Day 1 of holiday. Hell.

Where are you? Which resort?

there are so many rich numpties about, its hard to avoid. Perhaps you need 5 star B&B ?

@popdepop please do share which one. I’m building a list for holiday planning purposes

We've just come back from AI in Gran Canaria. It was peaceful and quiet. I carefully researched to make sure it was exactly what we wanted.
Why book a holiday that isn't what you wanted.

Yep, it's snobby, but YANBU! Of course you're uncomfortable surrounded by people not from your social class, that's standard human behaviour and you shouldn't feel bad about it. Human beings are very tribal - we like to be amongst our own type. Some are naturally more insular than others and struggle to cope with behaviours that aren't 'normal' for your own class/type.

It's generally a good thing to try to broaden your mind through different experiences, but it's often not at all relaxing, so not really what I want to do on holiday! It's hard not to judge other people who behave differently, even though we should try hard to appreciate difference.

We enjoyed our all inc trip but was a lovely hotel TBH. Sadly Im a bit like you ! Champagne taste potato money Nan called it.Try and make the best of it now if you can and dont worry . A break is good . We cant all do the Bahamas sadly!

If you want luxury you have to pay for luxury.

It seems weird to go AI if you don’t like it. I find cost wise unless you have young DCs who want ice creams and drinks during the day, or you’re a big drinker then it’s a lot cheaper to go HB. When we stayed at Seaside Los Jameos in Lanzarote - 4 star but might be 5 now it’s renovated- we upgraded for 3 days to AI. I didn’t like it as I got bored with the food although there was a good variety and felt I was drinking to get my money’s worth.

OP have you ever thought about cruising? It’s AI but not as you know it….

I’m admittedly a bit of a holiday snob but I have found plenty of all inclusive resorts over the years that I am very happy staying at. My personal favourite is Sandals for an
AI and some great deals to be had.

I think it depends where you go as well. We went to a 4 star AL in montenegro this year, the food was amazing, it was alittle over crowded and some randoms acting silly over the food but nothing like how it is in let's say Spain where 4 stars AL are terrible.

I hear you op. We went to an amazing luxury resort in the Maldives for our honeymoon so thought we'd like it but then took out DC a couple of years ago to what looked like a decent 4* highly rated in Greece. Hideous.

For those wanting examples of what was hideous about it: people playing music by the pool, smoking and drinking on sunbeds. There was meant to be afternoon tea but staff would put out a few sad looking cakes and people would swoop in and pile their plates. At dinner the same, everyone rushing to get big piles of food and then plates being left half full. Greedy inconsiderate people. Never again we went back to nice villas and are much happier. We reckon you need to be spending £8k+ for a family of 4 to get a better class of AI. I'm sure they exist but that's more than we spend on a holiday so like you, champagne tastes, lemonade budget!

You need an Ikos hotel in your life.

This is a bit like saying "I don't like cars" because you bought two shit cars. Great cars are available to buy at every budget.

Do more research and don't buy shit cars.

If the place isnt great, id just use it as a base to explore from.
I dont understand why you rebooked somewhere you hated. Does everyone else enjoy it?

I live AI but go 4/5 star. Meet lovely people. In fact, we now all go back together every year. I a bit of a snob but do think you pay your money and take your choice. Look at the top of the range Tui Blue. Mind you, I’ve never not enjoyed a holiday - you just have to go with it and make the best of it.

If you want luxury, you can get much more for your budget by booking regular hotels and eating out. And then you actually get to see the place you have visited and eat authentic local food as well.

All inclusive is for people who want to switch their brains off on holiday. Which is fine, but it's not for me.

Our seriously loaded and posh friends don't stay in hotels or rent villas they stay with friends or in family holiday homes. They don't go anywhere near the general public.

You can still explore more. I’ve only stayed in AI once and they did packed lunches for us if we requested the day before for going out and about. Is that an option for you?

I don’t know about that, I’m looking at Ikos for next year. If OP is there, happy to help bring the tone down. 😄

If I want adventure I have booked with Exodus, its all done by them and I turn up with my list of things they tell me to bring. Plus repeat booking get 5% off - which I didn't realise until I booked again with them 6 years later and they gave me the discount

Just eat out!

We’ve done all inclusive a few times and it’s generally a mix. Once it was utterly rubbish - so we just ate out every night on that holiday. Cost extra obviously but no point eating miserable food

You’re there now - you’re in the situation you’re in - and you are in the financial position that you can at least do something about it.

Preferring to holiday less often but in more expensive hotels is perfectly reasonable.

The deluded belief that everyone else wouldn't also feel more comfortable in a luxury location is not. It sounds like to think you're better than them!

I have been on a few, Morocco, Lanzarote, Menorca, Kos, Cape Verde

They fit a purpose for me and I've found the people watching wonderful.

Kos was defiantly the best, it was May which meant the hotel was quieter and it was really good food and location

I find the food usually good - Menorca was ok food but not as good as the others. We take books and read the holiday away, sprinkled with a bit of people watching. Rarely go off site and have found 5 days is the optimum time frame rather than 7 days for this type of holiday.

Menorca we had one alcoholic drink per day, we rarely go overboard - but what I like is everything was paid and it was approximately £100 per day

I went on a cruise this year with Cunard - I found that was a decent alternative relaxing holiday and similar to all inclusive. I enjoyed sitting with lots of different people for dinner and chatting. The ports we stopped at were great and we just did our own thing rather than excursions. Similar price to all inclusive but different customers

Throw kids in the mix and ai works for us. My idea of hell previously. We eat out most nights and just factor the cost in, helps negate the can I have a snack / drink / ice cream requests during the day.

I stayed in a fab all inclusive in Greece, private pool penthouse. Could you get an upgrade to a swim up room?

pick better, look for ones you can order off the menu? Also try club med. You really do get what you pay for.