Decided that we would treat ourselves to a proper All Inclusive this year – the one that gets the drama are the Ikos resorts, so we got on the TUI app and booked something for late September (the gumph said it was nice then), So we booked it up.
Day 1.
Early flight out, leaving Bristol supposedly at 06:00, but of course it was delayed. Tio be fair they did text me the evening before, but as it was sent at 10:30 I was already asleep ready for the 03:00 wakeup call.
Bleary eyed, we surfaced at stupid o’clock, luckily had been a bit sensible and didn’t have many beverages the night before, so after a quick shower it was into the motor car and off to the airport.
Bristol has had a bit of a re-vamp with their parking over the last year or so, so after following the very complex signage, we found a place near our regular spot, at the top of the multistory and we dragged the cases through the new concourse to the check in desk.
I had assumed it would be quiet in their, but, airport live in a bizarre parallel timezone and it was pretty packed. Luckily our route was quiet, so within 10 minutes we were checked in, and into security. Again, reasonably quiet, so apart form some donkey in front of me trying to put all her belongings into the tray, this was pretty speedy too.
As we had some time, I thought I would get some new aftershave stuff – I hate doing this, as I don’t like the smell of anything, and after a couple of squirts of different things everything smells the same – anyway I picked up a citrus boss thing, and when I saw the queue I almost put it back, but I was tough and strong and did actually buy it (I was sick of it by day 3).
It was still early, about 05:00, so we thought it would be stupid to start drinking then, so 5 mins later we were stood up in the bar having a beer. It was bloody packed there, mental. After a short while Sian spied someone leaving from the shelf so we secured a wobbly high chair, and as the plane was delayed 40 mins, we had another couple!
On the plane, and we hung about for a while, again as usual it seems, then the seatbelt signs went on, and I realised that the three beers were now ready to make a dramatic exit… We leveled off after what felt like half an hour, so I rushed to the toilet only to be told they were locked as the sign was still on, arrrggghhhh.. 10 min later sign went off, my belt was off, and .3 seconds later I was relieved.
Just over a three hour flight, so same old nosh, had a bacon sandwich, half a toasty, and a couple of Heineken’s a rubbish film with Danny the Dyer and we were landing, waited for a short time for Mr Taximan, and then another 50 mins and we were finally at the resort. Two people there to great us from the Taxi, took our bags, and told us to go enjoy – so we did. Two hours, three pints and two courses later we were checking in for real. They booked us some evening meals, and we were upstairs onto floor one, and into the room – it was pretty good.
Sian had a nap, I drank the beers from the minibar, and then whatsapped the reception to order some more cans, and some ice, and whilst waiting drank half a bottle of red wine. Things got a little hazy from then on, turn down service came and Sian was sleeping so I sent them away, then we just went to the buffet – which isn’t like a “normal” AI buffet – is was great – had many lamb chops and some other stuff, then totally stuffed and seven sheets to the wind – went to bed.
Over the next few days we sampled everything the hotel had to offer, seven restaurants, 6 of them table service – three open for lunch, and non stop drinks. The staff were amazing, very very friendly and polite, and as soon as you finish your drink they are there, asking if you want the same or something else. Sian tried every cocktail, and I just altered between a small and large draft beer.
So over the course of the week, we lay on the beach, and around the pool – “our” pool didn’t have may children in thankfully – the other big pool was the one for the littles ones, we swan in the sea and pool, ran along the beach and though the old town, and went for a number of saunas.
Main issue was the number of children, mostly under 5, and usually not too much of an issue – our breakfast place of choice was adult only which was nice, but as the weather was ropey for two day, we had to mix with them tiny brats a bit too much – they were even allowed in the Spa when the weather was crappy, which was a bit rubbish.
The hotel give you a complementary Tesla for the day, but as it was a last minute thing, we just took it for a spin to the sister hotel half hour up the coast. Had a nose around – far prefer the one we were in (Olivia) – that the other one. The Tesla was quite fun, I had never driven one before, and boy to they have some go – but it bonged all the bloody time, which was a tiny bit annoying, I assume if you have one, you can reduce this somehow…
All in all recommended, it’s quite a bit more to come here, but the food was really good, and lots of it, and tons of choice, the service was brilliant, the room was very good (“cleaned”, twice a day, and minibar filled daily) – and the drinks were excellent. Unfortunately the end of Sept doesn’t have quite the same weather as the Canaries, but it was nice enough and we enjoyed.
Didn’t spend a penny whilst out there and put on 8 pounds – tidy like.