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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Day 1 of holiday. Hell.

517 replies

gilesday · 02/10/2025 21:17

This will come off really bad I appreciate that but sod it I have to speak my truth.

Day 1 of our family holiday we came to Greece. Have been excited for it. It’s all inclusive which is our second time, last year we did all inclusive and same thing I hated it. Don’t know why I thought it would be different but anyway.

I hate it. The hotel is just crap. The clientele are typical of what you would expect at an all inclusive and I just seriously regret it.

The thing is, I get I’m being a snob. Let’s be honest clearly we have the same budget as these people I’m slagging off (100k combined income) so should probably be a bit more humble, but I can’t. Every fibre of my being feels like I’m not built for this. I want better. I want luxury. I’m sooooo much more at home at high end places, where as the people here would probably feel uncomfortable there and like this better.

is anyone else like this?

What do I do, just avoid all inclusive from now on and stick to nicer hotels but just breakfast, eat out and explore more?

What do people do who are like me but equally don’t have the Dorchester budget?

OP posts:
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Original poster
gilesday · 05/11/2025 12:06

@JacknDianeI know right! Ahh cute of you to sympathise.

OP posts:
JacknDiane · 05/11/2025 12:05

Boo hoo @gilesday

Fluffsicles · 05/11/2025 11:32

MainframeMalfunction · 11/10/2025 00:11

Because human children are considered, by most other humans, to be part of society and actually a good thing, rather than considered to be a pest engendering the same level of disgust as a cockroach. HTH.

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Yes, notice I said "tons of". Being around your own children and some children is not the same as a holiday that resembles a constant visit to a soft play, or feeling like you're at a kid's party with screaming from 'tons of' children by a pool.

ChocolatesAndRainbows · 13/10/2025 13:11

ConnieHeart · 13/10/2025 12:12

What about if you have kids? I've never been to a bad family AI, usually 4 star

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That was slash. So 4/5 star or adult only

Yesitisnotthatitbe · 13/10/2025 12:47

Theif · 02/10/2025 22:38

Was it superb, or are you just one of the easily impressed peasants that the OP is looking down on?

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Or was she drinking so much she didn't notice that it wasn't all that? 🤣

Ontheedgeofit · 13/10/2025 12:14

I think it can be safely determined that AI is ok for some people and just not for others.

I commented earlier that if we cannot rely on stars then it’s also not really useful to rely on guest reviews and ratings either because these resorts obviously appeal to a great number of people.

ConnieHeart · 13/10/2025 12:12

ChocolatesAndRainbows · 13/10/2025 11:55

Unless you go 4/5* adult only. All inclusive is usually horrendous.

What about if you have kids? I've never been to a bad family AI, usually 4 star

Ontheedgeofit · 13/10/2025 12:11

ChocolatesAndRainbows · 13/10/2025 11:55

Unless you go 4/5* adult only. All inclusive is usually horrendous.

We’ve already determined that stars don’t really relate much to quality but rather to facilities offered. I’ve just stayed in a 5 star AI and it was horrendous.

ChocolatesAndRainbows · 13/10/2025 11:55

Unless you go 4/5* adult only. All inclusive is usually horrendous.

Ontheedgeofit · 13/10/2025 11:48

ConnieHeart · 13/10/2025 10:48

I agree. I research thoroughly & have never had a bad AI

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Yes definitely research!

Ontheedgeofit · 13/10/2025 11:47

Iwantmyoldnameback · 13/10/2025 10:07

What type of people?

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Unless you are one of those ‘type’ of people I think it’s perfectly ok to say what she said. It’s also ok to not want to hang out with people you share little in common with. Unfortunately most reviews don’t tell you that kind of information so sometimes it’s a lesson learned and it sounds like the OP has just had enough.

Just come back from Turkey. Couldn’t be looking forward to my own bed more than ever before. Have never had such little sleep before and I would love to say it’s because of my own fun but unfortunately it’s because for some reason these ‘type’ of people like to party all night long within meters of the guest rooms. Will never ever understand it. It’s the first time I’ve stayed anywhere and the best rooms are the ones that overlook the parking lot because they are the quietest. Has to be said that the number of Irish / English pubs in a Turkish resort is outstanding.

ConnieHeart · 13/10/2025 10:48

AeriatedAnna · 13/10/2025 10:38

This is an old post so it’s probably all been said by now, but I’d just like to say that not all AI are bad. I think perhaps you really do need to research your holiday. Apart from the noise in some hotels, I can’t say I’ve ever had a bad one.

”Those type of people”. I thought Mrs Bucket was dead.

Edited

I agree. I research thoroughly & have never had a bad AI

AeriatedAnna · 13/10/2025 10:38

This is an old post so it’s probably all been said by now, but I’d just like to say that not all AI are bad. I think perhaps you really do need to research your holiday. Apart from the noise in some hotels, I can’t say I’ve ever had a bad one.

”Those type of people”. I thought Mrs Bucket was dead.

Iwantmyoldnameback · 13/10/2025 10:07

RoseAlone · 12/10/2025 22:31

Don't blame you. I'd never do an all inclusive or package holiday because of having to be in the same vacinity as those type of people. I can think of nothing worse.

What type of people?

Iwantmyoldnameback · 13/10/2025 10:04

HappyMamma2023 · 12/10/2025 22:37

I think YABU suggesting 100k joint income is modest.

I think she did that to try and impress people she doesn't really think it. Of course location is a massive deal here.

HappyMamma2023 · 12/10/2025 22:37

I think YABU suggesting 100k joint income is modest.

RoseAlone · 12/10/2025 22:31

Don't blame you. I'd never do an all inclusive or package holiday because of having to be in the same vacinity as those type of people. I can think of nothing worse.

Ontheedgeofit · 12/10/2025 21:43

Paaseitjes · 12/10/2025 18:30

I'm a snob too. I looked at Ikos after such glowing recommendations, but it has French, Italian, Asian & International restaurants. Anyone who only eats in categories is riffraff and shouldn't be allowed a passport. Just go on a sunbed at Centerparcs. We do holiday extremes now: we stay in a tent on basic campsites and eat Michelin starred. No disappointment with hotels or food because we get exactly what we expect!

Yup! My absolute gripe with these resorts is the food. Turkish food is delicious. They would be so much better off just sticking with what they know rather than trying to please every palate and nationality under the sun. There is not much worse than replica bad American burgers and pizza.

Ontheedgeofit · 12/10/2025 21:41

Paaseitjes · 12/10/2025 18:30

I'm a snob too. I looked at Ikos after such glowing recommendations, but it has French, Italian, Asian & International restaurants. Anyone who only eats in categories is riffraff and shouldn't be allowed a passport. Just go on a sunbed at Centerparcs. We do holiday extremes now: we stay in a tent on basic campsites and eat Michelin starred. No disappointment with hotels or food because we get exactly what we expect!

We have an off road camping trailer / caravan (we live in South Africa) and I would choose to stay in my own caravan than many other establishments. We do the same thing. Travel around, stay in wonderful reserves and camps and eat out if we can.

ItWasTheBabycham · 12/10/2025 18:58

Just book a better holiday? If you’re not cut out for mid range AI, go on holiday less, book better.

BubblyBath178 · 12/10/2025 18:44

OMG, you’re such a snob!! You know that you’re just one of the ‘clientele’ that you claim to hate so much 😂 😂

Why don’t you just pack up your bags and head off to the Ritz? It’s probably more your style anyway.

Paaseitjes · 12/10/2025 18:30

I'm a snob too. I looked at Ikos after such glowing recommendations, but it has French, Italian, Asian & International restaurants. Anyone who only eats in categories is riffraff and shouldn't be allowed a passport. Just go on a sunbed at Centerparcs. We do holiday extremes now: we stay in a tent on basic campsites and eat Michelin starred. No disappointment with hotels or food because we get exactly what we expect!

loveawineloveacrisp · 12/10/2025 18:23

I'm at a high end all inclusive resort right now. I specifically chose it because it's got designated adults areas. But some parents don't think the rule applies to them and try to barge in with their offspring. Not to mention the feral kids running riot round the bar at night with no parents in sight, almost knocking waiting staff over. Why do some people think they don't need to parent on holiday?

Greenmouldycheese · 11/10/2025 22:23

FortyDegreeDay · 02/10/2025 22:06

Get a better job to increase your household income and then you can holiday at more luxurious hotels in exclusive destinations with higher class people although they might just look down their noses at you!

My thoughts too. I'm not a snob, but i am when it comes to holidays and I never see any rubbish behaviour on any of the destinations.

Greenmouldycheese · 11/10/2025 22:21

Arrrrrrragghhh · 11/10/2025 21:47

Thats not a fair assumption!
I think it can often come as shock how different people are on the same holiday.

One of my favourite places is a fairly tacky resort. There are always some really rough British families, some really healthy sports freaks ( it’s a fantastic location for cycling and running) and plenty of Scandinavian groups with their quirks. We are all on the same beach, in the same restaurants and visiting the same attractions.

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I get that but op has even said that it's unfair of her to say that because she's on the same budget holiday.