Tell me the best 'All-Inclusive' holiday you've been on
Discussion
Nano2nd said:
i know this thread is a bit old, but in the name of continuity i just wanted to say that i booked Insotel Cala Mandia in Majorca after seeing WelshBeefs recommendation here (and a decent set of trip advisor reviews). I've literally come back from the week and wanted to back up WelshBeefs experience, very nice place, friendly staff, well catered for kids and decent AI food buffet - in fact probably the best european AI buffet i've been to for quality and variety, only beaten by the vegas hotels and moon palace in Cancun. Hotel, pool and grounds are very clean and tidy, great bar service, mostly branded drinks i.e. Disarono, havana club, Gordons gin etc, no proper cocktails thats the only caveat here. Snacks and ice creams available all day, and a proper coffea machine in the bar rather than the rank stuff that comes out of the buffet dispensers!
downsides are that its busy (this is only a reflection on how good it is), this is not a quiet week away, there are kids everywhere, i wouldn't entertain going without a young family even to the Adults only section, you still need to deal with the masses at the buffet, lots of kids, annoying germans, i wouldn't go here for my tenth wedding anniversary (without my daughter) thats for sure! i was expecting this so not an issue, i also booked a swim-up room to avoid the pool sun lounger mele, towels were going down at 6:20am FFS.
i'm looking at the sister hotel in ibiza for next year, oh and book direct with ryanair flights, its cheaper and much better flight times, from the midlands anyway.
Glad you enjoyed it. downsides are that its busy (this is only a reflection on how good it is), this is not a quiet week away, there are kids everywhere, i wouldn't entertain going without a young family even to the Adults only section, you still need to deal with the masses at the buffet, lots of kids, annoying germans, i wouldn't go here for my tenth wedding anniversary (without my daughter) thats for sure! i was expecting this so not an issue, i also booked a swim-up room to avoid the pool sun lounger mele, towels were going down at 6:20am FFS.
i'm looking at the sister hotel in ibiza for next year, oh and book direct with ryanair flights, its cheaper and much better flight times, from the midlands anyway.
We're off there very shortly - wanted to go for swim up rooms but for he only dates we could go they were fully booked so opted for the Superior room which we had last time. Actually I've checked the dates were going on today and the whole hotel is sold out - I'll be up early with he kids getting the sun beds but if not / late down to the beach.
We've stayed in the Insotel Punta Prima (Menorca) last year. A really nice place only 2 floors and spread out over a huge area. The sole issue we had with it was the rooms were very dated in decor / maybe we had been split by the Cala Medina the year before. Probably wouldn't do that one again unless they sorted out the rooms.
Agreed Ibiza looks good might have a go next summer.
If you liked this one you might want to consider this:-
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g118469...
A bit further away but bliss.
I've been lucky enough to visit quite a few different AI resorts in the Caribbean and would recommend:
Antigua - St James's Club
Barbados - Crystal Cove (with children)
Jamaica - Secrets Wild Orchid (adults only - fantastic, jerk chicken truck trundles along the beach all day, unlimited premium spirits, swim up balconies etc)
Antigua - St James's Club
Barbados - Crystal Cove (with children)
Jamaica - Secrets Wild Orchid (adults only - fantastic, jerk chicken truck trundles along the beach all day, unlimited premium spirits, swim up balconies etc)
Welshbeef said:
Composite Guru said:
Crete. Aquila Elounda with Thomson all inclusive. The A la carte restaurants were very good. Would defo go back.
I like that - is it a no kids resort, if so sadly would have to swerve itJust booked Creta Maris in Crete, recommended by travel agent friend, reviews are really good
Done a few others over the years
Beaches Resort (Child friendly Sandals) Turks & Caicos excellent
Almond Beach Village Barbados, did this a few times, kids absolutely loved it, gets a fair bit of stick on some reviews, however never had any problems and always found it a great place to just doss around for a couple of weeks and let the world go by
Sandpiper Clubmed Florida, bolted this onto a trip to the land of the giant mouse, perfect if you have children who struggle to chill and constantly want loads of activities(especially sporty ones)
St Lucia resort near Pitons, cant remember the name of it, however think its changed now anyway was excellent at the time, kids loved seeing Father Christmas arrive at the beach on a boat with pressies for all the children (nice touch)
Slightly off track, but suppose its kind off AI always really enjoyed Cruising with Royal Caribbean around the Caribbean, When it was running Ocean Village cruises were always good value for money, however absolutely hated Thompson cruise around the Med, probably because I felt out off place without a weeks supply of vests and nylon football shirts !!!
Done a few others over the years
Beaches Resort (Child friendly Sandals) Turks & Caicos excellent
Almond Beach Village Barbados, did this a few times, kids absolutely loved it, gets a fair bit of stick on some reviews, however never had any problems and always found it a great place to just doss around for a couple of weeks and let the world go by
Sandpiper Clubmed Florida, bolted this onto a trip to the land of the giant mouse, perfect if you have children who struggle to chill and constantly want loads of activities(especially sporty ones)
St Lucia resort near Pitons, cant remember the name of it, however think its changed now anyway was excellent at the time, kids loved seeing Father Christmas arrive at the beach on a boat with pressies for all the children (nice touch)
Slightly off track, but suppose its kind off AI always really enjoyed Cruising with Royal Caribbean around the Caribbean, When it was running Ocean Village cruises were always good value for money, however absolutely hated Thompson cruise around the Med, probably because I felt out off place without a weeks supply of vests and nylon football shirts !!!
Our kids loved Al inc this year - so much ice cream 
and as it turned out a few oops moments which would have been pricy/frustrating having to fork out €.
Food too it's hard sometimes with kids especially foreign food so they can try and discard ditto adults.
Personally I tried so many different spirits which is never do normally and found one or two drinks (Black Russian & Tia Maria) which is never considered before but have a taste for them now.
and as it turned out a few oops moments which would have been pricy/frustrating having to fork out €. Food too it's hard sometimes with kids especially foreign food so they can try and discard ditto adults.
Personally I tried so many different spirits which is never do normally and found one or two drinks (Black Russian & Tia Maria) which is never considered before but have a taste for them now.
The_Doc said:
went there on honeymoon 10 years ago next week lovely place we stayed in a water villa, food isn't (or wasn't) up to scratch IMO. maybe thats just a maldives thing, i've nothing to compare it too unfortunately, but compared to AI in Mexico, thats in another league!Nano2nd said:
The_Doc said:
went there on honeymoon 10 years ago next week lovely place we stayed in a water villa, food isn't (or wasn't) up to scratch IMO. maybe thats just a maldives thing, i've nothing to compare it too unfortunately, but compared to AI in Mexico, thats in another league!Decent standard all inclusive was sensatori tenerife. Tried Sani Beach in Halkidiki last year, that wasn't great due to the russian contingent
Backtobasics said:
Went there 10 years ago next week on honeymoon as well! Did you play in the staff v guests match? The old boy who knocked the coconuts out the tree took it a bit serious
Decent standard all inclusive was sensatori tenerife. Tried Sani Beach in Halkidiki last year, that wasn't great due to the russian contingent
no way, when did you go? its a anniversary on the 29th, so i guess we got there on the 31st for 2 weeks, didn't play any football, i spent a good chunk of it with a dodgy stomach, hence my comment on the food Decent standard all inclusive was sensatori tenerife. Tried Sani Beach in Halkidiki last year, that wasn't great due to the russian contingent
i recall chatting with some other people there are the time who had a similar err.. issues 
Nano2nd said:
went there on honeymoon 10 years ago next week lovely place we stayed in a water villa, food isn't (or wasn't) up to scratch IMO. maybe thats just a maldives thing, i've nothing to compare it too unfortunately, but compared to AI in Mexico, thats in another league!
We did kuredu a couple of years ago, 3rd time in the Maldives after 2 stops at meedhuparuu, quite liked it, the largest of the holiday islands and takes a while to walk round it,food was good for us, stayed in the beach villas on the pool side of the island for a few days, then changed to a water villa, in all fairness we preferred the beach villa. lovely place we stayed in a water villa, food isn't (or wasn't) up to scratch IMO. maybe thats just a maldives thing, i've nothing to compare it too unfortunately, but compared to AI in Mexico, thats in another league!Snorkelling was hard work as the reefs are quite a way out and you can get a bit knackered if out there a while, I did and ended up resting holding on to a buoy.
Not saying I didn't like it but I think I prefer the smaller resorts.
Nano2nd said:
Backtobasics said:
Went there 10 years ago next week on honeymoon as well! Did you play in the staff v guests match? The old boy who knocked the coconuts out the tree took it a bit serious
Decent standard all inclusive was sensatori tenerife. Tried Sani Beach in Halkidiki last year, that wasn't great due to the russian contingent
no way, when did you go? its a anniversary on the 29th, so i guess we got there on the 31st for 2 weeks, didn't play any football, i spent a good chunk of it with a dodgy stomach, hence my comment on the food Decent standard all inclusive was sensatori tenerife. Tried Sani Beach in Halkidiki last year, that wasn't great due to the russian contingent
i recall chatting with some other people there are the time who had a similar err.. issues Edited by Backtobasics on Saturday 23 July 22:07
Just back from the Ikos Olivia near Halkidiki. Very very good service, food, hotel and drinks. A bit on the noisy side with kids at dinner but otherwise good. Russian contingent low and not that obvious.
Probably the only gripe was the behaviour of some of the parents (english). Many of them seemed to think that holidays meant giving up all responsibility for their children and administering any discipline from their chair whilst talking over your table at dinner.
Probably the only gripe was the behaviour of some of the parents (english). Many of them seemed to think that holidays meant giving up all responsibility for their children and administering any discipline from their chair whilst talking over your table at dinner.
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