upscale Club Med, and it already has a very loyal following.