Please remind me to never go on an all inclusive holiday ever again!

[MouthBreather]

Just back from an all inclusive holiday. Thought it would be easy with teens and a nice rest for the grown ups.

I didn’t factor in inconsiderate, greedy ‘Brit’s abroad’ into my holiday calculations.

Sun beds were all gone by 7.30am, made worse by no one occupying them until after lunch. People playing loud, shit music over the top of the hotel music, kids bombing round the pool shouting football chants, people making ‘communal’ plates of food for their table at breakfast and taking all the freshly cooked stuff, then not even bloody eating it!

I’m looking into a private island for next year. Anyone want to come??

You get what you pay for is true though.

I hate the AI bashing on MN. We have been on several AI holidays and haven't experienced any of this. The only thing we have had is the sun bed issue but even then it hasn't been the end of the world. I just fussy because I want a lounger with a parasol near the back! And I couldn't always get that but we've usually got a lounger.

It's quite cringe worthy that on MM you cannot judge ANYTHING - apart from AIs.

I know right!

I like AI in some places, but it depends on the location.

So if we were going somewhere like Tenerife, where there are hundreds of cheap bars and restaurants on the doorstep, then I wouldn't bother with AI, as you can usually get better a few minutes walk away.

If you go somewhere like Cuba, you don't really have any choice but to go AI, unless you are going to do the staying with a host family thing, because there is usually very little in terms of restaurants/bars outside of the resorts, and there isn't really any other choice.

And the sunbed problem isn't exclusively an AI thing anyway. It's a problem in any busy hotel/apartments.

I can well believe AI is like this. It sounds awful OP.

Yes, everyone says you don't go to Cuba for the food

Wow at all the posters offended by the OP not enjoying AI! I think by its very definition it is sure to attract the greediest, laziest people who wont venture outside the hotel -why would they if theyve paid to be entertained and fed in one place?

Sympathies.... I generally go to places that 'brits abroad' would hate. And until recently have camped. Your description sounds the antithesis of a restful holiday. For those that would love it great, but it clearly didn't match your wants mine neither which is a shame when you've taken time out and spent good money

@beatriceprior I have sent you a pm.

We did AI this year. I appreciated it because I take the dc by myself and it was just so.much easier for them.to get themselves a drink when they wanted. And to choose whatever they fancied without long discussions about where we were going to eat that suited everyone.
The prices for food by the hotel were eye wateringly expensive so I appreciated only having to pay extra on the days out that we had.

I think by its very definition it is sure to attract the greediest, laziest people who wont venture outside the hotel -why would they if theyve paid to be entertained and fed in one place?

The behaviour of "Brits Abroad" is completely different to other nationalities in the same place. It's like chalk and cheese. Strange how other nationalities can behave respectably and responsibly but the "Brits Abroad" type of people can't. It's the people themselves, not the hotel/resort type. Most other nationalities aren't greedy and lazy in AI hotels/resorts.

Friends just came back from AI in Cuba and had a wonderful time. Hotel really nice and no loud Brits so it must depend on when and where you go I suppose. She did say though that there were some Brits moaning that there weren't chicken nuggets and chips on the buffet menus. 🤦‍♀️

@BogglesGoggles I'll tell you why. 18 euros for a gin and tonic at a hotel in Palma. I always go AL as it saves a fortune on the bar bill !! I still go out to the local restaurants and other bars though.

I never understood the point of AI abroad. If you aren’t going to go to local restaurants, go out to whatever there is in the area etc. what’s the point? Just stay in a nice hotel in Britain and eat at their restaurant for every meal.

The weather? The sea? The pool? Watersports? The fact you can actually leave the hotel, it isn't a prison.

😂 at the idea that people on AI holidays never leave the hotel.

@userxx fair enough, I’m not the type to get drunk on holiday and hadnt thought of that!

@BlueSkiesLies I took it the OP was spending every day at the resort (and so was everyone else there) judging by the sun loungers issue.

@BogglesGoggles I don't get drunk either, just enjoy myself :-)

I think the thing with AI is, you know roughly how much the holiday is going to cost. My friend spent a week in Portugal half board and ending up spending £700!! The whole holiday probably cost her near to £1400 - she could have gone to Mexico for that amount of money.

@userxx but surely the only point of cheap alcohol is to get intoxicated to a greater or lesser extent? If you’re drinking for enjoyment then wouldn’t you go somewhere with a good selection and a nice atmosphere and expect to pay a not small amount for it?

I would expect to spend that money externally so wouldn’t factor it in iyswim?

I do, the hotels I stay in have a lovely atmosphere and a fabulous selection of top branded spirits.

I personally think 1 person spending £1400 on a 3 star hotel out of school holidays is really excessive.

I don't think it's AI, you get what you pay for can do it cheap just because it's long haul doesn't mean it's going to be good. We stayed in a fab place but we had to pay a fair bit for it.

@notso if you want luxury AI try ikos Oceania in Greece or mitsis alia

Henrysnoopy. Where did you go pls. Looking for ideas for next year x