Blog
Posted in:
Travel
10 / 11 / 2007
In the past 12 months I’ve spent about 100 nights in hotels. I’m certain the number of nights that I spend away from home is set to increase in the next 12 months as I get busier. When away I very rarely order from the room service menu, as like most chefs who travel I like to try the local fare and taste something new or different. Over the years I have tried some great local cuisines through restaurants, markets, food stands and friends. However on rare occasions when I do order room service I somehow feel like I am seriously getting ripped off.
Recently while staying at a 4 star hotel in Los Angeles I reluctantly pressed the “Room Service” button on the phone and ordered in. I was jet lagged and tired and didn’t have the energy to venture outside. I just felt like something simple. I ordered a turkey club sandwich and a bottle of sparkling mineral water. Fairly basic order of which you’d expect to pay around $15 in an up market cafe.
When my sandwich and water arrived, I was presented with a cheque which had a total of AU$37! Within the bill was a $2 per person surcharge, 8% local tax fee and a whopping 18% service charge. Wow. I was surprised they didn’t add a 'remove tray from the room' charge and 'dish washing charge', they very well could have.
So why do hotel's charge so much for room service?
Do hotels actually realise that they have competition?
