Budget all inclusive greek island experience

[Dreamsofthebeach]

I have never done this sort of holiday with DC. Wondering in anyone has gone on budget all inclusive breaks and was it good?

I cancelled a holiday, now planning on booking next Easter but for various reasons with less money. Kids set on Greek island. It'll be April and it won't be particularly warm.

I originally planned all inclusive by beach as desperate to relax. But thinking now if it's not warm maybe better to be somewhere interesting.

Also all inclusive seems good value but if not paying much maybe quality dodgy so perhaps better to self cater and eat in local cafes restaurants.

It won’t be much fun in April if it’s too cold to enjoy the beach. Can you go later in the year?

Tbh we’ve just booked one of these and it’s not easy finding one in Greece. We did eventually for one that didn’t look awful but it’s very expensive. If you want that type of holiday I would strongly suggest you go for Spain - the Balearic Islands are perfect. The Canary Islands are also lovely and the hotels seem much nicer and better value.

We go all inclusive and we don't have a massive budget at all. Obviously the food quality will vary from hotel to hotel but we have never had awful meals or struggled to find anything we like. The bigger the hotel the more choice of food. Why do you have to go in April ?

April was because it's cheaper (because of weather of course) and given that neither like super hot weather thought I could get away with it. Maybe end of May half term better.

We've been to Spain (not beach holidays) in winter and always had mild weather 18/19 degrees which was perfect but probably lucky that it was dry.

I think DC are set on Greece and would prefer location over fancy. Maybe better choice with Spanish packages though, having a look thanks. And yes if actually cold pool etc a waste.

I would def wait until May half term, the hotel we like in Greece doesn't even open in April, season starts mid May. If you're wanting pool and/or beach I wouldn't go before mid May. It's not too hot then either.

Hadn't thought about season not starting.
Spain is much much cheaper, looking at moment.
Really wanted a Greek island but Spain much more realistic.

IMO cheap and AI = not great food.

If you can afford it please reconsider your option to go AI. AI holidays have decimated local economies in Greece.

Our last abroad holiday was in Kos, and talking to local people we found out just how much they hate the tour operators and holiday makers who go to AI resorts and don't spend any money locally.

I hadn't thought of that either. I was thinking only of my budget. Local food is part of the holiday usually, just that money is tight.
But Greece has had a tough time, I wouldn't want to add to that. Spain too for that matter.

How old are your kids OP?
May half term will definitely be better for weather, if you're thinking early than that could you try Canaries/ morrocco?
In terms of cost, best value Greek islands are the bigger ones- Crete/Corfu/ Zante. Rather than booking a package could you get cheapie flights and book a local apartment/ b and b? Might be cheaper and more pleasant.

Our last abroad holiday was in Kos, and talking to local people we found out just how much they hate the tour operators and holiday makers who go to AI resorts and don't spend any money locally.

To be fair those AI resorts will employ a lot of local people and most people still go out at least once on their visit, I very much doubt the locals would want to see the AI resorts go for good, I imagine it would decimate tourism if they did.

In April, the Canaries with a heated pool in the hotel pool is probably the way to go if the pool is important. The sea in both the Med and Canaries will be too cold to be comfortable for most people.

I never do all inclusive because I don't like buffets for lunch and dinner and wouldn't want to be tied to food if it's not to my taste - I know you can eat out, but it makes it expensive compared with food you've already paid for as part of the package. However, I don't know what covid has done to the AI hotel buffet.

Whether AI or eating out works out best value depends on what your expectations are food wise. If you're big eaters or drinkers obviously AI can work out cheaper, but we usually compromise in that we'll eat out for a proper meal once a day, and for the other meal have a snack, ice cream, or easy supermarket food (cheese, ham, bread, crisps, olives etc). I couldn't eat two main restaurant meals every day anyway.

Or sometimes we go B&B and have a big late hotel buffet breakfast and then either a late restaurant lunch - works well in Spain where it's perfectly normal to have lunch at 3/4 pm and tapas or snacks in the evening, or have a snack lunch or just an ice cream and then a proper evening meal out.

What is it about Greece that is more attractive to your DC than a hotel in the Canaries with onsite heated pool and likely better weather? Is there a difference in what you can get for your money at either location?

We've always found eating out in the Canaries to be very reasonable, drinks quite cheap. Don't know about Greece, but I think you can get local food quite cheaply in many places, but then some islands, eg Santorini, have a reputation of being expensive.

If you’re looking for a cheap hotel what’s your budget? And are you fussy about which island it is in Greece? We’ve always done AI knowing we plan to eat out for lunch or dinner most days. We’ve done a range of budget and more expensive but we’re not fussy with the food as you can always find something to eat. I don’t eat fish which limits me slightly but there’s always salads and cold meats at the very least.
Last time we went to Kos we booked last minute for a budget AI hotel which was fine - everything was clean and the breakfasts were consistently good. We ate out most nights but we’d already planned that as we love the restaurants in Kardamena.

In April, I would personally go to the Canaries. But if you want Greece, perhaps Crete or Rhodes would be warmer than the other islands as they are further south?

£1500 for whole thing which I know isn't high but I think is doable. Around £1000 if self catered would be ideal.

I might look at separate flights/accomodation but I really wanted a lazy option. (Managing another language, independent travel and two kids left me exhausted last time!). Self catering in May half term is opening up more options.

DS2 primary school age - loves history and greek food. I know I enjoyed a trip to Lindos (acropolis) and Rhodes old town when I had a beach holiday on Rhodes. Assume you can pick up a bit of culture/history in any of the islands.

Greece is great for kids and yes lots of history and culture wherever you go. In all honesty I’ve never had a problem with language - English speaking tourists are well catered for. A self catering place would be fine, with lots of choice for eating out or eating in. You might find B&B isn’t much more expensive.

Don't go all inclusive in Greece, they have a tourist infrastructure based on self catering and b&b. All inclusive means that these people lose their businesses etc. All inclusive in Greece doesn't produce jobs for the locals apart from, maybe, cleaners.

May half term will be lovely in Greece. I recommend Crete, it gets warm early as it’s far south, it’s very laid back and not expensive (away from Chania and Elounda). Also plenty of history (Knossos/Minatour legend/great museums in Heraklion)

Self catering apartment somewhere close to a beach and a bunch of local tavernas for dinner would be my pick. Loads on air bnb. Maybe with a night or two in Heraklion to see the museums and historical bits. If you get an apartment with a shared pool then there’s always the option of lazy days by the pool too.

Doubt there will be much need for another language! English spoken everywhere.

@goose1964 the hotel we go to is very much made up locals, not just cleaners, the car hire place on site is ran by locals. The sports and entertainment teams aren't, but the chefs, wait staff, receptionists are almost all locals.

Well everything will be closed out of season won't it? And AI in Greece? I wouldn't.

I’d be going to the Canaries at that time of year.
Fuerteventura is lovely.

Can I just echo comments re the weather...the sea in Corfu in April was the coldest sea I've ever experienced, anywhere at any time!! 😱 Took me about twenty mins to get in...I was pregnant though so maybe extra sensitive?! 😂

We have been on loads of budget AI holidays as a family- Greece and Turkey.
I research well and always go for the smaller faily type run hotel, rather than the big complexes.
We have rarely been disappointed with food. It can be basic, but usually always a good variety- we have always eaten well.
AI doesn't tie you to the hotel, to eat but has the added advantage of all drinks and snacks, most hotels will make a packed lunch if you choose to go out for the day.
As others have said April is not great weather wise. Often rainy and windy and the hotel pool will be uncomfortably cold. And not everywhere will be open as it is still off season.

All inclusive in Greece doesn't produce jobs for the locals apart from, maybe, cleaners. I disagree.
Small AI hotels in Greece rely on local businesses, food delivery, bakers, laundry, taxi services. As user9086336 noted too all the small hotels use local staff, cleaners, bar staff, gardeners, cooks, waiter, housekeepers. AI hotels can and do support the local economy.

Am generally sold on end of May now.

I know people often dislike all inclusive and I really do take on board the issue re local economy, but I can see the appeal of everything being easy. I want to step off a plane into pre arranged transport, and not have to find restaurant for overexcited/tired children every day!

I won't be drinking alcohol but in terms of children snacking and drinking etc, must be convenient that its all covered.

Dreamsofthebeach Mumsnet is generall anti all inclusive. Many who have never even been on an AI holiday.
For us it was amazing with children.
Twho breakfasts or dinners- no problem. Endless amounts of soft drinks, ice cream, snacks, coffee, cakes. Mid morning food and mid afternoon by the pool too. No trips to a supermarket having to lug back heavy juice and water to the apartment.
AI is a real break for parents. Hotel service so beds made, fresh towels, rooms cleaned every day.
I refuse to go on holiday and wash dishes.

@speakout no, I have been on and will continue to go on AI holidays as I see fit.

The model didn't lend itself to the Greek tourism infrastructure though which is very different to that of the canaries, for example.

When holidaying in Greece, if you are genuinely bothered about the family run businesses and tavernas then use them. It is a different story in different parts of the world but the OP is talking about Greece specifically.

insights.ehotelier.com/insights/2014/07/27/%C2%93all-inclusive-greece%C2%94-is-a-disaster/