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??

@WonderingAboutBabies - thank you. We need to go in school holidays unfortunately so it's looking about £16k!!

9K, family of 5

Looking at historical weather data, I've noticed that it is definitely hotter in Turkey than Crete or Rhodes. Seems like Turkey comes out at around 35-40, whereas Crete/Rhodes are more like 30-35. It's frustrating because, if it wasn't so hot in August, I'd love a luxurious week AI in Turkey.

1 adult, 1 teenager, 1 child
Prices have definitely shot up - I reckon last year's prices were set pre massive inflation and there's probably some compensating going on. We paid £2.1k 4* all Inc Lanzarote last Aug for 7 days. (Easyjet)
This year I have decided to do 10 days but HB instead of AI - we don't need 3 buffets a day & can buy soft drinks and stuff locally.
Total cost is £3k inc changing to better flights timewise, booked seats & 5* (on paper 4 according to tripadvisor reviews) in Tenerife with Jet2.

How do you find the heat/wind in the Canaries in August?

Temperature was perfect for us 28-32 with a breeze (we are very pale & pasty and actively chose the Canaries because we wouldn't cope in Greece/Turkey/Egypt etc in school hols)
Wind was mostly ok but we were in Costa Teguise and there was one day we're the sea was super rough and sand was blowing on the beach so we retreated back to the pool which was sheltered. I think Playa Blanca is less affected.
Fingers crossed for Tenerife - the closest beach looks quite sheltered by the cliffs so it's either going to be glorious or a total Wind tunnel....

@Sleepproblems was just about to say the same. I've not done Ikos but the standard of Turkey hotels are excellent and if you are willing to spend top dollar I reckon they would even top the Carribean!

I've booked a 5* in Turkey part way through May half term. Booked last year and paid £1000pp for 7 nights AL.

The first thing that popped in to my head when I saw in the post title ‘AI’ was Artificial Insemination.. I’m a dairy farmer’s daughter.🤣

I’m assuming you mean All Inclusive, also can mean Artificial Intelligence nowadays.

We've also used On the Beach, it really brings the cost down.
I was worried about using them, but it all worked out really well.

The trick with AI is go early or late in the season. If you go in August, not only will the prices be crazy but the hotel will probably be accommodating at least double the number of guests so your experience will be worse. We always book a nice 5 AI in Majorca for 10 nights over the Easter break - so usually around the 8th -18th April. Price comes in at just under £4000.00 for two children, two adults. I don’t bother with anything less than a 5 either - but push that date forward to August, same duration, same headcount - easily double the cost and loads more people there so queues for the buffet etc etc.

Sorry don’t know why it decided to do bold

Oh and that’s also with me choosing flights as I’m a fussy bugger. Won’t fly too early or too late. None of this 3am nonsense lol

We’ve just booked 10 nights in Majorca for £2,226 - 2 adults 1 child and a baby. Free child place and infants go free so only has to pay for us 2 so that’s probably made a big difference, we also got something like £180 off in whatever sale they have on at the moment.

We very nearly went AI but we’re not big drinkers and we like to get out and about and explore a lot so would
rather have lunch out most days. Breakfast and dinner and drinks with both is included, some of the reviews said the hotel let them have eg lunch included instead of dinner incase you fancy heading out for the evening.

Dh and I are looking for a 10 day holiday just the 2 of us, we have done AI for our parents only week aways before but we don’t do them with the dc, always get a villa when we go as a family, don’t think it works out any cheaper but we just have more flexibility and appreciate the space and privacy.
We’ve been looking at 10 days outside of the school holidays, September/October time.
He was looking at Turkey which I really don’t fancy but the Tui packages are coming out much cheaper there than the equivalent in eg Cyprus. £3.5kish in Turkey compared to £4.5kish elsewhere.
We've booked with Tui before when we went to Cape Verde and found them to be excellent tbh.

@TheChosenTwo Turkey is excellent stay clear from Marmaris! Its now tacky from what I hear. Antalaya and Side are excellent I went last year and it topped Spain in terms of hotel facilities. I've even booked again but to Side this year. Join the Facebook group "best hotels in Turkey".

Thanks @Hollwithm - it’s on the list but I’m looking at what there is to do in the area and nothing is grabbing me at the moment. We tend to use the hotel as a base but go out for the day and out for dinner etc so like a big variety of outings.
Will keep looking though!

@TheChosenTwo Lara beach is very hotel based and nothing nice around. You need to look at hotels in "Side". The barut hotels are meant to be an excellent standard. I've booked the Paloma orenda in Side.

We were looking on tui, found the holiday we wanted (gran Canaria, hotel with great reviews etc) then checked same holiday on easy jet and it was £1k cheaper. £4,300 for 5 people with 2 rooms but only 7 days and half board because dh and I aren’t big drinkers and 2 big meals a day is plenty for us. We’d been looking in the 5,500-6k mark for AI but I really wanted it under 5k.

The school summer holidays are expensive, but Turkey is cheaper than some other places and there are some lovely AI resorts. I find Jet2 cheaper than TUI as well.

Yes, Side is lovely. Really nice little town and harbour. Love looking at the Roman ruins too. I been a few time and really like it. Only downside is the transfer time from the airport.

@Karlkennedyslovechild
Kaya palazzo hotel in belek , turkey
AMAZING
We've been 4 times and will definitely be back now we have children
5 star beautiful massive rooms with huge beds, so clean, water park for the kids and adults, branded drinks, delicious fresh food, huge buffets, a patisserie, Swiss ice cream bar. It's honestly wonderful

It's really not, it's worth every penny.

I personally wouldn’t go AI if not big drinkers.

However, if you want too, the Papagayo Arena hotel in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote is pretty good. £5k for 10 nights. Playa Blanca is a nice resort with a Marina close to the hotel (about 15 mins) and a nice town around 30 mins further - they have a coastal path that runs for about 10 miles. The Papagayo beaches next to the hotel are lovely.

That is with Jet2 by the way.

Not even vaguely helpful but my first thought was Artificial Intelligence and not All Inclusive 🙈🤣