Hi Dave as I stayed on the WS side I don't know what the colonial standard rooms are like - the WS are either Jr or Suites. There is a whole load of room information on the Palladium Addicts forum, you may want to check that out as there is lots of information on food and trips.

You asked about the food on the other thread, the Mare Nostrum IMO is the nicest ala carte restaurant, in December it was low season and the ala cartes rotated their openings, so check out the lobby for which one is open. It was my first AI and the food is just fine you can always find something nice.