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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to go on an All Inclusive Holiday??

103 replies

TheClitterati · 23/05/2018 17:26

I'm a single parent (now lone parent as DC no longer seeing their father - long stressful story, much pressure on me) - 2 DC, 7 & 10. I work FT.

All Inclusive/Package holidays are not normally my/our thing - we usually go glamping, or to a cottage in UK, or to visit friends and family. This year I was planning on Inter Railing around northern Europe for a couple of weeks as youngest is now 7 and can take a small suitcase herself. We like exploring and have always had lovely holidays.

But....

We've had a mega year, with lots of stress, anxiety, change and tension. DD1 has 11+ exams coming in early September. 7yo has been anxious to the max and we are working on that now, but it has all come down to me. And I have been super stressed out - some days I honestly feel like I might have a breakdown or physical collapse.

The though of 2 weeks of sun, reading, with all food prepared, not washing up etc sounds heavenly. Inter railing, though it would be amazing, is just too much on me to plan out at this stage - it feels too much. Not enough rest involved. A cottage is lovely but there is no break for me from cooking, cleaning etc.

All Inclusive is more than I would usually pay - a lot more. But we all really really need to chill out and have fun. I'd choose somewhere with a water park and kids club and I am thinking of going to a resort in an area not far from where friends live, so we can have some evenings off site visiting with them. So I'm thinking fuck the money, spend some savings and lets do it! Its what savings are for right???

Not sure if I might have completely lost my mind just thinking about this. But 2 weeks of same same food and deckchair/towel wars might just finish me off. AIBU to go? Will I really hate it? What do I need to look out for when choosing somewhere?

On the plus side the DC love pools and I have a large reading list.

OP posts:
Abouttime1978 · 23/05/2018 17:56

Absolutely do it!

We're doing AI for the first time in years with my 5, 4 and 1 year olds. I'm already packing.

You aren't going to be forced to stay on site and if you pick a company that does excursions too, you can do those with it having to organise much.

Sometimes downtime is necessary, despite how amazing inter railing might be! And you can always do that another time.

Get a good resort though, read a LOT of trip advisor reviews! Bad food is a definitive no go. Xx

userxx · 23/05/2018 17:57

Hell yeah, you have to do it.

Fruitcorner123 · 23/05/2018 17:59

We discovered AI when we had children They are amazing for so many reasons! My top tip is to look for one that is really really close to the beach so that you can nip back to your hotel and get your free drinks/ice creams rather than having to pay, that way you also don't have to pack a beach bag with everything you might need and traipse down (my pet hate on beach holidays). Check out the kids clubs as your kids may be separated into different age groups, would they mind this? Have a fab holiday I am sure you wont regret it.

Interrailing sounds fab but will probably be more appreciated by the 7 year old in another year or 2.

MrsMarigold · 23/05/2018 18:10

We went when I was in the grip of PND, I wouldn't do it again but it really was relaxing.

TSSDNCOP · 23/05/2018 18:12

Definitely.

Am an expert of the AI. Try to get one that had more than one restaurant, also watch out that you don’t have to pay a supplement or if you do it’s for a specially themed evening eg with entertainment.

Remember that you can leave, it’s always nice to have a bit extra budget to eat out a few times or you can get cabin fever and lose out on some local feeling.

GreenTulips · 23/05/2018 18:18

A lot of them now do packed lunches to take out, the one we're going to has a kiosk in the water park with snacks icecream and drinks included.

I love it because the kids can choose what to eat each night and we don't argue over each element of I want Pizza I want Chinese!! And there no issue with them asking for drinks and snacks!

Can wait

pandarific · 23/05/2018 18:20

I always sing their praises on here but the Greek Mitsis chain is a great example of AI done well (with the exception of the Ramira beach in kos, which I hated).

Look for one which has little mini restaurants in the complex - those are lots of fun imo!

ISeeTheLight · 23/05/2018 18:21

Yes! It's amazing. You don't have to do anything or worry about paying for drinks etc. My tips would be to thoroughly check TripAdvisor reviews in particular wrt food. And as PP said, choose a resort were you have a couple of different restaurants to eat at.
We also usually eat elsewhere a couple of times during the holiday for a change of scenery.

pandarific · 23/05/2018 18:22

Snap @TSSDNCOP! Mini restaurants all the way!

ISeeTheLight · 23/05/2018 18:22

Also lots of AIs do lunch bags so you can leave the hotel during the day for sightseeing

SomeAreMoreEqualThanOthers · 23/05/2018 18:24

All inclusive isn't as awful as it's made out to be, particularly if you choose well. It's very relaxing, and like everything else it's what you make it. I wouldn't hesitate to go AI, and I wouldn't be ashamed of it either.

Mrstumbletap · 23/05/2018 18:24

I love all inclusive, relaxing, sunbathing, reading, being cooked for, having my room cleaned. What’s not to love? It’s amazing!

Go for it you sound like you and your kids need it. If you pick somewhere with kids clubs they will have lots of fun too.

LakieLady · 23/05/2018 18:27

You deserve a really good break, so go for it.

A couple of weeks of total R&R sounds just like what you all need.

Redtartanshoes · 23/05/2018 18:27

As a single parent absolutely yes yes yes
No cooing cleaning sorting or organising. Kids to play with people to bring you drinks. No worrying over the weather or whether kids will eat the dinner you’ve just paid 100€ for. People to talk to, things to, trips if you wish. Bed made every day. Gin. Cocktails. Bliss

TheFifthKey · 23/05/2018 18:31

I don’t know why they’re slated on MN (well I do! Snobbery) because everyone I know who’s been AI raved about it when they got back and looked ten years younger. I’m a single parent too and I dream of taking them on a holiday like that. Sun! No counting pennies! No saying no all the time! Not giving a shiny shit if all one D.C. eats is ham picked off a pizza for a week! Bliss.

SomeAreMoreEqualThanOthers · 23/05/2018 18:33

Yup, they are bliss as described above..please do go for it.

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 23/05/2018 18:33

I am not sure why some people seem to think that AI are synonym of boredom or high rise buildings on the beach. You can find grotty AI in a tiny resort in the middle of nowhere with people fighting over a couple of sun chairs in the morning, but you can also find luxury private villas with private swimming pool and gardens within the land of a resort, and anything in between.

As long as you are know your kids will have a great time whilst you chill out if you plan on doing just that, of course go for it.

abigailsnan · 23/05/2018 18:34

Don't even think twice about it do it !!
I always used to be against AI until DS and his wife booked for OH and I to go with them and I wouldn't book any other holiday type again.
Cool drinks all day for little ones and cocktails for mum what is not to like packed lunches for when you want to go out and about and explore with youngsters.
We always go Jet2 to Balerics and with them the price includes all transfers and mega baggage allowance so I can hit the shops when away.
Book it and enjoy x

Allthebestnamesareused · 23/05/2018 18:36

Try to find one that gives you a choice kd restaurants to eat in

Allthebestnamesareused · 23/05/2018 18:36

Kd !??? Of

ghostyslovesheets · 23/05/2018 18:40

do it - single parent here with 3 - all inclusive with kids clubs/activities is my idea of heaven - been 3 times and we all loved it

Kids have a ball and I get a break!

on my own I'd rather do the more acceptable mn holidays - you know - with culture Wink but with 3 kids (2 teens) it's ace!

youarenotkiddingme · 23/05/2018 18:44

I've done AI plenty of times (LP parent to disabled ds).

Definitely understand that need for not having any responsibility domestically. Ds is fussy over food (asd) but there's something on all day and so he eats plenty. (Basically eats meat, pasta and salad!).

I wouldn't go to a big resort with kids club and water park as those are the ones that are busy and often have sunbed wars as parents want best spot near pool to supervise kids that's in Sun all day.

I find smaller hotels which have an international clientele offer best range of food . Also hotels that aren't exclusively AI and offer b&b or HB as then not all guests are there all day in general.

I also find going somewhere right by a beach so we have a big breakfast and don't worry if we miss lunch or have a late lunch as some are open until 3. If we miss lunch we can grab burger/hotdog and chips and then have a later dinner. (Usually soup and salad) and wander off for an ice cream somewhere!

I'd avoid the hotels run by British tour companies exclusively for them (Tui etc). Avoid holiday villages too.

I also find hotels with international kids clubs run by hotel staff offer a much better range of activities and are often more interesting as they don't follow U.K. H&S rules. (Eg they do water games for kids like polo/races/ volleyball etc).

ForalltheSaints · 23/05/2018 18:55

You don't have to sit by the pool all the time- sounds like you would appreciate it.

Violetshift · 23/05/2018 18:59

Definitely do it! You fan still have the odd meal out and not break the bank.

Did my first a few years ago and loved it.

FASH84 · 23/05/2018 19:03

Do it , all inclusive isn't usually or thing either but we did it this year and it was fabulous. Nothing to stop you going out of you want to and you all deserve a nice break.