Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Not leaving the hotel when on holiday

168 replies

LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 11:16

Do you go and see things when travel to a different country, or just stay in the hotel? I get it if you're doing a week all inclusive in Spain or something, that people want to just unwind and everything is paid for, but how about if you travel further. My dad has just been to the Caribbean and didn't leave the hotel in two weeks. He always does this - Mexico, Dubai, Greece etc - never even venturing out to a local restaurant. They usually go to the same hotel chain too, so it's like the same holiday over and over, but just travelling for more hours 😂 They just drink, eat, sunbathe and repeat. They've been to some beautiful countries and just seen the airport and the hotel. It seems so weird to me, but maybe it's normal and something a lot of people do.

OP posts:
LambMomo · 09/10/2023 12:07

But then some people's idea of a holiday is to go to Dubai!

Ive been to Dubai and went to the old town, the marinas as well as the shopping malls etc. I didn’t go into the desert as didn’t have time. But we didn’t just sit by the beach.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 09/10/2023 12:09

We really like to get out and about so don't generally book all inc. Occasionally we have gone all inc. because the price has actually been cheaper than other self catering or bed and breakfast options but we still go out on day trips and have some dinners and lunches out.

Went to a luxury resort in Dubai for a 6 night all inc break and ended up doing two whole day trips out and a couple of evenings out too.

I just get really restless if I know there's interesting places to see in the area.

Original poster
LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 12:09

Topseyt123 · 09/10/2023 12:00

Some days I will stay around the hotel and pool reading my book, others I will go out to the beach, into the local town to visit shops and other restaurants, or on excursions, out for a walk etc. That way you see some of the surroundings and not just the resort, so get a truer picture of the culture.

I like a mix. We are all different though. If they are doing what they like then fine. If they are moaning about it afterwards then maybe they enjoy a good moan too.

My dad is a champion moaner 😂 It's one of his hobbies.

OP posts:
mollyfolk · 09/10/2023 12:12

When the kids were small we did a eurocamp holiday in a really big site and left very little. It just felt difficult with little ones and it was easiest to keep to their routine and have lunch at home. There were loads of activities and a beach on site though. Otherwise I get restless.

Original poster
LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 12:13

Graciebobcat · 09/10/2023 12:07

Also even when DH and I were much younger and pre-kids, we did do AI for a week, just somewhere warm and good value for money, to mostly lie by the pool, swim and read, as we had been so busy and stressed at work and were just knackered. Sometimes it's just what you need.

I get that and I get that in the U.K. there isn't a lot of sun too, so people want to enjoy that. My dad is retired, so definitely doesn't need a holiday to get over any stress. The sun part, maybe, as I think the summer has been pretty bad in the U.K. Hopefully next year they'll just do an all inclusive in Europe, so we don't have to listen to the moaning about the travel time 😁

OP posts:
PikachuEars · 09/10/2023 12:14

I’m much more of an explorer and my ideal holiday would be backpacking across multiple countries.

I once won a holiday in the Maldives and I was genuinely not even sure I wanted to go as the idea of being stuck on an island for a week with nowhere to go and nothing to see sounded like hell.

And obviously it was bloody amazing so maybe I have holidaying all wrong? We did learn to scuba dive which was quite an adventure but lounging on a hammock with nothing to do but read and relax is, it turns out, not actually that bad! 😂

tratoffe · 09/10/2023 12:14

I can't understand this sort of holiday. I love going abroad and seeing different places, mingling with locals, eating authentic food, seeing architecture and exploring. I've never done an AI holiday and tend to book our own things independently.

PreetyinPurple · 09/10/2023 12:14

I can’t sit so I find AI drive me mad. We went on one to the Caribbean and went on several day trips but I still couldn’t cope. I don’t enjoy sunbathing at all, I like leisurely walks about.

I do know someone who goes on several AI a year and never ever leaves the resort. Alcohol and food are high on his list of requirements.

FrenchandSaunders · 09/10/2023 12:16

Even if he wants winter sun the Canaries are pretty reliable all through our winter. No need to trek to the carirbean to sit by a pool and eat at a buffet.

Agnorant · 09/10/2023 12:17

LambMomo · 09/10/2023 12:07

But then some people's idea of a holiday is to go to Dubai!

Ive been to Dubai and went to the old town, the marinas as well as the shopping malls etc. I didn’t go into the desert as didn’t have time. But we didn’t just sit by the beach.

Same here. Going again in two weeks. Not once have I gone to the beach there. Always have a great time with wonderful food and nice souks.

FrenchandSaunders · 09/10/2023 12:17

whoops spelling!

Original poster
LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 12:22

PikachuEars · 09/10/2023 12:14

I’m much more of an explorer and my ideal holiday would be backpacking across multiple countries.

I once won a holiday in the Maldives and I was genuinely not even sure I wanted to go as the idea of being stuck on an island for a week with nowhere to go and nothing to see sounded like hell.

And obviously it was bloody amazing so maybe I have holidaying all wrong? We did learn to scuba dive which was quite an adventure but lounging on a hammock with nothing to do but read and relax is, it turns out, not actually that bad! 😂

I think the Maldives is slightly different, in that you go there to just chill. I could definitely do a holiday there just relaxing, snorkelling, dining and reading. If I won the lottery Rangali Island here I come!!

OP posts:
Tarmaced · 09/10/2023 12:23

If he uses the same chain each time & he's not going to leave the complex, why bother going to different countries?
Might as well do like my in-laws and just go to the same hotel in the same resort at the same time every year...boring!! 😆

Original poster
LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 12:23

tratoffe · 09/10/2023 12:14

I can't understand this sort of holiday. I love going abroad and seeing different places, mingling with locals, eating authentic food, seeing architecture and exploring. I've never done an AI holiday and tend to book our own things independently.

The food is a big thing for me. I love finding lovely little restaurants and experiencing the food and culture, and being amongst the locals.

OP posts:
TheBirdintheCave · 09/10/2023 12:25

LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 12:23

The food is a big thing for me. I love finding lovely little restaurants and experiencing the food and culture, and being amongst the locals.

Show quote history

Yup! I made huge Excel spreadsheets with hand picked restaurants before we go and then we just pick a different one every night :) We ate like kings in Sicily. The food was the best part of the entire holiday 😂

Original poster
LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 12:27

PreetyinPurple · 09/10/2023 12:14

I can’t sit so I find AI drive me mad. We went on one to the Caribbean and went on several day trips but I still couldn’t cope. I don’t enjoy sunbathing at all, I like leisurely walks about.

I do know someone who goes on several AI a year and never ever leaves the resort. Alcohol and food are high on his list of requirements.

Alcohol, sun and food (in that order) are definitely the top requirements! We met them one year and did 5 days in an all inclusive and I was ill for a few days after I got home. Drinking too much day after day, too much sun and overeating out doesn't agree with me. I can do it for a couple of days, but a week is too much. I couldn't do it got two weeks.

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 09/10/2023 12:28

I guess if they are happy then that is ok.

It wouldn't be for me. I tend to avoid all inclusive purely because I love going to local off the beat restaurants and try local dishes. I also love browsing in local food markets etc. I want to learn about the local culture and enjoy just sitting in a coffee shop and watch people going about their daily life.

Not sure I would be happy to spend hours and hours long haul just to stay in a hotel however fancy.

Fulshaw · 09/10/2023 12:28

Absolutely nothing wrong with that type of holiday but I agree with you that why go Mexico to do it when you could do the same in Spain.

Original poster
LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 12:28

FrenchandSaunders · 09/10/2023 12:16

Even if he wants winter sun the Canaries are pretty reliable all through our winter. No need to trek to the carirbean to sit by a pool and eat at a buffet.

The hotel they normally go to is in Tenerife. I don't understand why they don't just rebook that every year.

OP posts:
Original poster
LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 12:29

Tarmaced · 09/10/2023 12:23

If he uses the same chain each time & he's not going to leave the complex, why bother going to different countries?
Might as well do like my in-laws and just go to the same hotel in the same resort at the same time every year...boring!! 😆

Exactly! 😂

OP posts:
DawsonWins · 09/10/2023 12:29

FrenchandSaunders · 09/10/2023 11:43

If it's just sun/beach/hotel he's after I don't see the point in going long haul. May as well go nearer.

Also the cost to the environment…..
If you get the same hols, why go so far away?

OhDoSitDownAndShutUp · 09/10/2023 12:30

I can never understand the point in going to another country (all the hanging about at airports, being on a plane for hours, etc) then not exploring the place at all. I like to try different foods, go to different shops and restaurants, have day trips, etc., in the countries I visit.

Original poster
LaDamaDeElche · 09/10/2023 12:30

Fulshaw · 09/10/2023 12:28

Absolutely nothing wrong with that type of holiday but I agree with you that why go Mexico to do it when you could do the same in Spain.

Better for the environment too. With the world in the state it is now, no point in flying long haul for no reason.

OP posts:
YaWeeFurryBastard · 09/10/2023 12:35

This question comes up semi regularly on mumsnet and is usually full of self congratulatory people who evidently think their “culturally immersive” holiday experience is superior and express faux surprise at how anyone could possibly enjoy an all inclusive full of larger louts 🙄🤣.

AI in the Caribbean is a completely different league to European AI, except maybe IKOS and that’s true even for hotels in the same chain, so I can see why people would travel further afield especially given the weather. Caribbean beaches are also IMO way nicer so again I can see why someone would pick to go there. Also, we go business so long haul flights are actually sometimes more pleasant as European business is just crap.

We do a mix of holidays and whilst we never just stick to the resort, I don’t think it’s a wild stretch of the imagination to see why people would, especially in places like Jamaica etc.

feellikeanalien · 09/10/2023 12:37

To be honest AI sounds like my idea of hell but others obviously enjoy it and each to their own and all that. The main thing for me going abroad is the food and the culture. I do enjoy relaxing by a pool but have to be able to do other things too.