Chaises and towels at the pool are free. There are no umbrellas at the pool. If you go to the beach and want to sit under an umbrella, it's going to cost you. Don't ask me how much. FYI, pick up towels poolside before heading to the beach.

By settling the check, I was referring to the bar tab.

All of the pool work, which is out of the way and off to one side, is scheduled to be completed by end of November 2013. They're adding several cabanas.

Getting a bite to eat

You can wait forever for a waitress, and even longer for your breakfast to come at Shula's. There's nothing worse than a long wait for service, especially when you're hungry. We waited a long time the first morning, and 50 minutes the next. I asked the waitress how many chefs were in the kitchen. When she replied 3... Good God!

The following 2 mornings, we went to the Starbucks in the lobby of the south tower. You can also walk 5 - 15 minutes south of the hotel to a shopping/restaurant/bar area. You won't go hungry.

Overall, a charming staff. A bit overwhelmed sometimes, but charming. I'd go back here in a minute.

dh