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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

All inclusive Spain recommendations

21 replies

Shopgirl1 · 27/05/2025 18:17

Looking for recommendations for a family friendly but not crazy loud all inclusive destination, that’s near a real Spanish city or town as opposed to a resort…and that has good food adults and kids would like.
Spanish mainland, Balearic or Canary Islands, probably not 5 star due to budget, but a decent 4 star would be good. Does this exist? Thanks!

OP posts:
samarrange · 27/05/2025 21:13

The fundamental problem here is that "all-inclusive destinations" are a creation of the 21st century tourism industry. As such they are yield-managed to the Nth degree, and part of that is the cost of the land on which they are built. Which means that you will not find many in the Spanish equivalent of Shoreditch or Didsbury.

This also makes sense given that the whole point of an AI destination is that you spend a minimal amount of time and (especially) money outside the hotel. I don't think you can't have it both ways — all you can eat and drink, but somehow also being part of the local culture. In some seaside towns the AI hotels have almost destroyed the local bars and restaurants (Calas de Mallorca is a particularly depressing example).

So if you choose an AI destination, no two ways about it, you are going to mostly be near other AI destinations, in a resort town. The majority of the people sleeping within a 500 metre radius of your room will be other Brits and northern Europeans on their holidays, because you are too. There will probably not be a quaint cafe nearby where people idly strum flamenco guitars and drink vermut, because the local people are all working in your hotel.

Now, that's all horribly negative of me, so let me try to make amends and suggest that you look for somewhere that is a reasonable bus ride from a "real Spanish city". To that end I would go on Booking dot com and look (using the map-based search, which is pretty good) at places that are within 20km or so of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Alicante, or Palma. I know Majorca best, so I would suggest Palma Nova or (don't laugh) Magaluf, where there are some quite nice AI places in the southern part of the town. (Or Playa de Palma, but try to stay west of the midpoint to avoid the 10-litre-a-day German party crowd.)

Gonk123 · 27/05/2025 21:13

Any H10 hotel

Nomorecoconutboosts · 27/05/2025 22:02

Not quite what you asked but we stay along the coast from Barcelona and enjoy half board. This was after many years of AI in Turkey/Portugal/Majorca. We find that we enjoy going out and about locally in a way that we don’t when we are all inclusive. We do enjoy a few drinks but the hotel prices where we stay are reasonable - couple of euros for a glass of wine/cava or beer, a euro for a coffee. We like it that it is a mixture nationalities including Spanish people in the area. Also AI doesn’t seem to be so available in the area so the local bars/shops are quite well frequented.
Some hotels we have had a fridge in the room and get a few soft drinks/waters from the local shops which are usually very reasonable too.

Nomorecoconutboosts · 27/05/2025 22:06

The area I mention above is on the Maresme coast - there is a train line that you can use to get to Barcelona and other resorts/towns

Shopgirl1 · 27/05/2025 23:16

samarrange · 27/05/2025 21:13

The fundamental problem here is that "all-inclusive destinations" are a creation of the 21st century tourism industry. As such they are yield-managed to the Nth degree, and part of that is the cost of the land on which they are built. Which means that you will not find many in the Spanish equivalent of Shoreditch or Didsbury.

This also makes sense given that the whole point of an AI destination is that you spend a minimal amount of time and (especially) money outside the hotel. I don't think you can't have it both ways — all you can eat and drink, but somehow also being part of the local culture. In some seaside towns the AI hotels have almost destroyed the local bars and restaurants (Calas de Mallorca is a particularly depressing example).

So if you choose an AI destination, no two ways about it, you are going to mostly be near other AI destinations, in a resort town. The majority of the people sleeping within a 500 metre radius of your room will be other Brits and northern Europeans on their holidays, because you are too. There will probably not be a quaint cafe nearby where people idly strum flamenco guitars and drink vermut, because the local people are all working in your hotel.

Now, that's all horribly negative of me, so let me try to make amends and suggest that you look for somewhere that is a reasonable bus ride from a "real Spanish city". To that end I would go on Booking dot com and look (using the map-based search, which is pretty good) at places that are within 20km or so of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Alicante, or Palma. I know Majorca best, so I would suggest Palma Nova or (don't laugh) Magaluf, where there are some quite nice AI places in the southern part of the town. (Or Playa de Palma, but try to stay west of the midpoint to avoid the 10-litre-a-day German party crowd.)

Yes, this makes sense. I need to compromise. I’m trying somehow to please kids who want to make friends and hang out at pools with constant snacks with my love of Spain and its culture and language. They don’t mix. I need to rethink. Probably the reason I hated our last package holiday to Ibiza.

OP posts:
Shopgirl1 · 27/05/2025 23:17

Gonk123 · 27/05/2025 21:13

Any H10 hotel

I’ve actually been checking these out, a few look like they could work. Thanks!

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 27/05/2025 23:25

I too would stay in Palma nova, Santa ponsa or paguera because it’s got a great bus service ( and cheap) into Palma- which I love - they all have a fabulous beach too . The other option I think is Benalmedena on Costa del Sol , quick and easy into lovely malaga

this is one I’ve stayed at in paguera and does do AI - resort much liked by Germans ,food was pretty ok, fab beach, proper quite large town with shops .- still a resort but a decent varied one

https://www.booking.com/Share-s0fkh8

Gonk123 · 28/05/2025 07:02

Shopgirl1 · 27/05/2025 23:17

I’ve actually been checking these out, a few look like they could work. Thanks!

I have stayed in a few different ones, the food has always been great. The do branded alcohol if that’s your thing and generally have a really good entertainment package - my favourite one to stay at is north Tenerife, puerto de la Cruz. Day entertainment is brilliant there.

brettsalanger · 28/05/2025 07:07

samarrange · 27/05/2025 21:13

The fundamental problem here is that "all-inclusive destinations" are a creation of the 21st century tourism industry. As such they are yield-managed to the Nth degree, and part of that is the cost of the land on which they are built. Which means that you will not find many in the Spanish equivalent of Shoreditch or Didsbury.

This also makes sense given that the whole point of an AI destination is that you spend a minimal amount of time and (especially) money outside the hotel. I don't think you can't have it both ways — all you can eat and drink, but somehow also being part of the local culture. In some seaside towns the AI hotels have almost destroyed the local bars and restaurants (Calas de Mallorca is a particularly depressing example).

So if you choose an AI destination, no two ways about it, you are going to mostly be near other AI destinations, in a resort town. The majority of the people sleeping within a 500 metre radius of your room will be other Brits and northern Europeans on their holidays, because you are too. There will probably not be a quaint cafe nearby where people idly strum flamenco guitars and drink vermut, because the local people are all working in your hotel.

Now, that's all horribly negative of me, so let me try to make amends and suggest that you look for somewhere that is a reasonable bus ride from a "real Spanish city". To that end I would go on Booking dot com and look (using the map-based search, which is pretty good) at places that are within 20km or so of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Alicante, or Palma. I know Majorca best, so I would suggest Palma Nova or (don't laugh) Magaluf, where there are some quite nice AI places in the southern part of the town. (Or Playa de Palma, but try to stay west of the midpoint to avoid the 10-litre-a-day German party crowd.)

I e never thought of AI like this. This is prob the reason an absolute hated the 2 AI holidays I’ve been on. Venturing out of the hotel has been hell on earth.

Shopgirl1 · 28/05/2025 07:22

Gonk123 · 28/05/2025 07:02

I have stayed in a few different ones, the food has always been great. The do branded alcohol if that’s your thing and generally have a really good entertainment package - my favourite one to stay at is north Tenerife, puerto de la Cruz. Day entertainment is brilliant there.

Edited

Puerto de la Cruz could be good, easy to get to Santa Cruz and I think it’s a nice place in itself - although it’s about 20 years since I was last there.

OP posts:
Shopgirl1 · 28/05/2025 07:23

The more I think about this the less I want to go all inclusive or resort at all.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 28/05/2025 10:14

Personally I’m with you on that - I suggested one below but we’ve only done AI twice - and I much prefer to eat and drink somewhere different every night- as did our son - as others have said the thing about AI is they tend to be a thing of resorts rather than city’s - Spain and Balearics do rather less of it anyway than places like Turkey . We have stayedat the Protur Naisa in palma a few times. Lovely rooftop terrace and pool area and 5 minutes walk into centre of palma. Palma has some great tapas bars and restaurants plus interesting sight seeing, good shops. And the reverse is true of what I said on my post, if you want the lovely beaches then the very regular bus to Santa ponsa, portals nous or paguera is great option .

Crikeyalmighty · 28/05/2025 10:14

Personally I’m with you on that - I suggested one below but we’ve only done AI twice - and I much prefer to eat and drink somewhere different every night- as did our son - as others have said the thing about AI is they tend to be a thing of resorts rather than city’s - Spain and Balearics do rather less of it anyway than places like Turkey . We have stayedat the Protur Naisa in palma a few times. Lovely rooftop terrace and pool area and 5 minutes walk into centre of palma. Palma has some great tapas bars and restaurants plus interesting sight seeing, good shops. And the reverse is true of what I said on my post, if you want the lovely beaches then the very regular bus to Santa ponsa, portals nous or paguera is great option .

Crikeyalmighty · 28/05/2025 10:14

Personally I’m with you on that - I suggested one below but we’ve only done AI twice - and I much prefer to eat and drink somewhere different every night- as did our son - as others have said the thing about AI is they tend to be a thing of resorts rather than city’s - Spain and Balearics do rather less of it anyway than places like Turkey . We have stayedat the Protur Naisa in palma a few times. Lovely rooftop terrace and pool area and 5 minutes walk into centre of palma. Palma has some great tapas bars and restaurants plus interesting sight seeing, good shops. And the reverse is true of what I said on my post, if you want the lovely beaches then the very regular bus to Santa ponsa, portals nous or paguera is great option .

Crikeyalmighty · 28/05/2025 10:14

Personally I’m with you on that - I suggested one below but we’ve only done AI twice - and I much prefer to eat and drink somewhere different every night- as did our son - as others have said the thing about AI is they tend to be a thing of resorts rather than city’s - Spain and Balearics do rather less of it anyway than places like Turkey . We have stayedat the Protur Naisa in palma a few times. Lovely rooftop terrace and pool area and 5 minutes walk into centre of palma. Palma has some great tapas bars and restaurants plus interesting sight seeing, good shops. And the reverse is true of what I said on my post, if you want the lovely beaches then the very regular bus to Santa ponsa, portals nous or paguera is great option .

Crikeyalmighty · 28/05/2025 10:14

Personally I’m with you on that - I suggested one below but we’ve only done AI twice - and I much prefer to eat and drink somewhere different every night- as did our son - as others have said the thing about AI is they tend to be a thing of resorts rather than city’s - Spain and Balearics do rather less of it anyway than places like Turkey . We have stayedat the Protur Naisa in palma a few times. Lovely rooftop terrace and pool area and 5 minutes walk into centre of palma. Palma has some great tapas bars and restaurants plus interesting sight seeing, good shops. And the reverse is true of what I said on my post, if you want the lovely beaches then the very regular bus to Santa ponsa, portals nous or paguera is great option .

MrsSheepiness · 02/06/2025 22:26

Nomorecoconutboosts · 27/05/2025 22:02

Not quite what you asked but we stay along the coast from Barcelona and enjoy half board. This was after many years of AI in Turkey/Portugal/Majorca. We find that we enjoy going out and about locally in a way that we don’t when we are all inclusive. We do enjoy a few drinks but the hotel prices where we stay are reasonable - couple of euros for a glass of wine/cava or beer, a euro for a coffee. We like it that it is a mixture nationalities including Spanish people in the area. Also AI doesn’t seem to be so available in the area so the local bars/shops are quite well frequented.
Some hotels we have had a fridge in the room and get a few soft drinks/waters from the local shops which are usually very reasonable too.

Please can you share where you stay? Thanks!

Iudncuewbccgrcb · 02/06/2025 22:35

We liked Estival El Dorado - it's a walk into Cambrils but absolutely do-able. Right on the beach, close enough to Salou and waterparks. Lots of food and alcohol options on AI, plenty of pools. Not at all chavy or loud.

minnienono · 02/06/2025 22:41

I stayed at the Seaview country club in Ibiza is ai and which shared a waterpark with the hotel next door (included) but the public bus stopped outside to get to other places and there were other bars, cafes and a Lidl in walking distance. Lovely safe beach next door in a small bay ideal for swimming. The hotel it’s self is rated 4 star and room was nice but facilities and food i would personally say think 3 star but I went off season so the extra included restaurants were shut and 7 days of buffet gets boring.

Nomorecoconutboosts · 02/06/2025 23:43

@MrsSheepiness Kind of between Girona and Barcelona there are lots of different coastal towns. For example Malgrat/Santa Susanna or Callela which is a bit more towards Barcelona. There are bigger resorts such as Tossa de Mar or Lloret but they are a bit bigger than we like. We fly from Birmingham and fly into Barcelona or Girona (apart from one year I got mixed up and booked Reus which was 2 hours drive away!)

Kellogs4 · 03/11/2025 19:23

I've been searching Spain deals too OP. The "globales" hotels with TUI all inclusive are coming up reasonable for 2027. I imagine 2026 may be cheaper now.

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