Day 1 of holiday. Hell.

Yeah, we’re lucky enough to be Ikos regulars but if that level of AI was out of budget I’d definitely just avoid AI altogether. Chin up and make the most of your holiday now you’re there, but don’t make the same mistake thrice.

Champagne taste, lemonade budget. Get a better job.

I don't mind an AI, we have done a couple. One was as you describe in Cyprus and one was lovely - that was in Mexico and was more expensive. DH hates AI he isn't so much a snob but hates crowds, queuing and people getting bladdered and singing karaoke (perhaps he is a snob?)😅

We usually stay in a small hotel/apartment complex, we tend to book direct with hotels. I find them by joining FB groups of the resort or island we are looking at and read posts and make a decision that way. You can get great info this way and choose something that you think will suit you.

You’re not on a proper 5* AI then.

Tbh I think you only ever get the real premium offering at Adults Only places which obv isn’t possible for you it seems.

Suck it up and make the best of it, so many can’t afford a holiday at all.

You booked crap hotel, that’s the problem it’s nothing to do with AI.

Did you do no research before you booked it. These days with the Internet you can find everything you need to know with TripAdvisor, tiktok and you tube to prevent this happening. The bottom line is lesson learnt just make the best of it.

I love a good all inclusive, went to some lovely all inclusives, and been to a cheaper one but knew I was going to eat out a lot too. If they’re not for you that’s fair enough.

What I don’t really understand though is why the other people at your hotel are having this much of an impact on your holiday. I go on holiday with my DW, we eat at our our table, we find a quiet area around the pool, we do trips out. The ‘class’ of the type of people at the hotel have little impact on my holiday.

Unless you’re in some cheap hotel and the people there are screaming at their kids, getting drunk and obnoxious and getting in your space then you should just try and concentrate on your family and enjoy yourself

There does seem to be a lot of people on this thread who assume an AI hotel holds you prisoner for the duration. We book AI or HB on occasion if it’s cost effective, but it doesn't rule out leaving the property to explore or eat as and when we fancy it, unless you’ve spent every last dime on the package.

I did AI for the first time last year. It was an Ikos resort in Greece.
It was nice and might be worth a look. Most of the restaurants were a la carte and I didn’t come across any buffets or drunkards. The alcohol was also premium brands rather than watered down rubbish.
I guess not all AI is alike.

AI generally are crap, for holiday makers and the local businesses. AI in Greece is mad. Greek food is gorgeous.
Find a lovely hotel, have breakfast if you want and then explore the area, Eat in a variety of restaurants, sampling the local cuisine.

Well you’re there now
Download books,podcasts some mindfulness apps and just crack the fuck on with making best of it

Snobby post, reeking of prejudice.
Describing guests as typical of all inclusive????
Enjoy your holiday

Why do AI then? You don't need a high budget to avoid the kind of experience you're describing. You just need to get an apartment/villa and self-cater/ eat out. I'd far rather self-cater or camp than do AI.

I actually dont think you are wrong for disliking AI. It's the way you describe the other guests that's so distasteful.

And I thought I was missing out!

what kind of stuff is going on?

I've only ever been on one AI holiday. It was in Croatia and was lovely, no drunken behaviour or anything tacky. We just did it because it seemed the best hotel in the area for young children.
I'm not a big fan of 'luxury' either to be honest. We don't spend that much time in the hotel, although we do like a nice swimming pool of possible, as we generally head out to see the sights in the area and to eat local food. We usually stay in small hotels with great reviews.

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!

I think going in term time/peak time must be truly awful though......?

All inclusive has its place but I wouldn't go all inclusive in Greece as I'd want to explore different restaurants and tavernas and you can easily get gyros etc to take out to reduce the cost.

I've never done AI, and we can't afford high end places. There are other options you know. But what do you want from a holiday? We like culture and seeing different places. The accommodation and food are less important. Usually we get a holiday flat, eat in sometimes and out sometimes, and spend our time exploring. That's what gives me a buzz, not posh hotels or free drinks.

Not sure what to say about this
..il just get my tiny violin out 😂.
Your not unreasonable for not enjoying what you dont like. However you are unreasonable for not being grateful for your privilege and next time just book better.

I've never gone All Inclusive. I know there are destinations, where hotels are a long way from facilities and you don't have much choice but to book AI. Some people love AI, and that's fine, I have nothing against it. For me, part of the experience of visiting another country is the local food. Therefore I want to eat in restaurants in the town, sampling local food. AI doesn't encourage tourists to use the local restaurants or bars (only once the AI drinks stop at 10 pm!), which brings money into the area. AI wouldn't be for me. I tend to book self-catering but will also consider just breakfast. You can stay in luxurious 5* hotels and have breakfast, rather than AI. Or book a private apartment or villa, and eat out!

There are so many beautiful and exclusive places to stay in Greece. Look for the smaller hotels. They probably won’t offer AI though but you will get DBB plus a bar or two and maybe a private pool room.

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.

What makes you think that? Given that you have the same budget etc, so are clearly in the same bracket?

I only book Airbnb or small hotels.