Are all "All Inclusive" resorts like this?

covenantuk · 6 May 2015 at 07:45

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.

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.

Erm, that's exactly what we did. The 5 days was supposed to be our downtime at the end of the holiday.

Amp34 · 6 May 2015 at 08:39

fendi said:
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.

lol

Why travel all the way to Mexico if you just want lots of drinks, warm air and a relaxing atmosphere? Save some money and the environment by going to Greece/Turkey/Egypt?

If you actually want to see the world then it makes some sense to fly long haul, if you just want an AI what's the point?

peige · 6 May 2015 at 08:54

I'm going AI this year because my holiday will be a family one with two teenagers and a 10 year old. The teens will constantly be hungry/thirsty and fussy eaters, they like consistency and food they recognise rather than trying out local foods, yes sure we will go out for food and try local stuff but if they don't eat it then we can return to the hotel and have the same meal as the day before.
We've picked a family resort with AI so we don't have to spend the time concerned about food and drink (which kids lives seem to depend on, when's breakfast, when's lunch, when's dinner, i'm hungry, hungry hungry!)
Its a holiday for us parents too but we have spent time looking at the TA reviews, we know what we are getting

If we were going away without them it would ether be top luxury AI that had adult only areas or completely independent depending on the country, as adults we are adventurous but when you have the kids with you the only way to be able to relax is for them to be happy, fed and amused.

Scam · 6 May 2015 at 11:25

Amp34 said:
Why travel all the way to Mexico if you just want lots of drinks, warm air and a relaxing atmosphere? Save some money and the environment by going to Greece/Turkey/Egypt?

If you actually want to see the world then it makes some sense to fly long haul, if you just want an AI what's the point?

Exactly. Man if I went to Mexico I'd be so excited about getting out and about and trying all the local food.. Tacos, Tortas, Tamales, Moles, Barbacoa.. I'm drooling now. What a shame to go to such a fun, vibrant and interesting country only to sit in a hotel for 2 weeks drinking cheap beer and eating mediocre food

Each to their own though. If you have the money to burn and want to sit with your feet up in the heat, then go for it.

dowie · 6 May 2015 at 12:05

Amp34 said:
Why travel all the way to Mexico if you just want lots of drinks, warm air and a relaxing atmosphere? Save some money and the environment by going to Greece/Turkey/Egypt?

If you actually want to see the world then it makes some sense to fly long haul, if you just want an AI what's the point?

get some winter sun?

Dunno - I'm not a fan myself either but that was the best reason I could come up with for flying around the world to stay in a generic hotel and eat at the same location each night

Wink · 6 May 2015 at 12:10

To the OP, did you do much research online using Tripadvisor etc, or did you just go with what was in a brochure or what the travel agent told you?

Semple · 6 May 2015 at 12:12

Been to a couple of nice AI resorts so they're not all like that.

Bear · 6 May 2015 at 12:24

Amp34 said:
Why travel all the way to Mexico if you just want lots of drinks, warm air and a relaxing atmosphere? Save some money and the environment by going to Greece/Turkey/Egypt?

If you actually want to see the world then it makes some sense to fly long haul, if you just want an AI what's the point?

Because you dont get to see Chichen Itza, Coba, Tulum, Xel Ha, swim in cenotes, swin in the sea and see live turtles etc?

Redgie · 6 May 2015 at 12:38

covenantuk said:
So - are they ALL like this? We've never been to one before and going by this experience, never will again

No, you appear to have had either a bad location or a bad experience, and judging by the Tripadvisor reviews for where you stayed, I would imagine it was the latter.

I have stayed in numerous all inclusives as well as many more self-catered accommodations. There is no discernible dip in quality from an all inclusive. Unless of course you're one of those people who think that a £500pw self-catered hotel room should be of the same standard of a £500pw all-inclusive.

mattyg · 6 May 2015 at 12:39

a1ex2001 said:
No you just went to the wrong one, go small and exclusive preferably in the Maldives although even then I would recommend one that doesn't include Alcohol in the all inclusive price as it reduces the chav count. The place you went lists 'unlimited top shelf spirits' as one of it's six big features on it's home page so that should tell you all you need to know about the market they are aiming for!

Maldives, Egypt, DomRep. Never had an issue. However the wife will spend 2-3 weeks searching trip advisor beforehand to make sure we know EXACTLY what to expect.

yer_averagejoe · 6 May 2015 at 12:52

Glaucus said:
How can you not have Holliday ideas.

Sounds like hell, wouldn't want to even try an all inclusive place.

Clearly I should have come to you first. We were looking for a one week holiday in mid june. We don't like to re-do things and unfortunately we've been very lucky in that we've been to most places that you can fly to easily and cheaply from Scotland and not have to rent a car when we get there. I've done 'adventure' my whole life, so I'm not going to start making apologies for wanting a bit of convenience this year.

oulton · 6 May 2015 at 13:55

mattyg said:
Maldives, Egypt, DomRep. Never had an issue. However the wife will spend 2-3 weeks searching trip advisor beforehand to make sure we know EXACTLY what to expect.

God I LOATHE trip advisor. I consider it almost worthless when considering a holiday, and it just seems to take all the fun out of it.

Last year we went 5 star Full Board for a chill out holiday to the Sheraton Salobre hotel which had been given amazing reviews on TA, and found it really wanting. We rented a car and did lots of trips, and Gran Canaria in itself was just a massive disappointment (compared to recent holidays in Australia, Egypt, US, France, Thailand etc)

5 star surroundings, 3 star service.

Just because some chavs all think highly of a resort doesn't mean it will suite my refined tastes.

As for all inclusive - hit and miss. If you particularly enjoy fine dining on holiday you will be disappointed, even in expensive 5 star resorts.

But when you really just need a holiday to soak up some rays and start on the gin and tonics at 11 am, AI can be just the ticket.

peige · 6 May 2015 at 14:17

oulton said:
God I LOATHE trip advisor. I consider it almost worthless when considering a holiday, and it just seems to take all the fun out of it.
Just because some chavs all think highly of a resort doesn't mean it will suite my refined tastes.

TA is an invaluable tool, just like any kind of review. Its rare you see lots of positives if the place isn't up to much, it more normal to see the odd negative or 2* with people being people, really good if you see the management responding to comments.
Also you can't class the people who have done the reviews, certainly not as "chavs" unless you term anyone who doesn't have your tastes as a chav. The reviews will be based on the type of person that has stayed at that resort.

Sega Mega Dave · 6 May 2015 at 16:07

Peoples experiences all depends on their own standards as well as the hotels.

I did one 5* AI in Cyprus for a week as just wanted some guaranteed sun to put my feet up and read a few books. Wouldn't do it again as it's not usually my thing in general.

Hotel was nice and right on the beach but the food was pretty rubbish. drinks were cheaply made and the daily entertainment was pathetic. Ended up eating out most nights which kind of defeated the purpose of AI.

We did get asked by a couple if we knew of any English bars around and the McDonalds was full daily. I mean common...

JohnnyG · 6 May 2015 at 16:13

I've done 3 AIs in the Maldives now which include alcohol and haven't encountered a chav or any unruly behaviour in any of them.

SexyGreyFox · 6 May 2015 at 18:46

The snobbery is strong in this thread.

Mercutio · 6 May 2015 at 19:34

Dimple said:
Just recently been talking to two couples, one went to Hurghada and the other to Sharm so of course the Pyramids & Luxor etc cropped up but they weren't interested and just wanted to sit around a pool
I don't get that personally but I have to respect how they want to spend their money.

Those sorts of all in one folks do need to get their head examined. If it's just some nice weather and a pool you're after go somewhere closer/cheaper. "Oh I went to Egypt" should automatically mean you went to see the sights a bit at least.

Have a week at home when the weathers nice and order takeout/go a restaurant every night if it's JUST relaxing you want to do.

If you're going to make the effort to get on a plane and go somewhere at least see the obvious tourist traps so you've gained something from it.

Glaucus · 6 May 2015 at 19:34

Snobbery is a very odd choice of words.

Lack of understanding absolutely. I can't even understand how people can enjoy doing nothing on Holliday in such places or even your normal beach holidays.

SexyGreyFox · 6 May 2015 at 19:42

Glaucus said:
Snobbery is a very odd choice of words.

Lack of understanding absolutely. I can't even understand how people can enjoy doing nothing on Holliday in such places or even your normal beach holidays.

You've also got to take into account peoples ages and how things are changing drastically for me and Mrs Dimple.
Three years ago we were in Sorrento and did our usual one day at the pool/walking around locally and then 1 day out at Pompeii, Vatican, Herculaneum, Vesuvius etc and it hurt us to be honest because we're not getting younger.
Last year in Turkey, we were really thankful for AI because all the walking/visiting really tired us out and we were going bed at 10pm.
Me and Mrs Dimple have done a lot since 1974 and now we want to relax IN THE SUN.

Bear · 6 May 2015 at 20:11

Glaucus said:
Snobbery is a very odd choice of words.

Lack of understanding absolutely. I can't even understand how people can enjoy doing nothing on Holliday in such places or even your normal beach holidays.

Because you can unwind and spend time reading books you enjoy in beautiful surroundings with fantastic weather, white powdery sand, warm crystal clear turquoise sea. When you come home you feel completely rested.

I do plenty of other types of holidays, it's just nice to have a relaxing one every now and then. I have friends that can't sit still for 5 minutes and a beach holiday would drive them mad, so I understand how you feel