Are all-inclusive holidays during school holidays the hell that I imagine?

[TaDuck]

Daughter starts school in September so looking at holidays for next year in July/August. My DH is really keen to go to an all inclusive resort with kids clubs & entertainment as he has fond memories from when he was younger.

I've looked at a few and they seem nice on the surface but then I get into the reviews and the same complaints seem to pop up - long queues for food, food not being great, battling to get a sunbed, packed like sardines in the pool... honestly this is my idea of hell! But I do like the idea of having all the facilities and the convenience of it all so I wonder if I'm looking for a unicorn trying to find one that has everything but isn't heaving during school holidays? Is it a price bracket thing?

Could anyone recommend anywhere? Thanks!

They can be. Sometimes they aren’t. Sometimes it depends on what you like/are willing to put up with. Sometimes people complain just to complain or have completely unrealistic expectations.

Will it be busy and noisy? Yes. Will a bit of planning and being realistic help? Also yes.

Does it have to be summer? I usually find May half term to be just the right side of buzzy.

Go for higher end club med mark warner etc
Or as many stars as you can afford
Club med food is great
Look for those which have fresh cook stations where they cook steak or fish in front of you
Not just piles of chips
Unless you ok and happy with that usually

Been AI twice with the Dc in school hols. Both times were brilliant. As with most things, you get what you pay for. We went to Anatalya in Turkey the first time. Fab hotel, right on the beach. Food was fantastic, so much choice, and was always hot and fresh. No long queues. Second time was to Negril in Jamaica. Again fantastic.

They can be, you have to read reviews carefully. I will only go 4* or above if I’m doing all inclusive.
Also take reviews with a pinch of salt, a lot of reviews saying the pool is too small is worth listening to but a couple of people saying they didn’t like the food when average reviews are 4-5/5 not so much.

this will depend entirely on how much money you have to spend on this. If it’s cheap for you, it’s cheap for everyone else too, and that will be reflected in numbers

I think it very much is a price bracket thing. The Ikos resorts are lovely, none of the problems you fear, but very pricey.

I would consider going at Easter, May half term or October half term. That's generally better value and arguably better weather (if you want 30 degrees instead of 40).

You need to go as expensive as you can. Resorts with 5 à la carte restaurants etc will be much better than ones with one buffet restaurant with everyone crammed in. Hotels where 30% of the rooms have their own pool will mean no fight for sun beds at the main pool. The more you spend to go, the less you’ll spend there. It’s just a different way of paying, it’s all upfront. The only thing we ever have to add on is the odd massage and maybe car hire if we want to explore one day.

What's your budget?
As others have said, it's all about the cost.
On a tight budget? The hotel will cut corners, the food will be low cost and the whole thing second rate.
High end 5* it will be luxury.

Can’t advise on AI but does if have to be July/August?
Southern Europe is getting unpleasantly hot in the summer these days.
Could you go May/Oct half terms? Be quieter and more manageable temperatures

You get what you pay for - we would prefer to holiday in the UK and self cater than go to an all inclusive without a la carte restaurants/less than 5 star but lots of people do enjoy the cheaper ones! Also much prefer a room with either swim up or private pool, which does increase the price but not by loads - we got a private pool at a 5 star resort for around £5k for 4 at Easter (but already much more expensive next year) - you can also get bargains where your county’s holiday weeks differ slightly from the majority, which they sometimes do at Easter and October half term.

It can be mad getting drinks ext. And obviously families are usually on a budget so if they've gone all inclusive they're more likely to be making full, daily use of all of the facilities which means that a fully booked hotel at this time of year have a really high proportion of guests around all day long. Easy to see why. Don't want to pay again for drinks, ice cream, lunch down at the beach for while family when technically already paid for. If you intend to explore off site at all or if you are moderate drinkers you might prefer half board. Bed/breakfast/evening meal. Same types of clubs for kids. Don't feel you r paying twice if day time off site, less madness around pool as not everybody staying in most days, often easier to get drinks ext as hotel doesn't get the money if service no good as easier to go elsewhere. Have a snack lunchtime elsewhere with lovely sea view sometimes and still have the evening buffet choice which can be easier with kids and also as well as still having kids day time clubs when you want them you still have the evening shows/entertainment for kids on tap. Some people love the convenience of AI, for others it's all a bit too much. Enjoy whatever you do op. Holidays can be great with kids ..or a nightmare. My best advice is adjust your expectations before you go compared to what it was like on holiday before kids Also if kids small it's worth paying extra for sea view room. If they need a day time nap at all you can take turns sitting on balcony with a book. Lovely. Doesn't feel like you're wasting some of the holiday time sat there with a gorgeous view rather than a main road..💐
.

You get what you pay for, we have been to some really lovely ones but they are expensive. In Europe I think generally the Turkish all inclusives are the best.

I won’t lie. Yes they are. I go during term time, it’s cheaper and quieter and less hell on earth.

Potters Resort in Norfolk is fantastic. Al. We went yearly when ds was 7 - 15. He loved it, as did we. Really well organised and with so much going on nowhere was really busy. It's a lovely set up with so many activities included and I enjoyed the spa too. Entertainment was good and varied. If you don't fancy the theatre (which is excellent) there are a couple of quiet bar areas. They also have a private beach and huge grounds if you really wanted seclusion.

Hell on earth, far too many Brits drunk on free flowing alcohol. Like a hot Butlins with bigger chalets.

Ikos is not like Butlins.

Also have a pool and sauna which only ever has a few people in it at any one time, again because there is SO much going on people are really spread out.

We always do May or October and not had those problems - it's been busy but enough food/sunbeds etc.
I wouldn't want to be there in August to be honest.

There's also the question of what you'd want to do OP. How much time would you envisage spending in the resort? We're beach people rather than pool people, so we aren't in the facilities as much as some and that does give us more price flexibility. Whereas if you want peace and quiet with your poolside sunbed, that is likely to cost more.

If queues and crowds for food are a concern, worth looking for one with longer mealtime slots. And possibly early evening meal serving- I went to one that started at 730 and whilst my DC are older so not a problem, everyone with small children descended at 730 on the dot whereas that was not the case when we went somewhere that offered the opportunity to eat a bit earlier.

Yes.

Turkey is the new Benidorm, full of chavs.

🤔

We go AI every year as it's the ultimate relaxing holiday.
Only go 4* or above
Go as expensive as you can
Check all the reviews
Hotels with multiple pools are better than with just one as you don't get everyone around the same pool
Hotels on the beach are good too for the same reason.
I have honestly never seen anyone really drunk or fights or any of the other drama people on here seem to think happen at AI resorts
If you don't like the cheesy entertainment on a night take card games and find a nice bar to play them in, we do this and have a great time.

We recently went to Antalya at half term and didn't have any issues with overcrowding etc. As we were leaving, there was a biggish group of cringe inducing 'brits abroad' boys arriving, so glad to have missed those groups bu going during the holidays tbh.

Agree that price is key. Tik tok and YouTube videos are also more helpful, in my opinion, as you can see things for yourself.