Day 1 of holiday. Hell.

[gilesday]

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?

@Mydadsbirthday dont be so sanctimonious. Op has not mentioned her dc ages. They're probably under school age I imagine

If we do a ‘sunshine’ holiday, then we book a villa/bungalow/apartment with our own pool or one just shared with one or two other families. Our main meal each day is eaten out, so no cooking, we just put snacks together for anything else we eat. Just me and DH so nothing needed in the way of housework as we don’t make a mess in the first place. (And if DS and his partner come with us, they do their own tidying up). A villa and eating out may sound as if it’s more expensive, but our income is less than yours.

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.

I would love some clarity on this. How would you and the other guests be in a high-end place? How will you be at home more than them??

I don't like AI because for me part of the experience of visiting a place is exploring different food options and places to eat and if I've paid for meals up front I feel like I'm wasting money if I skip them and go somewhere else. For some people, though, that's more work than fun and they appreciate having everything catered. I don't think it's snobbish to eschew AI as long as you're not sneering at people who use/prefer it. As PPs have noted, though, you do get different levels of luxury in both AI options and in hotels or other lodging you book as stand-alone.

The income level of people around you will vary, as well as their travel preferences. You'd probably find some guests that booked this AI because they just got a couple of days off unexpectedly and are squeezing in one more holiday for the year and want to allocate their money to other things, others who've saved up for a once in a lifetime blowout, and everything in between. If you want to go for a much higher standard of luxury in your holiday lodgings next time, though, without changing your overall budget you might end up either going for a shorter time or going to a cheaper location.

Can you go sightseeing and maybe take yourself away from the hotel? I would try to look for the positives if there are any? I have found over the years that all inclusive can be a bit hit and miss. Have been to some good ones and some really rubbish ones. If your budget allows maybe some nice meals out if the food is awful.

In all honesty if this is what’s in your budget you’re going to have to change your mindset or do something different. Although tbh I think self catering could end up being more expensive if you are out every meal.

We went on a cheap and cheerful AI in Greece this year. We knew from the outset what it was going to be like and accepted it and had a brilliant time.

Just learn the groups to avoid!

"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."

Hahaha I love the idea that Dave the boiler fitter from Harrogate would feel uncomfortable if his hotel was too nice. "Fookin hell Barb, I can't swim there - it's a fookin infinity pool with a view of the ocean. Where are all the white plastic beds? It's just not right. And that steak last night was far too tender. The Merlot paired so well that I had to water it down with Vimto just so I didn't get ideas above my station."

Champagne taste, lemonade budget.

Hate to break it to you OP, but lots of folk have a similar issue. Most of us would feel more comfortable in plush surroundings even - shock - the commoners.

In fairness, I should have had an inkling of what was coming when OP opened with “I must speak my truth”. 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Reminds me of ex DP.

He takes his kids to Butlins every year. Loves it.

Its absolutely not his thing, but what makes him love it is that the kids love it. They can go off on their own (they each take a friend) to the fair or to some entertainment. He took them the first year after he split with his ex because he wasnt sure where to take them and wanted stuff to keep them occupied.

He wouldnt go there for a pension on his own, but always books the next year when they are on holiday. So what you see is "chavvy bloke who thinks Butlins is sophisticated, no wonder he is on his own" when the reality is a parent doing what makes the kidshappy, putting their own personal preferences second.

Fairly sure that what would suit me holiday wise would have had my kids bored to death and me tearing my hair out trying to entertain them back when they were young.

I’m surprised you’re not getting rinsed on here. I went AI in Egypt in Jan about 15 years ago and paid something like £350 each all in. we could have afforded more and it was our first resort holiday. The resort was actually lovely and the food great but the wine was like vinegar and the other cliental were not people we would normally associate with. I learnt a lesson. Simply you’re not spending enough money for the experience you want. Or go independent.

I would never book AI, I know I would hate it, so I am confused why you booked it twice! I remember sitting in a beautiful but empty restaurant in Greece about thirty years ago with the waiter standing outside trying to attract customers. Everyone just walked past and waved their arm at him, we had no idea what was going on until he explained they were showing him they had an AI wristband! He also told us the AI resorts were killing off a lot of restaurants. I mean, I can see the appeal for families, but I love going to different restaurants on holiday, I also love foreign supermarkets, so I travel elsewhere, and it sounds like you should too.

Don't worry. Anyone who says "speak my truth" will fit right in.

Glad I am not the only one who rolled their eyes at that!

Me too, as I’ve got older. A good way to avoid the kind of behaviour people are describing is to pick the right destination. We did a road trip around Arizona and Utah this year - not a loud/annoying/drunken family in sight.

We have been to 3 Ikos resorts in Greece and they do a great all inclusive offering. The crowd is pretty nice and it’s fairly quiet resorts with lots of a la carte choices

Have a different holiday next year and meanwhile enjoy this one as much as you can. It’s a first world problem remember!

I think AI is the only good option when you have kids. So many parents, mainly mothers, complain that holidays are never holidays for them, mostly because they are still doing all the cooking, cleaning, laundry etc. If you know your set up is that way inclined, I don't understand why you would book a holiday that would guarantee you also do those things there, too.

I think an AI type resort also has the features most suited to children for holidays, so it gives them the best chance of having a holiday that actually suits their needs.

We personally book AI, and then will have lunch and/or dinner locally every day. It just means the kids have an endless supply of food and drinks while we are in the hotel or a nearby beach.

Saying that, a holiday where you can go self catering and be more free is a real treat. I just think that doing that for a family of four or five would be very expensive and probably not ideal for kids who are dealing with a different climate.

The all inclusive aspect isn’t the problem, it’s how much you forked out. I’ve been on some very nice all inclusive holidays

I've done AI in Cyprus, Fuengirola, Egypt, Morocco and Cancun. I didn't drink out of plastic cups, or do the conga and there wasn't chips, every night. You book your tours etc with your holiday provider, your meals out are included and you are eating were everyone who is non AI is eating. Around waterfalls etc there isn't a lot of choice.
Some of the stories on here can happen in any hotel and you are still sharing the same flights. It's about research. A AI can just be the difference of £25 a day. You could spend that on drinks, including coffee etc.

You don't sound well-travelled OP.

All inclusive =/= low end

Because the reality is you are chasing this ideal probably created by some instagram influencer on what Greece or Spain should be like. All local, small town, white curtains blowing in the wind of an open window, med vibes with sunsets and sangrias.

Then you choose an AI resort which is just Butlins at the end of a plane journey and you’re disappointed.

My experience is that in order for holidays to be special they need to be better planned and thought out than just clicking a button to ‘book now’…

You get what you pay for. You need to increase your budget or lower your expectations.

I’ve never been on an all inclusive, but imagine this is a fairly standard situation. It’s bound to attract people who expect value for money, similar to all you can eat restaurants. I dislike hotels as a rule. Having to live in close proximity to hundreds of other people for an extended period of time is not for me. Give me an isolated cottage in the middle of nowhere is my idea of a good holiday!

Just go on booking.com and search your target location/hotel criteria/price range.

Or daydream on:

https://www.i-escape.com

I've only done all inclusive with IKOS (on a few occasions) and i thought it was fabulous.

Not sure what OP means by clientele but everyone seems lovely when I've been. No lager louts (pretty sure there's no lager on sale anyway).