Oh no all inclusive in 2015

[Hadfields]

Just been browsing on the Thomson website and spotted that they will be featuring a new All Inclusive hotel in Golden Beach for 2015 - The Princess Golden Beach - Let's hope this is not the beginning of the end for local businesses and restaurants like it has been in so many other resorts away from Thassos - My observation is that once one All Inclusive appears, many others follow A sad day

[keith]

Been going to thassos for years now.never stayed at golden beach though but have visited and share your concerns.There is a market for all inclusive holidays of course but I cant begin to imagine why anyone would chose to go all inclusive in a place swimming with options and choices.Stuck out in the sweltering back of beyond yes,but golden beach?I think thompsons have come to the conclusion that they cant sell over priced trips and theme nights and have gone for the captive audience.Roll up,roll up you don't have to think we have done it all for you.Sit around the pool with white Dee and the Nesbitts.Not for me thanks.

[BigAl]

There are exceptions to my AI rule, like if you are on an Atol in the Maldives with only one hotel or for some reason you want to be in a resort that is not safe to walk about at night.
Apart from that I think it is the worst type of tourism imaginable!!
especially if you supposedly love a place why would you choose to be restricted!? I know budgets come into it especially when kids are involved but it is not healthy tourism and long term everywhere will be the same when the little tavernas/bars disappear because they are not being used!
If you want AI go on a cruise!!!!

[ronsaunders47]

Having tried a few AI establishments I can honestly say I am not a fan.Basically Hotels are good at providing good accommodation and restaurants are good at feeding people neither can do both well. Even the last place I have stayed at in N/Cyprus recently was so bad I never eat an evening meal after the second day. Basically it is food and drink provided at the cheapest possible budget. At least on Golden Beach not too many Hotels provide anything more than B&B. Plenty of opportunity to try out the many Tavernas.
Can't wait till they get a "Mcdonalds" "Burger King" and not forgetting "Starbucks" of course. Did I really just say that. Wash my mouth out..Ron.

[vinnie caira]

have to disagree with the comments about all inclusive. i was in Dubai in May all inclusive . Every restaurant in the hotel was exquisite, all drinks where branded with a huge variety of spirits great wines, champagnes and beers. amazing entertainment, as for the suite, should get six star. the service seven star.
goes to show you get what you pay for !!
On the other hand a small greek island does NOT need an all inclusive hotel. we probably have all seen places close because a hotel has gone all inclusive. i personally remember going to an area in majorca where three all inclusive hotels had opened, the area round the hotels was like a ghost town, all bars and restaurants closed down.
food for thought. regards, vinnie

[BigAl]

So Vinnie you have basically agreed with me!

[vinnie caira]

hi, i do basically agree with you, but feel there are some oustanding all inclusives around the world. for some strange reason, the all inclusives in europe do not compare to other places, caribbean is one or as i mentioned dubai. Even some of the hotels in egypt are good all inclusives although their entertainment lets them down.
basically if your going to go al inclusive then you need to do your homework, are the drinks branded. are their a la carte restaurants ( i hate walking arond a buffet with a plate ) not what i call going for dinner. is the entertainment professional acts or the hotels animation team ( who try their best to be fair )

Finally the flights. how many comments do you see with people complaining about being crammped up on a five,six hour plus flight. fly scheduled if you can.

think i,m starting to sound like victor meldrew !!

No bigger lover of the greek islands, the Greek culture than me, thats why i bought a house on Thassos. its inevitable though that things change. there already plenty of all inclusives on the other islands. to the people that use them, enjoy. not for me though !! vinnie.

[BigAl]

The all inclusive resorts/countries that you mention all have one thing in common they are not particularly safe to wander around in the evening.

[vinnie caira]

Hi. Felt completley Safe in Dubai, Mexico and Cuba. Don't forget if you go ultra all inclusive your going to use the hotel, It's a different type of holiday. Regards, vinnie

[BigAl]

I'm not saying never but I don't think All inclusive would suit me, but we are all different, just feel there is no need for it in a relatively safe place like most of Western Europe for me its all about finding quirky little cafe/bars/tavernas and this is what will suffer as the inevitable AI takes an even bigger stranglehold.
I would go anywhere especially if I won a free holiday but cruises, manufactured places (Vegas, Dubai) are not on my hit list this doesn't mean they are awful far from it just my odd way at looking at things.

[D P D]

Hi
It is a while since I have posted on here but still follow what goes on. This forum has changed as much as Thassos has over the years, does Golden Beach need the AI, no it does not, the answer is do not use it, the old places will servive, they have all these years, I have been going since 1987 and the original tavernas are still open.
Has Golden Beached changed, Good god yes, but that is another story.