Holiday disappointment - trying to enjoy it but honestly so upset

[OnTheRoll]

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

I can understand your disappointment, particularly after you said you had planned to go to Rhodes but then had to find something else in only 2 days.
But try to let go of the fact that this hotel and area were not your original plan and aren't quite what you hoped.

The issues you have sound relatively minor and some may be fixable. Talk to the hotel about the air conditioning issue and see if they can either reset it to a colder temp, move you to a different room or, if the air con can't be fixed and there are no other rooms, perhaps they could offer you something complimentary (a free dinner or spa treatment or something like that) to offset the disappointment.

Talk to the barman about how you'd like your drink made. If it means it costs more, so be it. I'd suck it up and pay it to be able to enjoy a nice drink by the beach on holiday.

The sun loungers and umbrellas I don't really get the issue with; but I'm not British, so I've never understood the appeal of these. However, if it's a real problem that prevents you enjoying yourself, ask the hotel if you can borrow a big umbrella or buy one from a supermarket and prop that in the sand instead. Or wait until late afternoon to go to the beach. The water will still be nice and there might be fewer people.

Yeah I agree. Also 4k for for 8 days is sadly not going to go very far for a family holiday in the middle of July. You've been unlucky OP, but it's extenuating circumstances. I'd probably have taken a refund rather than rebook something last minute in your shoes, but you live and learn.

Crete is amazing!! Literally got back yesterday.

We did it on the cheap though and went self-catering. Me, husband and 14 yo dd.

We had an amazing time and were gutted to be going home.

We did a boat trip day which was 45 euro's each, but it was a full day out, breeze on the boat, wet to a beautiful (but small) beach, seen the caves, dove off the boat in a beautiful bay. Got lunch with wine and raki. Would recommend.

We bought a big ass bottle of rose wine from the local shop for less than 5 euro's

Food out was around 40 euro's for 3 main meals, wine and soft drinks.

There is a nice beach in Gouves, which was pretty quiet if you can get a taxi there. We stayed in East Crete, not sure where you are, but maybe Hersonnisis?

Oh I've never had that problem. Even in 48° summers when I lived in Broome the sand wouldn't be burning hot like black sand beaches are.

I'd find a cheap beach shop while you've got a car and buy your own beach shelter/parasol if I were you. I know you don't want to spend any money unnecessarily, but it is, unfortunately, the best option if you want to spend time on the beach and for some semblance of enjoyment rather than resentment.

Yanbu...I wouldn't spend four grand to sit on a rubble beach in 35 degree heat.

I mean, don't people just wear flipflops?

I am afraid Crete looks really unappealing, similar to other Greek islands, I will give them a miss😀

Sorry you are feeling like this. We had one like that a couple of years back and put a brave face on it for the kids, and just did lots of trips out and about. They have lovely memories as a result; I am still rueing the money which could have been better spent! Get your money’s worth from the bar, is my advice x

I think it's probably not the vibe you were looking for? We love Crete and Kefalonia because we go to slightly tourist enhanced fishing villages that have hardly anything - definitely no beach bars - and love it for the peace and quiet!

Having said that, we have little ones so it's a different vibe.

I'd just soak back into it - so the cocktails might be a bit weak - just buy two at once! So the beach isn't sand but more grit -I bet the water is a lovely temp. So there isn't much around - you can read, do things on tablets, phones and sleep in between dips in the sea.

Go to the nearest supermarkets and buy lots a lovely different treats and experiment with trying different snacks and drinks.

I know you don't want to spend money, but everything is expensive, even holidays at the moment. Cost of living is hitting every country hard.

@OnTheRoll in your shoes, first of all I'd be glad that my holiday hadn't literally gone up in smoke! Anything else is a positive.

I don't get the attraction of AI at all. Even found half-board a pain in the ass and haven't done it since forever. For us, part of the joy of being abroad is eating somewhere different every night, or maybe revisiting somewhere we particularly loved.

For my family, the hotel/apartment/villa is literally just somewhere to sleep!! Might sit out at the pool for a few hours but I like to explore.

You've got a car - use it! Make the holiday enjoyable for yourselves. You don't like the beach? Find another one. Buy alcohol in a supermarket - it's a damn sight cheaper than it is in the UK.

That beach looks fine though

Maybe it's just me but I'd love that beach!

I'm amazed at these comments. The beach looks awful. Really unattractive.

OP, I'm sorry and YANBU. I think the advice from other posters re trios you can do seems good. I think with the car, find some nicer beaches but recognise that sticks in your throat a bit when it's AI

Good, makes it less crowded for those of us who love them 😁

There is a lovely little village called Koutouloufari, which would be worth a drive.

No beach, but lots of nice taverna's and places to get drinks, milkshakes etc., and lots of pretty shops.

I know it's not ideal spending more money, but this is why I wouldn't do AI, mass produced shite food/drinks, that you feel obliged to eat and drink because you have pre-paid.

There is also a little train ride that lasts 2 hours and takes you round all the little villages - free wifi on board too for the teens.

Also you can do a tour on a tuktuk, that's 15 Euro's each - we didn't do this, but looks like it would be fun.

This holiday will be what you make it. If you aren't pro-active and just mope about you will regret it.

I'm at an AI now and the drinks are the same but they're getting me pissed so fuck it, cheers

Indeed!! I love Greece!!

😂enjoy

Yeah, Greece is just plain ugly isnt it.

Go to Knossos, fascinating

If you're over in the west head for Chania - lovely port, old winding streets, character buildings, shops and cafes. You get a bit of shade in the narrow alleyways and lots of awnings and parasols up too. Wander around, leisurely lunch then bus/hire car back.

Buy some reasonable vino from a supermarket - I know you shouldn't have to with AI but needs must. Also buy your own beach parasol if the hotel won't provide more for the customers but you need to ask first.

It depends exactly where you are in Crete and Kefalonia to have this experience. Crete I think I was near Chania and then Malia. Not really tourist fishing villages but at a villa nearby and then at innit think Crete Palace Hotel which is your typical big hotel. But you could escape it.

In Kefalonia we were at the top of a steep hill/mountain near I think a small village but the one we were near definitely had a beach bar, in fact me and my then boyfriend were pleased because he could buy beers and newspapers and snacks and I could buy drinks and snacks on the beach! It was quieter but because it was early September. Myrtos beach was sold to us as being stunning with pink sand but we weren’t impressed with that either! But it was quiet! In the mountains where we were I found feral kittens who’d been placed there to die (I wanted to save them!) and even the food wasn’t brilliant either. It was made worse seeing the cruise ships in the docks sailing off to somewhere stunning!

We’d actually have been better off sourcing a villa and hiring it rather than our horrid chalets.

Order a straight vodka with your cocktail and pour it in. AI are known for watering down drinks.

The beach does look awful, not a fan of beaches myself but I guess you don't have sand blowing in your face 😂

As others have said buy some cheap beach gear in the shops and build your own fort, have it so feckin amazing that everyone will be jealous of you. 🏖️🏖️⛱️⛱️

Speak with reception re air con, it may be faulty, might need readjusting or maybe they'll sort something for you.

Get a bottle(s) of booze for the room, a load of ice, everyone have a few drinkies getting ready before you go out.

Good advice here.

Agreed with Chania. When I was there years ago they told me they didn’t want it too touristy, and it wasn’t with Venetian boats in the harbour and a lovely market.

Yeah you’re right, my view from dinner last night in Corfu was crap