Today's hard-pressed holidaymaker likes to know exactly what their break is going to cost before they go, with no nasty budgetary surprises waiting to rain on their sunshine mood. So where can you go this summer for affordable all-inclusive luxury?
Costa not a lot
Stay at the four-star Benalmadena Palace, 20 minutes from Malaga Airport, 250m from the beach and within walking distance of Benalmadena Marina and all its bars and restaurants, not that you'll need them, seeing as you've gone all-inclusive. It even offers free wifi, a serious saving if you're travelling with teens and their sundry devices. If your kids are younger, assorted kids clubs run daily, too. A week's stay, departing from Dublin on August 13th, costs from €852. directholidays.ie
Egypt wonder
For five-star treatment, check out the Reef Oasis Beach Resort in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. The hotel has a private beach with an incredible coral reef just off shore, in an area renowned for scuba diving and snorkelling. There's a water park, restaurants, bar and sports cafe, plus a wellness centre, tennis courts and fitness room. Sample them all in a seven-night stay, departing Dublin on June 16th, from €995 per person. thomascook.ie
Turkish delight
Turkey offers great value and guaranteed sun, so make the most of both with an all-inclusive stay at the four-star Palmin Hotel in the lively resort of Kusadasi. The hotel, which is 2km from the centre of town and 500m from the beach, is 70km from Izmir Airport. Leave your wallet at home and help yourself to breakfast, lunch, dinner, copious amounts of snacks, soft drinks and locally produced alcohol, with free shuttle service to the beach. There is a great pool with waterslides, a spa and wellness centre. From €754 in August. sunway.ie
Lanzarote for less
Make a break for Ireland's favourite Canary Island with a stay at the Paradise Island Aparthotel in a quiet part of Playa Blanca. The four-star hotel is on an elevated site around 1,500m from the beach and town centre. A free shuttle bus runs throughout the day to the beach at Playa Dorada but given that the hotel has its own great pools and waterslides, you might just find yourself staying put. A week in August costs from €739 per person. sunway.ie
Five stars on the cheap
If you're not tied into school holidays, you can get five-star treatment in Lanzarote for less during the shoulder season. Check out Los Jameos Playa Hotel, in Playa de los Pocillos, a quiet suburb of Puerto del Carmen, set on the sandy horse-shoe shaped beach. An all-inclusive stay in the traditionally designed Canarian hotel costs from €774, departing Shannon in May, or €988 if you go on August 31st. If you have to stay within the school holidays, a week's stay departing August 24th from Dublin costs €1,024. directholidays.ie
Modest in Majorca
Majorca has long been the island paradise of choice for certain European royals. You too can be waited on hand and foot, without having much in the way of crown jewels, at the Jupiter Hotel, a three-star property with three pools and a lazy river, in Alcudia. An all-inclusive break here costs from €702 each, based on a family of four, departing Dublin in June. Amenities include tennis, table tennis, a children's play village and its very own ice cream parlour. falconholidays.ie
Good prices in Garda
Head for Italy's Lake Garda for family friendly attractions such as the theme parks at Gardaland and Movieland, plus the Aqua Paradise water park, with an all-inclusive break at the Hotel Caravel, a four-star property in Torbole.
On the north end of the lake, beside Riva, the area is famous for water sports, has a gorgeous promenade on which to enjoy the evening’s passeggiata. A week-long package for two adults, departing Dublin on July 6th, costs €992 per adult, plus €432 each for up to two children. topflight.ie
All prices valid at time of writing and, unless otherwise stated, are per adult sharing, include flights, transfers, luggage allowances an d full board
