Advice on All Inclusive Holidays

wallbash

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Was explicitly talking about the food; if I go to Goa for a holiday I dont really want Fish & Chips Friday or Pizza Monday etc.

So a Sushi show cooking theme night overseen by genuine Japanese team on a Friday has no appeal? Or a great Pizza Oven every lunch time making to order ............. as I have said try high ended 5*

( both at the Beleck hotel)

travellerboy

wallbash wrote: »

Big fan of the grand buffet, take a little, if you enjoy return for more. Not good, dump plate and try again ........try doing that in a local small restaurant

Don't forget the Noro as well - sleep well !

Doshwaster

wallbash wrote: »

So a Sushi show cooking theme night overseen by genuine Japanese team on a Friday has no appeal? Or a great Pizza Oven every lunch time making to order ............. as I have said try high ended 5*

It doesn't have that much appeal to me. If I wanted to eat sushi (I never do, I hate it) then I'd go to a sushi restaurant. If I wanted a pizza I'd go to a pizza restaurant. I don't need a hotel to tell me what today's "theme" is.

wallbash

I bet you are a real thrill to be on holiday with .

Doshwaster

wallbash wrote: »

I bet you are a real thrill to be on holiday with .

I am indeed. I like to go with the flow and choose from every bar, restaurant and food stall in town. I just don't need the hotel to put on a special party to encourage me to eat something.

worriedindebt

nickyjane28 wrote: »

Looking to take our two girls away on a family holiday and being advised that all inclusive is the 'only' way to do it!

We were wanting to go to Alcudia in Majorca, if anyone has any advice or could share their experiences it would be very much appreciated

Nicky

I've done AI and done the other options too.. Tbh there is no general rule, some AI's are amazing with lovely drinks/cocktails and good food whereas I've heard some horror stories too.

TripAdvisor is your friend here I think, especially with small children.
Try and avoid AI's in "clubby" areas as these will be poor food and drinks watered down, but get it right and you will all be happy without having to dip into your purse for cold drinks, ice creams and snacks all day.

Worth remembering too that although you are AI, it doesn't mean you can't go out for a meal at night somewhere in town... The big expense with children is definitely the drinks/ices/snacks so a nice meal out will be a break and you can come back to the hotel for the mini disco and drinks later

Have fun:j

swingaloo

I think the age of the children is the important factor here.


I went to an all inclusive with my sister and her 2 children.


The food was nice but we had problems just getting the food to the table. the restaurant was lovely but so large with bread on one counter, drinks on another and all the different choices of food spread around in a massive self service area.


We would get into the room and the first thing was to take the children right round to see what was on offer. Every time was he same, I may want the roast lamb from one counter, one of the children would want a pizza which were made fresh whilst you wait, the other child would want something different and as you are served onto hot plates and one of the children was too young to be able to carry her own plate we seemed to spend an eternity queuing at one area then another. I would take one child, my sister would take the other then we seat them and go off to get our food. Invariably we would get back with our food then have to get up to go for the drinks and we hardly ever sat down to eat at the same time.


Even in a morning cereal was on one table, milk and orange juice on another, fruit on another and toast on the opposite side of the room. it was like a military operation every mealtime.


If your children are older it will be great as you can sit by the pool while they repeatedly go to get drinks and ice cream without keep paying out.


A lot also depends on if you are happy to stay in the hotel grounds or not. I wouldn't do it again as I like to wander and to go to the beach were of course you are still spending money.


Also watch the times you can have the 'free' ice cream etc. At our hotel it was 9.30 till 11.30am then 2pm till 4.30 so there are a lot of times you may be caught out.

deva

Something to consider is the other guests: I've stayed and repped at a couple of ai hotels and as others have said do your research as some people are determined to "get there monies worth" meaning they cause queues, Rush when certain things are brought out at buffet, complain about local food/spirits etc.

We've found Andalusia best as we get free tapas with each round of drinks meaning we eat out gif very little!

wallbash

Even in a morning cereal was on one table, milk and orange juice on another, fruit on another and toast on the opposite side of the room. it was like a military operation every mealtime.

I can relate to that. You do need a little planning. More of a problem with kids, but as you say it will get easier.
Split the job up, I normally get told to sort out the fruit / creals , while my wife will get the tea/coffee. Then both get the egg/bacon ( or waffle/ pancake etc) Then to finish , she goes for fresh tea/ coffee ( she now knows where it is) while I tackle the toast .

There must be a reason for the arrangement , but still alludes me. But we are on our hols, so why rush around?

Doshwaster

Are there AI hotels which do table service? I don't like the idea of fighting through loads of people just to get some food.