all inclusive

[pinkflamingo]

can anyone tell me if these holidays are good value or just too good to be true

[lou 26]

I went on one about 4 years ago to majorca and it was the best holiday id had for a long time! The food was good, the hotel was great. there was entertainment on every night and of course a free bar. Would definately recommend and return there. If i remember rightly we paid �199 each as a last minute deal and it was worth every penny. Only other money we spent was on duty free.

[dzug]

Well someone has to pay for all that 'free' food and drink, so it's going to be reflected in the price. Unless you get a very good deal, you are probably going to pay for more than you consume (otherwise how would the place make a profit?).

OTH you do know exactly how much it's going to cost you and don't have to worry about how much you are spending.

[Bob A Job]

I live in a holiday resort, and all inclusives are a complete waste of money most of the time. Eating out here is half the price of the daily hotel fee, and by staying in the same hotel you miss out on local culture and environment.
However, in places like Egypt, Carribean and Mexico All Inclusive is much safer, Cheaper and makes a better break.

In short check out your destination on the net and see what local bars/restaurants there are, and decide if you really want to eat bland buffet cr@p for 14 days solid.

[Cheekystar]

I've been on 3 all inclusive, and I'd say 2/3 were good, it depends where you go, look online at review of the hotla before you book.

The best one was where there was nice food avaiable all day, drinks on tap that you helped youself to rather than having to que up all the time.

[Polotoo]

Hi pinkflamingo (great name!)

I've done one all inclusive holiday, which was a good experience. I paid about �300 for the whole week and only spent about �35 in addition to this. However, we specifically went all inclusive as I went with a friend who has kids and it was loads easier for her as she didn't have to worry about, can I have another drink/ice cream/burger etc!

I agree with bob a job, its nice to get out and see the rest of the resort, and although we were all inclusive we didn't spend the whole time in the hotel. We went out for lunch and dinner on a couple of times. It is generally cheaper to eat out abroad than in this country.

But if you have a large family it may be easier to be all inclusive, you know its paid for before you go, and where we were the kids could get their own drinks (non alcoholic of course). Most places the local alcoholic drinks are free, but where we were they charged after 11.30 and some cocktails etc were charged for, and they were pricey!

My husband and I would probably not do an all inclusive holiday, unless it was a very good deal (and off season), as it probably wouldn't be worth it. The other thing I didn't like was how busy it got at mealtimes in the hotel, we went off season and I think it would be horrendous in the height of summer, millions of kids and people, but we like our own space! But I can see the attraction if you have children or can go to an adults only hotel or are on a tight budget - as you know there will be food every day, and therefore only need limited spending money.

Hope this helps - I'm jealous where ever you end up, as I'm stuck in costa del suffolk this year!

[Bob A Job]

Just a note about 'All Inclusive'.

All inclusive hotels are very often extreamly disruptive to the local economy, in areas where hotels become AI local bars/restaurants quickly go bankrupt as they cannot compete with 'Free food & Drink'. On islands where AI is popular the people become extremly poor as nearly all money paid for the holiday goes to companys not based on the island. The old belief that these AI hotels give the local community jobs is rubish, most AI hotels pay their staff pennies and effectivley have staff's heads on chopping boards as there would be little job opportunity elsewhere. I can understand peoples needs and preferences to use AI holidays, but i urge you to consider the effect it has on locall people.

[pinkflamingo]

thanks everyone for your comments. I think i will give it a try this year.

Our party is myself, my other half, 4 teenager kids and a two year old.

Also the hotel is linked with 5 others so we can eat, drink and use these too.

Thanks again.