Tell me the best 'All-Inclusive' holiday you've been on

Tell me the best 'All-Inclusive' holiday you've been on

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Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Ahh the photos.... £ spinner for sure.

Last 3/4 holidays we've had on these sort of places they come round taking pics throughout the day evening so you wonder over and select some and ask for the price. They start telling you choose all the ones you want and we can do a package as its much better value.... Um we wanted 4 pics.. Anyway before I know it wife with some cocktails in we have 50odd pics none which can be reduced further so we "have" to get them.... £300 lighter each time oh well.

Last time I did say you know excluding all the previous pics none of which have left the envelope they were put in ... If you want all of these that means two of our rooms will have totally filled walls of pics ---- what about what we have up now what about the fact it would look daft.
I just let that hang for a second and gave up -- no point annoying the boss so I simply sucked lots more cocktails

sc0tt

18,032 posts

200 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Thailand was pretty decent. I went last December.

I only went for a week but proper drinks, A restaurant where you ordered food, excellent service with a few tips here and there.

We still went out a lot but the price wasn't far off going without and I could grab a "free beer" when I wanted it.

http://www.bangtaobeach.com/


I'm off to the Dominican republic in 2 weeks staying here. Looks decent but I am easily pleased. This however was damn sight more than I usually pay for AI so I am expecting good things.

http://www.dreamsresorts.com/la-romana


Caterbroon

73 posts

129 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Have only done one AI - Excellence Playa Mujeres, Cancun. Totally changed my view of all inclusive. 9 a la carte restaurants (only 1 buffet), pool bars and martini bar with brand label drinks and no short measures. Mini bar in the room refreshed every day. Premium label spirits in the room - replenished when they were done. Yes - if you could drink a bottle of gin, vodka, rum and tequila every day - they would give you the same again the next day!! If you didn't want bottles of coke or sprite in the fridge - just tell them and its replaced with beer.

We had a room with a roof top pool and outdoor hot tub, some come with a swim up pool at your door. The place was immaculately maintained. Thinking about going back next year. Not cheap but when you consider how much food and drink costs on a non- AI holiday, not bad value.

Will second the earlier poster on the room service. Bottle of Champagne to your room at 10am - no problem sir.


Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Caterbroon said:
Have only done one AI - Excellence Playa Mujeres, Cancun. Totally changed my view of all inclusive. 9 a la carte restaurants (only 1 buffet), pool bars and martini bar with brand label drinks and no short measures. Mini bar in the room refreshed every day. Premium label spirits in the room - replenished when they were done. Yes - if you could drink a bottle of gin, vodka, rum and tequila every day - they would give you the same again the next day!! If you didn't want bottles of coke or sprite in the fridge - just tell them and its replaced with beer.

We had a room with a roof top pool and outdoor hot tub, some come with a swim up pool at your door. The place was immaculately maintained. Thinking about going back next year. Not cheap but when you consider how much food and drink costs on a non- AI holiday, not bad value.

Will second the earlier poster on the room service. Bottle of Champagne to your room at 10am - no problem sir.

How long
What period/peak season
How many guests - you wife and kids?
How much?

Phooey

Original Poster:

12,574 posts

168 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Caterbroon said:
Have only done one AI - Excellence Playa Mujeres, Cancun. Totally changed my view of all inclusive. 9 a la carte restaurants (only 1 buffet), pool bars and martini bar with brand label drinks and no short measures. Mini bar in the room refreshed every day. Premium label spirits in the room - replenished when they were done. Yes - if you could drink a bottle of gin, vodka, rum and tequila every day - they would give you the same again the next day!! If you didn't want bottles of coke or sprite in the fridge - just tell them and its replaced with beer.

We had a room with a roof top pool and outdoor hot tub, some come with a swim up pool at your door. The place was immaculately maintained. Thinking about going back next year. Not cheap but when you consider how much food and drink costs on a non- AI holiday, not bad value.

Will second the earlier poster on the room service. Bottle of Champagne to your room at 10am - no problem sir.

Sounds like heaven. Got me excited... until i read it was adults-only cry

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
a311 said:
I really enjoyed Thailand after years of being put off. One place where AI would be pointless, dirt cheap to eat and drink out if you can't be arsed the hotels have to compete with the locals so weren't over priced at all.
Thailand is awesome but I wouldn't go AI, for me it defies the point of being there! You may as well be in Europe if you are just going to sit in the hotel. Get a nice hotel and spend some time in and around the town / village, cracking country and lovely people.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
arun1uk said:
But.....really? The drinks, ok, they're reasonable but I would hardly say it was amazing.
You had to pay a tray change for delivery of food to your room, plus the food in all restaurants was poor.

We went to the Grande St Lucian and for a resort on a tropical island, most of their food was cooked from FROZEN, even fish! Dreadful, you could easily taste it was frozen and nasty for what you're paying for. After the 1st week, we'd had enough and went out for dinner every night.

Constant up-selling everywhere, trying to get you to buy stuff. Want the nice photo we've just taken of you? Sure, that'll be $15. Want wifi? Sure, that'll be $10 per day. Want to eat in our nice restaurant that serves decent food? Sure, that'll be $100pp. Want to eat our normal crap food, but on the beach with a million other people? Sure, that'll be $50pp. Want a massage? Sure, you can pay for the massage, oh and dont forget the 12.5% service charge on top!

Rant over.

Best all inclusive, the Maritim in Mauritius - simply stunning. Everything included, no hidden fees, made to feel special and not just "another customer"

We will never, ever, go to another Sandals again.
That's odd, there was zero additional charges, the food was excellent (from a choice of 9/10), photo graphs were free (within reason), diving / water 'sports' were free, hotel was a good standard, staff were attentive and friendly.

I spend every other week in a hotel so I have a bit of experience and I would suggest Sandals are pretty good in general.

R8Steve

4,150 posts

174 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Phooey said:
Caterbroon said:
Have only done one AI - Excellence Playa Mujeres, Cancun. Totally changed my view of all inclusive. 9 a la carte restaurants (only 1 buffet), pool bars and martini bar with brand label drinks and no short measures. Mini bar in the room refreshed every day. Premium label spirits in the room - replenished when they were done. Yes - if you could drink a bottle of gin, vodka, rum and tequila every day - they would give you the same again the next day!! If you didn't want bottles of coke or sprite in the fridge - just tell them and its replaced with beer.

We had a room with a roof top pool and outdoor hot tub, some come with a swim up pool at your door. The place was immaculately maintained. Thinking about going back next year. Not cheap but when you consider how much food and drink costs on a non- AI holiday, not bad value.

Will second the earlier poster on the room service. Bottle of Champagne to your room at 10am - no problem sir.

Sounds like heaven. Got me excited... until i read it was adults-only cry
Stay at the Great Parnassus in Cancun - all of the above but kid friendly.

GTRmad

248 posts

170 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Cornelia Diamond Golf & spa. Belek Turkey,Fabulous food in the alacarte restaraunts,All named spirits jack daniels smirnoff etc.By far the best a/i we have ever been to

Defcon5

6,160 posts

190 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Watching this thread with interest. Looking for somewhere to honeymoon next August/ sept. Unfortunately our 2 year old will be coming too and I daren't go for a long flight, so looking for an excellent AI hotel in Europe

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Defcon5 said:
Watching this thread with interest. Looking for somewhere to honeymoon next August/ sept. Unfortunately our 2 year old will be coming too and I daren't go for a long flight, so looking for an excellent AI hotel in Europe
Sensatori resorts should be on your top ten list then pick which ever is most suitable based on location funds and - style some are very/too modern or too cultured depends what's important to you.

Do you want really really special ££ or very very nice?

Phooey

Original Poster:

12,574 posts

168 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
Defcon5 said:
Watching this thread with interest. Looking for somewhere to honeymoon next August/ sept. Unfortunately our 2 year old will be coming too and I daren't go for a long flight, so looking for an excellent AI hotel in Europe
Sensatori resorts should be on your top ten list then pick which ever is most suitable based on location funds and - style some are very/too modern or too cultured depends what's important to you.

Do you want really really special ££ or very very nice?
Sensatori Crete was a really nice hotel. Plenty of pools, restaurants, food choice etc but location not the best. I would go again for a week.

Some great replies to this thread beer

bazza white

3,551 posts

127 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Stayed in the riviera maya, 3 different hotels and never been disappointed, you want for nothing out there. Going back to the smallest hotel this year which offers the least but really enjoyable.

Stoatman

592 posts

166 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
I'm thinking of this too. 1 week Europe , early summer. No Chavs , not 40 degrees . 2.5 k for two and a half of us. Can it be done ? Are the sensatori a safe bet , been looking at them tonight .

DJRC

23,563 posts

235 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
BodyHoliday St Lucia. AI not just for food, drink, but ALL your watersports, classes and spa treatments!

Wife = happy.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Stoatman said:
I'm thinking of this too. 1 week Europe , early summer. No Chavs , not 40 degrees . 2.5 k for two and a half of us. Can it be done ? Are the sensatori a safe bet , been looking at them tonight .
That budget -

Insotel Cala Medina Majorca superior room - you might if early enough in the season be able to get a swim up pool.

Really good place rooms very very good. Minibar topped up twice daily fresh towels and beds made twice daily very good food and lots of different places to eat.

Oh and male sure you go for the private transfer the bus stops everywhere and takes ages take is 30mins bus 1hr 20 and a ball ache.

arun1uk

1,045 posts

197 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
Trexthedinosaur said:
That's odd, there was zero additional charges, the food was excellent (from a choice of 9/10), photo graphs were free (within reason), diving / water 'sports' were free, hotel was a good standard, staff were attentive and friendly.

I spend every other week in a hotel so I have a bit of experience and I would suggest Sandals are pretty good in general.
I travel (a lot!) too so have a similar experience. Grande St Lucian might be an anomaly but generally quite poor, maybe it was the "american" vibe too....very in your face. Where did you go, out of interest?

We're going to Borneo next week so will do a write up smile

AB

16,969 posts

194 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
Haven't been to many AI resorts as we like to go out and eat at different places when we're away but one that we did go to and stuck out as being fantastic was Club Le Sport in St Lucia.

http://www.thebodyholiday.com

Went a few years ago now, when Amy Winehouse was alive as she was a couple of rooms down but kept herself to herself.

There was a restaurant called Tao which was brilliant.

DJRC

23,563 posts

235 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
Snap. I was there 3 yrs ago - still brilliant!

Caterbroon

73 posts

129 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
Caterbroon said:
Have only done one AI - Excellence Playa Mujeres, Cancun. Totally changed my view of all inclusive. 9 a la carte restaurants (only 1 buffet), pool bars and martini bar with brand label drinks and no short measures. Mini bar in the room refreshed every day. Premium label spirits in the room - replenished when they were done. Yes - if you could drink a bottle of gin, vodka, rum and tequila every day - they would give you the same again the next day!! If you didn't want bottles of coke or sprite in the fridge - just tell them and its replaced with beer.

We had a room with a roof top pool and outdoor hot tub, some come with a swim up pool at your door. The place was immaculately maintained. Thinking about going back next year. Not cheap but when you consider how much food and drink costs on a non- AI holiday, not bad value.

Will second the earlier poster on the room service. Bottle of Champagne to your room at 10am - no problem sir.

How long
What period/peak season
How many guests - you wife and kids?
How much?
2 weeks (11 days Playa Mujeres, 3 days in Cancun at the Hyatt)
End June / early July
Just me and the wife, no kids allowed as others have highlighted
We paid for the room only as I had Air miles to use on BA - from memory it was about $600 a night for the two of us. That was for the room with the private pool in the Excellence Club, can be had for a good bit less if you don't bother with that.