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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

All inclusive, don't even need to leave the resort!

358 replies

Borgenstein · 30/07/2018 17:28

I'm not judging but I'm genuinely curious as to what people do all day on these all inclusive, all in, don't need to leave the resort, type holidays?

I love travelling. Normally if someone suggest some I go somewhere I go but I've been asked to go on on every of these types of holidays next year. All food is in. There is nothing of interest nearby that doesn't involve alcohol.
The couple that have asked us went to Egypt some years back on a similar holiday. When she got back I asked her if she'd been to see the pyramids? Been to the desert? She laughed and said "god no, we didn't leave the resort, it was bliss".

But what on earth do you do all day then?? I have asked her this very question and she said you go for breakfast (sounds like the same shite menu every day), laze by the pool until lunch time, go for lunch, laze by the pool until dinner, go for dinner (again same shitty menu every day) and then get drunk whilst watching the "entertainment".

Now I don't want to upset this friend as she's been through a hard time lately and she'll be gutted if I say no but the whole thing sounds like two weeks of boring hell.

AIBU to make an excuse as I just can't see what I'd do after 10am each day??

OP posts:
jay55 · 30/07/2018 17:29

Clearly it’s not for you. But surely you understand that people like different things? That reading or snoozing by the pool or beach is a great way for some people to relax?

AnExcellentUsername · 30/07/2018 17:30

Just tell her you don't fancy it 😕

MrSpock · 30/07/2018 17:30

I had this conversation with a bloke at work. He loves those holidays. I asked what was the point of paying all that money and travelling to effectively be in England with sun.

He replied “yeah exactly! England with sun”

I had to stop my eyes rolling back.

flamingofridays · 30/07/2018 17:31

Sit by a pool in the sun with a good book. Eat. Drink. Talk.

Just because it's not for you doesn't mean it shite. Not everyone gives a shit about the pyramids.

TheShapeOfEwe · 30/07/2018 17:31

It doesn't sound like your kind of thing so YWNBU to let her know that.

Jojoanna · 30/07/2018 17:32

Don’t go then, you have different expectations of a holiday

MagentaRocks · 30/07/2018 17:32

I love all inclusive but I don’t stay in the resort. I love some days sat by the pool reading and jumping in and out of the water. I also like to go out on trips and explore the local area. We also eat out sometimes too.

AI doesn’t mean you have to stay in the hotel complex.

Original poster
Borgenstein · 30/07/2018 17:33

I never said it was shite (just the food sounds shite) and I know everyone likes different things but two weeks just laying on a sun bed? I'd be bored to death by lunch time on day 1.

I was hoping someone might have a suggestion on how to make it more bearable so I can go but I honestly don't think there is anything

OP posts:
imsorryiasked · 30/07/2018 17:33

It would drive me mad as well.
As an alternative could you suggest a cruise - that way there will be stuff for you to do if she just wants to lay around all day?

CryingMessFFS · 30/07/2018 17:33

If it’s not for you, fine but some people like lazing by the pool all day, relaxing around the resort and don’t want to make plans or actually do much of anything. Some people like to be on the go and cram activities and sights in. Just let her down gently, no need to be judgy.

Candyflip · 30/07/2018 17:34

I love doing nothing, but I agree that if you don’t see any of the locale it is really boring. We have family in Florida and I go there to read and sip wine by the pool as it is the most boring place in the world, but if I was in Egypt or Greece, I would want to see and do things.

WorraLiberty · 30/07/2018 17:34

I'm not sure what the fuss is about.

You like different holidays to your friend, so just tell her it's not your type of thing.

It's not mine either but I accept not everyone's the same.

DieAntword · 30/07/2018 17:34

I used to be snobby about that kind of thing (and the last time I was at a resort I was in the kids club - in Seville for expo 1992 or something) but realistically now with two young children wearing me out I can really see the appeal of sticking the kids in a club and lounging around all day somewhere I don’t have to do any cooking or cleaning.

WeeBeasties · 30/07/2018 17:36

Read, play card games, play water volleyball. But we do tend to walk to the beach or into the nearest town.

We have teo holidays a year, one adventurous and one lazy all inclusive. They serve very different purposes.

LaurieFairyCake · 30/07/2018 17:36

I’m just finishing a holiday doing almost exactly that. I’ve managed 2 trips out to different towns and a couple of walks to the village to go to the shop/restaurant.

I’m not all inclusive but I have had the hotel I’m staying in deliver almost every meal to my room.

I’ve read 6 books and sat in the air conditioned room or in the hot tub on the terrace. It’s been lovely and it was too hot to go on jaunts really.

In my defence I had this holiday booked for Christmas when it was cold/cooler and had to rearrange to now (in 35 degree heat) because I had a job interview.

Cleaningthefours · 30/07/2018 17:36

Ah, we haven't had a holiday snob thread for a while.

hammeringinmyhead · 30/07/2018 17:36

I totally understand the appeal of relaxing, swimming and reading. What I don't understand is flying to Mexico to do it. If you literally never leave the resort you may as well stay in Europe and use the flight money to upgrade to a 5 star in Greece, southern Spain or Portugal. Especially this time of year.

AhhhhThatsBass · 30/07/2018 17:36

I have never done AI as I think they tend to attract people who drink a lot (otherwise why wouldn't you just go FB or HB, it's usually a helluva lot cheaper).

But if you want to make it more bearable, why don't you treat it as if it's not AI and just have breakfast and lunch there and go out to the local town for dinner, do a few trips/excursions during the day etc.?

Original poster
Borgenstein · 30/07/2018 17:36

DH and I went to Thailand a few years back. Every day was full on "doing stuff" so one day we decided to dedicate the day to sunbathing, lounging in the pool and drinking cocktails. We lasted 10 minutes before deciding we were bored and had to go and do something so two weeks of it is going to be undoable.

Maybe if I say I can't go but suggest something else? Maybe something in between?

OP posts:
AlmostPerfect1955 · 30/07/2018 17:37

Each to their own

DNAwrangler · 30/07/2018 17:37

Nothing wrong with it if that what he likes MrSpock. I mean, why should he go hiking up pyramids or whatever just because you think he should? That would be ridiculous.

MelanieCheeks · 30/07/2018 17:38

There might well be activities you guild take part in-yoga, pool side quizzes, etc. And there will be trips and tours you can go on.

But it really doesn't sound like your scene. I'm with you on that!

Do you have a novel inside you you could start writing? Reading, sodoku, knitting, drawing? Listen to podcasts?

Budgiegirlbob · 30/07/2018 17:38

I was hoping someone might have a suggestion on how to make it more bearable so I can go but I honestly don't think there is anything

Then don’t go, it’s clearly not the type of holiday for you.

I'm not judging but

You sound like you’re judging to me! Surely you can understand that different people want different things from their holiday.

MorrisZapp · 30/07/2018 17:38

I don't do AI but I do lie on a sunlounger most of the day on holiday. I read, do puzzles, have a beer and dip in and out of the pool. I really enjoy it. Hope that answers your genuine curiosity.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 30/07/2018 17:38

I did one of these holidays. I picked it because I had a toddler Ds, a newborn Dd and my mental health had been a bit shaky all the way through the pregnancy.
I booked it during the pregnancy and was looking for something that would still be manageable in a worst case scenario where I had PND, a colicky baby and a demanding toddler.
I wasn't anticipating being in any kind of state for sightseeing!