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Original poster

What is there to do at an all inclusive holiday?

28 replies

BubblesBubbly · 20/07/2019 15:30

pil and sil go on an AI holiday each year to lanzarote or southern spain. They'd like us to come with them next year, It's just shy of £3k for 4 of us to go to one of the bog standard ones with no watersports facilities except a pool.

How do you entertain yourself and a 9yr old and 5yr old for 2 weeks?

Experiences welcome!

OP posts:
Nearlyfriyay987654321 · 20/07/2019 15:34

A lot of AI have activities for kids during the days, water based, land based etc. Depends where you go, lots of kids make friends with other kids. There are also kids clubs and play areas. W
What do you nrornally do on holidays with the DC?

user1493413286 · 20/07/2019 15:37

When we did all inclusive we did leave the resort - went to the local town and, did a couple of day trips. Obviously on the day trips we then had to pay extra for lunch but we weren’t worried about that. I think 2 weeks is a bit long for us for that type of holiday tho as we can only manage so many pool days

beluga425 · 20/07/2019 15:42

Eat and drink!

Seriously only been on two and people were eating terrifying amounts.
We managed to escape and explore the surrounding areas.

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5 year olds 9 year olds
emilyhamptoncakeslice · 20/07/2019 15:46

Ask them to pick one with a free kids club or don't go

Theimpossiblegirl · 20/07/2019 15:47

I love a relaxing AI holiday with the kids. Pool days where they play and make friends and I read, days out doing our own thing, generally chilling and enjoying family time.
You're not in prison, they let you out and many will often give you a packed lunch if you ask the night before.
I also love exploring and city breaks, but AI hotels are great for relaxing.

NoSauce · 20/07/2019 15:52

I would look for a hotel with a kids club ( it’s there if you need it ) and other facilities for the children and one that’s nearby to shops, restaurants and sightseeing and then show it to your PILs.

AI can get very repetitive if you’re stuck there for two weeks, eating there every single day.

BackforGood · 20/07/2019 15:53

Personally, I like to relax with a book, and dip in and out of the pool every so often.
I know a lot of MNers like to sneer at it, but it s the most relaxing way to just 'stop' and recharge for me.
At that age, my dc would be in and out the pool all day. They'd also read for a bit too. It's lovely because they can just go and get drink or ice cream whenever they want without it being another 3 euros every time.
Most do have kids clubs and excursions etc like most hotels and packages offer if that's what you want. Plus, of course, you aren't 'locked in' you know - you are completely free to go and discover the local area if that is what you prefer to do on holiday.

AlpenCrazy · 20/07/2019 15:53

I'd see if the 5 yo would be interested in the kids club to give you a break

It'll be fab for the 9 yo as they will probably make friends poolside and can join in the activities throughout the day with their gang.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 20/07/2019 15:57

Unless they lock you into the complex for two weeks there is absolutely loads to do in lanzarote. Bike rides along the traffic free promenade, camel ride up to the volcano, waterpark, the beach, there is a small theme park. There is tons of stuff to do.

Original poster
BubblesBubbly · 20/07/2019 16:07

Thanks!

What activities do they usually do in kids clubs? My 9yr old hates clubs but loves making friends! My 5yr old dd loves anything!

I like the idea of not having to fork out for drinks all the time, I know they'll pester us!!

Our typical holidays abroad are active in the mountains with camping or air bnb. Our last 2 holidays abroad have been Via ferrata and rock climbing (all our own kit and experienced so dirt cheap).

I think the kids will be fine! I'm worried about me and dh.

OP posts:
Original poster
BubblesBubbly · 20/07/2019 16:08

@crisp the volcano trip sounds ace!! (As a geography teacher!)

OP posts:
Longdistance · 20/07/2019 16:09

We do AI nearly every year. Get pool floats/rings, kids clubs, in the pool constantly. The day is planned around food, drink, relaxation, play, trips.
We hire a car too, and do the sights for a few days. Pack a sneaky picnic from breakfast Blush

avalanching · 20/07/2019 16:11

We did a week a couple of years ago with a 6 and 3 year old. I was really nervous as we are not the sort to sit on a beach, we like to get out and about. But I have to say we loved it, between beach, pools, kids club, water sports,food and drinking we easily filled the days! We hired a car for one day to explore the nearest town.

I have to say though, a week was enough for me. 2 weeks would be too much for this type of holiday for us, only time we do 2 weeks is when we're really busy like road trips, and Florida.

AbbyHammond · 20/07/2019 16:13

I'd only do a week or the food will be repetitive.

countdowntonap · 20/07/2019 16:15

^please don’t do the travel ride. I’ve seen the camels their be beaten, and they’re tied up with limited movement for extended periods.

Original poster
BubblesBubbly · 20/07/2019 16:19

That's a good idea @longdistance about the breakfast!

Thanks @countdowntonap. Yeah was thinking more about the volcano than the ride up there.

OP posts:
ILiveInSalemsLot · 20/07/2019 16:19

I’ve only been on one and they packed us a lunch and we went off out on tours and bike rides. The tours cost extra but were worth it.

Itstheprinciple · 20/07/2019 17:19

The same as on any other holiday really! Some days by the pool, some days out and about exploring markets, water parks, places of interest, beach. I wouldn't go for 2 weeks though - only a week or 10days max. On days by the pool, there are usually things going on e.g. A programme of activities morning and afternoon which you can get involved with or not depending how you feel.

The advantage of being AI is, as others have said, when you are in the resort, you can just get a drink or a snack without having to pay out each time. Your meals are all provided - although I do have to say, if we're out and about during the day we get lunch out somewhere, we don't stress about getting back to the hotel and we usually have dinner out somewhere else on 1 or 2 nights. I'm sure there are some people who feel like because they've paid for it at the hotel, they don't want to pay again. It's worth it for us because of the drinks and ice creams (not just the alcoholic drinks, the soft drinks too and DD loves a hot chocolate when she's been in the pool all day!)

PriestShame · 20/07/2019 17:28

As others have said, they’ll often make up a packed lunch if you explain that you’re going to be out for lunch.

We’ve been to a few that have had a free bus going into some of the tourist areas - local towns, beaches etc.

BitchQueen90 · 20/07/2019 17:49

AI doesn't mean tied to the hotel, we go AI a lot (mainly for the drinks/snacks as my DS is an absolute gannet and I like a few cocktails). We still go out and about and do plenty, with the a couple of days spent lazing by the pool to recharge.

NeverGotMyPuppy · 20/07/2019 18:04

I love MN - it seems that AI = prison.

OP you should be able to go out a lot. Every AI I have been to are happy to prepare a picnic at no cost with 24 hrs notice.
I love the freedom of trying stuff with AI

Cornishmum00 · 20/07/2019 18:04

We love al, kids free to have as much ice cream as they like, the last one we went to had a free bus to local beach, pool activities and was close enough to walk to town when we wanted to. Much easier to budget as you hardly need any spending money unless you plan to do local excursions

Stargirl90 · 20/07/2019 20:09

AI is the best! We normally get out every day, to the town, shops, beach etc, also spend time by the pool and in the bar on the night there will be entertainment and kids stuff is usually on first like a disco and party games

AlpenCrazy · 21/07/2019 09:34

there's a massive middle class snobbishness around AI

Reminds me of that hilarious article the other week by Carol Midgley in the Times where she ripped the piss out of Kate Winslet with her "working class" credentials because she'd always holidayed in a tent in Cornwall or France, as opposed to going on a "proper" holiday abroad. (Carol said that was the very clear signifier of the middle classes, going camping in Cornwall, as opposed to the working classes who packaged in Torremolinos wearing Kays catalogue holiday clothing bought on tick).

Add in the mountain climbing/canyoning/white water rafting/other activity and there's a sneering sense that the lower classes can keep their all you can eat prison camps whilst us middle classes spend 40p, see a real slice of the country and are way healthier as they partake in wholesome family action packed activities all day long.

It's really tiresome. We've done lots of different sorts of holidays and AI IME are fabulous if you are a family that all like doing different things, as it's easy to cater for each person every day.

When my DC were at primary, DDs primary goal was to make an English speaking friend or two and play in the pool all day. DS wanted constant organised team activities and competitions. DH wanted to snorkel and spend time on a beach. I wanted to snorkel and pootle about a bit, eat some locally caught fish in a seaside taverna etc. Can do all of these things on that type of holiday keeping everyone happy, which surely is the Holy Grail of a family holiday?

DelurkingAJ · 21/07/2019 09:40

I suspect much of the AI snobbery comes from how blooming awful some of them were 30 years ago. We went on one with my DParents in the 90s and it was grim...food warm and out for hours, one tiny pool etc. One of the joys of the internet is that it wouldn’t survive now because the reviews would be awful. But I confess, until we went on one as a last minute deal I would have set my face against them because of that experience. Now they’re the best!