Private dinner prices move with the setting, the menu, the add-ons and whether service charge and tax are included. Two quotes can look far apart and still be the same dinner. Reading them line by line is the only reliable way to compare.
This guide sits in our romantic experiences topic. It gives you the drivers, not a price list, because prices change by resort and season.
What are the seven things that move the price?
- The setting. A beach or a decorated villa terrace needs more set-up than a reserved restaurant table.
- The menu. A set menu, a tasting menu and a seafood-heavy menu all price differently.
- Staff time. A dedicated server or a chef cooking at the table is a cost the resort passes on.
- Decoration. Lanterns, flowers, a draped table and lighting each add a line.
- Extras. A musician, a photographer or a cake can double what you thought you were paying.
- Timing. Peak weekends, school holidays and festive nights cost more to book.
- Taxes and service charge. These can sit on top of the quoted price.
How do we read a quote line by line?
Start with what the figure covers. Is it per person or for two? Does it include the menu, the set-up, the decoration and the drinks?
Then find the line for service charge and tax. Our guide on resort fees and taxes explains why the final price can differ from the number on the first page.
Which items are the easiest to compare?
Compare like with like. A quote with a three-course set menu and a lantern set-up is not the same as one with a five-course menu and a musician.
| Quote line | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Menu | How long is the menu, and are drinks included? |
| Set-up | What is decorated, and is it the same each night? |
| Staff | Is a server dedicated to us, or shared? |
| Add-ons | Which are included and which are optional? |
| Tax and service | Is the total all-in for two? |
| Weather | What happens to the price if rain cancels it? |
Where can we save without losing the feeling?
Choose one thing that matters and keep the rest simple. A beautiful setting with a modest menu feels better than an elaborate menu in a plain corner.
Decide early which extras to skip. Our guide on which extras to pay for helps you choose, and the romance add-ons guide shows how to judge each line fairly.
Should we take a dinner credit instead of a fixed menu?
A credit gives you freedom but can run out faster than you expect. A fixed menu is predictable but limits choice. Read dinner credit or fixed menu before you decide.
What should we do next?
- Decide the setting and your two must-have extras.
- Ask the resort for the all-in total for two, in writing.
- Ask what is refundable if the weather changes.
- Send the quotes to us, and we will compare them on the same basis and confirm the final arrangement with the resort.