Thanks Guys,

In all my years of going abroad I've never had this problem before. I've emailed the hotel asking for a private table and am waiting for a reply.
Do I have any rights if I complain - the meal issue weas never mentioned in the brochure or on the website when I booked (and i'ts still not mentioned) I only found out through HT - that was 2 weeks ago. I will make my feelings known to the rep at the welcome meeting but I'm not sure what my rights are.

Does anyone have any advice?

I have never come across this and don't think I would like it either.

Is it because these hotels offer waitress service rather than buffets and therefore have two sittings?

hi..doepsmc...the hotel i was in was buffet service...regards...john-doe

Booti - Mike's probably right in that you compromised yourself by accepting their alternative choice and, when you think about it, they're virtually using a very subtle 'allocation on arrival' principle here.

I assume you would never had chosen this holiday - but what you're getting is something they most probably had every intention of providing you with all along.

However, it's not what you contracted them to and you should have been offered some compensation.

IMHO they probably never had the allocation at this property when they enticed you to book by undercutting other TO's.

Mike also said:

The only lesson from this is check your rights BEFORE accepting any offer from a travel company.

That's good advice, but the only lesson for me would be not to give them my hard-earned cash again.

Happy holidays.

Moved to holiday complaints by Biff

HI Purple, I was the one that posted that text that contained that quote about 2 sittings at the Delfin park in Salou. We did not have to sit with strangers, the tables are to seat 4 people, but if there's only 2 of you , you are the only ones at the table and like I have just said in the post in the costa dorada forum, you can also change to have lunch instead of evening meal or even a packed lunch.Look at the website and email them if you need reassurance. It's http://www.h10.es.

just seen the post about waitresses, no it's a buffet meal. the reason there are 2 sittings is because the dining room isn't big enough to seat everyone at once, especially when they only sit the people together that came together.

We had to choose between 2 sittings whilst staying in a Riu hotel in Bulgaria. I think it was because the restaurant couldn't cater for all the guests at the same time. However, we weren't asked to share a table with anyone else.

I certainly won't be giving them a penny of my money EVER again. I trusted them for years and they were totally rude and inconsiderate and I felt like they had walked all over me because I'm young.

What did they offer you in Alcudia?

Also,

I know its fustrating but at least they are telling you in advance. A lot of the time when there are overbookings companies tell you on arrival and move you offering £40 comp. So at least (and yes I know its still upsetting) they have told you before.

Hi Serena,

Thanx for that, I'm still waiting for the hotel to get back to me. It's good to know you can change to lunch as I was planning on going on the evening trip to the Barcelona fountains and didn't want to miss a meal.

How do they manage at breakfast time? Are you allocated a seating than?

Hi Purple,
Breakfast can be taken any time between 8am & 9.45 and you can sit where you like. You will enjoy the fountains at Barcelona, we went 2 years ago when we stayed at the Delfin Park, they are amazing. We have stayed at the Delfin 4 times now & have always been satisfied & we are not easily pleased. I hope you have a good time.

Hi holidayrep,
Yeah I'm calmer now. It'll probably turn out for the best anyway as we know people who will be staying close to us for a few days of our holiday which will be good! They offered us the Alcudia Pins but it was so far out-I didn't want to take it!

I have always had set mealtimes when I've been in hotels, but we always found you don't have to go bang on 7pm, or bang on 8.30pm (mad rush). Especially if you are choosing the late sitting it won't really matter if you turn up at 9pm, or 7.30pm with the early. I tend to go self catering for the very reason of having to have meals at a certain time in hotels, that and that going to restaurants is part of my holiday.

Like you Sandc, we enjoy eating out in restaurants in the places we stay.

Slightyly off-topic, but on the subject of sharing meal tables, I posted on some thread recently about meals on cruises. Some operate in a manner whereby you sit on your own table other where you are "assigned" to a fixed table with other guests for evening meals. B'fast and Lunch is usually "open seating" and it's a great way to meet different people as you rarely dine with the same people at following breakfasts and lunches.

Sharing a table with the same diners at dinner allows you to get to know each other over a week or two and it's amazing how pleasurable it can be. You do need to be a little more outgoing but people generally are accommodating if you're shy and within a day or two you'll settle in.

For this reason I'd consider a cruise and I know my wife would should we find ourselves on our own in the future

An ideal holiday for a single lady as she is assured of mixed company each evening.

Mike