All inclusive hints and tips

robatwork

OK thanks all,

We are not big drinkers so if it's just local beer and wine that's fine. Also the closing by 11pm isn't an issue - it may be for the kids but that's their problem! The bottled water is an issue as I would want to find somewhere that includes that - it's what we drink most on hols.

So given that, any recommendations on actual resorts? Will check the Ibiza one mentioned above, but ideally v near a beach and walkable to a town with a bit of life.

ta

PeacefulWaters

You might struggle on bottled water but can usually buy it cheaply in supermarkets.

needaholiday

Puerto San Miguel is a pretty little resort. Hotel is adjacent to the beach. Food is pretty good. There's also a Chinese restaurant which makes a change (need to prebook). Drinks are not fantastic but we manage and drink quite a lot. I drink water by day which I get from the bar and its fine. There are only a few souvenir shops in the resort which suits me as stops me spending. There are 3 bars which we go to when all inclusive ends. I think we've been going there for 8 years. Been a different holiday every year starting with the kids going to kids clubs and going to bed at 11 then when they were older dragging us out to the bars to them now coming to the bars then leaving us behind and going off to San An with their mates (occasionally). My kids are now aged 17 and 23. My eldest didn't come last year but was tempted. They absolutely love the place but they have made good friends over the years so have had good company.

Ganga

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

You might struggle on bottled water but can usually buy it cheaply in supermarkets.

Most hotels we have stayed had water dispensers and people filled their own bottles till the bar opened where they dispensed chilled water if required,i have also seen people filling water type botles with juice from the restaraunts and taking them to the sunbeds/beach,most hotels state that food/drink must not be taken from the restaraunt but the staff turn a blind eye.
We used to take fruit,an apple or similar as we walked out at lunch time to eat later once dinner had settled in place of a pudding.
i noticed a lot of people taking bread rolls out of the hotel in Majorca way we used to go in September and seen them feeding the fish in the sea near the hotel,i am sure the Managment would have been very happy with that if they found out!

robatwork

needaholiday wrote: »

Puerto San Miguel is a pretty little resort. Hotel is adjacent to the beach. Food is pretty good. There's also a Chinese restaurant which makes a change (need to prebook). Drinks are not fantastic but we manage and drink quite a lot. I drink water by day which I get from the bar and its fine. There are only a few souvenir shops in the resort which suits me as stops me spending. There are 3 bars which we go to when all inclusive ends. I think we've been going there for 8 years. Been a different holiday every year starting with the kids going to kids clubs and going to bed at 11 then when they were older dragging us out to the bars to them now coming to the bars then leaving us behind and going off to San An with their mates (occasionally). My kids are now aged 17 and 23. My eldest didn't come last year but was tempted. They absolutely love the place but they have made good friends over the years so have had good company.

How far is San Antonio from there - is there an easy bus route for example? Also, I've never been AI but is the food so boring that you have to go outside to a Chinese or is that part of the hotel restaurants?

ta

bigadaj

I don't think AI varies much from any other hotels, my caveat would be that the whole point is that you spend a lot of time there so probably worth spending a bit more I'd say though also check reviews and what they do and don't include.

We're not very familiar but have stayed in hotels that have had all inclusive elements, one in turkey was as nice as most hotels I've stayed in. The hotel had been bought out and administratively in chaos, so all those on b&b and half board ended up on all inclusive. We preferred being out and about but took advantage of a few drinks and the odd lunch, think we were on half board on a late deal. Always remember the breakfast as they supplied honey with the honeycomb which was fairly unique and pleasant.

I like the comments about alcohol, reminds me of a former colleague who went all inclusive to Morocco. They had young kids but he was Irish and his missus was Welsh so possibly the best, or worst, combination for drinking imaginable.

Asked him how it went when he returned, he said great, only problem was they didn't start serving alcohol until 0900; but he got friendly with the bar staff after a day or two and said they'd start serving at eight if you passed them a couple of euro.

ibizafan_2

I like the east side of the island best, so places like Santa Eulalia or Es Cana if you like really late bars with entertainment. Bear in mind that Ibiza is a tiny island so all parts can be reached easily, most by bus or boat. San Antonio bay doesn't have much in the way of AI hotels. San Miguel, Portinatx and Cala Llonga are too small for me, although plenty of people love them. I like a place with a nice promenade and plenty of bars and restaurants, plus a marina to admire the yachts. Santa Eulalia has this in spades.

needaholiday

I have done several other All Inclusives in Spain and the Islands but I think the food at San Miguel Hotel (also called Club Hotel Cartago on booking.com) is better than most. The Chinese restaurant is part of the all inclusive. No limit to the number of times you can use it but must be prebooked. We often prebook lunch at the sister hotel as this also makes a change and is nearer the beach and pool area. Can get proper icecreams in the daytime, Cornettos,Feasts. The resort is very small which I didn't think I would like but I fell in love with the place the first time we went and being so small I always felt the kids were safe. Easy enough to get busses to other places but if we go out we usually get taxi's (not cheap!). If our kids go to clubs they usually get a mini bus and the reps sometimes organise this. On the nights they stay in the resort they frequent the Irish Bar across the beach which is open until 3 or 4 a.m and always have a ball.