Ai Or Self Catering?

[Bobbisox1]

What do you prefer?

We hate,hate,hate Those entertainment mornings when they ask everyone to get in the pool and do Zorbas dance to music, also when the people employed to doing the entertaining ( normally students working for their board ) ask people in the audience to get up and make fools of themselves , that’s normally the Dads, the drink is watered down too, we’ve done it once in Rhodes in a 5 star but wouldn’t do it again.
For us it’s the choice of staying in with a bottle of wine and a takeaway on the balcony or terrace or dressing up and going out for a nice meal, I understand people with young children opting for the AI though for ice creams etc

What would be your preference and why?

[andy-hughes]

Bobbi - Absolutely, it's each to their own.

As a born show-off and someone who loves to be the centre of attention, I usually gaze at the DJ / entertainer, giving off 'Pick me!' vibes at maximum level, and I usually am chosen for that reason.

However, if I just don't fancy it, or I have embarrassed my long-suffering loved ones enough for one decade, then I simply avoid eye contact, and am left alone.

[Bobbisox1]

It would be my worst nightmare for that to happen , and Mr Bs

[retrocop]

When the kids were young we always opted for self catering. Now we are older and generally on our own we realise,now, that All inclusive is the way to go. I noticed the all inclusive hotels we have stayed at which serve the 'local' spirits provide a more peaceful relaxed atmosphere. Great. The usual British scum who turn up in their football shirts and are determined to drink the place dry fail miserably in their efforts to spoil the enjoyment of others as they just can't get pizzed.

Having said that,we stayed all inclusive at great hotel in Halkadiki where the drinks were all branded full strength.It was so hot we were happy to find they supplied gallons of bottled sparkling water. I can't drink still water. The open air entertainment was brilliant
.Horses for Courses I suppose.

[ummmm]

I've had good experiences of AI. It's never stopped us going out and trying restaurants though. Entertainment has been good as well.

I haven't noticed the alcohol being watered down.

[retrocop]

ummm
The alcohol is not watered down. It is just distilled to a weaker alcohol content then propritary brands. In Malta the local Vodka is about 40% weaker than Smirnoff. Like wise all the other 'local' spirits i.e. brands you couldn't see or buy in the UK

[Bobbisox1]

Retro in my experience and MrBs, the beer was gassy ( he said) the vodka was like paint stripper and I was sick, we went to Lindos and whilst there we bought a bottle of Smirnoff which I used and just got coke at the hotel

[retrocop]

We stayed AI at the Atheneum Hotel (I think) just outside Rhodes Town last year.I enjoyed my bloody Mary's there. Tasted just like the real McCoy but no hangover and no problem with imbibing too much. :-)

[Bobbisox1]

I’m talking £900 pp around 16/17 years ago so it wasn’t cheap by any stretch of the imagination, it was strange because we have good friends in Belfast and it was cheaper from than Newcastle , they booked and the we flew across and stayed overnight , booked there to fly from Newcastle ( I kid you not) it sticks in my mind even now , I’m trying to remember the hotel name but can’t only it was at the southern most tip

[naomi24]

Things like hanging a picture on the wall can gain stars for hotels in many European holiday hotspots so never believe the glossy adverts. I have never known a genuine five star hotel to have an ‘animation team’ employed to drag reluctant holidaymakers into ridiculous games etc. That’s exactly the sort of thing that people who stay in real five star hotels pay to avoid.

I have stayed in some very upmarket five star all-inclusive hotels with not a whiff of unwanted interference with the guests’ peace and privacy to be had - but they’re in the Caribbean and Mexico - and the cost reflects the wonderful service.

In Europe I would choose a good hotel - one that doesn't offer All Inclusive - and if that was unavailable, a private villa.

[Bobbisox1]

Yes, a villa for me every time , freedom and privacy in equal measure

[andy-hughes]

naomi - // I have never known a genuine five star hotel to have an ‘animation team’ employed to drag reluctant holidaymakers into ridiculous games etc. That’s exactly the sort of thing that people who stay in real five star hotels pay to avoid. //

Absolutely - I have stayed in hotels at all levels during my life, and as you say, the top-end ones don't go in for 'interactive entertainment'.

[Bobbisox1]

I guess we were ‘had’ then eh?

[NickorWan]

We always do our own thing because we like to move around and experience life wherever we are, but I did go AI once in the late 80s when I took my then nine-year old nephew to St Lucia. I wasn’t, and am still not, experienced at looking after a child for any length of time so thought it would be easier for us both. I didn’t have great expectations, but in fact it was excellent, and I was really impressed with everything.

[naomi24]

I think you got what I would expect in a European All Inclusive hotel, bobbi - which is why I would never stay in one. Have you tried the Caribbean?

[Bobbisox1]

No,Mr B doesn’t fancy the long haul flight I don’t think Naomi although he was better than me with jet lag when we came back from NY

[naomi24]

I find long haul tedious - but I do it. We don't fly economy though. I think that makes a big difference.

[Bobbisox1]

If I could afford buisness class or Club, I definitely would :0)

[naomi24]

Let us know where you choose next time. Nice in these dismal times to think about getting away to the sun. Like many, we've had to cancel several jaunts this year.

[andy-hughes]

There is a cruise somewhere with my name on it - just waiting for the word ...

[naomi24]

We've just had to cancel a cruise. 'Packages' were never our idea of a holiday - but it was a bit of a 'do' for someone else so we had no option but to say we'd go. I'm sorry for them - but not for us. It is, however, re-arranged for next year - so there's no escape. Oh well... :o(