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 went to Sharm AL and had a great time. Loads of sunbeds, good food and lovely staff. So sorry you’ve had a bad experience, it costs so much , too much not to enjoy it.

Can you send a link to the property?

@Beetleback same please link

@celticprincess how old are are the dc.
If 14 and under try efteling next time.

My kids have just left for university. We never did AI. It really does not appeal. The lack of choice and buffets. And wristbands 😱

We always book flight and hotels separately and have never needed a rep. We are able to sort out problems ourselves.

We get good rates at hotels by booking early. same for flights.

It is easy to eat cheaply if you do your research and sometimes we buy stuff from supermarkets and make a snack meal in our rooms.

I would never choose AI in a million years.

I did some AI as a child and they were fab but the cost now is staggering. We choose a country and hire a car to drive around, using airbnb to stay places. This year cost a fortune because we chose an expensive country, but we're going somewhere cheaper for a few days at New Year so it depends on location. DS, 8, loves it as it all feels like a big adventure, and we get to explore new places rather than getting stuck at the beach (although we do have some time there). Flights were a nightmare though, as was Heathrow, so that's put me off flying for a while!

I noticed there were a lot of children in the restaurant watching you tube videos/ playing games, again with full sound and no headphones. I don't want to spend my meal listening to an annoying as hell you tube show thanks!

This drives me potty, pre iPads it was perfectly possible for kids have a meal out without being attached to a screen. But if you must have one for the love of god please consider others who might just want to enjoy a meal without listening to annoying songs or peppa pig on repeat.

I have memories as a young child in the eighties of us being bought tea in our hotel room and then being put to bed whilst my parents went out to a pub and then ate later at the restaurant. This was at small family run hotels in places like Suffolk and Norfolk.

With the price of holidays it's now really easy to feel ripped off and disappointed.
I'm just back from all inclusive in Cyprus and it was actually very good, but far more expensive than it was just a couple of years ago.

Most hotels don't realise how unfair sun lounger reservation can ruin holidays. We found a hotel that was clear about removing towels at 8.30 am from unoccupied beds and enforcing it. People actually complaining they'd lost their towels on the reviews confirmed it. Result was beds available and people aware. . Food was also good.
Know what you want and be thorough in your research to find it. Even email the hotel or tour operator for answers before booking if you're not sure. This is what I do now and those email answers become something to hold the tour operators to if things aren't good.