All inclusive - what do you do?

[iniati]

We are considering an AI type holiday for the first time - we usually do self catering in a nice location, do a load of day trips etc.

The kids have reached the age where they really enjoy pools and water parks which is why we're thinking about it - up to now, they have been happy with the odd beach day.

I am a bit unsure about an AI holiday because I am not really sure what people usually do on them? I realise we could just use it as a base and do the sorts of things we usually do, but I think most people stay in the resort most of the time, I am just not clear on what they actually do? I love reading but I can do that at home so not sure it would feel that worthwhile to just read books all day. I would enjoy a swim for a couple of hours but then what?

Maybe it just isn't a good idea for us or we need to make sure to pick somewhere close to a town

You can do whatever you like. In my understanding its the food and drink thatis all inclusive. You can still go on day trips etc you don’t have to stay in the hotel

the same things as you would do on any holiday depending what you like
go to beach
go to pool
do some water sports
go to gym
do a yoga or workout class
visit a local town
go on a boat trip
play tennis
go to a local landmark or siteseeing
go for cocktails
eat nice lunch dinner
read a book
have a spa treatment

Most AI holidays have reps who encourage mildly harass you to participate in their daily activities such as archery, French bowls, aqua aerobics, tennis, water polo, yoga etc. I'm not a participator but I do quite enjoy spectating; it's usually a bit of a laugh. Also usually a kids club for the kids, if that's their thing.

I like an AI hotel, though I go adults only and premium guest these days, now the 'kids' are older. I sit by the pool, drink high percentage but poor quality cocktails and read my book. Dip in the pool to cool off, visit the snack bar - and repeat, for about 7 hours a day for as many days as possible.

I may take a wander into town for some tourist-tat shopping one day. A meal out somewhere nice on the odd evening. Siestas, long showers, balcony with Fanta Lemon and a child-sized bag of Lays crips. Ah, heaven!

It all depends what kind of holiday you like, I suppose. The above is likely hell for many people. But I'm super busy every other day of life, so when I go on holiday, I want to do very little.

We did one when our kids were about 5 & 7. It was amazing. They swam all day. I swam a bit, sat in the sun, lazily watched the kids, ate some food without shopping, washing up or tidying, and read my book. The kids conked out exhausted early every night. Bliss. We all still remember it as one of our favourite holidays.

Generally -

am breakfast
pool - read swim chill
walk to somewhere
lunch
pool or activity of site (trip, beach, pedal or, train market, snorkel hike
Walk to somewhere in the resort
rest - drink Fanta and eat lays
tea
drinks
bed
AI is good for unlimited ice creams and drinks for kids and food for adults. It can be a bit limiting as you don’t want to spend on food and drink outside the hotel so if you want to get you full moneys worth no going on long day trips (some will do a pack up) and the drinks can be a bit shit.

Make sure you are in a nice resort with things in walking distance.

I've thought about it, because I like the idea of being able to get soft drinks and coffee all day, and for the kids to have lots of snacks (they eat healthily at home!), but as lots of my family don't drink for religious reasons, I'm not sure, as the cost seems to be because they expect people to have lots of alcohol. I understand some places have free activities which are included-maybe look into those, and see if that appeals? Depends on your family's ages and interests.

Cross posted Fanta and Lays!

I forgot about visiting the supermarket everyday

What you are looking for is a resort type hotel, it doesn't have to be AI it could be B&B or HB and you still get the same facilities, pool and entertainment. My DC used to love the organised daytime water polo or whatever sports were on offer.

We did a few when DC were unfillable teenage boys but they are really not worth the extra IMO unless you want to drink cocktails all day long. Most hotels have a choice of board basis so compare HB with AI and decide if you want to pay the extra to include lunches, drinks and snacks.
DH and I now choose adults only HB so we eat out for lunch and go out in the evening.

I love the sort of holiday where all you do is go to the hotel restaurant, back to your sunbed to read/swim. Me and my husband are perfectly happy to spend a week like this, my kids would drive me insane that they were bored though.

You don't have to book AI to get a hotel with water parks. If you prefer to go out to different places you might be better off just booking room only or bed and breakfast.

Generally, wake up. Have coffee and breakfast at 9 with a glass of fizz, then wine and cocktails by the pool. Light lunch followed by cocktails, as much dinner as I can possibly eat with wine, then cocktails, karaoke, wine and bed. The kids are at a club. I might also have a swim before lunch.

I think you are supposed to relax, eat, drink and enjoy being looked after?!

No cooking, no shopping, no dishwasher to unload.

I have never done AI, the closest I ever got is a hotel that serves breakfast.

The main reason is id get obsessed with value for money, so id just have to stuff myself with food and alcohol all
day.

You should see me when we’ve gone into the Lounge at the airport …I literally gorge myself before the flight! All those tiny plates 😆

Sit by the pool/beach/bar in and out of the sun, with a cocktail in hand most of the day. In and out of the water and on the waterslides as I wish. I’ve been known to partake in water polo and archery as well.

Son and DP do the same, adding in some kids club activities for my son. And lots of ice cream or waffles.

I’m a terrible tourist in this department because we barely (sometimes never!) leave the resort. It’s a week to relax for me.

Do what makes you and your family happy. If you’d prefer to do outside activities there are plenty of day trips available.

It’s bloody great! Also AI with swim up rooms, the teens absolutely love those.

We did AI as a family of 6 2 years ago for the first time. It was a great holiday but I don't feel we got our full value. For example my husband was training for a marathon and not drinking alcohol and eating mostly healthy. Kids who would normally snack all day and want slushies/ice cream etc barely bothered (think because it was unlimited the novelty was lost). I however fully used it and had iced lattes, couple of wines in the evening and tried plenty different food. Overall I worked out that we would have been cheaper doing bed and breakfast and eating out for dinner. Husband got bored eating in the hotel all the time and kept wanting to eat out which defeats the purpose a bit (as it was a lot more than we generally pay for non AI). That's my honest experience however every family will be different. Enjoy OP.

AI is great cos the kids can just get a drink whenever they want (so can you). All the meals are included but it is up to you - we often go out for the day or for lunch. Some people even go out for dinner. And there is entertainment. It just takes the hassle out of holidays and, if you chose, you can stay in the resort and not spend another penny. As ShyGirl32 said - it is relaxing. You can do as much or as little as you like. But you will be surrounded by other people’s children.

Run around after the kids, as they need supervising in the pool, sea etc.

Then read and enjoy a coctail if they are at a supervised activity.

Why do you think people don't leave the hotel?
Sure if it's in the middle of nowhere then it would be more difficult to leave but so many AI resorts are just like any other hotel. We got AI a lot and have 3-4 day trips a week, plus pop to local shops, beaches etc. It's just like any other hotel but you have prepaid your food and drink, you can still eat out if you fancy it.

I love an AI because I they normally have lots of activities on during the day to keep the child amused. By child I mean my husband. I like having free drinks and ice creams at AI. We don’t eat in the hotel every evening, despite having paid for the food, we like to eat out in local restaurants. The best kind of AI is the kind that have different restaurants on site. Like IKOS.

The ones we went to when the kids were young had loads to do. Kids clubs, organised pool games, football, mini golf etc. We would often go out exploring in the mornings after breakfast and spend afternoons at the pool. It was worth the AI just for drinks/snacks, even if we had lunch out some days.

Just book a resort but not all inclusive?

we usually book just bed and breakfast. Hotel has restaurants so we can decide on day if we eat at those in evening or if we go out for the day and end up eating elsewhere. We dont drink alcohol really, and I think the stuff all inclusive offers drink wise is usually cheap bad quality. So I would rather just pay for what we use

What a bizarre post. It's not a prison. If you want to go on your usual day trips do that. If you don't want to then don't. You can be as active or not as you like. You must know what you all as a family like to do. Hotel will also have overpriced day trips available but again you are free to strike out on your own.

We've done it once when DC were 5 and 7. We did have a couple of days when we didn't leave the resort which to be honest was making me climb the walls but they loved a couple of days of doing nothing but jumping in and out of the pool.

It was definitely easy having all food covered but quite boring.

I think they are Excellant for the kids who can order drinks and icecream without you having to get up and down with them. We eat in or eat out as we would if it wasnt all inclusive.

We've been on a couple. We often go out in the morning (sightseeing, beaches, walk round local shops, boat trip etc) then back for late lunch and afternoon by the pool. Or vice versa. In Lanzarote we hired a car for a few of the days.
Other people I know have kids who like kids club so they go out less and get time to read by the pool (much more relaxing than reading at home surrounded by jobs that need doing!) or take part in any hotel run activities that appeal. But mine aren't really joiners. We just like all the easy food and knowing it's budgeted for. To be honest eating takes up a lot of our time!