There are resort announcements, and then there are moments when the travel world pauses mid–espresso, looks up, and says, “Well now, that’s interesting.“ Club Med’s latest play in Indonesia is one of those moments.
The French-born maestro of all-inclusive holidays — who’s been pampering sunseekers for 75 years — is heading to Manado, North Sulawesi, and not in some modest way. With the ink still fresh on a Hotel Management Agreement with Indonesian hospitality stalwart PT Grahatama Kreasibaru (GKB), the brand promises a resort that marries serenity, adventure, and a touch of Gallic swagger.
From Bali beginnings to a North Sulawesi flourish.
The signing at the Club Med Bali resort was no accident. That’s where the company first wooed Indonesia back in 1984 — a time when “Wi-Fi” wasn’t even a word and a beachfront cocktail meant something shaken by hand, not blended by a machine. Then came Club Med Bintan in 1997, cementing the brand’s love affair with the archipelago.
Now, the third act: Manado. And it’s not a casual fling. Club Med has even renewed Bali’s Land Use Development Agreement and has renovations lined up for Bintan. That’s the kind of commitment that, in business terms, says: We’re in this for the long haul.
“This strategic partnership not only strengthens our continued presence in Indonesia, a market we deeply cherish, but also allows us to bring our unique blend of premium all-inclusive luxury and immersive experiences to the breathtaking natural beauty of North Sulawesi,” said Gregory Lanter, Deputy CEO of Club Med.
Club Med Manado – Signing Ceremony
Manado — not your usual tropical postcard
If Bali is the well-worn paperback of Indonesian tourism, Manado is the limited-edition hardback: more complex to find, richer in detail, and, once experienced, hard to forget. Locals call North Sulawesi The Land of the Smiling People, and they mean it. Whether it’s a market vendor selling you rambutans or a dive master guiding you through Bunaken Marine Park, the warmth here is genuine.
And about that marine park, it’s not just good; it’s world-class. A diver’s paradise where technicolour coral walls drop into impossibly deep blue, home to species that could make even the most jaded marine biologist grin. From Mount Klabat’s dignified peak to the calm Molucca Sea, this place has scenery you can’t buy, though a well-positioned resort can undoubtedly help you enjoy it.
Luxury without losing the local soul
Club Med Manado will house 250 rooms, each gazing directly at the sea or the mountain — and not the carpark, as some unfortunate “ocean view” rooms elsewhere tend to do. The dining promise? A marriage of international favourites and Manadonese cuisine, the latter famous for its unapologetic spice and fresh seafood that all but leaps off the fishing boats into your plate.
Add in Club Med’s Kids Club, the Amazing! Family program, watersports, wellness spaces, and a secluded Exclusive Collection enclave for those who like their privacy padded with a little extra silk.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to elevating Indonesia’s tourism landscape through sustainable, world-class developments,” said Harris Gozali, CEO of GKB. “Club Med Manado will not only offer a unique travel experience but also contribute significantly to the local economy and community.”
Sustainability — because paradise doesn’t replace itself
Club Med is not shy about its green credentials. The Manado property will target BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification (BREEAM), which is not some decorative plaque for those outside the sustainability loop but a serious environmental benchmark.
The resort is expected to spark over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, from hospitality training to local supplier partnerships. There’s talk of culinary exchanges, with Manado’s fishermen and farmers seeing their produce on international plates, and local staff gaining skills that could take them from Sulawesi to St. Moritz.
Why this matters beyond the travel brochures
Tourism is one of Indonesia’s heavyweight economic players, and developments like this do more than please the Instagram set. They boost flight routes, pump money into local tours, and give artisans and small businesses a bigger market.
North Sulawesi’s regional government has been steadily pushing eco-tourism and marine conservation — ambitions that align neatly with Club Med’s sustainability playbook. In business terms, that’s what they call a win-win.
Looking to 2028 — with raised glasses
The countdown is on, with the opening slated for 2028. It gives Club Med plenty of time to perfect the mix: part barefoot luxury, part adventure playground, and part cultural immersion. And if the brand’s track record is anything to go by, the champagne at the launch will be chilled to perfection.
For the seasoned traveller, Club Med’s arrival in Manado is like a trusted friend inviting you to a party in a part of town you’ve never explored — you already know it will be good; the thrill lies in discovering just how good.
By Susan Ng
