How much are you paying for AI?

[Karlkennedyslovechild]

I’m not sure if I’m being tight or naive. Just looking for holidays for this summer. 2 years ago we did a TUI AI in Mallorca and it was probably the first holiday I’ve had since kids that has actually felt like a holiday and I got to relax.

So looking for this summer. In August, so school holidays, and admittedly I am looking at 4 and 5 star resorts as want something nice. The one that is my favourite is almost £8k for 10 days and I’m struggling to justify that. I see Ikos is recommended on here often but that seems to be more like £12-15k. Is that what people are paying for this type of holiday??

The prices are ridiculous, we won't be going AI again unless in Mexico where the prices don't seem to have gone up so crazily

how old are your children ? Sometimes they move up an age category which has a big impact on the cost

You'll likely pay a premium if you book with somebody like TUI. We usually book separately or with somebody like On the Beach, this year we'll have a budget of around £4K for 2x adults & 2x DC and I'm confident we'll get a nice 4* at least in somewhere like Turkey/Majorca/Canaries.

IKOS looks absolutely lovely, but just is super expensive so not really an option for a lot of people.

In a similar position. It’s all coming out as 6 plus ish for 7 nights 2 adults three children

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. Any holiday we've had (and we don’t stint)has NEVER cost as much as the equivalent AI would. I think people sleepwalk into them thinking they’re better value and unless you all drink 20 pints of watered down beer every day, I just don’t think it’s the case

As a quick example, I'm looking at something like this, £3.8K for x10 nights in August.

https://www.onthebeach.co.uk/holiday/38157036981/f149fc168706464039f26b47d9f29ade?departureDate=2024-08-15&childAges%5B%5D=11&childAges%5B%5D=13&bags=0&adults=2&children=2&infants=0&nights=10&rooms=1&location_ids=251&hotelId=3080986&roomName=Double%20Or%20Twin%20Balcony&boardCode=AI&search_id=1041744597&departureAirports=MAN&priceFormat=TOTAL_PRICE

Or this one, £4302 https://www.onthebeach.co.uk/holiday/36926402159/f149fc168706464039f26b47d9f29ade?departureDate=2024-08-15&childAges%5B%5D=11&childAges%5B%5D=13&bags=0&adults=2&children=2&infants=0&nights=10&rooms=1&location_ids=251&hotelId=3133850&roomName=Double%20Or%20Twin%20Side%20Sea%20View%20Balcony&boardCode=AI&search_id=1041747553&departureAirports=MAN&priceFormat=TOTAL_PRICE

Thank you. DCs will be 11 and 8 this year so although I would love to palm them off into a kids club this year I expect they’ll put up a fight.

DH and I aren’t massive drinkers so its not the booze that’s the attraction more the buffets that will suit various fussy eaters and the fact the kids can help themselves to snacks/ice creams/ soft drinks during the day

4K here for a family of 4 to go to a 4/5* resort in Crete for a week in August & I feel that's the absolute max I would be prepared to pay for that type of holiday.
I'm guessing for 8k you either have a larger family or are looking at incredibly high end hotels? Could you not compromise by going for a week or looking at less expensive hotels? You would still get something nice for 2k less.

@TokyoSushi those both look great.
I’ve always been a bit twitchy about Turkey as worried about safety and it would be too hot. Maybe that’s where the bargains are and I should stop being so judgmental.

@MissAtomicBomb1 yes the 8k is a particularly lovely looking one that I will have to compromise away from!

Do you really need all inc? Your basically paying for alcohol.

If you're looking to goon a budget, don't go August. Go June half term, Easter or October half term. Find somewhere hot outside of peak season. The Caneries are often hot Feb half term.

Or if you can/will, go in term time. Possible £60 fine per parent, but you save more in spades.

We are currently in Egypt, all inclusive 5 star aqua park - 50 odd slides and pools. 27 degrees today. 6 of us - two parents, 19yo, 18yo, 14yo and 9yo. Less than £2500 total for 7 nights.

One school have fined us, the other haven't. So £120 total fines, easily worth it for the savings.

Majorca is more expensive I’m finding. I don’t fancy Turkey either. It would be too hot in August and longer flight with kids.

Try Easyjet holidays - I like the look of the Iberostar's in Majorca but we decided on Rhodes this year. Had a great first time hol in Turkey last May through Easyjet too.

Ikos is overrated! Turkey is great for all inclusives that can be very reasonable

Have a look at turkey, their AI are fantastic and much better value, check reviews and you'll not go far wrong. They have beautiful architecture and excursions, lots to see and do!

Alanya is my favourite, but it has a long transfer time, I always get private.

I also find once baggage etc is added that Jet2 is cheapest.

Worried about safety in what sense? I'm the world's biggest worrier and I've never felt unsafe in Turkey. I always used to rule it out as well (not really sure why, just stuck to places in Spain/Greece) but I've taken my kids there a few times now and we all love it. It does come out a lot cheaper too.

Not worth it at all if you're not taking advantage of the alcohol. It will be cheaper for you to just set aside a snack/drink budget for the kids. Or even just have big bottles in the rooms and refill.

DISCLAIMER: I have never been on a cruise... (but have one booked for later in the year)

But, what about a cruise. Look at the P&O cruise website. There's a 14-night mediterranean cruise in August (ref K416). For 4 people in an outside cabin it's £5596 (£4296 if you can settle for an inside cabin). Yes, the kids will be in bunk beds, and you'll have to fork out for a drinks package (or pay as you go), but all food and some soft drinks are included. There are kids clubs as well I think.

It might not be for you, but possibly worth considering.

10 days in Barbados at the end of Feb. 2 people, just under 8k.

For my first trip to Turkey last year - loved how clean and swish everything was, turkish foam baths and customer service levels. We stayed at Club Tuana, Fetihye..it was just two adults so not sure how good for kids. DH is a Greek Island lover and so we tend to go to those a lot but when I was looking at the Turkish hotels I was kicking myself that we didn't go with DD when she was younger. Some hotels seem fabulous for kids. I suspect August may be very hot though.

Near £4.5k inc plane seats and a meal on 1 flight for 8 nights Tenerife May HT, 2 adults one child, just over £4k 11 nights Greece Aug summer hols inc private transfer, plane seats and a meal on 1 flight.
Both holidays with Jet2. Both 4* hotels.

I've found Tui are getting pretty expensive now.

Don't book through TUI and don't go in August.

We love an AI and stay at some amazing 4/5* hotels but book flights seperatly and accomodation directly. Love Holidays / On the Beach put together packages so a good place to start.

Temps in the Med are crazy hot in the summer holidays and everwhere is heaving so happy to give it a miss anyway.

We always go to Mallorca Oct half term - it was 32 degrees in 2022 and is always beach weather. A nice 4 star AI and flights for 4 is £2.5k if you're strategic with the flights!

IKOS is lovely but vvv expensive. We've stayed at Dreams in Corfu which was stunning and still 5* but a lot cheaper - you don't get a free Tesla though :-(

Paid 5k for 2 weeks for AI at Hotel Xcaret in Mexico. Included all the activities and tours - absolutely amazing value. Would recommend to anyone looking for a family friendly hotel.

We are doing Ikos this year in half term but we booked nearly 2 years ago. We’d probably be priced out for next summer. May and October seem more reasonable price wise in general but obviously more of a risk of poor weather. I’ve been shocked at how much everywhere for summer 25 is- even turkey isn’t really cheap anymore.

I’ve been looking for 25 but struggling a bit with justifying the costs of Europe. I don’t really want to do long haul but it does seem better value in many ways. I really want nice holidays but not sure if I’m prepared to carry on paying the price for them.