Dinner Time: Poll

[tommy]

Shammy can you make me a reservation for 7pm at El Oasis?

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by sun seekers

Shammy can you make me a reservation for 7pm at El Oasis?

Of course darling...what date would you like that on anyway?

Originally Posted by Coral Reef

So the times aren't set in stone? Can you eat any time? Why do they have the seating times, then?

The assigned seating time for the buffet is the main reason we haven't tried a RIU property. They are often on our shortlist, but I am really turned off by having an assigned time for the buffet. Also, I've read that you have to get up early in the morning and stand in line to make a la carte reservations. This all sounds like a hassle to me, since other comparable AIs don't make you do these things. That kind of rigid scheduling is a major reason why we stopped taking cruises.

I would be interested in hearing more about how much flexibility there really is at RIUs. Maybe I've been writing off RIU for a reason that isn't really applicable...?

I was a bit put off by this at first too, but at the end of the day, I don't forsee it being a concern at all. I've read a lot of reviews of this resort and nobody mentioned that this was troublesome at all or had a big problem with it. Besides, you're on vacation - who cares if you eat late ... or early ... or at all (as long as the bar is open)! It's not like they're going to tell you that you can't eat! If worse ever came to worse, we'd just head into town for a nice meal. But we plan on doing that regardless.

So, of the 7 nights were're there, 2 we'll be eating a la carte, 1 (at least) in town. So that basically leaves us with 4 dinners that we'll have to deal with a "reserved" buffet time. I can live with that.

[Nerak936]

I'd choose later seating, one of the benefits of which is fewer kids around. Not that I don't love the precious little darlings..... I just love them better when they're someplace else!

Originally Posted by Nerak936

I'd choose later seating, one of the benefits of which is fewer kids around. Not that I don't love the precious little darlings..... I just love them better when they're someplace else!

That's why we chose the Riu in the 1st place ... It's not 'officially' and adults only, but the lack of a Kid's Club is deterrent enough to keep the family's elsewhere.

Not that I have a problem with kids at all, they're great. Just not on a honeymoon; in my opinion.

[Coral Reef]

Shammy, thanks for the explanation. I see how it works now.

That would be a major problem for us, but obviously it's not an issue for the many loyal RIU guests. I'm glad to know the scoop.

[delsue]

We were at The Palace last month. When selecting a seating time for the buffet restaurant, you are given approximately a 1 hour window. The first seating (if I remember correctly) was 6:30, the second was 8:00. For the first seating, you could arrive between 6:30 - 7:30 (keeping in mind that the later you arrive the more pressed you are for time as they are trying to set up for the next wave). For the second seating, you could arrive between 8:00 - 9:00 (keeping in mind that the later you arrive, your food selection may be a bit more limited).

Enjoy your stay. I've no doubt you'll have a fantastic time.