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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Day 1 of holiday. Hell.

517 replies

gilesday · 02/10/2025 21:17

This will come off really bad I appreciate that but sod it I have to speak my truth.

Day 1 of our family holiday we came to Greece. Have been excited for it. It’s all inclusive which is our second time, last year we did all inclusive and same thing I hated it. Don’t know why I thought it would be different but anyway.

I hate it. The hotel is just crap. The clientele are typical of what you would expect at an all inclusive and I just seriously regret it.

The thing is, I get I’m being a snob. Let’s be honest clearly we have the same budget as these people I’m slagging off (100k combined income) so should probably be a bit more humble, but I can’t. Every fibre of my being feels like I’m not built for this. I want better. I want luxury. I’m sooooo much more at home at high end places, where as the people here would probably feel uncomfortable there and like this better.

is anyone else like this?

What do I do, just avoid all inclusive from now on and stick to nicer hotels but just breakfast, eat out and explore more?

What do people do who are like me but equally don’t have the Dorchester budget?

OP posts:
JukeboxJive2 · 03/10/2025 06:10

are you staying at a 5* All Inclusive?
We generally do go AI for ease, but I also only pick AI’s which have true, unlimited A la Carte offerings - the permanent dinner hall experience is not for me.

You should look at Turkey (Antalya, Lara Beach or Belek), they offer pretty decent value for money in some cases. Don’t even bother with AI’s lower than 5* rated there though.

Greece have some gorgeous options but again it depends on what you are really looking for both culinary , budget and experience wise.

We usually pay around £1.5k per person for a week, it’s never less than £1k-pppw.

NorthernLass2025 · 03/10/2025 06:19

Did all inclusive many years ago and never again. We go self catering or now mostly hire a villa or apartment so much better for us and kids

Praying4Peace · 03/10/2025 06:26

popcornandpotatoes · 02/10/2025 21:23

We do all inclusive holidays about once a year. The only time we went somewhere that sounds like you're describing sas pre-DC, when we were younger and poorer and a friend chose it.

Find better hotels, they exist. If you want luxury pay for it. We went to a fantastic all inclusive in Greece at the start of September. No rough guests, no drunkenness etc

Who do you consider to be rough guests?

Iris2020 · 03/10/2025 06:28

OP I've been on amazing holidays with a fraction of your budget. Your problem is the AI bit. Those are by definition not high end, imo.
Book self-catering and eat out. Go and visit stuff, do wine tastings and museums and sit on lovely beaches.
I don't think it's possible to feel luxury sat on a sun lounger for a week eating from the same restaurant every night with the same people around you.

jeaux90 · 03/10/2025 06:30

AI is great if it’s very high end, we do this once a year.

HolidayHappy123 · 03/10/2025 06:36

TUI all inclusive = not for me either

IKOS all inclusive = top notch, couldn’t fault it, but pricey

Aposterhasnoname · 03/10/2025 06:37
  1. High end all inclusive are a thing, why didn’t you book one of those.
  2. Im pretty sure you’re allowed out of even low quality AI hotels. If you don’t like it, then go out everyday.
sagebasil · 03/10/2025 06:43

TheFairyCaravan · 02/10/2025 21:33

We’ve just come back from an AI holiday. We booked a small, quiet hotel, had a hire car so we could go out and about, and expected it to be like an old people’s home (suits me down to the ground) as per the reviews. Then on day 2 a very loud, group turned up to celebrate a 60th birthday. They completely overtook the pool area, with their loud, drunken behaviour, so we spent most of the time at the beach and went out for evening meals.

We breathed a sigh of relief when they went home and we had a few days left, only they were replaced by another fucking group who played loud music round the pool. I’m never going AI again. It was the final nail in the coffin for me.

Oh dear - that sounds awful. What a shame - you've put me right off doing an AI holiday.

mjf981 · 03/10/2025 06:44

Haha you are a massive snob, but at least you're owning it.

Plan for next year - find a nice airBNB/apartment somewhere buzzy - maybe a larger but more provincial town in Italy or France, away from the main tourist cities/resorts to keep costs own. Then find out from the locals (ask your airBNB host, or even ask on reddit) the best places to eat in the area, and if there are any hidden gems.

NeelyOHara · 03/10/2025 06:44

Go somewhere more expensive? Club Med or Ikos don’t have any ‘riff raff.

Or you could just be one of those people who goes abroad but comment about how they don’t like seeing British tourists abroad.

Yamamm · 03/10/2025 06:44

Dragonsbe · 02/10/2025 22:28

Can someone explain how you find these NON aI hotels? Do you book independently or do you still use operators like jet2 and tui? The regional airport near me has very limited flight operators, so when I look at booking a small hotel b and b I’m often disappointed to find it also does AI. I wish you could filter that OUT as an option, along with family friendly!

It’s really hard to find a non AI in Turkey now. We have used a lovely self catering place near Bodrum for the last few years. So filter by self catering to avoid the AI crowd.

Probably costs about the same but we get better accommodation and often just have a bread, cheese and fruit meal anyway.
People watching at an AI is the best fun though! Especially the money’s worth lot.

MySweetGeorgina · 03/10/2025 06:52

I am a poor snob on a much lower income than you

we book separate hotel/flights book a small family run hotel or apartment or house , so simple but nice and eat out in local places, going to different countries like Norway, Poland, Croatia … lots of options (but maybe it is probably not the luxury you crave)

User987439 · 03/10/2025 06:56

Change your holiday destination. Places like Greece or Turkey also attract a certain "clientele" of people. Northern Italy, South Tyrol and Austria have amazing luxury hotels for families without the grubby vibe. The coast along Venice is great for beach holidays. Realistically, you need to budget 1K per night for 5* all inclusive but those are really do match up to expectations. You just have to keep holidays shorter or stick to one "big" holiday every two years.

5128gap · 03/10/2025 07:02

Its not the fault of other people that you didn't do your research and are incapable of planning something you enjoy within your budget. Or that you seem to lack the initiative to enjoy this holiday in your own way. No one is forcing you to sit round a complex. Use it as a base and get out and enjoy the beauty and culture of the country. I'm sure the majority of people at your hotel would also prefer luxury (why would it make them uncomfortable and not you? You're the same background, as you say) but it's too bad, isn't it? We make the best choices we can within our budget.

Greenwave · 03/10/2025 07:06

It sounds awful. I am poor and can barely afford a holiday but I am still too snobby to go to a AI.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 03/10/2025 07:06

To me the solution is self-catering, live frugally some days with cheaper activities and food, then a few meals out in beautiful restaurants.
But you are there now. Just get a good book and enjoy it. Headphones in and relax listening to music. Just make the best of it.

Heylittlesongbird · 03/10/2025 07:08

HolidayHappy123 · 03/10/2025 06:36

TUI all inclusive = not for me either

IKOS all inclusive = top notch, couldn’t fault it, but pricey

We’ve done a few TUI Blue Sensatori AI’s and they were very nice. Now I’m trying to work out if we had nice AI’s or if I’m just common as muck with low standards. I didn’t feel out of my depth the times I’ve been to the Dorchester if that helps? 😂

Edit to say the common and Dorchester bit wasn’t directed at the post I’m replying to but the OP.

alphabetti · 03/10/2025 07:10

Don’t book same type of holiday next time you clearly don’t like AI. Either save for what you class as better by maybe going every other year etc And please learn to be grateful there’s many people lovely hard working paying all their priority bills and just can’t afford to take their child on holiday. They would love to swap with you.

Boxboom · 03/10/2025 07:12

I don't know anyone who would dream of booking all inclusive because of the demographic it attracts.
You have done so twice.
Why?

EatingHealthy · 03/10/2025 07:14

Your post seems designed to be inflammatory.

Telling us your income doesn't tell us your budget for your holiday.
You don't complain about anything specific, you just focus on vague stereotypes.

Give some actual information and people will be able to give you actual advice

BadgesforBadgers · 03/10/2025 07:16

BerryTwister · 02/10/2025 21:34

I’m confused. Are you saying that you can’t afford nice places because of your income? My household income is half yours, and we go on villa holidays every year. Lovely locations, our own pool etc. How can you not afford a nice hotel or a villa on £100k?

I was going to say that..maybe there's 4 kids or something that are teenagers?

Joint income of £55k here with 1 kid and have done half board in an all inclusive place on a Greek Island and it was great.

Heronwatcher · 03/10/2025 07:18

Yes you sound like an idiot. The hotel
is a place to eat and sleep, that’s it. Sleep and eat at the hotel and smile nicely at the other people. Other than that enjoy the pools and weather, get out and about, swim, read, look at something interesting, go to the local shops, visit a market. Even on all inclusive you can still eat out if you want, and Greece is good value. Expand your horizons beyond your hotel.

Plus no one is meant for luxury, you have to have the money, brains and imagination to book it according to your tastes. I suspect everyone else there is looking at you thinking why is that woman looking like such a miserable kiljoy TBH.

frozendaisy · 03/10/2025 07:26

“Not built for this”

get a grip @gilesday

You are in Greece go out exploring.

Ophy83 · 03/10/2025 07:26

Go out - one of the best things about Greece is eating out. Scoffing seafood or moussaka in a lovely little taverna overlooking the sea. Getting gyros while bimbling around a market. Sipping a strong coffee in a cafe with some baklava watching the world go by.

Bloozie · 03/10/2025 07:32

YABU because everyone there has spent what they could afford and wants to have a nice time, and you don't have to become best friends with any of them. You just have to mind your beeswax, get your head into a book and relax. If you can't do that if you're not in the Dorchester, go on fewer holidays and splurge once every three years.

Holidays are a luxury, full stop. We cancelled ours this year because when it came to paying the balance we didn't feel like we wanted to make a dent on the savings because money is really tight. I'm not pouting about it because I accept that it's a luxury - the cherry on the cake, not the cake. Hearing you gripe about other people that have worked hard to go on holiday is unedifying - I know you know you're being a snob, but how about a bit of personal growth and trying not to judge other people?

You don't have to stay on resort all week. Get out and see wherever you are in Greece - it's a gorgeous country.