The last time I set foot in Club Med Cherating was in 1986. I was 16 or 17, working as a GO at the Mini Club. Now it is 2025, I am 55, and returning felt like stepping into a time warp. It was as if nothing had changed. The only difference was the faces around me and, to put it politely, the GOs of today are a little different from the ones back then.

The beach, though, remains as breathtaking as ever. A stretch of sand that feels utterly untouched and unmatchable. Walking along the coast was like slipping into another world. Low season meant space to breathe, so I could walk alone, play tennis with a fantastic coach, or wander through nature in peace. It was the perfect refuge from my hectic life.

The food was still excellent, just as I remembered, and the rooms were simple yet reasonable. Renovations are coming in June next year and prices will surely rise, so if you want to experience Cherating in its current unpretentious, timeless state, now is the moment to go.

Not much has changed, except perhaps the crowd. Let’s just say Club Med Cherating attracts a very comfortable set these days. Not the sexiest of the lot, but somehow that makes it even funnier.

I spent four nights there, and it was worth every penny. The sea alone, vast and unforgettable, is reason enough to return.