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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:
ineedwine99 · 31/07/2018 10:48

I love AI but it doesn't mean i stay in resort all day, we generally do a day sightseeing etc then a day relaxing. We always go out of resort though to see the area, do tours, activities, boat trips etc.
I like the ease of AI for eating and drinking

MarshaBradyo · 31/07/2018 10:51

You just need to go to a good 5* with nice pools, beach and walkable to good places

There’s a big range

Branleuse · 31/07/2018 11:51

I bet all inclusive with a lovely beach or two nearby would be a fabulous holiday with young kids.

When someone is rushed off their feet all year round, sometimes all they want to do is relax a bit, get some sunshine and some sea.

Its a bit strange that some people are fixated on one type of holiday only

IceCreamFace · 31/07/2018 11:57

I can imagine having maybe a week holiday near a beach with a nice restaurant where you just play on the beach, swim, go for walks and don't do much else but I would hate to sit by one of those crowded pools for any length of time, but I'm a bit grumpy and don't like being too close to other people Smile.

80sMum · 31/07/2018 12:06

I'm with you all the way, OP. That kind of holiday would not appeal to me at all! I would far rather not go on holiday at all than have to go somewhere like that.

Thankfully though, a lot of people do like that sort of thing. That suits me very well, as it means that they all stay in their resorts and don't venture out to the beautiful and unspoilt, uncrowded special places where DH and I like to go!

LagunaBubbles · 31/07/2018 12:18

There's absolutely nothing wrong with liking a different holiday to other people. However thinking you are better than them because of your choices or looking down on them makes you a sad twat.

KidLorneRoll · 31/07/2018 12:20

Different people like different things. Who knew?

Kneesbendarmstretchrarara · 31/07/2018 12:26

Speaking for myself, I go on ‘fly & flops’ because I suffer from a chronic debilitating degenerative disease.

I am physically and mentally beyond exhausted (so exhausted I was put on antidepressants) that I now do these holidays because my body needs the warmth and significant R&R.

NicoAndTheNiners · 31/07/2018 12:28

Yes you can read at home but not in the sunshine at 40degrees C.

Ive only done this sort of holiday once and I did enjoy it. I admit I normally enjoy holidays doing more stuff, exploring, etc but was quite happy doing this. Chatting with friends and reading and swimming and eating in amazingly hot weather.

It was actually Egypt and I had planned to venture out the resort more, we went quad biking in the desert one afternoon and went to the beach another afternoon but nothing else. It was a 12 hour drive to the pyramids for a start!

vivasunshine · 31/07/2018 12:31

flamingofridays GrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

Jjjjigoo · 31/07/2018 12:35

The obvious thing to do is talk to your friend about your differs holiday expectations, then either find a compromise or agree that it isn't worth going and spoiling your friendship.

FiestaThenSiesta · 31/07/2018 12:43

People who go to resorts in Egypt are more likely looking at the incredible snorkeling and diving in the Red Sea. So it’s more like someone telling you...... I can’t believe you flew all the way to Cairo to see the stupid pyramids (which are in a hugely crowded and busy city called Giza and next to a mc Donald’s) but you didn’t drive another 6 hours to see some of the most wonderful marine wildlife in the world and enjoy pristine diving and snorkelling.

vivasunshine · 31/07/2018 12:43

I'm not judging but

You clearly are judging Hmm

If you don't like the sound of an AI, lazying around the pool, reading a book and eating your weight in pool snack pizza and chips then don't do it. Personally I can't bloody wait for that 2 week break of having someone to cook clean and just generally wait on me whilst I sit around the pool with my children playing cards or dominoes (youngest) in the kids club for an hour then getting ready to eat more food and maybe an early night or just sit on the balcony watching the sea roll in ready to do it all again the next day. My kind of holiday, however, I do not judge anyone who would like to go and explore Smile

FiestaThenSiesta · 31/07/2018 12:44

Marine life not marine wildlife Grin

Trinity66 · 31/07/2018 12:45

It wouldn't be my cup of tea either but so what, we don't all like the same things :/

JustTheLemons · 31/07/2018 12:52

I love all inclusive. No stress, no fuss. I take a stack of books and go through one a day, really just love chilling and eating and lying about.

I see why people would get bored and would not at all be offended if someone said they didn’t want to come, so just tell your friend you don’t fancy it.

Kokeshi123 · 31/07/2018 13:18

It's a certain type of holiday. Can be fun if you are in the right mood.

If you don't want to go, don't go! Save your money for something you will enjoy more.

Oblomov18 · 31/07/2018 14:07

What a snob you are. I've been on all sorts of different holidays. All equally enjoyable.

Birdshitbridgegotme · 31/07/2018 14:15

There's no reason u can't go and just do things while she lays by the pool. The hotels always have different excursions to go on. Or walk/take a taxi to the town. U can do as little or as much as u like. U can always do your own thing after breakfast/lunch and meet up again in the evenings

KatharinaRosalie · 31/07/2018 14:23

Pyramids are good 6-8 hour bus ride from the resorts in Sharm el Sheik. It's like saying you wouldn't go to Côte d'Azur and miss visiting Vatican.

SnowWhite33 · 31/07/2018 14:25

Went once, never again! We had a 2 year old, i was pregnant, thought it would be nice to just relax.
So glad we only booked 1 week and had another week of “normal” holiday still left.
Most annoying of all were families getting in to “reserve” the sun loungers with their towels as close as possible to the pool before breakfast. Ive only read about it before and actually now got to see it for myself. Such loosers IMO
We got beyond bored by day 2 and did as much daytrips and sighseeing as we could. Did i mention i will never set my foot to an all in family resort ever again?

MamaMumMama · 31/07/2018 14:33

You should look at nice big all inclusive alike the secrets, sandals or beaches resorts. People do also leave to sight see, they don't lock you in! But when you are at the hotel you have top class restaurants and entertainment if you want it.

Mia1415 · 31/07/2018 14:48

YANBU This would be my idea of hell. I can't see any attraction in sunbathing and lounging around a pool. What a waste of time.

However I appreciate that some people enjoy this. I think you just have to be honest with your friend that it isn't your cup of tea.

I wouldn't judge anyone for not liking the type of holidays I enjoy so hopefully she will understand.

ArialAnna · 31/07/2018 14:54

I'm confused OP - is this a holiday she's already chosen to go on with other people and now she wants you to come too? Or is she planning a new holiday for just the two of you / you and your partners / families?

If it's the former, surely you can just explain that it's not your thing but you'd be happy to do something that's more of a compromise another time?

If it's the latter suggest a compromise now. Maybe a nice big hotel near the coast with a good pool, but located in an interesting town / city with cultural sites for you to enjoy and good restaurants nearby? Some days you both do your own thing, and some days she goes along with your plans (and visa versa) for the simple pleasure of each other's company and the fact that it doesn't hurt you to get out your comfort zone and do things a little differently once in a while (for both for you).

(Fyi for what it's worth I'm more like you OP! I can lounge with a book for a couple of hours but then I'm itching to get out and do something)

LoveInTokyo · 31/07/2018 14:56

Don't go.

You don't like the same kind of holidays. You won't want to do the same sort of things.

It doesn't have to be an issue, just tell the other person you prefer to get out and explore and you would get bored staying in the resort all day.

Holidays with people who have different wants and different expectations to you are never a success.