Divi/Tam ala carte restaurants

[BostonLager]

Hi, I understand that in order to book ala carte restaurants at the divi/tam you need to stand in line early in the morning to get a reservation for the following evening? Is this true? How early to you have to to to the lobby to book a restaurant? This sounds like a pain in the butt! Anybody have any experiences with this? Did it work out okay for you or did you have trouble getting into restaurants of your choice.

[Arubalisa]

We just experienced this June 17 - 29.

• My husband got in line for reservations at 7:30 a.m.
• The concierge opens to accept reservations at 8 a.m.
• You reserve for the next evening.
• The line by 9 a.m. was extremely long.
• It is best to be flexible on choices of restaurants as well as time you wish to eat.
• Early reservations seem to be the easiest to reserve.
• The Red Parrot is the most popular restaurant. Imo, the best.
• The Palm Grill has very very limited seating and is the most difficult to get reservations for.

One morning my dh did not get into line until after 8 a.m. The line was wrapped around the lobby and they did not have anything available by the time he reached the head of the line.

We instead opted for dinner at Windows on Aruba for the $30 per person surcharge for a three course dinner. This does not include drinks.

The day we arrived there were no reservations available as well. It was suggested that we just have dinner at the buffet. We had reservations for dinner off property anticipating that our only option would be the buffet.

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

[BostonLager]

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

We just experienced this June 17 - 29.

• My husband got in line for reservations at 7:30 a.m.
• The concierge opens to accept reservations at 8 a.m.
• You reserve for the next evening.
• The line by 9 a.m. was extremely long.
• It is best to be flexible on choices of restaurants as well as time you wish to eat.
• Early reservations seem to be the easiest to reserve.
• The Red Parrot is the most popular restaurant. Imo, the best.
• The Palm Grill has very very limited seating and is the most difficult to get reservations for.

One morning my dh did not get into line until after 8 a.m. The line was wrapped around the lobby and they did not have anything available by the time he reached the head of the line.

We instead opted for dinner at Windows on Aruba for the $30 per person surcharge for a three course dinner. This does not include drinks.

The day we arrived there were no reservations available as well. It was suggested that we just have dinner at the buffet. We had reservations for dinner off property anticipating that our only option would be the buffet.

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Okay thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be waking up early.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by BostonLager

Okay thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be waking up early.

Sorry, I always hate being the bearer of bad news.

[BostonLager]

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

Sorry, I always hate being the bearer of bad news.

No problem! I'd rather find out the restaurant routine now instead of finding out after we arrived. I'll be prepared to get up early when we are there which isn't a bad thing really. Might as well get our butts out of bed and enjoy the time there. We can sleep at home.

[Chadd]

Wow, I never had that problem in the spring or the fall. We were often able to get reservations for the same night just by calling or stopping by after breakfast.

[BostonLager]

Originally Posted by Chadd

Wow, I never had that problem in the spring or the fall. We were often able to get reservations for the same night just by calling or stopping by after breakfast.

Nice! With a little luck maybe it will be the same for us. Wishful thinking maybe


I understand staking claim to a Palapa is another issue altogether. We don't care if we get one or not so I'm not going to worry about that. But since I brought it up about what time in the morning are all the Palapas taken? I figure I can get some shade in the bunker bar.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Chadd

Wow, I never had that problem in the spring or the fall. We were often able to get reservations for the same night just by calling or stopping by after breakfast.

Believe me we were shocked. And needless to say, not thrilled. The resort was sold out the entire time we were there and was over sold the entire month of July.

If dh was not a teacher and dd was homeschooled we would gladly travel in May or September. We really enjoyed September. They only have one week off in September and really like to go for more than 7 nights.


It is bad enough having to get out at the crack of dawn if you have a fair skinned child who really needs a palapa. We have grown used to Aruba being like that.

[Shnyda]

They don't allow reservations more than one day in advance? Seems like a headache!

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Shnyda

They don't allow reservations more than one day in advance? Seems like a headache!

They used to allow 3 days of reservations.

They discontinued the practice. Too many people were "forgetting" their reservations or "changing their minds" and thus not showing up for the reservations.


I can see both sides of it...If you wait until the day of you are taking at chance that there will be anything available, sometimes there was availability othertimes not.

On two occasssions we tried changing our reservation from 3 people to 7 people and were told no.

If you do not mind eating at the buffet it is not an issue.