All inclusive resorts vs private villas pros and cons

[nosleeptilever]

Hi everyone,
We usually go on holiday and rent a self catering villa with a pool in Spain or Majorca when we go. DH is pretty introverted and prefers alot of solitude on holidays to recharge the batteries. We now have a 4 yr old DS so had the thought that one of these all inclusive resorts might be worth it for the kids club and possible babysitting of an evening.

What we're wondering is what are the rooms like at these? Would we be all in one hotel room?(nightmare!) Do you have to eat every meal at the buffet? What do you think of the kids clubs if you go? Is there scope for having a bit of solitude? I'm imagining running into the same people all the time and feeling obligated to converse and possibly socialise when it's really not our thing. (It sounds like we're awful people doesn't it? We're really not, just shy and find new people somewhat stressful, even if they're lovely.)
if anyone out there has done both I'd love to hear what you think the pros and cons of them are.
Thanks

Cheers norasmum, I absolutely love spending lots of fun time with DS but equally would cherish a bit of me time. I think some research will be needed to find a good balance between some of the more hellish aspects of AI and the benefits.
I'm on my phone so I can't look back and see names but thank you for all responses. Especially the one about the terrible fashion... I'll be sure and avoid that resort!!

We have stayed here a few times www.regencycountryclub.com/en/. I know people get all sniffy about Tenerife, but I'm not sure why, there are some lovely places to visit.

The Regency has the nice combination of 2 bed apartments that you could s/c from with a small kids club and some very low key entertainment and a restaurant within walking distance.

It's quite a small place so you can either chat to others or keep to yourselves if you want. I really like the separate bedrooms and kitchen facilities, but also a restaurant there if you couldn't be bothered.

We're going to a cheaper apartment this year and I wish we were going back to the Regency !

I have stayed in AI in Egypt, and Spain and done villa and touring holdiays too.

To answer your questions:

No you don';t have to eat every meal at a buffet. If you get an apartment they usually have cooking facilities so you can cook for yourself for a change. I like this as I like to do my thing every now and then and am also tempted to eat more at buffet so not good for waistline. Bigger hotels may have separate restaurant that you pay for as well. In my experience buffets are v. busy at dinner at certain times but if you eat earlier or later then not so.

Plenty of scope for solitude. Many better hotels will have adult only areas or peaceful garden areas. You won't find peace at the pool side though.

Kids club - in my experience all have been good. Staff really enthusiastic and good facilities. The last one was set up like any nursery/playgroup type set up here and you could stay with the younger kids if you wanted to. They also do kids discos and entertainment at night. Ok, not my idea of fun, but hey I couldn't keep my kids away.

I've also managed to not to talk to anyone if I don't want to. Polite hello, lovely day isn't it and quick chat about kids if they are playing together is the most I normally do. I prefer to get out and about to explore the area during the day so don't normally hang about the hotel all day anyway.

I would as other said go for 4 or 5 star, and read reviews. Best ones do tend to be the most expensive and I think they book up early.

We are going for AI next summer as have had a few touring/mobile home/rented house type holidays last few years and am ready just to do as little as possible and its easier to keep kids entertained.

Villas:

Cons:
you are still scraping weetabix off the floor and washing the dishes.
you still have to think, what shall we have for lunch and dinner, and do we need some more milk / bread.

Pros:
you have privacy and don't have to speak to other people
you have more space for family time and relaxing

All-inc resort:

Cons:
The food is not really that great.
Unless you have great control, you pile on weight.

Pros:
A daiquiri at 10:30am, is really not a bad thing.
Someone else is clearing up and doing all the cooking.

Definitely all inclusive. When DD was small we did villa holidays but although they were lovely I never felt rested as I was doing most of the things I did at home - making beds, clearing up after breakfast etc.

When DD turned 3 we started going to large resort hotels and now her and her brother go to kids clubs and get involved in activities so I can actually have moment to myself and best of all no cleaning or cooking!

I've just shown this thread to DH who is furiously googling all the links and suggestions. He is chief holiday researcher in our house, I'm chief of yes or no.

I've also asked around at work and one of my very cool colleagues who I would have thought would be the type to take her family trekking in Mongolia said they do AI at a resort in Turkey. I was shocked and probably am now fully swayed to give it a try!