Maldives...Anyone?

[neoprema]

The hotels prefer all inclusive, and as such have also "adjusted" their pricing for a-la-carte drinks to be insanely high. The only time it may work for you is if you either don't drink any alcohol (but be warned soft drinks can follow the same pricing skew for all-inclusive) or if you simply can't afford all-inclusive and have a budget you'll spend on drinks and thereafter nothing more.

Also its not just drinks, if you're only getting Breakfast for example and do the other 2 meals a-la-carte they can be insanely expensive depending where/how you do it. But if your plan was to eat a big breakfast and a packet of crisps for lunch and dinner - then again it depends how you want to do it.

As mentioned in the end its your choice but All Inclusive for islands is generally the better option.

 

[Naks]

How likely are you to eat/drink outside of the resort?

You can't - the resort is a self-contained island.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

You can't - the resort is a self-contained island.

In that case, take the all-inclusive.

 

[Pegasus]

Thanks
Would you recommend an all-inclusive add-on for Phuket?
We have been known to knock back quite a few while on holiday if that helps answer the question...

I wouldn't do 3 meals a day. Just breakfast.

In the days we went out, we did 2 full day boat trips. One to James Bond Island, and one to Phi Phi iland. Similar to these:

Phuket Boat Tours - All you Need to Know - TourScanner

Are you looking for Phuket boat tours? Discover a complete guide to the best destinations just nearby Phuket and make amazing memories!

tourscanner.com

Those you can buy yourself for better prices. There are small shops that sell the. Travel agents etc put a large markup on them.
Both those trips provided food.

We did a general tour of the island that lasted a day, and then a few others where we did our own thing for a day.

There were only 2 days where we spent most of our time at the resort.

As someone said, if you are tied to the resort and there are f all other options, then consider all inclusive.

 

[MaisonP]

I wouldn't do 3 meals a day. Just breakfast.

In the days we went out, we did 2 full day boat trips. One to James Bond Island, and one to Phi Phi iland. Similar to these:

Phuket Boat Tours - All you Need to Know - TourScanner

Are you looking for Phuket boat tours? Discover a complete guide to the best destinations just nearby Phuket and make amazing memories!

tourscanner.com

Those you can buy yourself for better prices. There are small shops that sell the. Travel agents etc put a large markup on them.
Both those trips provided food.

We did a general tour of the island that lasted a day, and then a few others where we did our own thing for a day.

There were only 2 days where we spent most of our time at the resort.

As someone said, if you are tied to the resort and there are f all other options, then consider all inclusive.

I agree

If the OP is going to go with Phuket, don't go full board. Dinner only is good enough.

Anyway, streetfood is much better than hotel food anyhow. Also, make sure you bargain with the locals.

Dont ever take the first price. Usually around 60% of the first price charged is what you will end up paying.

Also, stay for 10 nights, will still cost you cheaper than Maldives for 7 nights.

 

[Pegasus]

Thanks
Would you recommend an all-inclusive add-on for Phuket?
We have been known to knock back quite a few while on holiday if that helps answer the question...

And to answer your question about knocking back. They sell booze in pretty much every shop, and they’re open 24/7.
And you’ll find South African stuff.

 

[Ghost64]

I recommend all inclusive if you big eaters. You also tend to eat more when on holiday.
Depending on the hotel and if it’s 4 or 5 star to justify the 9k add on, it should be worth it.
Some places charge €7 for a coke and sometimes it’s in a glass. I drank my all inclusive benefit in coke alone lol but it was only R4k more back then.
Some fancy restaurants outside the resort can charge upto $300 a head but that’s the real top fancy places like the under water restaurant.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

never been to one of these resorts, so learning lots here,
I guess they make serious bank on the Drinks, activities and food, and thats where the profit is, so they encourage you to drink your weight in Booze.

the rest, transfers, Flights and Room are Zero margins it seems.

what about Cruises? Probably the same but the scenery changes?

 

[MusicalMan]

How likely are you to eat/drink outside of the resort?

Highly likely...

 

[RanzB]

Thanks
Would you recommend an all-inclusive add-on for Phuket?
We have been known to knock back quite a few while on holiday if that helps answer the question...

Have you looked into current COVID restrictions/quarantine for Thailand? Last I heard things were a bit messed up there.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Have you looked into current COVID restrictions/quarantine for Thailand? Last I heard things were a bit messed up there.

fully open for Vaccinated travelers,

 

[Pegasus]

Highly likely...

I had few meals at these vendors.

 

[MaisonP]

I had few meals at these vendors.

View attachment 1160134

Yes. These are the best food vendors. Less than R20 a meal.

 

[MusicalMan]

Basically.....
We like to indulge when we are on holiday - Bearing in mind that the furthest we have ever been is Paternoster

We decided that it's time to treat ourselves to something special. We initially chose Maldives because we know at least 3 other couples who have already been to Mauritius.

We also looked at Zanzibar but when we saw how far Maldives is, we liked it immediately. I know it seems silly to base our choice on distance from home but that is a factor for us.

This Phuket thing seems like a winner.....from what I a can see, more bang for buck.
I'm just trying to figure out if Flight Center offers an all-inclusive upgrade.

 

[duckgray]

You can't - the resort is a self-contained island.

you can but they charge you a fortune for a speed boat taxi. think it was about $100 per person.

 

[duckgray]

Basically.....
We like to indulge when we are on holiday - Bearing in mind that the furthest we have ever been is Paternoster

We decided that it's time to treat ourselves to something special. We initially chose Maldives because we know at least 3 other couples who have already been to Mauritius.

We also looked at Zanzibar but when we saw how far Maldives is, we liked it immediately. I know it seems silly to base our choice on distance from home but that is a factor for us.

This Phuket thing seems like a winner.....from what I a can see, more bang for buck.
I'm just trying to figure out if Flight Center offers an all-inclusive upgrade.

depends what you're looking for. Phuket has a lot of things to do and attractions to see, however if you plan on being a vegetable and just eating, drinking and relaxing, Maldives is great for that.

i found Phuket a lot of fun but we were constantly busy moving from one place to the next, it was only when we got to Phi Phi could you really chill. then again, both Phuket and Phi Phi's night life was great and we were out to whatever hour in the morning. in the Maldives it was quite boring so you were most prob back in the room at midnight at the latest (think that is also when the bar closes).

 

[MusicalMan]

depends what you're looking for. Phuket has a lot of things to do and attractions to see, however if you plan on being a vegetable and just eating, drinking and relaxing, Maldives is great for that.

i found Phuket a lot of fun but we were constantly busy moving from one place to the next, it was only when we got to Phi Phi could you really chill. then again, both Phuket and Phi Phi's night life was great and we were out to whatever hour in the morning. in the Maldives it was quite boring so you were most prob back in the room at midnight at the latest (think that is also when the bar closes).

Thanks
We love being out until the early hours.
If the bars close at midnight then that already is a put-off for us.

In a nutshell, we want something that fits into this kind of thing:

Good night life
Nice beaches
Good value for money

Any idea where I can find a good all-inclusive package for Phuket?


Thanks

 

[bchip]

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www.worldometers.info

 

[MaisonP]

Thanks
We love being out until the early hours.
If the bars close at midnight then that already is a put-off for us.

In a nutshell, we want something that fits into this kind of thing:

Good night life
Nice beaches
Good value for money

Any idea where I can find a good all-inclusive package for Phuket?


Thanks

Don't even bother going via Flight Centre. Book directly via booking.com or Agoda.com.

The hotel/resorts will come pick you guys up from the airport and take you to the hotel/resort.

From there on, do your own thing. Thailand is so easy to navigate.

Buy your plane tickets directly from Qatar/Emirates/Kenya/Singapore airways.

 

[duckgray]

Thanks
We love being out until the early hours.
If the bars close at midnight then that already is a put-off for us.

In a nutshell, we want something that fits into this kind of thing:

Good night life
Nice beaches
Good value for money

Any idea where I can find a good all-inclusive package for Phuket?


Thanks

Club Med. always go for Club Med if you can afford it.