Are all "All Inclusive" resorts like this?

Glaucus said:
How can you not have Holliday ideas.

Sounds like hell, wouldn't want to even try an all inclusive place.
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I don't understand how someone could not have any holiday ideas, there are so many places I want to see, there just isn't the time.

I actually like AI holidays but it only forms part of my holidays. For instance, I go on quite a few exploring/trekking holidays, historic/cultural holidays, city breaks, villa rentals with friends, AI beach holidays for genuine rest/down time.
 
Hi

No they are not all like that, in fact you can get the best service at these kind of places. You need to do your research and it won't be cheap. I have stayed at some real crackers in Antigua, Mauritius and those tacky Maldives. I did do my first one on Barbados and it was similar although not as bad as you describe. As someone mentioned earlier, you will find that some chains cater to a quiter more relaxed crowd.
 
The Geezer said:
Your experience supports my view of 'all inclusive resorts' hence why I have never stayed in one.

Without sounding snobbish, I am of the view that they attract a particular type of customer who looks for value rather than experience.
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[snob mode]
estate agents, sales managers etc.. previously holidaying in Benidorm and 'Shagaluf' in their 20s and now want to treat the 'Missus' to some 'luxury' further away, despite the fact they'll likely never leave the resort aside from traveling to and from the airport

drives a BMW, wears a fake Rolex, lives in a new build Barratt home on an estate with identical homes, has bought some generic canvas art from Ikea and the Argos catalog to decorate the walls, supports Man U and has never actually been to a game or even to Manchester for that matter.

[/snob mode]
 
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wingman said:
I've been to three all inclusive holiday's now, they've been the worst holiday experiences I've had really.
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You only go to all inclusives for two reasons, to get horribly, horribly drunk or because it's cheaper than going independently and you don't actually spend any time in them (other than sleeping).

In the (limited) experience I've had with them the OPs observations are bang on the mark. Another point to make is it was 4 star. Outside Western Europe, Australasia and North America don't expect "good" in anything less than 5 star. In Africa the running joke is "5 star, african standard", meaning even most 5 star hotels don't usually compare to an average hotel in Europe, let alone below. I'm guessing Mexico is like this as well. You get what you pay for!

Edit: scrap that last paragraph in relation to this place, seems it's supposed to be very good and it's expensive. The rubbish food and awful music is a par for the two places I've been to, luckily I spent almost no time in either, except sleeping.
 
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Not a big fan of all inclusive resorts. Only stayed in two all inclusive resorts. One was a lads holiday in Cancun so plenty of free alcohol etc went down well. The second was just recently after a 11 night trip touring in Morocco, we checked into a resort in Marrakech. Only there for four nights and we quite enjoyed it. Plenty of food (albeit fairly average quality), nice indoor pool etc. was great to not have to worry about where to eat and just take it easy. I wouldn't spend all my time in an AI resort whilst on holiday but they definitely are great just to unwind for a few days.
 
I go every year on all inclusives since 1995 and never had a problem.
We don't book anywhere until we've gone through Tripadvisor with a fine toothcomb.
 
Bear said:
I don't understand how someone could not have any holiday ideas, there are so many places I want to see, there just isn't the time.
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I know, I could sound the rest of my live traveling and not see anything.
Couldn't imagine doing AI, it just sounds ****.
 
Cosimo said:
I would have thought that you'd have given up after the first?
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You would have thought that, yes... :D

They were different places and relatively cheap, and spread over 7 years. I figured that they couldn't all be crap.

I now am in a position to spend a little extra and enjoy the experience fully, i.e. not going all inclusive.
 
Amp34 said:
You only go to all inclusives for two reasons, to get horribly, horribly drunk or because it's cheaper than going independently and you don't actually spend any time in them (other than sleeping).
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I sometimes go to AIs in Europe for the reasons above. Sometimes I don't. It depends what sort of holiday I'm looking for really. Generally I'd rather not do anything other than a very high quality AI if we're talking Europe.
 
Did it once when i was 17, and you wouldnt catch me ever doing it again.

Its simply not a holiday, its just weird.

Now a days i dont go on holiday anyway, i just travel.
 
Dark_Injection said:
Did it once when i was 17, and you wouldnt catch me ever doing it again.

Its simply not a holiday, its just weird.

Now a days i dont go on holiday anyway, i just travel.
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I don't see the attraction purely because i like to see places, not just a hotel and a swimming pool.
 
Dimple said:
We use it has a base and every other day we will be visiting somewhere so will eat & drink out but it's always great to come back and know that you only spent a bit extra for unlimited food & drink.
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Why would you ever want to eat there, or spend a night there. Find somewhere interesting. Even if it's a proper dive, it's a better experience.
 
Dimple said:
I go every year on all inclusives since 1995 and never had a problem.
We don't book anywhere until we've gone through Tripadvisor with a fine toothcomb.
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+1

You can find some real gems. Adult only, and not too remote and you're onto a winner.
 
Dark_Injection said:
Now a days i dont go on holiday anyway, i just travel.
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Whenever someone says something like that, I imagine elephant trousers, a Ukulele, a man bun, the ending of every sentence with "man" and an inability to put down the guidebook and do anything not rated on Tripadvisor.
 
Glaucus said:
Why would you ever want to eat there, or spend a night there. Find somewhere interesting. Even if it's a proper dive, it's a better experience.
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Why wouldn't you? Some people go to these places to relax. A place I went to in Mexico was in a closed gate community which gave us access to 5 other hotels in the area. All had multiple bars and restaurants. So in total over 20 places to eat.

And a 30 minute walk or a few minutes in the taxi to the nearest town if you fancied a real night out. I would pass on that though, like someone said earlier. I'd prefer to be a 5 minute walk from my room, enjoy the evening smoking cigars and having a few drinks talking with the other half and friends.

Some people in this thread make it sound like if you get away it is all about exploring and having some sort of magical experience. Lol, I am just happy to relax with my feet up.

dowie said:
http://www.hedonism.com/
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lol
 
fendi said:
Some people in this thread make it sound like if you get away it is all about exploring and having some sort of magical experience. Lol, I am just happy to relax with my feet up.
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It is for some off us.
I can sit in a pub at home and relax, talking to mates.
Going away for me is all about exploring, moving about and preferably with little pre booked so if I see something interesting just go do it.
 
Ahleckz said:
Whenever someone says something like that, I imagine elephant trousers, a Ukulele, a man bun, the ending of every sentence with "man" and an inability to put down the guidebook and do anything not rated on Tripadvisor.
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Well im living in the Himalays and have been for 3 months, traveling and hiking through the mountains with no plan insight. I dont mind what you think im just saying how I do it.
 
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