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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

What can you tell me about all inclusive holidays?

112 replies

freeforall · 07/04/2012 14:39

I haven't been on a package holiday (or a plane) in more than a decade.

This year I would like to see some sun. I think I like the idea of somewhere where the DC (9 & 11) can meet up with other children and where we know the total cost of the holiday before we start

but,

I don't like the idea of somewhere rowdy or of getting up a dawn to get a spot by the pool.

We usually holiday in the Lake District in a sweet private cottage.....

OP posts:

ReshapeWhileDamp · 10/04/2012 15:04

I'd never be tempted, frankly. If you go somewhere like Greece, you can always find self-catering rent-rooms (like a self-catering small villa, some of them can be pretty nice, some more basic) with a kitchenette and outdoor space. There are loads of them on the islands. Unless it's absolute peak summer season, you can turn up and take your pick, and some are bookable in advance. Self-catering on that sort of level is much cheaper than a hotel, and as others have said, just use the local supermarkets and buy local produce, support the local economy and bars and you don't get to stare at the same faces every mealtime. (Apart from your own family, but there's no way round that...)

diabolo · 10/04/2012 16:06

LtEve you said I think a lot of the preceived problems with AI are just a result of snobbery and come from people who have never done it - but can't wait to say "I'd never do that " as if we were talking about sucking on a crack-pipe!

I take real offence at that. You don't know me, don't call me a snob. When you see your favourite bars and restaurants close down and the owners who you have known for many years come and cry at your table, it feels rather more than a "perceived problem" then.

I don't mean to be overly dramatic. I did AI about 8 years ago, one Easter, in Tunisia. I'd rather be roasted alive than do that again, but it was my own fault for going 3, not 5.

Holiday companies make AI an attractive option to people on a tight budget and I don't begrudge anyone trying to save a bit of money. The fact remains they are dire for local economies in Europe.

LtEveDallas · 10/04/2012 16:13

Diablo - I also said a lot not all

I didn't mention the local economies at all.

My post was in relation to the other posts that assume you cannot leave the hotel, or the food is always rubbish, or all the guests are drunks if you are AI.

diabolo · 10/04/2012 16:15

OK LtEve - sorry for jumping down your throat.

EnjoyResponsibly · 10/04/2012 16:28

Have done AI in the Caribbean (no DC) and in Cyprus (with DC). Both 5 star.

The Caribbean was a total rip. In an adults only hotel they got away with fabulous breakfast and lunch and absolute SHITE at dinner because everyone was hammered by 6pm.

Cyprus is very good. Cannot eat every night in the hotel as we go stir crazy, but it's super convenient, clean and plenty of variety. In the case of Cyprus the restaurants are reacting to the economic squeeze by jacking prices sky high, even the tatty little tavernas are asking silly prices (been going twice a year for 10 years so have a bit of knowledge).

This reaction is driving the rise of the AI because families do have a clearer idea of their spending needs. The popularity of the AI has also raised the quality of what the AIs offer IME.

stealthsquiggle · 10/04/2012 16:36

I think it is really hard to generalise about AI just as it is about any holiday. You get what you pay for, basically, so if AI looks like a cheap option, it will be because the food and drink are very cheap. If it works out at about the same as you think you would spend "normally" then it is probably OK (gross generalisation).

I would not, personally, go to an "adults only" AI as they seem from what I have seen and heard, in a lot of cases (not all - Le Sport in St Lucia is an exception, for example), to be one step up from club 18-30 and yes there does appear to be a lot of drunkeness. In the ones we have been to, as a family, the only noticeable drunkeness came from large hen/stag/wedding parties of Americans and was very swiftly sat upon by the hotel and was quite a fun spectator sport while it lasted.

LtEveDallas · 10/04/2012 17:13

Diablo, no worries FWIW I understand what you are saying about the local economies, and I can see why it would be hard for the taverna type owners etc. But then the AIs I have been to have all employed locals, many more than the bar/tavern owners would have been able to employ and in the case of chain hotels like Riu / Palace etc for higher wages too. So it can be swings and roundabouts. Those owners who would have raked it in years ago are now suffering, but a lot of 'service staff' types are better

LtEveDallas · 10/04/2012 17:15

Bloody iPhone grr.

Better off

maighdlin · 10/04/2012 17:17

i have done AI in mexico which was amazing and turkey which was all right. Mexico AI was amazing different restaurants to choose from and we paid extra for a dinner on the beach which was fabulous! Two weeks of perfection. We had been together for just over a year so were young and in love spend most of the time getting drunk or having sex. its was great! Turkey was with a near 2yo DD and the food was all right (big dining hall style) and never got the benefit of the alcohol. If i was going back to Mexico or the Caribbean i would do AI again but not again in Europe, maybe Asia but it would completely depend on where i was.

pud1 · 10/04/2012 18:07

I have just booked an AI at first choice holiday village in Portugal. Tbh I expect the food to be below par but I fancied a change from villas and with 2 and 4 yo Dds it looks like a good option. The children's entertainment looks fantastic. I did look at a lovely highly recommended 5star in Tenerife but tbh I thought I would feel like I was missing out on the good stuff ( decent food and drink) if my Dds were not fully happy so a holiday village looks like the best option for us

Lizzylou · 10/04/2012 18:18

We went to a 4star one in Turkey last year during Easter holidays.
The food was fabulous in all honesty, it was great that the DS's could try lots of different types of food.
It did get a little claustrophobic (not huge place and some irritating other guests) and the only habitually drunk people were our Dutch (very loud) neighbours who were childfree and taking advantage. The hotel and staff were lovely and so were the amenities.
When we went into the local town though it was full of cafe/bar owners trying to tempt everyone in, which is a shame.

I loved it, made a change from SC, DH was bored (beach/pool holidays not his thing and we were just before the height of season so watersports etc not on) the DS's still talk about it still.

I'd go again, by recommendation only.

Bunbaker · 10/04/2012 18:25

I admit that I haven't read all the posts, so I might be repeating something that has already been posted. You don't need to go AI for your children to make friends. OH and I loathe the concept of AI and avoid places with kids clubs etc.

DD is an only child and managed to make friends on holiday when we have stayed in aparthotels or in a hotel on a half board basis. We hate anywhere that is really busy, but DD has still managed to meet other children.

I would say that if you want to stay in somewhere dull and boring that is totally devoid of character and avoid any local culture go AI get some personal recommendations before you book.

plainwhitet · 10/04/2012 18:37

I have had many AI holidays and think they have been great fun. Pre kids, I went with friends, and later with dH to Mark Warner clubs and Club Med. Post kids we have taken them to Sunsail and Mark Warner. Recently I have gone on holiday with my sister and three children of various pre teen ages to two Mark WArner clubs and it has been a huge success. Kids do what they want, join clubs or not; food and drink all paid for up front; social life hugely good fun (though you can ignore it all if you prefer). In the old days, sharing tables with strangers was the norm but now you can have a small table just for yourselves if you prefer. I have also been on many ski holidays catered in chalets and chalet hotels (ski esprit, mark warner, crystal - ie not top price but top of medium) - variable on the food front but again, fun. These holidays are what you make of them and they certainly suited us.
Be aware, though, that Club Meds work in French - you can feel a bit isolated and my sister and I decided against them when we wanted the kids clubs.
Give it a try, OP !

LtEveDallas · 10/04/2012 18:43

and bunbakers post demonstrates exactly what I was saying earlier. LMAO.

gregssausageroll · 10/04/2012 18:46

We did AI in Tenerife in February to try it. hated it although DS was exceptionally well catered for in the kids club.

Food at breakfast and lunch was pretty good but the evening meal was poor and quality of drinks awful.

My ideal choice would be self catering or B&B with kids club.

Bunbaker · 10/04/2012 18:46

Yep. I am a holiday snob. We are also pretty unsociable and like to do our own thing - we are joiner inners. I don't like being in complexes away from it all and prefer to immerse myself in the local culture, eat out in local retaurants etc.

LtEveDallas · 10/04/2012 19:04

Well bunbaker not all AIs are in complexes away from it all. You don't have to join in, you don't have to stay in the hotel and the meals can be as authentic as any local tavern. Kids clubs are optional as is the entertainment. You really shouldn't knock something based only on your assumptions. It may not be for you but snidey comments aren't really very nice.

Bunbaker · 10/04/2012 19:08

You are right LtEveDallas, but I still don't fancy the idea of all inclusive.

KateShmate · 10/04/2012 19:19

We went AI on our last proper family holiday to Antigua. We knew I was pregnant (with more than 1!) so knew it would be a while until another nice holiday, so decided to go all out.
Was absolutely amazing! Food was just delicious, and couldn't fault it at all. Our hotel wasn't a big chain hotel, so there wasn't loads of queuing involved - just really laid back.
Was brilliant being able to get our 2 young DD's endless amounts of drinks and ice creams without worrying about price, and then eating dinner later on.
A couple of times if we were out for the day then we would get lunch out - it didn't bother us and we didn't feel like we had to rush back.

I realize that if you weren't staying in such a nice hotel, or if the food was generally crappy, then it probably would ruin the holiday a bit.

Bunbaker · 10/04/2012 19:46

I think that one of the reasons AI doesn't appela is that we particularly enjoy the early evening stroll around where we are staying to find a restaurant. We like to eat out in different places on holiday. Also, OH enjoys good wines and the sort you get included in AI just wouldn't appeal. Yes we are choosy and I don't mind admitting it.

diabolo · 10/04/2012 19:49

LtEve - I can understand that in poorer countries, parts of Africa, the Caribbean etc, where there aren't lots of restaurants etc. that a huge employer like a big chain AI would perhaps benefit the local community by employing many local people and purchasing massive amounts of local produce.

I just don't understand why people want to stay in them around the Med when there is so much to see / do / visit / try.

My SIL and BIL went to a 5 Thomson AI in the Balearics and never* left the complex. They could have been staying anywhere, in any country and it would have made no difference to them. I think that's what the "holiday snobs" (me included) object to.

stealthsquiggle · 10/04/2012 19:51

We are completely not joiner-inners and have a collective phobia of "compulsory fun" and have never had an issue at AI resorts (we don't do queuing or sharing tables either) - they are not all latter day holiday camps.

GnomeDePlume · 10/04/2012 20:13

I think that if you want to keep tabs on your budget then the best way to go is either one extreme or the other. Either go fully and luxuriously AI or go self-catering. For me HB is the most miserable of compromises with fixed meal times and no proper indication of what is included until you get there.

We always go self-catering with DCs to French campsites staying in chalets or mobile homes. DCs generally make friends and DH and I have a lovely time cooking the local food.

Know what makes a good holiday for you is my advice.

stoppingat3 · 10/04/2012 20:58

Another vote for club med - we've done several with our DC's (13,9 and 6) yes they are French but this is a positive for us. We've found that the GO's often speak French and the native language. The one we Le is the Dom Rep. Going back there for the 4th time this year. The children love the sport, food is good and English spoken throughout. We also like Sciliy pizza's were amazing and good choices for dining!

ScorpionQueen · 10/04/2012 22:02

We have had a few really good AI holidays even though I thought I'd hate the whole package holiday thing pre-kids. It's so easy to let the kids have as many drinks as they need without watching the money. We try to allow enough spending money for a few meals out and don't restrict ourselves to the hotels.

I hadn't realised you could request a picnic lunch though, will do that this year.

We are non-joiners too although last year in Turkey I was coerced into Aquagym most mornings. Disclaimer- he was gorgeous and I was trying to make up for the food and drink.
:)

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