FTF's annual Top 10 survey of award-winners highlights Club Med Sandpiper as on of 2004's best places to host your family's next reunion.

In 2004, FTF evaluated businesses in the hospitality, cruise and tour sectors that excel at satisfying the needs of children and adults participating in family reunions. Winners were determined from more than 100 nominations made by travel experts, contributiong editors and 80,000 site visitors. By considering and evaluating their location, available transportation, variety of accommodations in different price ranges, activities for all ages, unique attractions, dining options and group discounts before making site inspections, FTF discovered the top value reunion destinations.

Top All-Inclusive Getaway

Club Med Sandpiper
Port St. Lucie, Florida
800/CLUB MED

Club Med offers over 50 years of experience providing all-inclusive getaways to travelers throughout the world. Long-known for outstanding facilities and a wide array of activities, great childcare programs, excellent food and nightly entertainment, Club Med is ever popular with families and children. Recently, their Total All-Inclusive initiative has added up-graded dining and all-day snacks, as well as complete bar service to their packages, which now caters to reunion groups.

The Club Med Sandpiper village is located on the Saint Lucie River, 45 minutes drive north of Palm Beach and two hours from Orlando. Unique in North America as the only Club Med village offering childcare for children from 4-months-old through 13-years-old, plus a teen program during school holidays, it could be just right for your reunion.

In addition to a myriad of watersports, Sandpiper’s extensive facilities include a tennis complex with 19 courts, a recently renovated 18-hole golf course, four pools, a Big Top Circus tent with flying trapeze and an in-line skating school. Plus, excursions are available to the Kennedy Space Center, Seaworld, Disney World and Universal Studios as well as to Miami and Palm Beach.

Twenty-seven balconied Family Suites, which are located near the center of the village, close to the pool and restaurants, consist of two connected rooms each with their own access door and full bathroom. Bedding configurations in the suite include one room with a king bed and a sofa, and the other room with two full size beds, a sofa, and extra room for a crib. Families are provided with a stocked mini fridge full of kid-friendly snacks and drinks, a DVD player with a selection of family favorite movies and cartoons, and turn-down service with fresh baked cookies for the kids, turning these rooms into multi-purpose reunion lounges. Handicapped-accessible rooms are available.

You can contact Club Med on line, by telephone, or through a travel agent to arrange your reunions. To be assured that the accommodations your group requires are available, recommended lead time is three to six months. 7N family reunion special rates start at $500/pp. While camp programs for kids over 4-years-old are included in Club Med’s rates, there is a charge for the infant and toddler programs. However, guests of the Family Suites receive a 25% discount off the Baby and Petit Club rates. When offered, special Reunion Packages include a free room for your group's organizer if the group exceeds 20 people and books a minimum of 10 rooms. Additionally, your family can enjoy a private beach picnic and, to complete the package, take home a group portait photo as a great souvenir.

Editor's Note: Club Med Sandpiper will close from late August 2010 to mid-December 2010 for an extensive makeover. Read more about it here.