Don't knock the AIs....for many, it's quite relaxing to not have to worry about carrying cash around with you all day and still be able to drink copius amounts of booze and eat as much food as you like, and at the same time, not have to worry about budgeting your $$ during the stay.
Plus, who says your days need to be spent in isolation? As far as I can tell, most AIs don't put up a wall to keep guests confined. Believe it or not, they are actually free to stroll off the grounds whenever they choose.
For me, I get the best of both worlds. I do the majority (not all) of my eating and drinking at the AI, and I also get out and enjoy the vibe of the local scene.