All inclusive resort holiday

[AmenAmin]

Firstly I know this sounds ungrateful. For context my children haven’t been abroad, I haven’t ever been on a package holiday. We don’t have much spare money.

An aunt has come into money and offered to book a holiday as a treat, with set ideas. Sun, abroad, all inclusive. Obviously it’s a wonderful offer and we’ve excitedly expressed gratitude. She’s wanting to book it and gift it, lovely offer:

I’ve not said anything, but now looking at some links…. are they really fun with children? Especially with limited funds to do other things? It seems a lot of extra activities, eg pool tables, will be paid and realistically children aren’t going to just sit and read all day. Is it more of an adult break? Sleeping in one hotel room, even if a family room, sounds not massively restful either (I’ve never been to a hotel, am I wrong?). I’m just a tad worried it could all be stressful. Squeezed together for a week in close proximity, stuck to a site, hot and bored kids! Just me and children of mixed ages.

Can anyone tell me what it’s really like?

What resorts have you been to so I can avoid?
YouTube don't have to stay on the resort.

what a lovely offer. Research the hotel carefully with your aunt, ask your kids what they’d like and see how close you can get to getting a holiday that ticks everyone’s boxes. Some family rooms have curtains between the beds but others are physically separate rooms. We had a great one last year with a double room, a twin room and a living area. Be sure to factor in the cost of passports and travel insurance.

lots of hotels have clubs for kids of all ages, organised volleyball and football games etc that kids enjoy getting involved in, archery sessions things like that. Pools are always a hit and ones with slides even more.

the great thing with AI is that you can all have what you fancy to eat and try new things that you might not otherwise. You don’t have to worry about the cost of drinks and drinking enough through the day. Ice cream, crepes etc are available day to ward off any hunger pangs.

look at flight times and transfer times, if you want to be right on the beach double check the location and that shuttles aren’t needed.

Tripadvisor is great to look at but ignore the odd miserable review if it really is just the odd one.

We go all inclusive as child can eat what she likes and is willing to try new things,drinks when she needs one.
We do leave the resort for days out.
we went to a place in menorca called Marinda gardens,it was horrendous. Child had a jacket stolen and the hotel didn’t give a shit,rooms were tiny.very basic,entertainment was like the stuff from the 80s with balloons down their tops to look like breasts.

We enjoy it. Some are better than others of course. It probably wouldn't be my first choice as an adult but it's just an easy way to get away with children. You can get apartments with a separate bedroom and sofa beds for the kids.

We usually get up, have a leisurely stroll to breakfast. After breakfast go and get swimwear on and spend the day either at the beach or by the pool. That can be a bit boring in my opinion but most kids are happy splashing around in the pool. Hotels will usually put on pool games throughout the day and you can always have an explore outside of the hotel.

We head up to the room late afternoon, have a relax and maybe a nap, all get showered and a bit dressed up then head for dinner. This is lovely because the children can have what they want, no worrying about finding somewhere to eat that suits everyone. Then we would either sit and watch the entertainment or walk into the resort and have a mooch around. There will usually be things on for the children too.

I always do a lot of research to find a hotel that has enough to do but isn't too noisy either and where there is healthy decent food as well as pancakes and ice cream!

Hmmmm they aren’t gregarious kids tbh, social enough to play with others but maybe not organised games!
They are easy going, but quieter kids.

Interesting replies

Yeah, that’s probably our world.
I don’t need something like a games room you have to pay for!

That’s useful- thanks

No idea where!
I’d like September, not too hot ideally, affordable things to do outside the hotel.
It’s pretty overwhelming tbh. I’ve never booking anything like this, so even making suggestions is hard. The information overload is huge. It’s an amazing offer, but I don’t know where to start

Turkey is still hot in September. Have a look at the hotels on Lara beach or side.

All inclusive is brilliant. There's usually entertainment so stuff like pool volleyball or inflatables in day and evening entertainment- singers/ dancers etc. Three meals plus snacks and ice creams and drinks. Some have limits around alcohol.

I would choose one that has lots of kids activities. Maybe some water slides if your kids would enjoy that. We find all inclusive really relaxing, have done 3 and 4. Kids club for kids under 10, they make friends there then have loads of friends round the pool. I would recommend los zocos in Lanzarote or the Tui holiday villages.

@AmenAmin

I've stayed at a variety of AI's including one that was panned on TA. Even there, I had stuff I enjoyed at each meal, just less choice than fancier ones. Always a pasta, choice of pizzas (even at the panned one, these were freshly made to order), fish and meats done on a grill, recipe dishes, salads, fruit, puds and children's food (chips, nuggets I think).

Usually pay extra if you want branded spirits but local versions of same are included (I'm not into spirits so no clue).

My DD's were happy to simply play at pool or beach. Often made buddies. They were perfectly happy with that.

I think you'll have a super time 😊

Get somewhere with free water sports - that’s all your activities sorted! Plus some great clubs at some resorts, including for teens. If you can get a room with a divide or a balcony or terrace as then you still have separate space.

Turkey is perfect in September. I can recommend a few hotels if you say what you are looking for, I’m sure others can too.

How old are DC? Do you want to put them in kids club? how well do they swim? (I preferred shallower pools when younger so I knew their feet could touch the ground, as well as only a few slides with good visibility at the bottom so I could watch them, as opposed to full on water parks)

Would you like somewhere with music around the pool or do you like a quieter atmosphere? There are lots where you have daytime “entertainers” who come to get you and children involved in activities, pool games etc. I really dislike this, as well as loud music, but some people love it and like to be at a pool with action around it.

Do you want to be close to a town, and to go out on trips for the day, or are you happy to be in the middle of nowhere and just in a really good complex where you and DC relax for the week?

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/turkey/turkey-dalaman/sarigerme/hotels/tui-blue-tropical.html?utm_medium=paidsearch&gclid=CjwKCAjwp6CkBhB_EiwAlQVyxTsvrTwB7V2ke8NC0jhTDJsxKv1OSgfUVO1zvYRrZHfxa5lDcYyszhoCkUYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds