Holidaying with others?

[AllInclusive321]

I’m big believer in the ‘uh oh’ feeling aka trust your instincts.

And I’ve got uh oh feeling about this holiday.

It’s for six of us, my DH, his parents (for their anniversary as they didn’t want a party), his brother and his DP.

His parents are nice and down to earth. I’m sure we could have a couple of nice nights having dinner. His brother is alright- we’ve only had polite conversation but alright. His new girlfriend I’ve met briefly a couple of times as seems like a complete killjoy/arrogant/above the rest of us.

They’ve posted a few links to all inclusives in Spain/Zante/holiday islands for October which is nearly cracking on for £1000 each for two weeks. They’re not even 5 star hotels in the heart of everything, more of a 15- 45 taxi to anything else apart from the complex with large pools, 1000s of bedrooms and 4 restaurants to go with it.

Two weeks in one place just seems boring. I’ve never done an all inclusive so could be fun but two weeks with people that are just alright.

If I bail I’ve ruined the anniversary for everyone as my DP won’t go without me and I’ll just seem like a killjoy. Maybe I’m asking if anyone has been in my position and it’s been great? Even some recommendations of hotels that are near some culture/affordable/less UH OH?

Surely you'd be better off in a small complex with each group having their own accommodation. Then, you can have time together but still, have your own space. I'd struggle to be with my husband for two-weeks if it was all-inclusive.

If you're going to be spending that amount of money and using all that annual leave then you need to have some input on where you're going. Just say you'd like somewhere you can go off and explore as well as enjoy some lounging around the pool, I'm sure you'll find somewhere. And the benefit of a larger, all inclusive hotel is that it should be easier to spend time just with your DH rather than always being in the pockets of the people you're travelling with.

Why don’t you have a look, I think something nearer to some other stuff sounds better as you have more things to do and then can meet up for lunch or dinner and not be in each other’s faces

Sounds like my idea of hell..

Not the hotel but the company.

Solo travel is my thing nowadays. It's fab, believe me.
Do what you want, when you want. No whingers to have to put up with. :-)

Holidays are precious! Don't let others dictate your life for you!!

@boom45

They’ve asked for our opinion but his parents want an all inclusive- short flight away/whole holiday taken care of/ ‘somewhere safe’. In my opinion they need to guarantee everyone speaks English, nice towels and hovis bread - but somewhere with guaranteed sun.

I think it should be fine if you can agree on where to go. I certainly wouldn't be spending 2k on a holiday I wasn't excited for! Like pp have said you're better off going somewhere that you can explore and spend time with the family when you want to. Not forced time because you are stuck in one place.

Two weeks is too much. Say you’ll only go for a week and only somewhere with multiple restaurants and bars so you can do different things. I’d look at Malta as it’s easy to get around (and do historic sites etc) and there are plenty of AIs near to stuff.

Just do a week?

I’m doing long haul with my two children for 7 nights and have done so for last few years. It’s lovely.

£1000 pp for two weeks all inclusive is alarmingly and worrying cheap!

Always go five star if doing AI

I think maybe suggest one week? Two weeks would be a hell of a long time and I love my family!

There are loads of all-inclusive places which are better than that. Find alternatives and lobby for them heavily

Say you can only do one week.

All inclusive is my idea of hell. Did it once and never again. As much as you can eat - except anything you'd actually want. And British tourists getting pissed because it's all on tap (albeit in paper cups).
And as someone else said, £1000 is worryingly cheap.
You'll end up paying twice just to escape.
Sounds like a weekend would be ample given the company. Just say no, we don't fancy it.
Your parents-in-law, however nice, sound too timid for 'abroad.' They'd probably prefer Torquay.

I do those sort of holidays. It would be ideal if you could just do a week.

You need to get researching and come up with suggestions. Decide what you want out of your holiday and what you definitely don't want.

Have they looked at half term week without realising? Everyone should have a say on where/when you go. It would be handy for your DH to speak to his Parents and ask them what they want, then see if you can all get as many elements as you all want.

Two weeks - definitely not! A week could be a reasonable compromise.

£1000 pp for two weeks all inclusive is alarmingly and worrying cheap!

^
This

We would go to Greece for that sort of price for a week B & B including flights. And that would be for good standard 4 star accommodation.

Nothing wrong with AI, it's not a prison

It's more about the location and kind of holiday YOU like, you can book AI in the middle of a city. What would you like to do, can you find resorts that would allow you to do that?

As said by previous posters, £1k per person for 2 weeks AI is going to be grim. Even for a week £1k it won't be excellent but you'd manage for a week!

All inclusive with nothing else around is my idea of heaven. Lounging around reading and taking an occasional dip in the pool. Then shower and dress for dinner on-site. I don’t need entertainment or socializing. I just want to relax. I wouldn’t worry about taxi costs because leaving the resort is a waste of energy.

But it’s not for everyone. If it’s too much, maybe say you just want to do a week.

At that price though you could conceivably be in your room for most of the day though

We usually go AI with family as it’s nice to be able to eat and drink whatever you want without thinking about whose turn it is to pay, etc. but we plan a few days out as well (usually hire a car but fiancé is Portuguese and is confident driving on other side of the road). I do agree with previous posters that two weeks is too long

We have often been away with friends, same resort different hotels and regular meet ups. Everyone has own space but not in each other’s pockets. Always worked better than being in the same hotel
Going away doesn’t necessarily mean being glued together x

Set a budget, say you're not willing to attend unless it's a good deal as paying through the nose will taint the holiday.
List at least two things you know your in-laws like doing/will be keen to visit so they know you're thinking of everyone when making your point.

Go Friday to Sunday. Job done.

Total mixed responses I think holidaying is very much a personal preference something like home decor.

Thank you for all your responses. I think I could probably push for a week with ‘it’s better to go somewhere nicer, quality over quantity’. I did think £1000 was still a lot of money for AL especially outside of S holidays and generally well known ‘lad holiday’ places. It’s just annoying that we can get flights for £50 return, nice villa, eat local food out and still have change for activities. But I do understand that people don’t want to be worried about booking a taxi/working out public transport etc etc.

It’s just difficult as whereas I’d rather have an outdated bedroom with prime location I understand that’s not for everyone. Blurgh.