just out of interest why chose all inclusive? i cnt say ive ever stayed AI anywhere but thats becuase i love to try the various and traditional options, but would love to know what would be there for people in Greece?

For me it would have to be Rhodes. There are several AI hotels on the island, BUT I have to agree with Sallybear, why tie yourself to a hotel when there are great tavernas to find and enjoy real Greek hospitality and cuisine.

I agree with the last two posts, why tie yourself to a hotel by going all-inclusive. That said i know many people, especially with children, like to book AI holidays.

Anne is right, Rhodes is great for families. I'm not too familiar with Faliraki but some of the better hotels there (near the waterpark) offer all-inclusive and it's a much more family orientated resort than it used to be.

Other than that i can highly recommend the Atlantica Princess in Ixia which i believe you can book as an all-inclusive. The Doreta Beach in Tholos seems very family orientated with it's entertainment etc. though it does get quite mixed reviews.

Hi, We stayed at the Atlantica Princess hotel in Ixia Rhodes about 15 months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it we took 3 teenagers and they made lots of friends the entertainment team were employed by first Choice and though it was not brilliant it was watchable with lots of audience participation.
The food and the accomadation in the hotel was suberb and could not be faulted as was the selection of drinks as you could even have certain cocktails. We would certainly go back here again.
Ps if you book ask for a hotel room as these are much better than the garden rooms.

Have to ask the question, why would anyone want AI in Greece?

Hi Mick65
Stayed in the Louis Creta Princess in Crete in the summer, brilliant family style hotel, good mix of nationalities, stunning pools and great food. Only down side is beach is shingly and the rooms a bit small, but didn't bother us. Only about 20 mins from the lovely town of Chania (short transfer ), and ten mins from Platanias and we did manage Knossos and the museum, but it was a bit of a drive

Why do people 'knock' others preferences. AI suits some people, particularly at certain times in their lives when they may have young kids or use it as a method of budgeting.

I find it really bizzare on this forum that people who choose AI's, presumably for reasons valid to themselves, are often asked to justify their choices by those that, I assume, think they have come up with a 'superior' kind of holiday somehow. (apartments and eating out?) There were plenty of Greek folk enjoying the benefits of the Princess this summer.

I can recommend the Iberostar Creta Panorama / Creta Mare on Crete

- read my hotel review for details....it was first class.

Well said Mick65.

I am constantly being asked why i choose to go AI, when there are countless tavernas etc etc. The simple reason is try dragging my kids away from the hotel, the friends that they make, swimming pool, evening entertainment and always great food and drinks. We have done many self catering hols before, but much prefer the AI option.

We are going to Kos Aqua beach club this year in July for two weeks, it looks superb, and the reason we are going there is because we want to, and yes i have been to Kos before and that was self catering.

Horses for courses and all that but I can't see the attraction of AI, wouldn't go AI if it were free. Why visit another country to sit around the pool, hotel bar, letting the kids stuff themselves silly with ice cream and soft drinks. Far better to get out and about. Can't be that much more expensive for S/C or even B/B. I await the onslaught from AI fans.

Here, here Pargaluvva.

We like all inclusive and i think you get good value for money.
But this has never stopped us going out to the taverns and resteraunts just because we were AI.
I also cannot see any reason not to go AI in greece its no different to elsewhere.
What suits us may not suit others and vice verce.

The Doreta beach in Rhodes is okay.

just my opinion

Absolutely right ..horses for courses and all that...

...but especially with kids (who leave half their food anyway !), I don't find it that cheap, or necessarily a great cullinary experience , when I eat out abroad ...in ANY country Is it just me ???

We don't do AI very often, but these types of holiday are great if you are trying to stick to a relatively tight holiday budget and have picky kids...provided you read the reviews on the hotels first of course.

Mind you has anyone else noticed that thier child's appetite for Coke and icecream, rapidly diminishes once it becomes readily available and free ???

Oh this has opened a can of worms
Mick in answer to your question there is a chain of hotels in Greece called Louis Hotels, they have a good reputation for their entertainment, facilities and food etc and may just be what you are looking for.
They have several hotels in Corfu, Zakynthos (Zante), Kefalonia, Cyprus, Kos, Rhodes, Crete & Mykonos.

http://www.louishotels.com/

You will find reviews for the various hotels on this site by using the Link at top of this page.

Have a great time whatever you decide to do.

Graham

Pargaluvva
If you uncalled for comment of why go AI

"letting the kids stuff themselves silly with ice cream and soft drinks."

was aimed at me I don't really think that is a very nice thing to say. Also I can assure you that I don't let them do that anymore than if we are on an apartment holiday.

I didn't think on this forum people were allowed to make those kinds of comments.

The original poster Mick 65 was afterall asking for an AI recommendation in Greece and as you have never been to an AI and "wouldn't go AI if it were free" how can you possibly give him a recommentation?

yasas Greece lovers

Can I just remind everybody that this is the Greece forum and we never fall out here, Greece has something for everybody.

The Greeks are all very friendly and welcoming and I am sure they do not care what type of holiday a visitor takes in their lovely country so why should we be arguing here

Whatever way people decide to go, as long as they enjoy themselves that is all that matters

Calm down please ,,, we have a set of friendly greek forums with information for all.. if you want to go in a tent and cook on a camp fire or go 5 star AI thats your personal choice you will still enjoy all that the Helenic Republic can offer

brian (wizard forum mod)

Hi Doepsmc. Sorry if my comments upset you (they weren't aimed at anyone). I wasn't giving any recommendations, as you quite rightly say, I am not in a position to because I have never done AI and never will. I am sorry but I still can't see the attraction of AI anywhere not just Greece and I am sure there are lots of people who agree with me.

having done all sorts of holidays with and without my children i can see both sides of the coin. If you do go AI then it is best to go 5*. But it is not just the so called free food. It is the fact you do not have to even cater for breakfast so that gets you out of food shopping. If the youngesters want to eat at a different time or restaurant then they can. They are also safe to go anywhere in the complex, go to the water slides, go bowling, play vollyball. My teenager can go to the disco and i know she is safe. If the children are happy then so am i. But i must admit that it does have to be a AI with at least 6 restaurants to choose from as i dont like eating in the same place every night.

But to be honest the most important thing is as long as the sun is up in the cloudless blue sky every morning then that is the important thing.

Couldn't agree more Wendywu !

Particularly about your point on the 5*...it really is worth stretching your budget that bit further if you are able..at least to a good 4* !

I think alot of people come unstuck with 3* AI in particular, simply because if you are paying cheap prices, you are quite likely to get poor standards in food and in accommodation (I'm sure there are some exceptions, but this tends to be the norm and I'm sure some people are really not that fussy eaters that they care.). Then you may feel are stuck in a hotel with the same poor standard all week, and/ or may have to spend money eating out in addition to you initial holiday budget.

It can be a false economy to do 3*AI, ...a...nd I would read the reviews on any 4* AI VERY carefully, BEFORE I booked.