This table is actually pretty darn nice. The lower-end price tag had me worried, but the table is solid, a great modern design, and stupid easy to assemble. The wood used for the top isnt necessarily top choice lumber, but its beautiful. I chose to lightly sand the slats on both the table and benches and applied two coats of a good Spar Urethane which should provide more protection from the elements, as we are putting it on a deck which has no cover. We are on the east coast and weather can be pretty brutal, so well see how this set holds up over time. Oh, by the way, the table does indeed have an umbrella hole. Theres a cool wood plug which is set into the top which can remain in place when an umbrella isnt used, and can be removed when an umbrella is installed. Very clever and well done. Plus, the set is fabricated in Vietnam, not China,, which was another plus in my book. If you are hemming and hawing about buying the table, just buy it I think youll be very pleased.