We stayed at an all-inclusive family resort in Europe. It wasn't the break I expected, but I'd do it again.

Our family of four enjoyed our all-inclusive resort stay in Austria, even though it wasn't as relaxing as I expected. Blythe Chadim My family of four stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Europe: Almhof Family Resort and Spa. Our stay included meals, childcare, and a ton of indoor and outdoor activities our kids loved. I thought we'd utilize the childcare more, but I'm glad we spent time together as a family. This past July, my husband and I decided to end our two-week trip to Poland and the Czech Republic with four nights at an all-inclusive resort in the Austrian Alps. I spent weeks researching all-inclusive family resorts in the area and finally chose Almhof Family Resort and Spa for its picturesque setting and large array of activities for families. Ultimately, our four-night stay in a suite cost about 3,900 euros, or about $4,500, for two kids and two adults. It felt like a solid value, especially considering our stay was during a busy season and included meals, activities, and childcare. In the end, our vacation there wasn't quite the break I expected — but I loved the European family resort model, and I would definitely book something like this again. The complimentary childcare was a huge perk of our stay Almhof Family Resort and Spa is located in Austria. Blythe Chadim One of the big things that drew me to Almhof Family Resort and Spa was the included childcare. For the all-inclusive price, we received up to 12 hours of childcare per day for our sons (both under 10). That meant we could take our boys to the kids' club while my husband and I spent time on our own in some of the resort's adult-only areas. The kids' club also offered special programming, and every day was different. Our boys got to feed the resort's adorable pet bunnies and take a nature walk with counselors along the nearby hiking path. They did arts and crafts and played games with children from all over the world. We were able to have adult time while our kids played. Blythe Chadim The resort's compact design meant that nothing was too far away, so we could give our kids more autonomy than they normally get at home. We allowed them to leave the kids' club when they were ready, and the counselors called to let us know our boys were on their way back to the room. It gave them a sense of control over their own vacation. It also meant that they didn't always want to stay in the kids' club, so my husband and I didn't quite get the break we thought we would, but we still found ways to relax as a family. Meals were thoughtfully curated for families, including kid-friendly foods and early dinner times Our boys didn't always want to sit still during dinner times. Blythe Chadim At this resort, each family is assigned a table that's theirs for breakfast and dinner, so there's no waiting or searching for seats, even when it's busy. The buffet-style breakfast and lunch made it easy to find options we all loved, like Nutella crepes and made-to-order omelets. Dinner was a mix of buffet options for the kids and multicourse plated dinners for adults. The first night, we all ate together and realized it wasn't the best option for our fidgety kids. The children's buffet made it easy to feed our hungry boys quickly, but it also meant they were stuck waiting for us while we ate our three-course meal. The second night, we fed our boys as soon as the buffet opened, then took them to the kids' club so we could return to the dining room and eat our meal alone. It allowed my husband and me to enjoy our dinner without feeling rushed or stressed, and our kids didn't have to sit still. Being able to do this was my favorite part of the childcare program. The amenities felt thoughtfully designed for kids of all ages The view from our room was impressive. Blythe Chadim When our boys weren't at the children's club, they wanted to do one of two things: swim in the indoor/outdoor pool or bounce at the trampoline park. We swam every day, and the pool design was ideal for families of all ages. Multiple toddler pools with slides and water features served the youngest kids, and the main pool featured a large, shallow platform for little swimmers. A large tube slide and a separate room with smaller slides were also available. The property had several pool areas. Blythe Chadim Outside, the large family hot tub was perfect for a quick warm-up while soaking in the mountain views. The resort had climbing structures and a huge wooden barn that'd been turned into an outdoor play space. Marble runs were available, and the kids were gifted a large wooden marble upon arrival, making for a fun activity that doubled as a souvenir. Our kids had a blast jumping on trampolines at Almhof Family Resort. Blythe Chadim Outdoor trampolines, slides, swings, and a tricycle race track were also available. After two weeks of nonstop sightseeing, it was nice to let our kids run wild while we watched from the sidelines with a glass of wine in hand. We didn't get the downtime we expected, but this stay was still worth it Ultimately, we enjoyed our stay. Blythe Chadim After this, it's easy to see why all-inclusive family resorts seem so popular throughout Europe. Many include kids' clubs and family-centric amenities with adult-only spaces, so there's something for everyone to enjoy. I expected to use the childcare option more than we did, but I don't regret spending our days swimming and bouncing as a family. Childcare was available when we needed it most, at dinner, and though we didn't get as much adult time as we might have liked, that was our choice. The resort's thoughtful features, including family-centric dining and activities, took much of the hassle out of travel. We didn't have to think about where to eat or what to do because everything was available in one place. Our kids never felt like a bother, either, because everyone else's children seemed pretty noisy and fidgety, too. This all-inclusive stay wasn't the break I expected, but enjoying time with my family in a serene setting was everything I needed — and I would do it again. Read the original article on Business Insider

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