Club Med Michès with Six Kids: Our Honest Family Review
For years, our family vacations meant loading up the car and driving eight hours to the Outer Banks. And honestly? I absolutely loved those beach house trips. There’s something special about a big coastal home, salty air, and slow mornings with coffee on the deck.
But let’s be real.
Traveling with six kids is no small production.
The car was packed so tightly you couldn’t move your arms. After the long drive, the house was never ready when we arrived. We’d change into swimsuits in the car and use public restrooms before heading to the beach. Then once we were settled, the cycle began: grocery runs, cooking, cleaning, running out of ketchup, running out of beer, more grocery runs.
By the end of the week, I needed a vacation from the vacation.
So in 2022, Bill and I decided to try something completely different. We took all six kids to All-Inclusive Resort Michès Playa Esmeralda | Club Med in the Dominican Republic.
And it was amazing.
The Convenience Factor (Times Eight)
Flying to the Dominican Republic with six kids felt bold at first, but once we arrived, I realized how much easier it was than hauling coolers and groceries to the Outer Banks.
No cooking.
No cleaning.
No grocery lists.
No packing half our kitchen into the car.
Everything was just… handled.
Rooms That Actually Work for Big Families
We booked three connecting rooms, each with either two twin beds or a king. What I loved most was that each room had its own little sitting area with a couch and TV. That meant all eight of us could spread out and not feel like we were living on top of each other.
The property itself felt incredibly clean and safe. It’s spacious, modern, and beautifully designed — upscale without feeling stuffy.
For a family of eight, that balance matters.
The Beach & Property
The resort sits on Playa Esmeralda, one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the Dominican Republic. The water was calm enough for swimming, and there was plenty of space — no fighting for chairs or feeling crowded.
The grounds are lush and tropical, but thoughtfully laid out so nothing feels far away.
Lap pool
Sports, Activities & Constant Entertainment
If your kids love being active like ours do, this place is a dream.
They had:
Soccer courts
Beach volleyball
Trampolines
A full trapeze setup
Yes — trapeze.
The kids were obsessed. One rainy day, when outdoor activities paused, they moved everyone indoors and taught rope skills instead. No downtime. No “I’m bored.”
Every single day there was something different:
White Night parties
Sunset cocktail hours
Pool relay races
And the nighttime entertainment? Next level.
They had:
A circus-style production
A risqué-style performance
A Michael Jackson tribute show
After the shows, the entertainers would parade the audience to the main dance area for a late-night party. It felt like we were part of the show, not just watching it.
A Little Something for the Adults in Charge
While the kids were busy playing soccer one afternoon, Bill and I snuck away to the adults-only section for massages.
There’s a beautiful spa and a yoga treehouse with expert instructors that made it incredibly easy to relax. It was one of the first family vacations where I truly felt rested.
Not just entertained.
Rested.
The Restaurants
The dining options were impressive for an all-inclusive.
There’s a main buffet-style restaurant with high-quality, rotating selections (and yes — always something for picky eaters). There are also specialty restaurants offering more curated menus, plus beachside and casual options throughout the property.
And best of all…
No grocery runs.
No cooking.
No dishes.
Our Excursions
We took two excursions:
Snorkeling with a luxury lunch on the boat — floating drinks, appetizers, and beautiful water. It felt like something out of a travel magazine.
The swings near Michès — I don’t necessarily recommend this one. The hike and logistics weren’t ideal. But I will say, the views were absolutely stunning.
About the Village of Michès
The resort is located near the small village of Michès in the Dominican Republic. We didn’t spend much time exploring the town itself, but what I loved is that it feels untouched and authentic — not overly commercialized like some resort hubs.
It’s quieter. More natural. More local.
That’s part of the charm.
On a separate trip, we actually passed through Michès on our way to Samaná Bay for humpback whale watching and stopped at a small roadside rest stop — a simple, local glimpse of everyday life that reminded us how untouched and authentic this area of the Dominican Republic really is (you can read more about that adventure in my whale watching blog post).
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely.
I still love our Outer Banks beach house memories. Those trips were special in their own way. But this was different.
This was relaxing.
This was easy.
This was fun for everyone — including me.
Taking all six kids to Club Med for the first time felt like a leap. Instead, it turned into one of our favorite family vacations ever.
Sometimes convenience isn’t “cheating.”
Sometimes it’s exactly what your family needs.
