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

[tjl]

Barut Lara - Lara beach near Antalya , Turkey. Trip advisor has it as number 1 of 230 or so in the area. Been there for the last 3 years as we find it hard to beat for value, convenience etc. Glen Fiddich in the bar to give you an example. Great for young kids. Also excellent for teenage kids with their own set-up which is unusual in my experience.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297962-d5...

[Kenty]

Veligandu in the Maldives

[kryten22uk]

Stayed at 2 places in the Dominican Republic this month; Paradisus Palma Real and the Bahia Principe Esmeralda. The former was better in every way, from food, atmostphere, entertainment, quality, beach, location, amenities, service. The BPE felt like the hotel from Benidorm tv show by comparison.

[Welshbeef]

Does anywhere do All inc villas?

It would be ideal for families/with extended family or friends your own pool own pad own chief etc.

[BrabusMog]

You can get chefs in your chalet when skiing, not sure if that's the sort of holiday you had in mind though.

[Welshbeef]

BrabusMog said:

You can get chefs in your chalet when skiing, not sure if that's the sort of holiday you had in mind though.

That's it exactly but why isn't there similar for sun holidays in vias too... Seems a trick missed IMHO.

[kryten22uk]

Welshbeef said:

That's it exactly but why isn't there similar for sun holidays in vias too... Seems a trick missed IMHO.

Not a missed trick, theres plenty of large villas around, which have chefs etc. They're not cheap, and not necessarily part of a larger hotel. Often they're either part of a boutique hotel, or effectively just a single property.

You just need to google the right words. Try this for starters:
http://www.elegantresorts.co.uk/luxury-villas/t

[pidsy]

After a horrific AI experience in the canaries years ago - imagin plastic cups, chips, more chips, fights over food and a bedevilled toasty maker in a shed next to the pool for "all day snacks" I avoided them for years but been back exploring over the past few years with better results.

All of these are I adults only sections - I like the peace.

Marsa alam - iberotel coraya beach - very goo, nice to ask for a beer and be given a 500ml bottle complete with cap. All branded spirits, good food.

Boa Vista - Riu Touareg - like a luxurious prison camp in the middle of nowhere. Impressive facilities but nowhere to go, not a lot to do. Drinks were ok - no concept of what a pint is so beer in tall glasses. Optics in your room. Conveyer belt restaurants.

Negril - sensatori negril - absolutely incredible. Newly refurbished last year, and used for the Thomson adverts this summer (girl with teddy). Swim up rooms, great beach, wonderful staff and a proper range of restaurants (a la carte as well as buffet). Wanted to go back next month but the cost had almost doubled since last year so off to St Lucia instead.

For anyone who has only ever tried the European style AI - the places in the Caribbean and Mexico are on another level.

[audikentman]

Best all inclusive was The Moon Palace in Cancun, 2 weeks after 9/11, most of the Americans had cancelled, loads of staff per guest and a hot tub in the bedroom. I didn't think much of Cancun downtown though.

[Steve Campbell]

Welshbeef said:

Does anywhere do All inc villas?

It would be ideal for families/with extended family or friends your own pool own pad own chief etc.

I am sat typing this on the patio of one of these villa's.

http://www.palomahotels.com/en/paloma-oceana-resor...

Flying home tomorrow but had a great 2 weeks. This is the 3rd hotel in Turkey we've tried for AI : Voyage Belek, Barut Lara and here. All have been good, but these villa rooms are the best rooms we've ever had. Overall, Barut Lara is a better hotel but they have refurbed the residence rooms and taken them out so we probably won't be going back.

There are 14 Villa's here, each are duplex so works great for 4 of us ....with private pool for villa guests, private bar, free room service etc....and you don't need to be up at the crack of dawn to reserve a sunbed :-)

[Mike29]

Steve Campbell said:

I am sat typing this on the patio of one of these villa's.

http://www.palomahotels.com/en/paloma-oceana-resor...

Flying home tomorrow but had a great 2 weeks. This is the 3rd hotel in Turkey we've tried for AI : Voyage Belek, Barut Lara and here. All have been good, but these villa rooms are the best rooms we've ever had. Overall, Barut Lara is a better hotel but they have refurbed the residence rooms and taken them out so we probably won't be going back.

There are 14 Villa's here, each are duplex so works great for 4 of us ....with private pool for villa guests, private bar, free room service etc....and you don't need to be up at the crack of dawn to reserve a sunbed :-)

€270 /'day sound about right?

[Welshbeef]

Steve Campbell said:

I am sat typing this on the patio of one of these villa's.

http://www.palomahotels.com/en/paloma-oceana-resor...

Flying home tomorrow but had a great 2 weeks. This is the 3rd hotel in Turkey we've tried for AI : Voyage Belek, Barut Lara and here. All have been good, but these villa rooms are the best rooms we've ever had. Overall, Barut Lara is a better hotel but they have refurbed the residence rooms and taken them out so we probably won't be going back.

There are 14 Villa's here, each are duplex so works great for 4 of us ....with private pool for villa guests, private bar, free room service etc....and you don't need to be up at the crack of dawn to reserve a sunbed :-)

Looks great - sadly my Mrs totally refuses to go to any Muslim country on holiday following the Spring uprising .... I've been to Turkey before and found it nice but there is withouty question an impasse on this one for us.

[AB]

DJRC said:

Snap. I was there 3 yrs ago - still brilliant!

Generally we don't revisit places we've been but might make an exception on this one.

[steveo3002]

Steve Campbell said:

I am sat typing this on the patio of one of these villa's.

http://www.palomahotels.com/en/paloma-oceana-resor...

Flying home tomorrow but had a great 2 weeks. This is the 3rd hotel in Turkey we've tried for AI : Voyage Belek, Barut Lara and here. All have been good, but these villa rooms are the best rooms we've ever had. Overall, Barut Lara is a better hotel but they have refurbed the residence rooms and taken them out so we probably won't be going back.

There are 14 Villa's here, each are duplex so works great for 4 of us ....with private pool for villa guests, private bar, free room service etc....and you don't need to be up at the crack of dawn to reserve a sunbed :-)

whats the score with tipping there ? included or no?

[Welshbeef]

AB said:

Generally we don't revisit places we've been but might make an exception on this one.

I used to have that mindset but when you find z good place which has everything you need and yo had a good time (especially with young kids) it makes it actually compelling to use it over and over then once they are old enough start to look elsewhere

Sun pool book good food drink quality place great service and good weather job done.

[Defcon5]

Phooey said:

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.

Seriously considering 11 nights at sensatori Crete next August (11 nights as the little one is 2 a fortnight after we get married, and if he is 2 I have to pay full price for him, rather than free!)

From their website it will be 3200 in total, would it be cheaper booking through a Thompson travel agent? And should I do it now or wait till next year?

[Welshbeef]

Defcon5 said:

Seriously considering 11 nights at sensatori Crete next August (11 nights as the little one is 2 a fortnight after we get married, and if he is 2 I have to pay full price for him, rather than free!)

From their website it will be 3200 in total, would it be cheaper booking through a Thompson travel agent? And should I do it now or wait till next year?

The upgraded room options will sell out - or generally do so depends if hats what you want then it might be worth doing it now. Note price doesn't really drop on these they are very popular

[Defcon5]

Would just be going for the double room - budget is around 3000.

[Welshbeef]

Defcon5 said:

Would just be going for the double room - budget is around 3000.

Sometimes you get early bird discounts might be worth doing it £50-150off?

[DJRC]

£3k to go to Crete on a Thompson holiday? Did I miss the zombie apocalypse or something??!