All Inclusive question (Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey...?)

redrabbit29

I haven't exactly been "put off" by Tunisia. I was never into it 100%. I was browsing and it was one of the first places I thought off.

The title of the thread has been changed now to reflect that.

Also, 5* is not essential, I only picked that as it seemed similar priced to the 4* ones and there were no 3* ones.

I'll check out TripAdvisor, although it's very negative on there. Every hotel has about 50 bad things said about it, also about 50 good things too - hard to judge sometimes.

Will consider booking closer to the time, although not sure if I'll get a better deal like that.

Which websites are good for holiday bookings - or is the travel agent best?

vegasvisitor

Sorry, I didn't really mean 'put off' as in someone deliberately putting you off - more like you weren't that keen now, which seems possibly the case.

I had started looking up Egypt but thinking it would be too hot (was looking at June originally). I then searched a few different places and I felt the Tunisia ones looked like better value, and as we just want a week all inclusive somewhere in a decent hotel, and the option to explore a bit if we want, Tunisia fitted the bill. We ended up getting a better deal for May so went with that (and spent the difference on flights to Italy for our anniversary in June :j )

Try looking around for discount and promotion codes. There's also a website called Sunsave.com (I think it's .com) and you can search flights then add hotels, giving more flexibility. It didn't have the hotel I was after so it wasn't working out for me, but I found some good deals on there when I was looking at Tenerife. The flexibility was good as it wasn't as restricted on hotels as it would be if you booked through a tour operator. Worth a look at least, and I'm sure others will be able to suggest more sites.

Also depending on where you are going, if not so much a 'package' holiday then I always find Expedia good - I use them for trips to the US - I use the flight + hotel option. I'd recommend Vegas if you're looking for another fab option..I've been 8 times so I certainly can recommend it!

pompeii

We went to Tunisia in March this year and stayed at the Imperial Marhaba , It is a hotel with a grand lobby the bedrooms are a mixed bag some very good some very average. They do not do AI in the way that the do in the Caribbean, so you have a two tier system where if you are on half board and paying you get better in terms of alcohol. Most of the drinks were weak although the beer was good. Some parts of the Hotel have extra charges, that you would not expect, e.g. the piano bar. So the only place to sit in the evenings is the lobby.

They do seem to favour other nationalities, they may get a bigger percentage from them i don't know, The Bellevue was of an equal standard to the Marhaba but seemed to have more going on.

There was nothing especially good or bad about this hotel, just not 5 star in my opinion.

annie_d

The RIU group of hotels are marvellous. We stayed in one in Mexico for our honeymoon and i couldn't recommend it hugher.
My husband is a school teacher too so i know the problem of having to book during peak season. I have been looking at Cuba....maybe you could look there.


EDIT....Just remembered The Riu Tequila

emma_jane1987

I have been to Egypt for 10 days Tunisa for 10 days and turkey three time for different amount of times, I have been to Bodrum, Marmaris. I love Turkey out of all them the people were friendly, the food is amazing and the most important thing is that i felt safe. If you are like me and like to go out for meals and explore the country to a certain degree then i don't think Egypt is for you. I'm a 22 year old girl and i was leared at in Egypt and Tunisia in a meancing way and i felt like i had always had to watch my back. My boyfriend felt very uncomfortable at times. It happened in Turkey as well but it wasn't slimy it was more friendly and appreciation and they didn't try anything more then just a slight look at you. If i was you i would go to Olu Deniz i have heard excellent things about the place.

pompeii

annie_d wrote: »

The RIU group of hotels are marvellous. We stayed in one in Mexico for our honeymoon and i couldn't recommend it hugher.
My husband is a school teacher too so i know the problem of having to book during peak season. I have been looking at Cuba....maybe you could look there.


EDIT....Just remembered The Riu Tequila

This was why we chose this hotel after staying in Riu Mambo in the Dom Rep and Riu Topical Bay in Jamaica, this is not a problem with Riu or AI in Tunisia it is this hotel.

redrabbit29

It seems that quite a few hotels offer All Inclusive at a very similar rate to B&B.

All Inclusive appeals to me as I know then that a lot of the expenses have been paid for. Even if we only eat there half the time, it does seem worth it when you look at a lot of the prices.

It's now between Egypt and Turkey at the minute.

miamoo

annie_d wrote: »

The RIU group of hotels are marvellous. We stayed in one in Mexico for our honeymoon and i couldn't recommend it hugher.
My husband is a school teacher too so i know the problem of having to book during peak season. I have been looking at Cuba....maybe you could look there.


EDIT....Just remembered The Riu Tequila

Oooh we stayed at the Riu Tequila aswell! Its fantastic isnt it we got it for half price by booking last minute (around 6 weeks before).

Redrabbit, I also didn't mean to put you off, sorry if it came across that way.
I don't think you are wasting your money booking all inclusive wherever you choose, as long as you dont pay too much for it. But you might get a better deal half board or b+b.
As you are going in August you could try and book a late deal (2 months before) as even though you are going peak season you are flexible with dates and location so would be able to get something.
Thats how we got Riu Tequila in Mexico, we went into thomson and said we want 2 weeks AI somewhere amazing maximum budget £3 K (2 adults and 2 teens) we paid £2,600 (including extra for the kids in there own room). Brochure price was £4.5 K.
Maybe keep your options open, pop into the local travel agents and ask them to ring you with any good deals that come in, tell them your maximum budget, they will come up with all sorts and give you some ideas.
I will also keep my eye out as I feel responsible for putting you off:o
which airport are you flying from?

Just wanted to add that just because a hotel is a RIU doesn't mean it will be fantastic, different countries have different standards, especially with AI.

miamoo

Thomas Cook has Sol Rio de Luna Mares, mid august just over £1 K each, in store they would reduce that to under £1 K if you asked nicely. I want to go I almost booked last year but had a small heart problem so couldn't go. Its Hurricane season August though, but Cuba is usually ok. We went to St Lucia in hurricane season, and had an amazing time so its worth considering.

Also Thomas Cook have some really nice AI hotels for around your budget in Egypt. I have never been but would love to go.