Day 1 of holiday. Hell.

It depends what you want out of a holiday though. If you like eating everything with chips, flopping next to a pool shoulder to shoulder with other holiday makers with your wine in plastic cups, doing the conga while listening to some cheap singer on an evening, then AI all the way. If you like using your hotel as a base whilst you go off to experience the local culture and food, and the sights of the country you’re visiting, then maybe not. AI is my idea of hell…

I wouldn't stay at all inclusive. People assuming 5 star is classy may be mistaken. A lot of 5 star just means certain boxes are ticked in terms of facilities, but you might still be stuck with people or an in an environment which is not what you're hoping for. Some very nice smaller boutique hotels, which don't have the required 5* things, are significantly more luxurious and classy, it's not purely money related. I recently stayed at hotel Chocolat which was about £900 a night, and activities were quite a lot, the staff weren't very good, some of the other guest from the US, were just awful, have had much more luxurious holidays for a quarter of the price. Do your research. It's like cruises, some people think those are luxurious, and others would avoid them like the plague.

I would never go an AI holiday for the same reason. However I like staying in hotels. I don't like large luxury hotels where there are often lots of rich but chavvy people, I like smaller interesting ones which have high standards. I have done half board and also B&B and eaten in various restaurants in the evenings. I holidayed this way often when my children were young, but also took them on self-catering holidays in a family member's holiday home.

Me and my teenage son had our first AI holiday this year just after his GCSEs.
It was just what we wanted - fly and flop. Nothing to think about. Glorious weather. We had our own little bungalow metres from the sea. Adults only (they show discretion with 16 and 17 yos e.g with family). The food was fine.

Walked, cafes, the pool (no music), I ran while he slept in, one excursion, lots of reading. We didn't partake in the evening entertainment, just relaxed in our rooms watching telly (it coincided with the women's Euros and Wimbledon) or reading.

We talked to a few of the other guests, but mostly people kept themselves to themselves just having a nice time.

Why do you hate it? I've never been but like the idea especially with young children.

We went last year and the food was so poor we ate out every night, much better, soaked up the atmosphere came and went when we liked.

We went self catering last holiday and it was much nicer. Tea and toast in bed calm start o the day and then out and about not worrying about lunch or dinner!!

If you don’t have kids, don’t go all in!

Make tge most of this holiday op. The vast majority of brits can't afford one.
Just because it's all inclusive doest mean you are tied to it 24/7.
Have a hearty breakfast and take yourself off for the day or do a half day at the resort and then go for a fabulous dinner.

I get it, sometimes when you've experienced something else you can't help but compare it. Make the most of where you are, enjoying a break and some family time ❤️

It does look nice but you’re easily talking 13 grand for a holiday to Greece.

Greece is better but you need a bigger budget there

Long ago in another life I stayed at what I presume was a high end AI resort and it was just really, really boring, and even worse because it was obviously also so expensive and such a privilege to be there. Never again.

But you’re not a prisoner. Go out and about and find a good time somewhere else and just sleep at the resort.

We went on an AI holiday earlier this year and at the hotel there was a barefoot guy who would always be barefoot, even to eat in the restaurant during the evening. I found it amusing to be honest. It was all tiled in there too and there were faint sweaty footprints where he walked. We all had shoes on so didn't mind

Also I have never been to a bad all inclusive hotel. Although I only go 5 star. I don't always pay a lot as look for good deals. But europe doesnt do all inclusive very well unless its high end.
I have been to cyprus, dom rep, antigua, menorca, st lucia, jamaica, mexico hotels as all inclusive and always been amazing.
My DH doesnt like the fact you are based so much in the resort, I really love a vast sprawling resort with multiple pools and bars and the weekly bbq and the fish nights and beach parties. He isnt so keen on this. He would rather a villa or a boutique hotel. But with kids its so much easier.
Our AI hotel in cyprus last year was lovely. It even had an art studio where you could go and paint or make ceramics. Noone was drinking shots or propping up the bar all day. It was all verh civilised. But there were multiple beach bars with amazing cocktails and the food was amazing.our room was ground floor with the beach and beaxh bar in view. Which was really good as we sat on our deck chairs drinking pina coladas.
The room makes a difference too. If you get a crappy room in a nice resort it can ruin your holiday. I am quite fussy om the room and location of the room.

It's ok to have different tastes. We don't have an amazing budget, but we always pick hotels that don't offer all-inclusive with drinks included, and that are adults only. I don't want to be around people who want to drink all day, whether that's twenty somethings doing shots or middle aged men slipping into beer comas while sunbathing all day.
Even better to book half board and have some nice meals out, rather than limit yourself to the hotel only!

What are AI people?

If you have such an income why haven’t you chosen a five star all full board or half board where the drinks are extra? We went to a lovely one last year with great facilities, adults only and you can still opt to eat out if you want.

I don’t think you are very good at booking holidays.

Why do you feel it's not luxurious enough for you? Is it just the other people there? If the food is nice at least you don't have to cook it yourself and wash up and the kids get a choice. Hopefully it's warm and you can relax with a book.

YABU as you have no idea what those people want. Maybe, like you, they're laying about rueing their awful choices.
Or they're more sensible and know that at this point they need to make the best of a bad situation.

So.. you booked a holiday, in your budget. You are now holidaying with other people in a hotel who presumably have the same budget as you.. and you hate it??
What do you hate?
I love all inclusive, but I spend a lot of time finding really nice all inclusive hotels.
My DH would prefer boutique hotels and not spend time in the hotel.
However, he has conceded that all inclusive with kids is far easier and less waste and they can get drinks and eat when they want. Its just easier.
We have tried boutique with kids and its actually crap as you trapse around looking for nice eateries and the kids wont eat the menu, they get bored etc.
A nice all inclusive, is so easy with kids.
Maybe you jist booked a crappy one. How did you research it. I will trapse through trip advisor reviews and pictures and research the actual hotel website like I am an international spy to make sure I am not booking one that I will hate and we have had good luck with our hotels so far. Fingers crossed.
What specifically do you hate about the hotel?

Book something more expensive then

@

Oh OP, you are WILD! There are things you say, and things you think but I guess this is an anonymous forum so fill your boots!

To be honest, I hate AI holidays too, I hate everything about them. The food, the pools (the towels), the entertainment, the drinks, the people. I would never go by choice. You can stay in a fancier resort but it’s still an AI resort.

You should go to an over the water villa in the Maldives with a butler. But if you can’t afford that, well you have to hang with the rabble or stay home. Sad, huh?

Meliá 5 star chain. Gorgeous. All inclusive. Luxury.

MNs snobbery over AI holidays will never ever not be funny to me

I wonder if Tattle have got hold of this yet. They'll have a field day.

We go for pretty high end hotels in nice locations but B&B only - I like varying it up every night - however the one we stayed in this year had such lovely restaurant terrace and great food we actually ate there 3 nights and if they had done AI. ( pretty sure they don’t) I would be tempted - it was about £280 a night in early July but calm, fragrant and very few kids at all even though it isn’t adults only, probably because it doesn’t have a pool - although is straight onto beach and sea - recommended - the village has about 20 restaurants and bars too - lovely upmarket vibe. Here’s the link for anyone looking for that vibe Universal aquamarine sant Elm Majorca

https://www.booking.com/Share-lBrb8I