Is self catering just as expensive as all inclusive?

[cantbloodywaitforabreak]

We've always gone all inclusive but now with the three kids it's just extortionate! So I thought we could go to our usual resort that we love but I don't know if we would just end up spending the same amount or even more.

I thought maybe we could do a huge food shop once we get there. Have breakfast in the apartment then just eat out during the day and sometimes on the evening.

DH seems to think we will just end up spending the same amount and we may aswell just book all inclusive.

I do think - as someone said way upthread - that HB might be a good option.

We usually self cater or go B&B as DH in particular likes trying out different restaurants, but as we're taking DS pal 16 we thought it might be pretty expensive to feed two protein loving16 year olds. HB was an extra £110 for the week for all 4 of us versus £587 for AI, so it was a bit of a no brainer, particularly as we don't want the boys getting their hands on unlimited alcohol.

We can also change from dinner to lunch if we give them advance notice, so it seems like a really good deal.

Well as you’re the one who buys the food it’s as expensive as you choose to make it.
For me self catering is MUCH cheaper as that’s my budget. I just get a Tesco delivery with my meals planned.
It’s extremely difficult for us to eat out sadly because my daughter has Coeliac disease.

I think it depends how you holiday. Typically we'd only eat out once a day and there's probably at least one occasion in a week where we'll choose to have cheese, bread olives etc because we don't want to go out so AI nearly always works out more expensive.

Breakfasts are pastries, fruit, yoghurt etc. so no cooking involved and for me being able to eat in my pyjamas on a terrace/balcony is an added bonus of sc

The problem with AI as I see it is that if you don't like the food in the hotel, it spoils the holiday because you either just have to accept it, or pay more to eat elsewhere.

I can see that if you like what's on offer, aren't particularly bothered about what you eat or prefer the convenience of having it all 'just there' it might be the preferred choice.

But it's also important to understand what you're comparing. SC/B&B and eating out quite a lot might cost a similar amount to 3/4 star buffet AI, but it's likely to be significantly cheaper than 5 star multiple a la carte restaurant AI.

This is good advice especially as the children will be drinking water / soft drinks (not alcohol)

Depends where you are going. In Greece recently me and DH had starters, mains and a litre of wine for 35 euros. Very cheap.

Never done AI, and not at all tempted by it because I would hate to be stuck eating at the same place every night. I would much prefer visiting local restaurants and markets as I am also not a person who is happy just being by the pool all day and need to get out and about.

Having said that, it would depend also entirely on where this hotel is. If it is in a isolated location where you can't walk to shops, restaurants, markets etc, then it wouldn't make sense doing SC. I know some of these big resorts are very secluded which is nice in some respect, but difficult if you are doing SC without a car.

This sounds like a good balance.

Mathematically this is how to assess the cost difference.

The beauty of AI with children is it's so easy. I'm not really interested in eating in restaurants either at home or abroad and when you have children it can be a pain to find a restaurant where they like the food, the service is fast enough that they won't get tired and miserable and you're not kept waiting for the bill. And it's really annoying when you're in a restaurant and your child decides they don't like what they ordered, but you know if they don't eat it you have nothing else to give them.

Even usually unfussy kids can get difficult like this when faced with routine change on holiday.

In contrast, with AI you can have easy quick meals whenever suits you. If your child isn't hungry at mealtimes or doesn't like what they chose you know they can go back later for a snack of something else. No hanging around waiting for the bill with tired kids.

I have zero interest in shopping for or organizing food on holiday. I don't want to make picnics or do any catering even for breakfast. I do enough food shopping and clearing up at home. I'm a single parent, AI is a proper holiday for me and self catering isnt.

I wonder if some of these who have replied haven't seen how much it's costing at the moment. Even with one meal out if you get a villa it'll be so much cheaper than AI.

Not necessarily. Half-board where I am (in Italy) is almost the same as FB. I'm amazed at people spending 200 a day on SC! We spend a little more than we would spend at home but not much. We don't tend to buy snacks or ice creams every day. Not sure how we would spend 200 a day even being a family of 5.

I agree with your DH. All inclusive tends to be great value and works out more convenient especially long haul.
We prefer half board so that you can eat out and have days out away from the hotel without fear of not getting your money's worth lol. Also for dinner we can't be bothered trekking about looking for somewhere nice to eat. We usually pick cruises or hotels with two or more restaurants for variety. Tui blue and sensatori are good for this.

Our last villa holiday cost £2000 less than the quote we had for AI in a similar location. We had a villa with a pool and ate out or ordered in 2-3 times a day. Breakfast was usually iced coffees and pastries from a bakery.
We've found if you choose somewhere near restaurants then they're usually happy to deliver food to wherever your staying, some will even take the dirty dishes away.
The villa owner was able to fill the fridge with drinks, the freezer with ice and ice creams and bought us crisps and other snacks ready for our arrival.