Ten VERY strange room service orders in hotels around the world
Revealed: Ten VERY strange room service orders in hotels around the world, from the US to Japan via the UK
Life in the hospitality industry is notoriously tough. And some guests don’t help – especially those who leave the staff scratching their heads with strange room service requests.
Like diet water.
When hundreds of hotels around the world were asked by researchers about their most bizarre room service requests for a global survey, this impossible drink was flagged as a room service order by a hotel in the US
A total of 473 hotels around the world took part in the Hotels.com survey, which also revealed that properties had been asked for “bison meat” and an eggless version of an egg dish called shakshuka.
The quintessentially North African dish consists of poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce with spices, meaning the guest is likely to have little more than tomatoes on their plate.
Hundreds of hotels around the world were asked by researchers about their most bizarre room service requests (stock image)
A guest came to their hotel with a raw fish and asked the kitchen staff to cook it for them (stock image)
A study revealed how a hotel guest asked for an egg-based shakshuka, above, without the eggs (stock image)
Another American guest requested “boiled bottled water,” while a South Korean guest came to their hotel with a raw fish and asked the staff to cook it.
Other odd requests from the Hotels.com survey included “melted ice cream,” “cockle popcorn” — or fried clams, a “no-egg-white omelette,” a puffer fish, and a “rice bowl for dogs.”
Results of the survey also revealed ‘what’s in it when it comes to dining in’ – a much more conventional list.
The most popular order in the world was a burger (40 percent), beating the classic club sandwich, pizza and even potato chips.
‘For Brits, it’s all about burgers in bed, with the most popular time for room service between 7 and 8 p.m., the study said.
“While the public is all about escargot and oysters, burgers and fries rule in the room, with 75 percent of hotels saying people order fancier food from the hotel’s restaurant.”
UK food orders are evolving year on year, with more than half (55 per cent) of hotels seeing an increase in vegan orders over the past year, while a higher proportion of hotels have seen an increase in requests for vegetarian or dairy-free options.
The inaugural survey – called the Room Service Report – further found that demand for room service is increasing globally, according to nearly two in five hotels, and nearly a third (30 per cent) of travelers spend at least £100 on their room service bill per year. night.
Hotels.com spokesperson Melanie Fish said: “Room service holds a special place in the hearts of hotel guests.
“Whether it’s a treat or a must-have after a long day of sightseeing, there’s a sense of satisfaction when someone else foots the bill.”
The study looked at global room service trends from April 5 to April 23, 2023, at hotels currently offering in-room dining in the US, UK, France, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Norway , Sweden and Denmark.
Hotels.com is encouraging travelers to make the most of room service during their next stay and is giving 100 guests up to £100 to spend on their ‘unusual requests’. Come in at Hotels.com/roomservice.
TOP HOTELS WITH EXCEPTIONAL ROOM SERVICE
The Milestone Hotel, London, UK: Treat yourself to a private in-room concert from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra while enjoying your room service meal. Suites from £1,165 per night. Orchestra is quoted on an individual basis.
The Milestone Hotel & Residences in Kensington (above), where guests can get an orchestra on room service
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa, Bora Bora, French Polynesia: Here it’s not just about what gets delivered to your home… it’s about how it gets delivered. Request an exquisite meal for two delivered to the deck of your overwater villa in a traditional outrigger canoe. Villas from £1,400 per night.
Post Oak Hotel, Houston, United States: In honor of the most ordered room service item – the mighty burger – try the ultimate hotel burger. This hotel serves “The Black Gold Burger,” which includes 16 ounces of Wagyu beef, seared foie gras and black truffle in a caviar-infused black and 24-carat gold brioche bun, which will set you back a whopping $1,600 (£1,290). Rooms from £507 per night.
Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland: Room service is not just for adults at Ashford Castle. Guests can request a Lego butler where younger travelers can choose from a selection of sets and the butler will deliver it to your room on a silver tray. Rooms from £706 (€820) per night with a fee of £34 (€40) for the Lego butler.
The Plaza Hotel, New York, United States: This hotel is home to one of the most famous room service orders – the Home Alone sundae with a whopping 16 scoops of ice cream and layers of toppings for $300 (£240). Rooms from £789 per night.
Source: Hotels.com.