Anyone disappointed by their holiday?

[Panic71]

Here now and really trying to throw myself into despite being really gutted by the hotel which is absolutely not worth the money we paid. Trying to just enjoy it but all the extras have come as a shock for what we expected and read to be all inclusive.
Turns out all inclusive doesn’t get you a sun bed either!

We've done an elephant safari and sanctuary then have an overnight thing including Kandy, Tea and Lion's Rock so sounds like we have similar to you - mainly have been/going to be relaxing in the hotel as absolutely shattered!

I honestly just wouldn’t pay that to go to Spain. There’s plenty of good quality holidays in Spain for less than 4k (which is still astonishingly expensive currently) We paid £10k all in for a fortnight in Florida this year, which is also expensive compared to last time we were there pre-covid. I feel for your friends! That’s eye watering.

Agree that Turkey is good value and beautiful with friendly people. Went self-catering because it’s cheap to eat out every night. Spent a week and had a great time, basic package holiday, self catering was £1600 for 4 people in the school holidays. Spent about £300 on eating out/supermarket (no alcohol). Much better than the Spanish/Greek island holidays that I’ve done in the past.

Anywhere in particular you would recommend? I was hoping to do something similar next year, but for 10 days.

I paid £1.4 for me and my dd half board 4*
we are fussy so the half board was a waste of money but the hotel was lovely and clean and we had two edible meals a day no hidden extras if we chose to eat there.
Id def go again but would maybe choose b&b or self catering but that would maybe mean a change of hotel . I can cope with anything as long as the accommodation and facilities are good.

we went to Cyprus

Also I did take 1k spending and spoke most n food and drinks but doubt everyone need that as said above we are fussy

Please share details. I'm dying to go to Sri Lanka with the family and would like to do a resort and then look into travelling more. I'm half Sri Lankan but have never been as have no relatives there as they all emigrated to the US and my dad to the UK aged 19.

Reading this makes me feel far better about the fact that we couldn't afford a proper holiday this year 😬😬😬

Our last all inclusive holiday was 2018 and it was Ok but the other guests annoyed us and the food was rubbish so last year and this year we did a villa holiday, last year was with extended family and this year just the four of us (2 daughters 16 and 18) . These have been the best holidays and the girls prefer it. We chose a central location so had shops and restaurants around us and even a little water park up the road, we had our own pool, pool table and table tennis table and best of all peace and quiet and quality time together so I would definitely recommend this for future holidays. We went mid July so did miss school holidays though and it probably cost around £4500 including villa, flights, transfers, meals out, groceries etc.

I think my eldest needs plenty of included watersports. Youngest needs other teens to hang around with.
I keep reading about Neilson holidays but worry we won’t be posh enough or expert enough! Is this true? What do the other families tend to be like?

Worst moment on this holiday was a dad hovering his daughter in the pool for a wee 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

Omg @Panic71 literally the pool as a toilet?? God almighty

Yep. And to make it worse, they located to the other end of the pool to where they were, smiled at us and went back to the other end. 😨

First, that is GRIM about the pool wee. 🤢

Second, when you say water sports, do you mean jet skis/snorkeling? **

Yep went Disney land paris and took my child out of school. Wasn’t worth the money queues everywhere and checked French holidays to make sure they weren’t on holiday too. Got on about two rides and eight rides out of action on just one day. They had strikes too announced last minute so didn’t attend and Disney refused to refund the money on the day we didn’t go dispute emailing us saying we could get a refund if we chose not too go ( there idea of refund is one day back in there park) Hate how people spend so much money going here. Sure there’s more positive experiences of it but just thought it was rubbish and was so disappointed. Also you have to queue 1 hour and a half to get a picture of your child with a character.

@Scousefab I I did it 16 years ago and thought it was truly crap , shitty fast food , annoying music played constantly - my son who was 6 at the time was very underwhelmed too

At least it’s not just me I usually get lots of defensive comments about the place. I just feel it’s a lot of money for quite frankly nothing! It was that packed couldn’t even take pictures without getting twenty heads in the way. Yep the food was truly terrible as well all fast food and no nice places to eat. Yep my child was like where’s the magic and they are eight lol

@Scousefab ha- I'm glad it wasn't just me too. People say it's being snobby- but it's not. My son enjoyed Butlins more at 1/3 of the price.

Yep my child thought blackpool was superior haha fraction of the cost.

And at 18 he thought 4 days in Benidorm was amazingly good.

It didn't help I guess when we went that it was Halloween and wet and windy!!

None of my kids are keen on theme parks, mainly because of how insanely busy they all are. I went to Disney Florida back in the 90s and it was amazing. Yes there was queuing but not an hour and a half.
We went when I was older though, about 14 and my friends and I just went off by ourselves and had a brilliant time. This was a school trip can you believe!? Only a state school too.

Just back from Neilson. Real mix of families. Lots of sport types but also lots (me!) just lounging round the pool.
Kids kept very busy and kids/ teens clubs are great. Been to one in Greece and one in Sardinia.
Def no peeing in pool! Everyone polite, nice, friendly etc etc. Can be very social but don't have to be!

I think this thread is really sad .

Especially for the families who have had their first holiday abroad in a few years and maybe struggled to afford it .

Some posters have spoken about an alternative of booking separately and having a villa - which is great - but also expensive . Just to suggest that instead of a villa you can book a self catering apartment with a shared pool for a lot less money . Or if you do feel AI is the only thing for your family - look at going in May or October - the weather should still be nice enough most of the week but would be a bit quieter and cheaper .

I’m on holiday at the moment in Puerto Pollenca in Majorca in a 4 star hotel which I can’t fault. It’s all inclusive which worked out at 12€ a day more than half board, premium drinks included, excellent food, sushi last night, and amazing staff. Rooms are big, with a sitting room and balcony, always sun beds available , trained animation staff, lovely pool and adults only spa. Can’t fault it, £5,300 for 2 weeks, 2 adults and 2 children, booked our own flights

@MaggieD18 ah- our default resort when son was a child!! Which hotel? We used to stay at club pollentia - a bit out of town but loved by the Germans and scandis!! I've often recommended it on here

Marsenses Mar and Spa. Used to stay at the Illa D’or but not really suitable for children. I think the staff here and food are better though