Too snobby for AI?

[Lookingforadvice678]

Just got back from 9 nights at an all inclusive. Supposedly 5 Star resort and whilst it was mainly good, certain aspects were not 5 star in terms of hygiene!

First did AI two years ago with DC, loved the convenience, the ease of meal times, no meal planning, no washing up!

This year, I begrudged a lot of the other holiday makers. There were men who would sit at the pool bars clearly getting sloshed in the afternoon whilst on family holidays with their DC. I will have a drink or two when around mine but don’t get really drunk! Lots of chavs who have money - think TOWIE types. Lots of kids on phones all the time, boys with fades, girls wearing make up.

The AI just felt like a feeding frenzy. I didn’t feel hungry the whole holiday.

Two of the 3 DC never been a fan of the cheesy evening entertainment, this year my youngest turned his nose up too so evenings were a bit dull. None did kids clubs or activities on offer and only one made a friend, on the last day!

I think it might be our last package holiday and next year we’ll go for a villa with pool, or Eurocamp (did this when youngest was 2 and it was fun but hard work!).

Anyone else found this?

We've only done a "posh" AI once, and it wasn't like anything you've described. Obviously the entertainment was cheesy because it can't not be, but the food was calm and brilliant (whole salmon etc). We went to quite a small hotel though, although it was Menorca so easy access for rabble 😅 I'm disappointed we're unlikely to afford it again!

I know it sounds snobby, but unless I can afford really high end AI (and I can't) I'll take the work of Eurocamp/villa over AI every time.

I’ve never done AI and would only ever consider it at a luxury resort somewhere where there weren’t decent self-catering options available. It just doesn’t appeal in the slightest - going to restaurants / bars / coffee shops / food markets and exploring the local food scene is an essential part of a holiday for me.

We are currently in an AI holiday and I’m counting down the days to come home. It’s meant to be an “upmarket” one but I just hate it.
Next year, we will do a villa/bed and breakfast!

@Crushed23 I think that’s what I would’ve liked this time. I also didn’t like waiting for others for the coach transfer from the airport, the whole “package” thing I guess. Whereas a couple of years ago I think we were grateful for it with 3 young kids.

I just couldn’t believe the behaviour of some of the people who had clearly spent a lot of money for the holiday (it was £6-7k for the 5 of us). The drinks were served in reusable plastic, and people would just leave them on the side of the pool even though the bar was a metre away. There was rubbish and the odd cigarette butt left around the pool area, again even though there were plenty of convenient bins and dedicated smoking areas. Is it that hard to put your rubbish in the bin?!

Interesting @Smallhaircut ! Care to share which?!

It's much better value to DIY now and avoid Europe.

I hate AI. DH and DD said they like it but after the last holiday they have finally conceded that you get better food when you pay individually! I win. No more AI!!!

Only place I like AI is on a cruise!

I hear you. Have realised that my early-mid teens are too old for AI although the food is good, the entertainment is too young and the clientele questionable. This is supposed to be 4*.

I agree. Nothing about it appeals to me at all. I wouldn’t say I’m snobby about it though - a skiing holiday doesn’t appeal to me either, nor does any kind of cruise no matter how expensive. It’s just a different holiday to what I want.

It’s hard to say OP without knowing where you went?
We’ve been to some AIs that were a bit ‘brits abroad’ but have also been to some that are amazing with lots of a la carte restaurants etc.

We did it when the dc were younger, one was so bad however the kids loved it went to all the clubs made friends etc so it was successful in a way.
We did go again somewhere different it was very nice we paid a lot to go there.
Now the dc are adults, I don't really want to go to AI unless it's adults only 5* luxury but even then I'm dubious.

I’m at a lovely AI at the moment in Greece. 9 year old having the best time at the kids club, water park, making friends, entertainment etc. teenager is definitely growing out of it. Food has been brilliant and the service great but next holiday probably won’t be an AI and will be more of an exploring type holiday to cater for both kids

Sounds like the one we went to. The hotel itself was great, lovely pools, water park, grounds. The staff were very nice. Not sure the bar glasses were washed very well though!

Also, I’m not sure that 5k for 9 nights/5 people will get you what you want, I think that would be the price for a fairly standard AI. You’d be better self catering in apartments or a villa and paying to eat out on that budget.

AI is super hit and miss.

For us, with toddlers, the presence of a playground and splash pool from 10am is the main draw. When they were tiny we did villas and we’ll be going back to them when they’re not super active preschoolers. We went to one last year that was slightly like your experience, but we had a better time this year. Can’t wait until we’re at the ‘going out to dinner’ stage but it doesn’t suit us at the moment.

We do occasional all-inclusives, but try to book adults-only or quieter places within easy reach of a town. Water parks, kids clubs and evening entertainment is on my avoid list. We leave the resort fairly frequently but often AI works out value for money just based on drinks, even if you go out for dinner. Not that we're massive drinkers but I like a few cocktails by the pool etc. Let's be honest, other people are the worst bit of any trip. And just over £1k per person for 9 nights is on the budget side, so the clientele might be a bit rougher.

We got back from a hotel like that just yesterday. I already knew I was too snobby for AI though 😆 kids and DH loved it, and I did enjoy it, I just don’t like that many people around me and they’re all flouncing around and taking over the pools like they own the place.
Weirdly we were in a ‘bungalow ‘ that was actually a flat - flat below us had a pool and the people were out there till 11pm, shrieking and talking so loud - SO inconsiderate! And the people above scraped their furniture across the floor, hand on heart it was every 5 minutes morning til night. So bizarre and not 5 star at all!
Other than that it was great and no problems with cleanliness except 2 pools closed at once (one sick one poo) and kids club was always unbookable as full, and found out on penultimate day that you should just turn up and try your luck. KC took the kids swimming, lush!

£6-7k for five people for 9 nights is incredibly cheap, especially in the summer holidays. Most hotels have poor evening entertainment, the options aren’t that or boredom.

Skin fade, the horror!

We enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, the DCs were in their element in the pools and we had a lovely time as a family. The evening buffet restaurant was themed so there was Mexican night, Italian night, always something good to eat and a couple of a la carte options too.

But I was just uncomfortably full constantly even though I had light breakfasts. The cocktails were hit and miss. And there were so many drunk people at 4pm, people getting cocktails and beers at 10am. Think I’m boring in my 40’s now! Families with matching outfits, women with claw nails…it’s me, I’m the problem, I’m clearly a snob.

Yes I was just about to say exactly the same thing.

We've done a couple of 5 all inclusive when our son was younger & they were nice. Nowadays we go B&B or half board 4 + & I think because you have to pay for drinks you don't tend to get the 'let's spend the day getting pissed' brigade. We don't tend to go to the entertainment & prefer an evening walk or a game of card's. You definitely need to do your research.

We've been on some really nice AI's where there are lots of al a cartes included and professional entertainment. I've found the best ones we've been to are in Turkey - particularly any hotel by Liberty

@owlexpress yes the Other People. I’m just made to be a hermit I think, but I’m not this much of a grump at home.

@TheyreLikeUsButRichAndThin yes! And the sunbed reserving FFS.

@Simonjt it felt very very expensive for a holiday in Europe! But I am probably not with it in terms of holiday costs. We only ever do Center Parcs in term time.