I hate a buffet, will go along with breakfast but don't want to stand in line for dinner. What AI has ala carte, specialty restaurants you can eat in every night? Thanks, Pam

The expensive ones. Tell us where you are going, then maybe we can help.

Almost all of the all inclusive I have been to have restaurants that you need to make reservations for...they are sit down.. i agree except for breakfast or even lunch I don't want to eat buffet style..

I've been looking at Gran Porto Real, close to town for walk to dinner, and see good deals at Riu's right now, but farther out. What do you all think?

If you are referring to the Porto in PDC, why not skip the AI part? Porto is one of the few AI optional hotels. The hotel is fairly upscale, but not 5-star. There are many terrific restaurants (and good breakfast spots) in PDC within a 10 minute (or less) walk from Porto.

If you're considering Playa Del Carmen, the Royal Hideaway has 4 ala carte restaurants for dinner, no buffet except for breakfast...

Your right Liz, but for the difference in price of Hideaway/Porto Real I can search out a lot of great little restaurants in town. Also for the difference in AI vs EP I'll do breakfast, beach afternoon snacks and a lot of umbrella drinks and still be money ahead for dinners out. I love to be able to just walk from the hotel to happenings in town. Thanks, Pam

Pam,<BR>Couldn't agree with you more about the buffets.<BR>Playa del Carmen has a lot of really nice restaurants and some neat hotels that both are and aren't AI.<BR>I'm sure with all there is to choose from there, you should be able to find what you're looking for.<BR>I agree with Bill though, some of the nicest hotels in that area are not AI.