How much extra are you willing to pay for room service
Jul 4, 2006 | 7:54 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: Former UA 1K, Premier This Year :-( PAL Mabuhay Elite; Starwood Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 149
If I am extremely tired... say coming in from a long meeting where the last thing I want to do is sit in a restaurant and worse, have to mingle with coworkers, I would pay the room's rate to get room service.
Aaahh privacy.
Aaahh privacy.
Jul 6, 2006 | 3:59 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 143
While I do believe that a 44% mark-up in fees and gratuity is outrageous, I generally don't mind paying a little extra to make my stay more enjoyable. Sure, you could bring your own wine from home, but then what'll you do about a corkscrew, glasses, ice bucket, etc?? If what you're after is to have a nice, romantic setting waiting for you when you arrive, SPLURGE! Who knows - the concierge may spice up your room knowing that you're trying to plan a romantic eve with your man. Sometimes, it's not about the cost. 
Jul 6, 2006 | 9:34 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: Former UA 1K, Premier This Year :-( PAL Mabuhay Elite; Starwood Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 149
Originally Posted by hedoman
That's great.....and if you were paying out of your own pocket?
Oh you mean if I don't want to deal with the wife while on vacation? Well in that case, I have a bigger problem than the room service rates.
Jul 7, 2006 | 10:29 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,859
Room service is a RIP off period.
I was staying at the Westin St. Francis for vincom a few months ago, and was looking at the prices. The chocolate chip cookies were $10. Plus I think about 35% in fees, and $5 delivery charge. The net is that things cost at least 3x what they would normally. The mini-bar was similar, $5 for a candy bar plus a 30% restocking fee, I mean, ...! (and the damn thing was automatic, so if you touched anything you got charged for it...)
Even more ridiculous, they have a card detailing the phone charges. They showed an example 6 minute call to japan costing approximately $90.
I know they're trying to nail the corporoate people who don't care about money, but if I was running a business and got charges like that, I'd probably ban the hotel from the travel policy.
I was staying at the Westin St. Francis for vincom a few months ago, and was looking at the prices. The chocolate chip cookies were $10. Plus I think about 35% in fees, and $5 delivery charge. The net is that things cost at least 3x what they would normally. The mini-bar was similar, $5 for a candy bar plus a 30% restocking fee, I mean, ...! (and the damn thing was automatic, so if you touched anything you got charged for it...)
Even more ridiculous, they have a card detailing the phone charges. They showed an example 6 minute call to japan costing approximately $90.
I know they're trying to nail the corporoate people who don't care about money, but if I was running a business and got charges like that, I'd probably ban the hotel from the travel policy.
Jul 7, 2006 | 11:32 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: DL,HH Gold,SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Omni SG
Posts: 828
Originally Posted by party_boy
Buy online and have it shipped to your hotel. Even with the FedEx fee, it'll be cheaper than 44% service charge.
Jul 10, 2006 | 10:16 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EX PLT
Posts: 1,428
Originally Posted by JS
Considering the prices they charge, I wouldn't pay one thin dime extra for room service. I don't see why they even deserve a tip. It's essentially take-out.