Day 1 of holiday. Hell.

I think AI is the only good option when you have kids. So many parents, mainly mothers, complain that holidays are never holidays for them, mostly because they are still doing all the cooking, cleaning, laundry etc. If you know your set up is that way inclined, I don't understand why you would book a holiday that would guarantee you also do those things there, too.

I think an AI type resort also has the features most suited to children for holidays, so it gives them the best chance of having a holiday that actually suits their needs.

We personally book AI, and then will have lunch and/or dinner locally every day. It just means the kids have an endless supply of food and drinks while we are in the hotel or a nearby beach.

Saying that, a holiday where you can go self catering and be more free is a real treat. I just think that doing that for a family of four or five would be very expensive and probably not ideal for kids who are dealing with a different climate.

Have a different holiday next year and meanwhile enjoy this one as much as you can. It’s a first world problem remember!

We have been to 3 Ikos resorts in Greece and they do a great all inclusive offering. The crowd is pretty nice and it’s fairly quiet resorts with lots of a la carte choices

Me too, as I’ve got older. A good way to avoid the kind of behaviour people are describing is to pick the right destination. We did a road trip around Arizona and Utah this year - not a loud/annoying/drunken family in sight.

Glad I am not the only one who rolled their eyes at that!

Don't worry. Anyone who says "speak my truth" will fit right in.

I would never book AI, I know I would hate it, so I am confused why you booked it twice! I remember sitting in a beautiful but empty restaurant in Greece about thirty years ago with the waiter standing outside trying to attract customers. Everyone just walked past and waved their arm at him, we had no idea what was going on until he explained they were showing him they had an AI wristband! He also told us the AI resorts were killing off a lot of restaurants. I mean, I can see the appeal for families, but I love going to different restaurants on holiday, I also love foreign supermarkets, so I travel elsewhere, and it sounds like you should too.

I’m surprised you’re not getting rinsed on here. I went AI in Egypt in Jan about 15 years ago and paid something like £350 each all in. we could have afforded more and it was our first resort holiday. The resort was actually lovely and the food great but the wine was like vinegar and the other cliental were not people we would normally associate with. I learnt a lesson. Simply you’re not spending enough money for the experience you want. Or go independent.

Reminds me of ex DP.

He takes his kids to Butlins every year. Loves it.

Its absolutely not his thing, but what makes him love it is that the kids love it. They can go off on their own (they each take a friend) to the fair or to some entertainment. He took them the first year after he split with his ex because he wasnt sure where to take them and wanted stuff to keep them occupied.

He wouldnt go there for a pension on his own, but always books the next year when they are on holiday. So what you see is "chavvy bloke who thinks Butlins is sophisticated, no wonder he is on his own" when the reality is a parent doing what makes the kidshappy, putting their own personal preferences second.

Fairly sure that what would suit me holiday wise would have had my kids bored to death and me tearing my hair out trying to entertain them back when they were young.

Champagne taste, lemonade budget.

Hate to break it to you OP, but lots of folk have a similar issue. Most of us would feel more comfortable in plush surroundings even - shock - the commoners.

In fairness, I should have had an inkling of what was coming when OP opened with “I must speak my truth”. 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

"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."

Hahaha I love the idea that Dave the boiler fitter from Harrogate would feel uncomfortable if his hotel was too nice. "Fookin hell Barb, I can't swim there - it's a fookin infinity pool with a view of the ocean. Where are all the white plastic beds? It's just not right. And that steak last night was far too tender. The Merlot paired so well that I had to water it down with Vimto just so I didn't get ideas above my station."

In all honesty if this is what’s in your budget you’re going to have to change your mindset or do something different. Although tbh I think self catering could end up being more expensive if you are out every meal.

We went on a cheap and cheerful AI in Greece this year. We knew from the outset what it was going to be like and accepted it and had a brilliant time.

Just learn the groups to avoid!

Can you go sightseeing and maybe take yourself away from the hotel? I would try to look for the positives if there are any? I have found over the years that all inclusive can be a bit hit and miss. Have been to some good ones and some really rubbish ones. If your budget allows maybe some nice meals out if the food is awful.

I don't like AI because for me part of the experience of visiting a place is exploring different food options and places to eat and if I've paid for meals up front I feel like I'm wasting money if I skip them and go somewhere else. For some people, though, that's more work than fun and they appreciate having everything catered. I don't think it's snobbish to eschew AI as long as you're not sneering at people who use/prefer it. As PPs have noted, though, you do get different levels of luxury in both AI options and in hotels or other lodging you book as stand-alone.

The income level of people around you will vary, as well as their travel preferences. You'd probably find some guests that booked this AI because they just got a couple of days off unexpectedly and are squeezing in one more holiday for the year and want to allocate their money to other things, others who've saved up for a once in a lifetime blowout, and everything in between. If you want to go for a much higher standard of luxury in your holiday lodgings next time, though, without changing your overall budget you might end up either going for a shorter time or going to a cheaper location.

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.

I would love some clarity on this. How would you and the other guests be in a high-end place? How will you be at home more than them??

If we do a ‘sunshine’ holiday, then we book a villa/bungalow/apartment with our own pool or one just shared with one or two other families. Our main meal each day is eaten out, so no cooking, we just put snacks together for anything else we eat. Just me and DH so nothing needed in the way of housework as we don’t make a mess in the first place. (And if DS and his partner come with us, they do their own tidying up). A villa and eating out may sound as if it’s more expensive, but our income is less than yours.

@Mydadsbirthday dont be so sanctimonious. Op has not mentioned her dc ages. They're probably under school age I imagine

If you lack the imagination to book anything other than an all-inclusive holiday, and apparently need to ask how holidays work if they’re not AI, I don’t think you’re in any position to be snobby.

Just book accommodation that looks nice, eat in local restaurants and do things other than the pool/beach. It’s not complicated.

AI is my idea of hell for so many reasons. If you already knew you hated it, why did you don't again?! Just book yourself your own place - home/apartment/villa whatever. You'll have more space and can eat out or cook as suits and it likely won't cost you any more than you are paying.

We hate AI (family of 5), we used to do AI when kids were little (mainly for evening entertainment), but I, like you, hated them for so many reasons (possibly I’m a snob too), so now we book Villas (have done each summer since my youngest DD was 3 (she’s 12 now). With a Villa we get to spend lovely quality time together, we go out in day trips, and to the beach but at the Villa you get your own space, own pool etc. we go out for food at night to try different restaurants each night.

this works best for us.

I am not a snob but I wouldn’t last 2 minutes. I would rather stay home.

We have less money coming in than you do, but we’re retired, have no dependants and live in Northern England, so disposable income may be similar. I would never book AI (I am the holiday organiser) because I can’t bear loud people drinking etc and we’re fussy about our food. We also don’t want to stay anywhere on holiday that isn’t as comfortable as our home and I like luxury, so I only book 5* hotels unless I’m travelling in an area where one isn’t available (think a few nights in Death Valley, or somewhere in Africa). You are not being unreasonable to be disappointed, but it was a bit irrational for you to book AI again.

I dislike AI holidays too. Fortunately DH agrees.

For the last three years we’ve spent about 18 days in France. We drive. Three centres per trip. Stay in cities or large towns in nice hotels so we have a choice of places to eat and drink in the evening. At least one is on the coast and at least one will have a pool.

Lovely lazy days exploring, stopping for drinks, finding spots to sit and read, the odd museum. We tend to picnic once a day and eat out once a day. I’ve got the right gear to do simple, grown-up picnics and we love browsing food markets.

Absolutely not everyone’s cup of tea but it does give us nice hotels and plenty of opportunities for fabulous restaurants. We can also avoid other people!

I like AI if I want a lazy book reading kind of holiday but only ever book 5* and tend to upgrade my room in the hope it gets me to a more exclusive part of the complex and away from the riff raff. Ideally in an adult only section as we don't have young kids anymore.

Nothing to stop you heading out for meals though and write off the AI aspect.

Ive just been AI to Egypt and it was lovely, great food, considerate fellow guests and amazing service. £4000 for two weeks for 2 adults.
We stayed either around the adult pool (no music allowed so just quiet chatter, reading or sunbathing) or our adult only swim up room, so it was fairly quiet. There was also an adults only beach club for and additional fee or an adults only section of the private beach if you wanted a more laid back atmosphere. All day there was waiter service so you never had to lift a finger (even your sunglasses were polished daily)
It was a little more livelier around the other pools but there was never any loutish behaviour. The main restaurant was great serving everything from beef wellington to sea bass, 3 further included a la carte, and 3 additional paid for restaurants and a coffee shop meant there was always lots of great quality food choices.
Full days of activities including sunrise beach yoga, Pilates, even sunset gong meditation. A gym and Spa, countless excursions and a PADI dive centre.
The alcohol choice was a bit limited due to import taxes but that didn't really bother me, there was however a fizz hour with bottomless prosecco on the terrace every evening, that was lovely with a musician playing in the background and had no loud or drunken people. Even the evening entertainment was good. It was one of the most relaxing holidays I've ever had.