Rui hotel? Anyone been?

[Clunchee]

We are off to a Rui on an all inclusive package imminently. We've had a shocking year so just want to take some time out.

We've never done AI before, or even been away for two whole weeks, so it all feels a bit odd. How do meals work? Do you get one sitting kind of thing or can you wander in at will? Are there snacks in between meal times? Do you tip? What things are and aren't included? Are there any no nos or ways to embarrass yourself? Are sports like tennis included if there is a court at?

Please help us newbies. We so need a stress free time, but at the moment I feel very unprepared!

We've stayed in one a few times. Which one are you going to?

In the general restaurants you can just go whenever you want. For the speciality ones you usually will book a sitting.

There is generally food always available at one of the restaurants throughout the day and self service for some things overnight.

We've never tipped. Everything is included in terms of food and drink, we've never carried money or paid for any food or drink. Stuff like spa treatments are extra and doing the art classes but the rest of the entertainment is free if you're into that (we tended to avoid it as it's not our bag)

Eat whenever you want. Normally a choice of restaurants, all with a selection of hot and cold food you help yourself to. Usually a restaurant or two with waiter service you can book. Plus one or two snack bars open all the time. Be prepared to come home a stone heavier...

Thank you for replies.
So your party don't have to all eat at the same time and give your room number kind of thing?
And in theory we don't have to pay for anything at the hotel? I assume things like laundry have a cost? What about room service?

Hi, the all inclusive I have stayed at include room service & minibar but not laundry nor spa treatments except for Maldives where spa treatments were included . Several different restaurants, sports even including scuba, kids clubs etc
Normal to check what's included before you book! Rui are a mid range chain popular with Americans so am sure it will be fine I'd avoid their 3 star resorts though. . what country you're going to or which hotel?

There was no room service at ours. No need to give room number etc - you'll get a wristband that marks you as a resident. You'll only need to give details if you want to book into one of the speciality restaurants.

Laundry will be extra - you get a bag and pamphlet in your room that explains.

With Rui hotels the mini bar is included and they have optics in the room with vodka and some other spirits which are also free 😊

Never had a wristband but maybe rui do them.

Been to one in Costa Rica - you get a wristband on arrival. At ours you could get food and drinks 24/7 but different places open at different times. Breakfast was a buffet with everything you could think of and a bit more - fruits, breads, yoghurts, juice, coffee, tea, chocolate, freshly made pancakes, English type breakfast, cheese, salads, meats, cereals, breads etc etc A waiter would bring drinks to table and you helped yourself. 24/7 you can get burgers, hot dogs etc. Lunch was massive buffet, just walk in and out as you want. Dinner there were several waiter service restaurants and a buffet - just go wherever you want when you want. Fine for you to go at different times to different restaurants so DH and DD would go to one and DS and I would go to steakhouse some nights as DS loves steak (and raccoons visited) and DD is veggie. Included windsurfing, SUP, kayaking, all drinks and meals, pool towels, minibar, entertainment - laundry would be extra.

I’ve stayed in several Rui Hotels
Depending on the star rating and size of the hotel you will normally at least one main buffet type restaurant which will serve breakfast lunch and dinner Most of them have a inside buffet and a outside one
Several A la Carte restaurants which depending on the hotel you may need to make reservations for
At least 1 24 hrs bar which will do snacks &
Drinks
All drinks are included
In Mexico you needed to ask for Gordon’s Gin and tonic otherwise you just got the local Gin
So any branded spirit you have to ask for the brand name
In the bedrooms you normally have a fridge full of soft drinks and beer
And a mini bar with Optics
Your kids will have a different band to you so they can’t get alcohol
Although at the Rui we stayed in recently a very drunk man on his last warning was given a child band so he wasn’t allowed to get pissed anymore

Laundry is always expensive but depending on where you go you can probably find a local laundromat that will do your clothes by the weight and I don’t think I’ve ever paid more than £10 for a massive sports bag full of clothes
Non moterised water sports are generally free

I'm a massive fan of riu hotels. They are imo always consistent no matter where in the world you go. I really enjoy the food as they cater for British people while also having some local cuisine. I'm a fussy eater so it suits me!