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Original poster

Are all inclusive holidays worth it?

33 replies

Burritoe · 08/04/2023 20:18

We haven’t been on holiday since we have had children but would like to go away this summer. I am trying to decide whether all inclusive is worth it or whether we would be fine self catering. Children will be 4 and 7, we will just be looking for something in Europe. Any recommendations welcome. Thank you.

OP posts:
DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 08/04/2023 20:20

I can highly recommend portaventura in Salou. Big theme park/waterpark with attached hotels. We went half board a few years ago and just bought a small lunch for DC while we were out. They do AI packages as well, but not sure if it's one of the areas that Spain restricts drinks to meal times etc. We booked through TUI and got free past passes as well. Highly recommend it.

DueyCheatemAndHow · 08/04/2023 20:22

It depends 2bh. For us AI is a really good break - no cooking, no worries about cleaning up or meal planning, drinks and ice cream on tap, kids clubs etc. But - we are really fussy about where we go, because we like decent food!

BasilNotBrush · 08/04/2023 20:23

You can budget more easily with AI and it suited us when our dc were that age. I'm always wary of those terrible stories where the salad bar or a dodgy cold cut takes out 200 folk, but everywhere we went to with TUI was lovely.

I really prefer self catering but it turns into the same shit different place.

Stravawindow · 08/04/2023 20:26

When our DC were going, AI were with their weight in gold. Kids clubs, unlimited food, juice, ice cream etc. we prefer cruises now they are a bit older but certainly AI worked well for us. I l don't like air b and b type holidays. It’s not a break for me.

Glo1988 · 08/04/2023 20:27

We’ve just returned from our first holiday with our kids 6 and 2.

Never done AI before this holiday and I was sceptical because of food poisoning worries and we don’t really drink but I absolutely loved it. Great value and so easy.

We went with Tui too - Riu Papayas in Gran Canaria. Fabulous kids club and great quality food. the Sensatori ones are supposed to be fabulous if you can stretch to it.

check out the free kids places on their website, there are some good bargains

TheChosenTwo · 08/04/2023 20:28

Dh and I have done them a couple of times for a really easy fly and flop type break. We go for the best one we can afford and take plenty of spending money because we hate being tied to one place. We’re always a bit nervous about the food as we cook and eat so well at home.
It’s always worked out well though; a mix of eating in the hotel and eating out.
Wouldn’t do with the dc as we just appreciate our own space too much and to pay for 3 or 4 rooms would be prohibitive for us, we go for a villa and pool for family holidays, far more flexible and enjoyable for all of us together. No set times to all have to be up and showered and dressed otherwise we might miss breakfast, a lot more peaceful in the evenings (hotel entertainment is always something we swerve), just more freedom really.
My mum always did all inclusive with my little sister and they loved it, sister went to the kids club all day and they relaxed in the sun, all holidays have their merits and drawbacks.

Lj8893 · 08/04/2023 20:29

We went AI with Tui to Turkey and had the most amazing time. We only have the 1 DC who went free on a kids go free deal.
100% recommend AI.

Ubbee · 08/04/2023 20:31

@DueyCheatemAndHow do you have any recommendations? Been too scared to go all inclusive as food so important!

Xrays · 08/04/2023 20:33

We’re going to one in June in Ibiza for the first time and I’m nervous so I’m curious about the replies. We’ve chosen the best one we can afford (Tui magic life cala Pada) and it’s got lots to do on-site and consistently good reviews so fingers crossed! We’ve also looked at Tui blue aura in Ibiza and for next year we’re considering Aska Lara resort in Turkey or the Tui Blue in Side there. Our son is 11 so happy to just eat lots and swim etc. We do plan to have some days out doing things as well though, I don’t think I’d like to be stuck in the resort the entire time.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 08/04/2023 20:33

AI is like a dream for me, before kids, we did it and it was great. Now a kid with multiple allergies, we do self catering. It doesn't feel like a holiday, tbh, when you have to cook your own food.

Xrays · 08/04/2023 20:33

Meant to add one of the reasons we looked at cala Pada and the aura one was that they offer 2 bed apartments. So lots of room.

Stravawindow · 08/04/2023 20:34

Xrays · 08/04/2023 20:33

We’re going to one in June in Ibiza for the first time and I’m nervous so I’m curious about the replies. We’ve chosen the best one we can afford (Tui magic life cala Pada) and it’s got lots to do on-site and consistently good reviews so fingers crossed! We’ve also looked at Tui blue aura in Ibiza and for next year we’re considering Aska Lara resort in Turkey or the Tui Blue in Side there. Our son is 11 so happy to just eat lots and swim etc. We do plan to have some days out doing things as well though, I don’t think I’d like to be stuck in the resort the entire time.

We did Tui magic life but in fuerteventura. It was a few years ago now but the best AI package we booked with DC kids club and activities wise.

Iliketeaagain · 08/04/2023 20:35

Thing is with self catering, it's the same shit, just sunny. Still have to wonder what to either cook or where to eat, who'll eat what, if the menu suits fussy kids etc. either you have to find a supermarket and prepare food or pay to eat out for most meals. Depending on where you are, I think SC can be more expensive unless you are happy to plan and cook / eat in the accommodation for most meals.

I've found all inclusive they can eat what they like, even if they live on ice cream, chips and occasional fresh fruit, unlimited cold water, kids activities etc and if we go out to eat, it's often for lunch when they can find something easy. If the drink they wanted goes warm before they finish it, they can get another one. If they want snacks at different times, then they are available. But, it also depends where the hotel is - we normally look for somewhere that has a bus or easy walk to beach / town because it means we can get out for a bit.

gogohmm · 08/04/2023 20:36

Depends on you... I wouldn't bother with small kids myself as I didn't drink much around my children therefore I'm paying for drinks I wasn't drinking and preferred to got out during the day (half board worked well) once kids were much older and since they stopped coming it is sometimes attractive

DueyCheatemAndHow · 08/04/2023 20:36

@Ubbee we went to Bahia Principe Fantasia last time. I'd go again.

gogohmm · 08/04/2023 20:36

@Stravawindow

I've been there, was lovely witty 5 different restaurants too

Xrays · 08/04/2023 20:37

Stravawindow · 08/04/2023 20:34

We did Tui magic life but in fuerteventura. It was a few years ago now but the best AI package we booked with DC kids club and activities wise.

Show quote history

I have a friend who goes there literally every single year. 😆 They love it! That’s what made us look at other magic life ones. (We wanted somewhere closer to home for our first trip as Ds has never travelled outside of the U.K. before).

CottonSock · 08/04/2023 20:39

I like good food and had one good AI experience and then a bad one.
Now I budget to ear out every day self catering.
Cereal for breakfast
Other meal fresh bread, salad etc.
Always make sure there is a dishwasher.
Better for the local economy too.

Moveforward · 08/04/2023 20:41

We look at the upgrade cost first .

The first holiday we did AI was £10 extra pppn on top of half-board . We decided that a packed lunch (which was offered), water and one drink before dinner and we would be equal, so.went AI. We.arent big drinkers but it was nice to have a few tipples.when there..We didn't go mad but got our value

We've booked AI again for May this year . This it's £22pppn. However the hotel is 5 star, the AI includes.full bottles of wine, some branded items, cocktails and a recipe coffee shop. It also includes an upgrade to a la carte one night. Water is £4.a bottle. All in all I think it will be worth it for us - a sandwich lunch, water and.soft.drinks, 2.cocktails and a.bottle of wine at dinner between.us and we.will be equal.

However, many times we.have not chosen AI.-.the extra payable just didn't seem likely to be the.level we.would ever reach .

So.get a BandB or.HB price and check out tej daily difference . Assess.if it works.for you

CheshGirl · 08/04/2023 20:42

Once you book an Ikos holiday you never go back xx

KenAdams · 08/04/2023 20:46

For kids your age dB Seabank in Malta will be amazing.

KenAdams · 08/04/2023 20:46

To add - My DD found Ikos dull at that age.

coffeetofunction · 08/04/2023 21:04

My last few holidays with exh we're al and although we didn't have to think about cooking, money, drinks ect I missed the relaxed morning sitting on the patio with the family drinking coffee, eating pastries and having no time constraints. AL always feels rushed, having to be ready for hotel times ect. We also missed the space a private apartment/villa offered. There's pros and cons to both

Silkierabbit · 08/04/2023 21:06

Think that's an excellent age for an AI resort, maybe a waterpark one like TUI Splashworld range, very easy and fun holiday. Not keen on self catering as does not feel like a holiday when you need to do shopping, cooking and washing up.

Magic Natura was good, Lapland was also great at that age, not AI but a package with activities, went to a few of the First Choice, now TUI Splashworlds and all fine. Read food reviews first.

We went out as well and found AI often cheaper than half board and drinks make a huge difference in the heat. Kids loved it.

There's also an inbetween of hotel with activities and a restaurant. We did a nice hotel in Maderia like that, Portobay one.

Crikeyalmighty · 08/04/2023 21:21

I think it's fine 'if ' you are all on the same page, I don't mind it, my H hates them , doesn't like buffet type food at all and most of them are- doesn't like eating in same place most meals, even if it's 4 restaurants on same complex - so weve done 2 when son was about 11 and not done them since (13 years later)