I find the trend of AI very worrying particularly in big resorts such as Benidorm. Its good that this hotel is currently giving both options but AI can only cause a downward spiral IMO.

The current recession will naturally only increase demand for AI as it makes it much easier to budget. But my question is, if you want an All Inclusive holiday why go to Benidorm?

I would have thought the whole point of going somewhere like Benidorm was to get out and about to explore the resort and try different bars / restaurants.

The more hotels that offer AI the more the bars of Benidorm will suffer, as these bars close down then the more run down the resort becomes, fewer people on the street and then the very reason a lot of people visit Benidorm will be gone. Of course it won't happen overnight and this is another danger, it will creep up gradually without people realising and then its to late.

I could be wrong in my prediction but this is where I can see it going, but in these tough times I can also see why people are tempted to go for AI for cost reasons and maybe they don't look into the consequences as much as I do.

The variety of different bars in a big resort is what I enjoy about going on holiday so when visiting resorts like Benidorm, Salou and Torremolinos I would never choose an AI property.

If I knew I was gonna be put somewhere in the back of yonda then it would be a different matter.

Support your resorts - Use them or lose them!!!

Mark

an example for you [not related to Spain but] our daughter has booked 2 weeks AI for her and hubby and little one to Pafos on Cyprus, as i know the area well i sent her a long mail with what to do what is a must to see, where to eat how far to the town,beach,harbour etc.. i got a one line reply.. "thanks but we won't be leaving the hotel once we have arrived"

the same question to her as i would say to anyone ""Whats the point of going abroad and not seeing where your going and meeting local people eating local food" reply was "all i want is hot and sunny guaranteed I'm not interested in anything else"

Unfortunately the way the weather has been in the UK for the past few years there are many with this attitude [all i want is 1/2 weeks sun]

Brian

Sanji, if you decide to book diy and use Travel Republic, put a post on promotional codes to see if there is one when you book, it saves you a few quid, well worth doing. They change it all the time and I don't know what it is just now.

Sue

I could do with one of them codes Sue, I'm looking to diy a couple of weeks at the end of oct till the 10th Nov.

You need to put a post on asking for a code, it was "cardstudent" then "getsomesun". When I booked it last August, the code was actually "August" It saved me an extra £50.00 even though they already had a sale on.
I then changed the booking a couple of months ago from the Pelicanos to the Regente, so I lost my £50.00 that i'd saved but still worth it for the difference that we've paid to goo all inclusive.
Good Luck

Sue

Sanji

The Regente is still on the Portland site and available for next winter and Xmas but expensive. <It came up for me.>

I had a look for flights for you example - East Midlands 17thDec-7th Jan with Easyjet £168 for 2 people. Thats really cheap and won't hang a about long I bet. Just thought thats 3 weeks but 2 week dates are stll very reasonable.
Caz

Hi Sanji,

Just been looking at options for your winter break to the Regente and as you've no doubt found, it doesn't come up on any of the DIY sites so guess TUI have the monopoly on it.

The only option I found and this was using the specific dates quoted in your example is:-

Book direct with Medplaya.com, total price €1166.00

Flights with BMI baby from Manchester for £190.94 each, this includes 1 suitcase each.

Not a massive saving but a fair bit cheaper than First Choice.

I'll keep looking though as I hate Thomas Cook and Thomson having a hold on the market like they do - its good news for them and them only.

Mark

Mmm I've been looking on a few sites too and it doesn't seem to be available over the Xmas period, interesting.

Sue

Sanji
The Regente is still on the Portland site and available for next winter and Xmas but expensive. <It came up for me.>

I'm getting nothing available from Portland, it's not even listed in their hotel drop down menu.
We were talking this morning about what we were going to do at Xmas.
So, out of curiosity I was interested to see the prices and if the A1 option was carrying on after October .....and one thing just led to another checking Thomson, Portland and First Choice sites.

It looks like FC are plugging it now.
Not to worry folks....there's always more fish to fry in the sea, and my Christmas tree might see the light of day after 7 years in the dark loft. Sanji

Sanji

Re: Portland - Try 7 or 10/11 days - its working for me.

Sanji, what prices are you being quoted by the Hotel direct, i'm assuming you'll have rung them, i think thats how you ended up booking it last year wasn't it? I know when i was last there in November, Juan Manuel on reception was saying how expensive it was going to be at Christmas time.

Best Regards - Taggy

Hi Taggy
Whilst the price is important, it's not the main issue.
Don't want to upset anyone, so ......:zip

Sanji

Wow what a quick response

I emailed the Regente barely an hour ago requesting a low room with a pool view and got a response a few minutes ago saying that they will try to do their best to allocate it.

Not long now, 2weeks tommorow and we'll be there.

Sue

Wow Sue, doesn't time fly? Only 2 weeks, crickey that's come round quick!
I'm sure you'll have a great time, happy holidays!... Linda.

Thanks Linda,

I know that this hotel has only been offering All Inclusive since the beginning of May but as we are going at the end of the month I was wondering if anyone had recently returned having stayed A/I it would be interesting to find out how its going.

We have stayed at the Regente before and couldn't fault it, the cleanliness, food, service, friendliness was all spot on, let's hope it's the same this time.

Roll on the 28th.

Sue

Have a great holiday Sue, we go on 20th and won't be meeting up with anyone this year
XXX Cazz, Mick and Thomas XXX

Aww thanks Cazz I hope you have a great holiday, wedding and honeymoon all in one I look forward to hearing from you after the happy event to see how it all went.

Take care

Sue

Thanks Sue. I'll post some photo's. xxx
Sorry bit off topic there......

I am looking at booking the Regente for 4 nights in October all inclusive.
The price with Travel Republic using the discout code getsomesun is ok.
Thre will be 2 adults and 2 children and they are offering 3 different types of room, that go up in price.
Double/twin
Quadruple
Standard
Does anyone know what the difference is? I obviously want the largest room possible.
Can anyone let me have the email address of the hotel as well?
Thanks alot.
Fello