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Original poster

Holiday disappointment - trying to enjoy it but honestly so upset

199 replies

OnTheRoll · 26/07/2023 14:35

Now I know that this is not really a big problem - but it certainly feels like it when I have spent over 4k on 8 days for all-inclusive hotel and it's just meh...
it wasn't the cheapest option by far, a 4-star hotel and excellent reviews on Booking.com and Triparvisor - but I just don't see how they were rated so good.
The beach is abysmal, very little parasols so we had to do without. Same with lounges around the pool. The AL bar serves 5 cocktails that consist 90% of lemonade. The AC is the room is not cool enough.
I have been to all-inclusives before, same price range or even cheaper and they were miles better.
This is our only family holiday in the year and I was so looking forward to it. I want to enjoy it but it's lacking in the very basics.
How to get over the disappointment and try to have a good time? I am at the beach right now and it's just depressing

OP posts:
Maria1982 · 26/07/2023 14:56

Can’t you buy your own parasol? They are not that expensive… I mean, it won’t be like those huge ones, but it’ll do.

Madat54 · 26/07/2023 14:58

I feel for you. We had a change this year and went to a different four star, tripadviser reviews were super - well let me tell you it was abysmal, the beach the hotel the food everything.

Assignedtoworryyourmother · 26/07/2023 14:59

Is that Gournes? If so, no it's not a great beach, go much further down (to the right) I believe there's a better beach that way (though a bit of a trek I think).

99victoria · 26/07/2023 15:00

We go to the Greek Islands every year (not AI) and we always go to the local supermarket and buy a beach parasol and raffia mats for the beach when we arrive - this year they cost us about £25 - then we leave them there. We also take beach shoes (but again you can buy them for less than £10)

Honestly, you sound like a glass half empty person. Hire a car and do some trips out, get a couple of good books and enjoy the lemonade cocktails 😀

Original poster
OnTheRoll · 26/07/2023 15:01

Dinoswearunderpants · 26/07/2023 14:53

Sounds like you didn't do your own research properly. Surely you saw pictures of the beach and realised it's not sand?

I appreciate it's a lot of money but it's the school holidays so even the worse 3 star in Benidorm is fully booked and pricey.

I'd let go of the issues you have. They are really not that big a deal. Fair enough if the air con is not working properly, report it but other things I feel are more you haven't researched fully.

You are right we didn't do much research - or rather couldn't. I had spent a lot of time choosing a hotel and our first one was supposed to be perfect. But it was on Rhodes and the rest is history. So we had to cancel it and find something else very fast, basically two days before the travel. There was barely anything available so we took what appeared OK.

OP posts:
ZuliKyanLarsFoz · 26/07/2023 15:01

The buses in Crete are pretty good/cheap, I'd hop on a bus and get out and see some of the island. Elounda, Agios Nikalos and Spinalonga are lovely. When I went, there were some great boat tours to book on to.

99victoria · 26/07/2023 15:02

Yes, Spinalonga is a must!

Original poster
OnTheRoll · 26/07/2023 15:03

We have hired a car so looks like we will indeed do some driving around the island!

OP posts:
TheDuchessOfMN · 26/07/2023 15:04

You’ll have a fab time driving around the island. Enjoy Smile

Member869894 · 26/07/2023 15:05

Awww I feel for you.I've been in the same position.It's horrible when you arrive and your much- anticpated expensive holiday is actually pretty crap, especially in the ridiculous heat with two teens in tow. Chalk it down to experience and hopefully you'll laugh about it one day

Original poster
OnTheRoll · 26/07/2023 15:05

Madat54 · 26/07/2023 14:58

I feel for you. We had a change this year and went to a different four star, tripadviser reviews were super - well let me tell you it was abysmal, the beach the hotel the food everything.

Thank you, I feel better for knowing that can happen - at least it's my first holiday disappointment ever so I've been pretty lucky before

OP posts:
Original poster
OnTheRoll · 26/07/2023 15:06

BunnyBettChettwynd · 26/07/2023 14:52

Sitting here in England watching the rain fall outside that beach looks pretty idyllic to me. Have a dip in the sea, get a cocktail, slap on some lovely smelling sunscreen and read your book whilst planning what you're going to eat tonight. When you're back in your office you'll wish you'd made the most of every minute. Have fun.

That's a very good advice and good perspective. Thank you

OP posts:
NooNooHead1981 · 26/07/2023 15:08

When we stayed in Crete, we were near Elounda and took a trip to Spinalonga by boat. It was a beautiful place and we had a delicious local fresh lunch, it was certainly a great way to spend an afternoon. We also had an AI hotel and we had access to a beach very like the one you are on, but actually we spent a lot more time by the pool.

I agree with others, can you go out on a few trips and discover some local food/things to do?

Shitzngiggles · 26/07/2023 15:08

Hire bicycles and go looking for other beaches.

cyncope · 26/07/2023 15:09

Wrong kind of sand on the beach is a very petty complaint Grin

I'd speak to the management about the parasols on the beach, they should surely be able to send someone down to set one up for you?
If you don't like the cocktails can you not just order something else?
Speak to management about the aircon too.

WomanOfSteel · 26/07/2023 15:14

We fly to Crete tomorrow. We’ll be close to Kokkíni Hani. If you’re near there I’ve been researching things to do? We’re bed and breakfast/self-catering though after last years attempt at AI. We got cancelled a fortnight before so was left with the dregs. It sounds very much like your AI only we got flooded with sewage twice. 🤢

blackclouds · 26/07/2023 15:14

I dread this happening on my holiday in a few weeks. As my username suggests I'm feeling bleak right now and know well the pain of a holiday being a disappointment. If you can afford to throw money at it then get trips done, boats, shops, museums. Anywhere cool and maybe try a water park for cooling off/ bathing. I do really feel for you. I don't hold with the sarcastic "poor you" you may get. It's about how you feel right now and I'd be upset too

HaventTheyGrown · 26/07/2023 15:17

If it's 35 degrees it will be difficult getting out and about, ok if your in the car with air con but the heat hits you once you get out the car. It's impossible to enjoy anything in that type of heat, l would try and find a better beach with parasols and spend a lot of time in the sea.

Lovehearts82 · 26/07/2023 15:18

Enjoy your drive around the island and get some vodka whilst you're out to jazz up those lemonade cocktails 😄

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 26/07/2023 15:18

Definitely drive around the island.

Souda Bay is nice
Chania lovely
Heraklion (capital) not that great but has museums there and high street shops
you can do a boat trip to Santorini but apparently very crowded
Knossos for Minotaur palace

UndercoverCop · 26/07/2023 15:18

I LOVE Crete, get out and see things! If you want a really lovely beach try elafonisi or take a boat trip to Chrissi island good snorkeling here too. Go up to the Lasithi plateau is amazingly lush even in the heat had the most delicious Greek salad up there. Elounda, Spinalonga are also brilliant.
No way would I do an AI in Crete too much to see and do!

Nellynoowhoareyou · 26/07/2023 15:18

Money just isn’t going very far this year. We opted to stay in UK as it was looking like £5K minimum for the 4 of us to go anywhere further afield and the kids are too little to fully appreciate it anyway.

so here I am, sitting in my car in the pissing rain, outside a rented caravan on a campsite in the UK - we paid £2K for 1 week.

kids have both had sickness bugs and we’ve had to buy new raincoats.

definitely going abroad next year!

Dinoswearunderpants · 26/07/2023 15:19

OnTheRoll · 26/07/2023 15:01

You are right we didn't do much research - or rather couldn't. I had spent a lot of time choosing a hotel and our first one was supposed to be perfect. But it was on Rhodes and the rest is history. So we had to cancel it and find something else very fast, basically two days before the travel. There was barely anything available so we took what appeared OK.

Show quote history

You've answered your own question then. You can't help but be disappointed but I think those stuck in Rhodes have it far worse.

Hopefully you can learn to enjoy your break.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 26/07/2023 15:19

I had similar one year going to Kefalonia, we were supposed to be near a beach but nearest one was 15-20 mins by car or taxi.

we were stuck up the top of a bloody hill!

I realised travel agents lie after this trip!

Louloulouenna · 26/07/2023 15:19

Crete is full of beautiful places to visit. We were in Corfu last year when it was 36 -38C every day and still did an outing every day. Just go first thing in the morning and late afternoon.

I do agree though that the hotel urgently needs to supply more parasols.

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