How can I enjoy this holiday?

[mammajulie]

Due to fly abroad tomorrow, average priced all inclusive,(we paid 4.5k for ten days) kid friendly hotel so obviously busy at this time of year.
The recent reviews are just terrible, overcrowded, can’t get a drink in under an hour, food awful, can’t get near the pool.

I knew it would be busy but this sounds so bad and I’m now dreading it, I’m not a great traveler anyway and now I’m so nervous and stressed about our holiday.

Please send me tips so I can enjoy this holiday and help my partner and kids also have a great time. I really need this break as I’m straight back to work when I return.

Any ideas appreciated!!

Just remember people who post negative reviews are generally negative people, and for every one of them there are 10 who loved it but couldn’t be faffed to post feedback… it’s like no news is good news!

that’s what I tell myself, and I’m sure you can make the most of it, or just be accepting, drinks will take a hour so buy some extra duty free so you can have a drink in the room on the balcony etc.

Or just laugh and enjoy the chaos!

dont panic- sometimes people like to post bad reviews. I’ve just come back from a wonderful holiday and looking at the most recent reviews of the place I don’t recognise it,
work out how best to avoid the crowds - ask the restaurants when the quieter times are to eat, decide if you’re family wake up early whether you’ll just get up and go to get sunbeds and gave breakfast stsy then go for a long lunch then siesta when it gets busy.

take thermal mugs so when you go get served at the bar you can get double….. and thermal will keep cold.
have a good time xx

It will be fine. Everyone is quick to complain but slow to compliment. I would take headphones to either listen to music, audio books or white noise if reading and it's noisy. If you like a drink, perhaps treat yourself to some duty free so you only need to buy mixers. You then won't be waiting. If you have little ones chuck them in kid's club. If you enjoy reading either treat yourself to a book or 2 at the airport or download some onto a Kindle if you have one. You will be away from your usual routine, it will be warm, sunny, kids will be exhausted from charging around all day and you won't be cooking, cleaning or working. Enjoy and look forward to your well earned break.

People like to post about the negatives far more than they do positives I’d take it with a pinch of salt and go with an open mind. I always take a travel cup with me as it keeps my drink colder longer and it’s usually holds twice the amount of there glasses 🤣. Hope you have a fab holiday

Some people just do bad reviews to get refunds, which does work according to a relative of mine who worked as a travel rep.

We went to a hotel in Zante once. I stupidly read the reviews before I went and they were awful. I was dreading it.

Ended up having a great time. Yes the rooms were very dated, yes there were some issues but the couple who owned the hotel were so lovely and made our stay enjoyable.

Work on the assumption you won’t get sun beds near the pool and choose a spot further away where you can relax without getting dragged into sunbed wars.

You are allowed out and can treat yourselves to a few meals in local restaurants.

Yes, to @reversegear : get some drinks from a local supermarket to drink on your balcony.

Totally agree with PP. Most people who have had a good time won't post a review.

I hope you have a lovely time.

Think back to the best holidays you’ve ever had. Then look at the resorts on Trip Advisor. All of them will have negative reviews making it sound like a gulag. And yet, you had a wonderful time. There are always going to be people who go to popular resorts and are stunned to find other people also want to use the facilities. Or that sausage, chips and beans aren’t on the menu each night. And those are usually the people who enjoy complaining.

Just set your expectations. Yes, there is likely to be a rush for sunbeds. But is it really going to ruin your break if you have to walk 20 yards to the pool? Yes, there might be a queue for drinks, but let’s be realistic here; if you can get a drink at the O2 arena in less than an hour at intermission, you’ll be fine. And it’s not as though you’ll have to queue up in the wind and rain, is it? Is it horrible food? Or is it just food that isn’t to the complainers liking? And you surely won’t be staying in the resort all day, every day, will you?

You are going to have an absolutely lovely time. You aren’t going to take any notice of the bad reviews. It will be lovely and you are going to feel wonderful and relaxed by the time you leave.