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

Crete is stunning! They have lots of pink sand beaches and they are some of the best I've seen in Europe. Head to Elafonissi, Falasarna and Balos. Chania is also lovely. Public transport is cheap and reaches all of these places. Also if the AI is rubbish please go out and eat/drink at local places - Greek food is so good and cheap!

Ah - I see your problem - this is your second choice holiday at the last minute. What a shame. Good that you have hired a car - and I hope you will find yourself a nicer beach without having to drive too far (although if it's air conditioned it may keep you cool) .
What's the swimming pool area like at your hotel ? Could you spend time there rather than the beach ?

This summer seems to be a disappointment for so many - either abroad and too hot, or in the UK and too cold and wet

Lol, ok money bags

Thank you @FoodieToo

Palace at Knossos @OnTheRoll if you haven't been already. It's fab

Chin up op. Hope it gets better. Lots of good ideas here.

@YukoandHiro No it wasn't Sani - don't know it, loving the name - it was a resort in Turkey, won't mention which one cos who am I to p* on people's parade!
Interestingly though, like OP we had a very stressful time getting out there and I wonder if that casts a bit of a shadow on the holiday.

Argostoli isn’t the most attractive town but it’s one of my favourite places on earth.

I’ve been to Kefalonia 9 times and evenings in Argostoli are brilliant. The bustling main square comes alive after dark and we’ve often sat outside Libretto bar with live music in the Bell Square and it’s been a fabulous evening.

Thank you for kind words!
We are the opposite side of the island from Chania so it's too far to travel to take this trip - it does sound amazing

The AC was off when we came in and we were not going to waste electricity by leaving it on when out. However, the room remained way too warm for the hour when we were inside with the AC on - definitely not right

Hop in your car and head over to Platanes and visit my mum. She lives there and she's bored stiff staying indoors to keep cool. She'll give you a glass or two of prosecco or ouzo 😊 Then ten minutes down the road from her is Rethymnon. The old town has some beautiful shops and the harbour is lovely. Visit the fortezza for views and sea breezes!

Thank you everyone for your many suggestions of how to spend the time on Crete. Really appreciate them and will heed your good advice. Answering the PPs' questions, actually yes, when we go to a beach holiday with AI what we lovr is to just stay on the lounges on the beach, read, swim, enjoy the food and drinks. We don't really want to go out and explore. That's a different kind of holiday and we do do it too, at other times and much cheaper.

We rented the car because we had a long drive from the airport and it worked out about the same price as two transfers so it made sense. But now we can also use it for some days out.

Anyway, good news. We got an upgrade to a great room which is bigger with a working AC. The food is actually really good and versatile so no complaints here. We had a lovely time in the evening at the bar with the music. Will see about the parasols tomorrow. I know you are not supposed to reserve them in the morning and there are notices all around asking guests not to do it. And I have never had to do it before when on a beach holiday, there were plenty on the beach. We will figure something out

I think it's just you. I find that very expensive for a shit gravel beach and crap food. I don't have sun holidays abroad because I can only afford dreadful concrete holiday resorts and shit crowded beaches full of awful people. I can't afford anywhere I would actually want to go. I'd HATE to spend four thousand to end up somewhere I didn't like. I'd be so pissed off.

Oh I would have loved to take you up on you or offer 😁 your mum sounds like my kind of woman! We are 3 hours by car from Platanes though. Hope you can visit her soon - it's great having family on Crete

Exactly, I don't spend less than £15k for 8 days, I tip the bar staff £4k 🤷‍♂️ Wtf was the op thinking.

I think reframe it - this isn’t your dream holiday in ruins, it’s pretty bloody good considering how awful things could have been.

😊 We went out to see her in June and had a lovely time. For an 82 year old, she does love a cocktail evening 😆

Have a lovely holiday OP X

£4K for 8 days for four people isn't very expensive... I wouldn't expect much for that money but maybe that's just me

For 4 people all inclusive I agree this is cheap nowadays.

Maybe for these days, but for most people £4k is still a lot of money and you want to enjoy yourself when you’ve spent that much!

You’ve got to be joking about Argostoli nightlife surely?! The one night we went there for a night out there was some dodgy club in what looked like a church (I think?) full of posing Kefalonians/Greek mafia. This was a few years ago but doubt it’s changed since then.

My boyfriend at the time went back by himself and met a tour guide who bought him questionable shots.

No I’m not joking. I don’t go to clubs or lively bars on holiday.
I sit outside in the squares, listening to the live music playing - we’ve seen a jazz band a few times.

I’ve not been back for a few years but we always had a night or two in Argostoli every year and always enjoyed it.

Glad things are looking up OP 😃. Think the weather in Greece is due to cool fractionally. I’ve been tracking the mainland where I’m due to go in 2 weeks.

That's the spirit!!! 😂