All inclusive worth it?

Ostinato

Hi

Me and my OH are currently in the process of checking out holiday deals and stuff. I have only ever went self catering but this year to keep costs down in long term we are considering going all inclusive so it will save on all the costs of drinks and snacks and meals throughout the day and stuff..

Just wondering if it is actually worth it? Usually we will spend about 300-400pp on self catering then need about 900 spending money for 2 weeks.... As we are tyring to keep costs low we have seen a good few deals for lovely exotic places at 4 star hotels all inclusive for about 600-800 and then we would be able to take less spending money.

Any good, bad or terrible stories? xD

stw48

I can't remember the last holiday where I did not go AI, Turkey mostly, never below 4 star and usually 5 star and always, always do your research on trip advisor first. I have not booked a bad AI since the last one in Spain but bad ones are out there.
It really depends on how fussy you are about your food, I'm always happy with the selection and quality but some people want chips at every meal.

Do your research and you will have a great time providing you do not get itchy feet and start eating out for a change of scene (less likely if you choose a hotel with additional themed restaurants that you can use freely)

Good luck.

wallbash

Is it worth it , do the sums
Work out how much the all inclusive extras actually cost .

Drinks are going to figure high in the list , do you normally consume
more than a couple in the evening :beer:
Abroad in the summer ( was in Turkey last July) the amount of simple water drank was amazing .

I resisted going Ai for many years, but last summer all the Hotels I wanted to go to were Ai. It was easier . And I was pleasantly surprised there was NO over indulging. This year I actually looked for Ai.

Becles

Check out the reviews on Trip Advisor or similar before you go. We've been to some very nice all-inclusives, and one that wasn't that good.

They do get a little repetative in the same way eating at your fave local pub/restaurant three time a day for a week/fortnight would get repetative. It's best to budget for a couple of meals or drinks out, just for a change.

Overall they are good value for money, especially with for us as we have three children who drink juice like it's going out of fashion!

Check what is included. For example, the hotel we are going back to in Turkey has a limited selection of included alcoholic drinks. It's fine for us as it includes the drinks we drink, but others were complaining about the selection.

neilbond007

Oh yes!
Only done it in the Caribbean and Mexico but wouldn't go any other way.

The major shock is when the first time the staff take away your beer when you've got an inch left in the bottom!
"Hey! I had some left..... oh... I can go and get a whole new, fresh, cold glass for free"

Ostinato

hahaha neil that sounds like my typa service :P :j

Yeh all the hotels I have been considering I have been on trip advisor for... I am pretty easy pleased but my OH can be fussy so I have been specifically looking for those with a different theme or whatever... Also been considering all the restrictions and stuff and it seems all fine to me and suit me...


Yeh drinks will efinietly make up the most of our holiday haha we are still young so wouldnt really be going out till 12am anyway and can have free drinks from all day up until then... so suits me nicely.

So I would kidna be saving money on that front but also gaining a better hotel in some lovely locations

Thanks for the tips

poppy_f1

went AI for the first time last year and thought it was worth it, was good lying at the pool and not have to worry about taking money out with me for drinks

katieclampet

We always go AI when we go in a big family group, much easier and cheaper. We have always stayed at 4* or 5* hotels and never been disappointed. Very good value for money, food can get a bit repetative, but most places have a la carte and specialist resturants that you can book to visit.

katiex

Ostinato

Thanks again guys! Everyone seems pretty positive about these, and tbh it will be good as last year on holiday the drinks and food were so expensive in the hotel! bought 2 large colas and it was 10 euros! was not amused lol but yet we pay it as we sunbathe in the blistering heat haha getting me in the holiday mood now!
Just need to save up my pennies now!

zippybungle

Only been on one All Inclusive, but absolutely loved it and will definately choose All Incl next time we go abroad.

The Hotel we went to had a large buffet style restaurant, plus 2 other Restaurants (Italian and Indian), so the food wasn't repetative.

Kids loved being able to get a drink when ever they wanted one and ice creams!

Zippy x

wallbash

we would be able to take less spending money.

Yes took a couple of hundred Euros and a credit card . never used the card and bought most of the cash back.

Did spend on the newspaper every day... I am British!
and a new pair of jeans

Not being much of a drinker ( alcohol ) did not bother that the Hotel was short of 'Branded' drinks , bit disappointed that the ice-cream was only available for a couple of hours in the afternoon , bit of a kid at heart.

Ai works really well at expensive hotels ,because of the price a small drink could be.