Hi Michelle,
Yes you do have to book at reception the day before you want to go to another hotel , they will ask what time you want to go and the time of your return for the coach, they will also ask if you want to eat in the hotels. We have done this loads of times all along the brava and gone to the other resorts . The coach is always on time so remember if your late the coach wont wait for you and you will have to make your own way back. You can also go in to any H Top hotel and have drinks without pre booking .
I would recommend that you do try the H top group in other resorts and compare them to the hotel that your staying in . Last year we were in the Olympic in Calella, and for me that was the worse one in the chain , but each to their own i say others seemed to love it . We have used the Royal Star , Pineda Palace, Paradise Park , Royal Sun, Amaika , Calella Palace and the Planamar.
Have a great holiday

Lynne

Thanks for the advice

Michelle

this year htop have changed some of the rules for the AI package.
you can go for a drink in any of the other hotels(except the amaika in calella) up to 1900 hours without booking. if you want to have lunch in one of the other hotels you must book this with reception in your own hotel by 1900 hours the night before.
you can get htops free bus to other resorts, so you can lunch elsewhere -try the royal sun at magrat.
you cannot now use the amaika at all(you can go in and pay for drinks etc as a normal member of the public)unless you pay a supplement, and my enquiries have led me to believe that this is not worth it.
you also get to go on trips to monserrat, barcelona and evening shows where you only pay for the coach and these are great value trips.
hope this helps.