Not leaving the hotel when on holiday

[LaDamaDeElche]

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.

It depends on why I went on holidays. When I go on city breaks or if I had planned it I would do all the sightseeing.

But sometimes I plan an all inclusive sun holiday with the intention of turning my brain off and decompressing for a week. I'm going to Rhodes on Sunday and expect to spend maybe 2 days outside the hotel and probably out in the evenings.

If I had the luxury of going somewhere more than a week I would for sure schedule in some more sightseeing.

With this particular chain, their flagship hotel is in Tenerife, so while there may undoubtedly be some different level AI in the Caribbean, for this chain it isn't the case. They tend to overwhelmingly stick to this particular chain, although do go to other hotels from time to time.

@LaDamaDeElche whats the chain?

Is it the Rui's? They are all mirror images of themselves pretty much too.

I like to explore a bit but if he's happy in the hotel then a Mexican beach is very different from a Greek one. Maybe he likes the difference in beaches?

I like Riu’s, they do have different levels of AI. You get more in a Riu Palace then you do in a Riu club.

I think you get more in Riu hotels in the Caribbean tbf, more restaurants etc.

I would slit my throat if l had to remain in an hotel. That is for sleeping!

l travel a lot for work and even then, l try to get out and about in my free time.

Plus hotel restaurants often tend to have as much atmosphere as Aldi!

For me, the most relaxing place on Earth is my own home. So if I'm in desperate need of relaxing and de-stressing, I'll just chill at home with all my tailored comforts and privacy.

The only reason for me to go on holiday is to see new places and explore.

We go all inclusive because it make sense to us with two young children and we’ll have one or two hotel days but the rest we’re out exploring, going to the beach, walking around the local markets or we book a trip. I’d be bored to death just sat on a sun lounge r all holiday.

It’s not for me but each to their own.

I don’t do AI as trying different restaurants and bars is whet a holiday is all about for me. I like a mix. I do enjoy my chill days flopping round pool smothered in SPF15 not moving for 10 hours but I also like to do day trips, boat trips and get out on the local buses to explore.

I agree. If you’re just looking for AI and just leaving hotel, go to Spain. Save time and money

Sounds like a waste to me but I know plenty of people who do just that

my dh won’t get on a plane very often at all so when we do go we need to make the most of it, hire a car, get out and about etc. That said we’re not really fly and flop people. We can flop for a day, or perhaps 2-3 days in a 2 week period.

Their holiday, their money, their choice surely?

I assume you have a different type of holiday which suits your preference.

Also, quite often it’s cheaper to have an all inclusive holiday somewhere further afield, than a half board type closer to home

We never do all-inclusive. When we travel we book nice hotels but are out most of the day visiting all there is to see - either with own car or fly&drive.

What do you want from this thread?

Snidey laugh at the dullards who squander their holidays blobbing round the pool?
A chance for everyone else to show off about their experiences being invited to supper by the locals?

You buy the holiday and you you like it you buy another. I'm sure he knows what he likes.

I go abroad to experience different cultures so I’m definitely an explorer. Nothing wrong with a couple of poolside days but not the whole time

I have a friend who regularly goes on expensive cruises, spends ages picking the ship and route....but never gets off the boat, not even once! She books an American boat so she can eat American food/feel like she's in America. It blows my mind. She's late 20s/ early 30s.

For less money we've had holidays travelling around Europe and Asia, staying in nice hotels and multiple locations during the one trip etc. One day by the pool is my limit, then I get bored or fomo.

We always hire a car from the airport and every day have a drive out to places of interest.. still have time for sunbathing and swimming.. always go SC in a villa ..so can try different restaurants.
We go abroad about 6 times a year.. Greek islands/ Cyprus/ Canaries / Portugal and many more... so much to see

For me there is nothing worse than an ‘activities holiday’. I do not want to get up early; to leave the comfort of my hotel, only to spend hours on a bus, to walk around and explore some historical place in extreme heat. That is my idea of hell.

I want to lie by the pool, in the sun, reading my book and sleeping while someone brings me cocktails. I want to be able to eat whenever I feel hungry, without having to worry about getting ready, travelling or how long it will take for my food to arrive.

I find long haul flying much nicer than short haul; with comfy chairs, inflight entertainment, blankets + cushions, plenty of food + drink.

Even without leaving the resort, I am able to appreciate the different vibe, scenery, beaches and culture of the Caribbean compared to Europe.

Whilst your dad might be a general moaner, clearly he feels there is a benefit in going further afield (even though he doesn’t leave the resort) otherwise he wouldn’t do it- would he?

^This!

I love reading posts like the ones you mention.

Why even start a post on this? Obviously to humble brag about your own holidays.

OP leave your dad alone. Let him enjoy what he wants, wait until you get to his age and realise how nice it is to simply do nothing. Also AI are different everywhere. And dads moan. They just do. At least he’s still here to do it.

Two weeks all inclusive, I'd probably aim for 2 excursions and maybe an afternoon or two out to a local market or something. Rest of the time, I'm quite happy to stay in the hotel.

Was it the Dominican Republic?

We do AI family holidays. It's easier than SC, B&B or HB. We go out and do stuff every day, it would be boring for us if we didn't. We like having everything available, food, drinks, activities, etc, but also having the choice of enjoying these elsewhere too.
People can go wherever they want to do whatever they want. We're not all the same. Don't be a holiday snob, perhaps your choice of holiday would be your Dad's worst nightmare.

I've never been on on an AI holiday, its just not my thing at all. But if that's what makes you or your dad happy go for it! I will never understand all the snobbery around this, just because one person might enjoy seeking out the local food (me, for example) or sightseeing, or seeking out the local nick-nacks, it doesn't make them a superior being to someone who wants to sit by the pool drinking cocktails in the sun for a week. Let people enjoy things!

At the risk of being a snob, it takes a certain type of person to do this