Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - Most comically idiosyncratic room service pricing (Ritz SF)

So I was recently at this hotel and decided to order room service for breakfast. In looking at the menu, I honed in on two items: the Two Organic Eggs Any Style ($18) and the Ritz Steak and Eggs ($24). Now, I know what you're thinking (if you're a carnivore): "Only a six dollar difference for the steak, sign me up!" Well it gets better. Much better.

The steak and eggs comes with toast, while the two eggs doesn't. Toast is a $5 add-on, meaning that for comparable meals with and without steak there is only a $1 difference. I called down to confirm my understanding and was told (by an operator who was quite puzzled himself) that I was indeed correct.

I then attempted to order the $1 steak a la carte but was unfortunately rejected.

In the end I had the steak and eggs, which I must say is probably the best value on the menu and closest to restaurant pricing in terms of size and quality of any of the items available.

I then attempted to order the $1 steak a la carte but was unfortunately rejected.


I hope you're joking. When you see airfares DTW-ORD for $300 and DTW-LHR for $500 do you call and try to book an ORD-LHR trip for $200?

I hope you're joking. When you see airfares DTW-ORD for $300 and DTW-LHR for $500 do you call and try to book an ORD-LHR trip for $200?

I seriously asked about it, but because I wanted to drive home the point of just how silly the pricing scheme was, not because I expected them to give me a $1 steak.

There's a reason it works that way for airfares that doesn't carry over to room service.

So now that they are completely aware, the increase in price of the steak and eggs is forthcoming I suppose

So now that they are completely aware, the increase in price of the steak and eggs is forthcoming I suppose
Undoubtedly.

Two words: Club Level.

So now that they are completely aware, the increase in price of the steak and eggs is forthcoming I suppose

I highly doubt that this got relayed up the ladder. Typical principal/agent problem.

Maybe the Steak and Eggs are not organic eggs! They really mark up those organic eggs. Organic chickens live in the lap of luxury.

Maybe the Steak and Eggs are not organic eggs! They really mark up those organic eggs. Organic chickens live in the lap of luxury.
And the steak probably isn't grass-fed.

Actually, top of the menu says that all eggs are organic, and the steak may or may not be grass fed, but it does list what farm it comes from.

Actually, top of the menu says that all eggs are organic, and the steak may or may not be grass fed, but it does list what farm it comes from.

I wonder if you can go visit the farm first before you pick the steak option. You know, to make sure those CA cows are happy lol.

Since steak and eggs at $24 is a bit more than I usually pay, the real question is -

Was it a good breakfast, and hot when it arrived?

I stayed in Sacramento last week at the Grand Sheraton. Full buffet was $19.95, eggs and toast was $18.95 with coffee extra.

I don't think the pricing system was intended to make sense ....

Yes, I think all those "new math" students are now out in the world and making these decisions.

I do enjoy finding places that do not do the uplift on their room service menu items, but most do access a 20% service charge. Those times I don't feel like dressing to go out, it's a nice alternative.

I laugh when at a fast food restaurant and the "combo deal" is priced higher than the individual prices. I think most people expect a savings. Well, not always...

there are a lot of reasons why the pricing might make sense..."menu engineering" is very much like revenue management (heck is actually is revenue management)

You know, to make sure those CA cows are happy lol.

Uh, I'm pretty sure that refers to the dairy cows, for obvious reasons ;).

Then again, part of living in California is living a blissfully ignorant existence not grounded in reality...