SOME all-inclusive hotels are far from the cash-free paradises they claim to be, according to a Consumers' Association (CA) survey.

Fare at some establishments in Bulgaria included fish fingers and congealed eggs, while a promenade near a group of hotels was frequented in the evening by prostitutes, the CA's Holiday Which? magazine found.

The magazine's inspectors also found the Bulgarian all-inclusive hotels were generally cramped and lacked facilities, with little in the way of entertainment for guests.

But it was a different story in Mexico, where all-inclusive hotels in Cancun were set in spacious grounds, with varied activities to keep guests of all ages occupied.

Diccon Bewes, of Holiday Which?, said: 'When paying for an all-inclusive hotel it's important to get value for money.

'While a hotel of this kind can be heavenly, with miles of sandy beaches to enjoy and no worries about blowing the daily budget, it's important to pick the hotel and destination carefully if you're looking for an all-inclusive heaven.'

The magazine also announced results of a survey of travel agents, which showed that agents were offering better advice than in a similar investigation five years ago.

But inspectors still found that:

* Many agents did not provide the right level of warning for holidaymakers going to danger areas;

* Few agents checked the Foreign Office online travel advice, with some merely making the assurance that 'Johannesburg is as safe as London';

* Some agents relied too heavily on brochures, which meant they sometimes failed to provide impartial advice.

Anne Harvey, acting head of Holiday Which?, said: 'Although improved training has paid dividends in the quality of destination advice... high street agents still need to pull their socks up in certain areas such as the crucial issue of safety advice where it seems they need more training.'