self catering or all inclusive

ellay864

I was almost talked into going AI a few years back when out with my kids and am glad I didn't as we went out somewhere different almost every day - different beaches, different towns, different water parks. All meant buying drinks and snacks but I'd budgeted for that, I bought fruit at a local market and took a coolbox each day with bottles of water and cartons of juice to supplement stuff we bought, and then ate out in the evenings but managed to look around and eat pretty cheaply. Probably evened out in total cost but I found it much more enjoyable to be able to get out and about without thinking I was paying for meals I wasn't getting, then paying again elsewhere. Your choice will depend on where you're going, what you plan to do and how old your kids are

ladyrow

I know this is an answer is quite late, but thought it might help with people planning for next year like myself.
We have been all inclusive many time, and with children it takes the worry of overspending out of the equation - you have budgeted for the holiday and that is paid for so it is only a few trips out you may need to spend extra on. We went to the Cristal Park, Benidorm when we had our 2 year old and loved it because they were part of a chain of hotels (about 8 hotels then) and we could walk along the long promenade and stop at any of them for a drink, icecream or even dinner - we could also use all their facilities which meant that even when we did go out we did not have to spend much.
Last year we went to Cyprus staying with family but it cost a fortune just having lunches out and snacks so we know what we will be doing next year.
Hope you all get wonderful holidays booked :-)

ronaldo2

All inclusive definately, i would never consider self catering or half board for that matter, yes it is more expensive but you don't need to worry money once there, just go and get whatever and whenever yhou want. If you don't like something don't worry leave it and go and get something else.

Now that spain is in the euro it is no longer cheap. If you do go all inclusive choose a good one not a cheap and chearful one you do get what you pay for.

greenface

For our holiday in the sun we have gone AI for the past three years and its worked well. We work out the price difference and often a AI hotel in a decent area is a better standard of hotel firstly so you get nicer rooms etc (our own opinion)A decent brekkie afternoon lunch we can take it or leave it normally just snack the nicest looking thing there. Evening dinner has been good and inviting so far and we eat out about twice a week . we are drinkers and the beer/wine/voddy & pop/water is normally enough to break even between SC & AI food is a bonus and the past 3 years always check food standards on Trip Advisor (one year we stayed at club akti in kos because of the food reviews and we werent let down stunning)

lkmc01

All inclusive advantages.

• Its cheaper overall (as cheaper per meal)
• Its typically cheaper with kids as all ice creams etc are included
• If you like your alcohol its typically cheaper - but usually its local stuff only included - if your in spain good if you like wine, but bad for branded lagers etc
• Good if you like to try a bit of a range of food, buffet like
• You wont have to go looking for a restaurant every night
• Easier and quick if you have kids
• You dont have to take as much money with you abroad
• If you like british food you will probably get more of it and more choice here (depends where you go (ie Benidom vs Gambia)

All inclusive disadvantages.

• It a bigger initial cost for the holiday
• If the food is rubbish, tough you have already paid for it
• It doesnt provide any choice (usually) in where you go for dinner
• It could stop you going far from the hotel (the hotel does usually provide packed lunch) but they are always rubbish

I would go all inclusive with kids abroad
Half board at butlins is great

poodledoodledoo

I think it depends on the age of your kids and how much they eat. I've got 3 VERY hungry older boys (plus a little one) so it makes much better financial sense for us to go AI providing we shop around and find a reasonable price.

zagfles

lkmc01 wrote: »

All inclusive advantages.

• Its cheaper overall (as cheaper per meal)
• Its typically cheaper with kids as all ice creams etc are included
• If you like your alcohol its typically cheaper - but usually its local stuff only included - if your in spain good if you like wine, but bad for branded lagers etc
• Good if you like to try a bit of a range of food, buffet like
• You wont have to go looking for a restaurant every night
• Easier and quick if you have kids
• You dont have to take as much money with you abroad
• If you like british food you will probably get more of it and more choice here (depends where you go (ie Benidom vs Gambia)

All inclusive disadvantages.

• It a bigger initial cost for the holiday
• If the food is rubbish, tough you have already paid for it
• It doesnt provide any choice (usually) in where you go for dinner
• It could stop you going far from the hotel (the hotel does usually provide packed lunch) but they are always rubbish

I would go all inclusive with kids abroad
Half board at butlins is great

Yes - for us the last one is definitely the clincher - we like to leave the hotel and actually see the country we're visiting, and if we're on a trip somewhere maybe eat there instead of having to rush back to the hotel for evening meal.

mrshassall1987

Me and the hubby went AI for our honeymoon in turkey and it was perfect. The hotel had 3 a la cartes and a main dining room. Also free drinks 24 hours a day! It saved us a fortune. Still had a couple of days out but at lunchtimes we weren't really hungry so just had snacks.

We are taking our little boy to mallorca next October, he will be 3. We have chosen All Inclusive and middle of nowhere as we HATE built up places. I already know that we are going to be better off because of all the ice cream and slush puppies he will want......it's his holiday I don't want to be saying no because I am running out of money.:T