Day 1 of holiday. Hell.

Only been once to Dom Republic on a AI.. Lovely hotel, lovely staff and 4 flipping families who idea was to get sloshed, drinking all day at the pool bar, kids screaming and being incredibly loud and annoying for two weeks. They were all British too, other nationalities were far more chilled. Why do so many British people think that holidays are just for getting stupidly drunk? I would see one or two of them passed out by the pool in the morning, covered in mozzy bites which the unkind side of me smiled at.

By far the best days were getting out of the complex and exploring, plus getting up early to watch the sun rise before the piss heads woke up.

Get out, get exploring and make the best of it and never book one again! The best kind of holidays for me anyway are ones where you get to actually see another country, try the food, rather than stay in a hotel complex, could do that in Butlins.

Re: star ratings, they are often based on the range of facilities (for example one of the general requirements of a 3 star hotel is a 24-hour reception). They don't guarantee the quality of the service/food. It has been known for a 3 star hotel to add a small spa to gain a 4th without improving anything else.

As for AI - I have only done it when staying at an on-site hotel at Port Aventura and then it was an absolute godsend because dragging a 5 year old offsite into Salou to eat was not happening.

What hotel are you at? What did it cost you?

ikos or sani … you’re out of season this week so should be reasonable

As you can afford it, you can surely forego some of the 'all inclusive', go out, explore and eat in restaurants? A lot of people do that some of the time anyway, not everyone has their meals on site just because they've paid for them.

Use the hotel as somewhere to sleep, I'm sure it is reasonable if not the height of luxury, and enjoy the area. You will have a good time and when there's a day that you feel tired, the facilities are there for you to fall back on.

Next year book something different but don't spoil this year's holiday when there is much to be enjoyed - make the most of your time in Greece, it's fabulous.

I really fancy Ikos but I could never afford it in the school holidays

I just don't get the snobbery about AI.

You're not held prisoner in the resort. The people who go AI are all sorts. I dunno where you are OP but I've never been put off by my fellow holidaymakers.

We do adults only though which i think sometimes is a bit more luxury feeling only because there's no noisy children.

We are retired and like nice, peaceful Saga cruises. However every summer we take DSs and their families to an all inclusive in the Dominican republic. Many noses turn up at the very mention of the Dom Rep, but we have never failed to have a brilliant time at our much loved hotel.

Several restaurants with different cuisines, a couple of buffets but I hate buffets so never go there, a waterpark on site, watersports including little sailing boats, everything for all of us.

Totally different from our first all inclusive hotel in Majorca, just with DH. Very crowded, plenty of tattoos and large people scoffing very large plates of food.

It boils down to you get what you pay for. If it is cheap it will be full of people you probably would not socialise with at home.

Snobbish, me? You bet!

From your post, I’m not sure what’s actually wrong with it? You’ve just said you don’t like the other people there but not what the problem with the place is.

I went on AI in Greece a couple of times with kids - it was lovely! We went for a room with a swim up and it was fab.

We have a £100k combined income or thereabouts and I’m absolutely a snob. I’d never do an all inclusive. 😂

We have lovely family and solo holidays both self catering (very nice) holiday cottages in the UK or Airbnbs in Europe. Very doable on our income and so much nicer. In Europe, we go to markets and local restaurants and playgrounds and beaches and hardly see other British people. We seem to spend the same or less than people do AI. It’s not at all difficult if you don’t eat at restaurants 3 meals a day and drink like a fish. So yes, if you’re a snob, I absolutely am too!

I’d hate it too OP. Can you just use the hotel for sleeping and go out in the day?

Not trying to be "that poster", but if you wanted luxury, why on earth didn't you just book luxury? Moaning that you've booked cheap and cheerful Skegopolous when you apparently wanted Atlanticos or Ikos doesn't really seem very smart.

Anyway, you're there now, so just have another cocktail or three and make the best of it. Go for a few nice dinners in town. Just because its AI, doesn't mean you can't leave or eat elsewhere.

Ikos looks gorgeous.
Sani Resort (same group) is also fab if you prefer Half Board / Full Board.

I'm confused - book a 5* luxury all inclusive hotel.

This happened to me at the Datai Langkawi, poor chap was so apologetic - he thought we were out. Hasn’t put us off going back though, mistakes happen. Still my favourite hotel in the world!

I’ve done AI Ikos in Greece and it was superb.

op what star rating is it ??

I would also hate a cheap AI with buffet food. Nothing about it appeals.

Ive had some fantastic cheap holidays staying in very basic accommodation eating out in amazing local restaurants each night instead. So much nicer.

If I could afford it I would consider Ikos or similar but tbh I would probably still prefer to eat out at local places - just maybe slightly better accommodation that what I use now.

I know some people who get cheap AI mainly for the drinks - but I’m not a big drinker so this wouldn’t be value for money for me personally.

Erm, earn more so you can stop booking cheap hotels then? There are some incredible luxury all inclusive hotels. Presumably those are out of your budget and you’re left with the buffet/ kids club ‘4 star’ places. Increase your budget.
P.s. the other people there are probably saying the same things about you as you are about them…

you should stay at home because you do not sound a joy to be around

“I have to speak my truth”

YABU just for that ridiculous statement.

If you don’t like all inclusive then don’t book all inclusive ffs.

I love a good all inclusive. My favourite ones have been in turkey. Did one in Crete this year and it was ok. For the money we paid it was all just very average and I wished I'd chosen somewhere in Turkey again. I felt a bit disappointed on day one but gave my head a wobble, felt grateful for being there and just enjoyed switching off and spending time with DH and the kids having fun, being in the pool, not having to cook etc and away from the pressures of us both working full time, school, admin, housework etc. For me an all inclusive makes me feel like I can totally relax with 3 young kids when we've gone villa holidays even just thinking what to fill the fridge with or chuck on the BBQ is another thing to do and the kids do love making holiday friends which isn't so easy in a villa. I certainly couldn't give a toss about the other people, as long as people are behaving, no violence etc then who cares. I actually like that we get chatting different people from all over UK and Europe and the kids make friends with kids from all over.
But DH is keen to not do AI next year - plus prices seem to have gone insane, so I think next year we will do something different. I like the sound of an apartment in a complex so it's a bit of both worlds.

I bloody love all-inclusive on a Greek island!
I go Grekotel - Food is always glorious, grilled fish, kebabs, Greeks salad,
lunch in the beach bar, coming off the beach at 6ish for a sun downer!
I think you’re just in the wrong hotel OP!

Sorry, this made me laugh 😃

You get what you pay for.
We tend to go for 5 star AI or a private villa.
I explicitly ask my travel agent to only pick resorts that aren't chavvy.
She's always recommended top end resorts - more expensive but worth it