It’s a simple pleasure for many: you check into your hotel room, put your feet up and order room service. Not having to cook, or even venture outside. Score!
Often you’re paying top dollar for the privilege, but suffice to say quite a few of us have ended up disappointed by either the price tag, its late arrival, or the quality of the food that ends up arriving — cold mush anyone?
So in an attempt to avoid future fails, Conde Nast Traveler has released a handy list of what to never order from that room service menu. You’ve been warned.
Bowls of pesto and avocado
If you spot the delicious topping duos in a dish, it’s best to avoid them as they may quickly become discoloured, develop a rather off-putting consistency, or become crusty.
Seafood
“[Fish] doesn’t travel well, and it smells,” hotel chef Lisa Brefere, who now runs her own consulting firm, Gigachef, says. “Plus, you don’t know how long it’s been sitting there.”
Sorry, same goes for shrimp. If in doubt, ask the hotel restaurant staff about what’s best and fresh.
The coffee
At many hotels, that cup of coffee you’re delivered has actually been filled from an urn where it’s been stewing — not brewing — for a long time. You’re best to make your own cup fresh in your room or head out for your caffeine hit.
Hot meals
Let’s face it, when you’re staying in a massive hotel with many floors, there’s a greater chance a hot meal will be cold by the time it arrives. There’s a greater chance of this happening when there’s a storm, as everyone will want to take advantage of the room service.
“You can really get screwed when there’s horrific wind or snow storms,” Brefere said. “You’re hammered in every room, so everyone in the hotel comes to the kitchen to help out, even the front of house manager.”
So consider ordering something that’s already cold, or taking a gamble.
On another note, take a look at these memorable room service offerings doing the rounds on social media. Hungry yet?