A family reviews their budget Aldi Holidays trip to Phuket, Thailand, highlighting pros and cons
Consensus Summary
A family of three, including a toddler, booked a budget holiday through Aldi Holidays to Phuket, Thailand, for $3965 after negotiations. The package included return flights, eight nights at a Novotel hotel, daily buffet meals, drinks, a Thai massage per guest, and a full-day island tour. The family initially struggled with the economy flight seating near the toilet but adapted, arriving at the hotel late at night. The hotel exceeded expectations with a clean, comfortable room, a well-prepared cot for the toddler, and a spacious kids’ club with activities. The Coral Island tour faced initial administrative issues, requiring direct intervention from Aldi’s marketing team, but ultimately ran smoothly. Despite minor inconveniences like the wet season weather and a lack of life jackets for the toddler, the family praised the value for money and the convenience of the all-inclusive package. The trip was particularly beneficial for exhausted parents, offering rest and child-friendly amenities, leading the writer to conclude they would book again.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The family booked a return trip to Phuket, Thailand, for three people through Aldi Holidays
- The total cost after negotiation was $3965 for eight nights including flights, hotel, and activities
- The package included return flights for three, eight nights at a Novotel hotel, free daily buffet breakfast, and a choice of lunch or dinner daily
- The hotel provided a cot for the toddler with a tiny pillow and doona
- The family experienced a full-day Coral Island and Racha Island tour as part of the package
- The flight involved an eight-hour journey to Phuket with economy seating
- The family arrived at the hotel by 10:15 PM after a one-hour transfer from the airport
- The trip included a free transfer to and from the airport
- The family stayed at a Novotel hotel in Phuket
- The trip took place in mid-September, during Thailand’s wet season
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The writer mentions Aldi-branded Tim Tams are less caramelly, bread less crisp, and soft goat cheese not as good as Meredith’s
- The writer notes the buffet included breakfasts commonly eaten in Russia, highlighting a Polish preference for vegetable and egg salad with cold meats
- The writer describes the hotel’s kids’ club having beanbags, toys, games, and a giant TV, with an indoor playground (first hour free)
- The writer explicitly states the hotel was a Novotel (later confirmed in consensus facts)
- The writer mentions the family had to directly message the Aldi chief marketing officer on LinkedIn to resolve the tour booking issue
- The writer notes the family’s daughter, Evie, kept asking when they were going to Thailand again
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two articles as they are nearly identical in content
Source Articles
I booked a bargain trip through Aldi Holidays. Here’s how it went
Sometimes the products Aldi sells are just a little bit off the mark, but eight nights in Thailand – including return flights for three – for less than $4000 was too cheap to resist....
I booked a bargain trip through Aldi Holidays. Here’s how it went
Sometimes the products Aldi sells are just a little bit off the mark, but eight nights in Thailand – including return flights for three – for less than $4000 was too cheap to resist....