Stayed at Riu in May - deluxe room. From previous posts it seems like the better beds are in the standard rooms versus two beds smashed together in the deluxe side. So you probably made a wise choice. From previous posts it seems the majority of people did not like the specialty restaurants on the deluxe side. We did go to specialty restaurants except the last night and we went to the buffet and realized the food was much better there, great atmosphere and we missed out by eating only at the specialty restaurants. As far as snorkeling - the reef in just right there - lots of fish. Part of it is roped off but everyone just went under the ropes and continued snorkeling (watch out for jet skiers and boat traffic. A few times I thought someone was going to lose their head). Dress code - pants for dinner for the men in the specialty restaurants. Otherwise, people wore shorts all the way to dressed to the nines. We dressed to the nines several nights and envied those dressed more casual.

the Japanese restuarant is the only thing you'll really be missing out at (i believe one of the steak houses is suites side, but I think there are two and they basically have the same menu)...

the japanese restuarant, when I went last year, was quite nice... i ate their twice...

if you are interested in eating there, just show up about 10 minutes after the seating time and slip the maitrede a tip and ask if there are any tables....

I can say that the beds on the suites site are not all 2 doubles pushed together... mine was a king and wasn't overly uncomfortable (i think they are all on the harder side)

if you are going in August and they are not all that busy, they may bump you to the suites side anyways (can always ask (again with a tip) if there are any opportunities for a complementary upgrade))...

dress codes: no swimwear in the dining areas.... supposed to be no shorts in the a la carte restuarants (or is it at dinner at all)... some people dress all up for dinner, not necessary, just don't wear your beach wear...

Enjoy

Chelle

Thanks for the info :)