All inclusive summer hols and older kids - please help!

[becklet]

Can anyone help me please? I have frazzled my brain from looking at too many websites and I just cannot decide where to go! Have never done all inclusive or package hols as dh is Greek and we usually spend summers staying with family there, so I'm practically a holiday virgin!

Will be me, dh and two boys, 10 and 12 - I want somewhere all inclusive with waterslides so that the boys can go off and entertain themselves, I just want to veg on a sun lounger for a week!

Have looked at Egypt and Turkey, but am finding it really hard - just when I think I've found somewhere fab, I look on Trip Advisor, see a few bad reviews and then am back to square one! DH is quite particular (and wouldn't like anywhere too"football shirty" is the best way to put it I think! ) but if I look at the posher ones there's nothing for the kids to do...

So I guess I'm asking those of you who've been to an all inclusive resort and loved it to recommend somewhere to me - please! Budget is about £3.5k max so am hoping I can get somewhere nice for that...

I went on my 1st all inc last year and will never do it again. We had food poisoning due to raw meat and were miles from anywhere.

I prefer the freedom of being sc. Your not tied if the foods bad.

Most of my family do all inc and have been to some nice ones some bad. I will get a few names for you. Theres a resort just opened last year in Turkey and a family member went. He was Turkey phobic and he loved it and food was amazing. I will find out the name and post for you. MIL also done one in Cyprus which was fab for kids.

World of Wonders in Bodrum is a nice AI hotel. It is just on the edge of the resort of Gumbet so not in the middle of nowhere and has good reviews.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g298658-d514483-Reviews-WOW_Resort_Bodrum-Bodrum_Bodrum_Peninsula_Mugla_Province_Turkish_Aegean_Coast.html

I have never been myself but I used to live near there and have spoken to loads of people who have said how good it is.

I have been on a few all inclusive deals and have been very lucky with the quality of hotels and food. Mine is older so doesn't need much entertainment.

I prefer all inclusive for a relaxing holiday but of course factor in spending money for trips out. I couldn't stay in a hotel all week.

Have you tried Thomson Platinuum (sp). They have to have a very high customer feedback to make in onto the Plat status.

We've booked one of their hotels this year after looking for cheaper and getting the bad reviews on tripadvisor. It's great to check the reviews and get excellent with lovely food.

Have a look at the first choice holiday villages. Egg and Portugal have water parks on site

Thanks all for the tips - am off to check them all out! :)

Will report back when I've finally made a decision, I am utterly rubbish at making my mind up about these sorts of things!

Thanks again...

I had never been AI before and last year booked my usual S/C holiday. My DSs are 13 and 15 and I wanted a bit more for them to do so we went to Tenerife. (If it was just DH and me it would be a sleepy Greek island).

When we arrived the hotel had changed to AI and about 80% of the guests were on AI. My boys were green with envy at the constant availability of "free" food and drinks.
I was persuaded to upgrade and try it out for a few days. DS1 overdosed of cola the forst day but otherwise I was pleasantly surprised.
I wouldn't choose it for me because I love to eat out at lots of different places but as a family holiday I'd have to say it went well.
Except for one thing. Clearly the AI aspect attracts a particular type of Brit. Your DH calls them football shirt types. To put it politely, I did not enjoy the company of my fellow holiday makers.

3 AI attracts football shirts, 5 AI tends to be less so. AI is ideal for us as we have a 4 year old who is much better suited to buffet style resturants with flexible dining times. Plus it means unlimited juice and ice cream.... Which is fab when you aren't paying 4? each

I just like the idea of not wandering around the local town trying to find a decent restaurant and getting more and more stressy! :o

adamschic thanks for the Thomson Platinum suggestion, think I'm going to go with this hotel -

www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/africa/egypt/egypt-red-sea/sharm-el-sheikh/hotels/reef-oasis-blue-bay-resort-and-spa.html#roomFacilities-d

Has anyone stayed there? It's got good reviews on Trip Advisor so I'm pretty confident it's a good choice!

I know exactly what you mean about wandering around tryi g to find somewhere decent, you get harassed, no one will offer and opinion, all the restaurants are either mobbed or deserted... Stress stress stress.

Looks lovely, let hope the current troubles won't affect the holiday market.

We went to Cairo on an overnight trip when we went to Sharm. It was well worth it. Really hope things calm down soon, obviously with the right outcome for the people.

We stayed 3 star in Egypt and agree about the football shirt types, but we had a fab holiday, and met some nice people. Five star will be fabulous.

The five star platinum holiday we have booked this year is also under review due to the troubles.

I usually go just DD and myself and value the fact that I don't have to go wondering around looking for nice places to eat just the two of us, bit intimidating with all the hassel two young women attract.

Rehana Resort Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh

Just looked at this one; price for aI for July is £20 pppn! It says its 5*

cat64 just managed it! Came in at about £3.4, so just within budget!

Have just booked it, here's hoping Egypt's not some war torn hellhole by the time we get there... :)

Thanks to you all for your suggestions, you made the decision much easier!