Are all inclusive holidays worth it?

[Blueisthecolour1]

Just throwing it out there - I got excited and went online to book an all-inclusive holiday in Corfu next May half-term. Spent ages looking at various hotels - it's a once in a decade thing, for us so a really one-off opportunity. BUT:

Can't find many AI hotels that offer a family room with adequate space or number of rooms. Don't want to spend thousands of pounds to sleep in the same room as my two children for a week (ages 9 and 5.) I've got a better set up at home - i.e. at least one or two doors between me and them at bedtime!

Trip Advisor reviews - they really freak me out. Especially as every hotel has bad ones it would seem, which is to be expected I suppose however, a pattern of comments around the buffet-type food halls which in general, people seem to dislike after day 3 - one person describing them as cattle-sheds! Lots of complaints in general about food being under-cooked, and lots of queuing for the buffet. Clearly, you get great reviews as well but there does seem to be a theme to some of the concerns.

Lots of reviews complaining about other people - their mess, their noise, again, the queuing and overcrowding of certain favourite areas, like splash parks/play areas.

For the money, is it worth it? I know there's always a mix of opinion on these things but themes do seem to crop up with the all-inclusive topic and it's made me nervous about booking something. Some of them seem absolutely huge in terms of their layout as well - does it get a bit tedious having to make the same journey to get a bite to eat in the morning with young children, then perhaps queuing for ages to get to the buffet table? Then again at lunch, and again at dinner - some people seem to wait ages to get seated at mealtimes by which time the kids are grumpy, overtired, fed up.

I looked on Booking.com to see what properties are available for the location we're interested in and you can get a lovely 3 or four bedroom flat right by the beach for half the price - self-catering obviously. But no kid's clubs, no fun splash park, and all the easy wonders of an all-inclusive environment - IF that's what it is!!! I just don't know!

What are other's experiences opinions on this?

YMMV means your mileage may vary. Hence yes, it depends. Which was my point- it's not really for one person to 'buy it' if others find it's cheaper for them. Or indeed more expensive.

Can’t honestly say I’ve ever heard a siren, never been all inclusive yet where dinner and tea weren’t spread over at least three hours so no rush and I always go out of the resort, might miss the odd meal but wouldn’t just stop on site all th3 time

How did you get out past the dogs and armed guards?

Tunnel

🤣

I reckon that siren was people trying to leave the hotel grounds, it's the only logical explanation.

Yes we love it have only done 5 star it's pure luxury and food Devine, so fresh and so much choice, branded drinks. Gorgeous cocktails, mini magnums etc on tap for the kids, a patisserie, a holiday should be just that imo , a holiday with no thinking about cooking, snacks etc

I think they are great if you eat a lot and like drinking or have kids.

personally i wouldn’t go on one as i dont eat all day and im not bothered about a pint with my full English neither.

Yes AI can be worth it, less so in Greece as though they do it, they struggle to do it well as the natural instinct there is not to cook en masse but to do good individually cooked meals. I feel sorry for the Greek hotels that are being pushed into becoming AI by the big chains that are appearing.

Also May half term, still way too cool and wet usually for Corfu, go further South to Crete.

We stayed in one recently- we didn’t go AI but you could add it on for £60ish pp (half for the kids) per day which felt like a good compromise if you wanted to give it a try

I never went on an AI holiday growing up, always to an apartment or villa and always thought this would be more practical/relaxing because it’s quiet etc…

well we’ve now been on 3 all inclusives and omg… what a game changer with younger kids. Ours are all under 5 so it’s been fantastic having activities, lots of food choices made it easy with weaning or fussy eaters

we would still go out in the town or a boat trip and for the odd meal and it was a really good balance

I’m a convert to an AI now

And actually my DB went away in May with his DP. Stayed y a lovely hotel doing half board.

their first round of drinks cost them 18 euros. they asked how much it would be to upgrade to all inclusive…. 25 euros a day. So it was a no brainer really

We have mainly done AI with TUI since having children and it really works for us. A wide range of fresh food means everyone can find something they are happy to eat. Snacks and drinks included mean no one is budgeting constantly and let’s face it, shopping, cooking and cleaning do not a relaxing holiday make for at least one person.

Check the reviews, 4/5 minimum, at least one bedroom and you’re sorted for a family of 4. We’ve done AI in Greece, Turkey, Balearics and Canaries and always found the food to be very good. There are some strange combinations but hotels are catering to different nationalities so it’s to be expected.

Worth every penny for us.

Yup I would never do an AI hotel as breakfast or half board. Everything extra will cost you an arm and a leg.

I love an AI, never eat a full English or drink beer with breakfast. Lots of lovely fresh fruit, rolls and pastries and the only alcohol on offer is mimosa or champagne.

Yes!! I wouldn't go on one without kids, as I'm not a big enough drinker to make it worthwhile. But with children, it's so much easier and cheaper to have every drink (plus mocktails!), snack and ice-cream included.