I could see the value of them over spring break when chairs may be harder to come by. It gives you a reserved spot to camp out at all day, while you can come and go as you want, and its much cheaper than a cabana or the verandas. We were there in September, which is a slower time of year. We also found that as the afternoon sun crept in, the awning over the casabellas on the beach no longer provided us shade. I had to drape a towel over my legs to prevent suburn and eventually the sun was beating on our faces. The awnings only come down so far, and it wasn't enough for the late afternoon sun of late September. We ended up giving up and heading back to the room early.