Do you eat dinner at the executive/club lounge?
Oct 8, 2019, 9:54 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2014
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In the Far East depending on the hotel the lounge was pretty full buffet,if on business would probably eat there if I didn't have a business get together. Part of life good times is socializing, for many of my friends where and how much you spend seems to be as important as the people, for me not so much its the people, I am a cheapskate and even on business on company dime enjoy the convenience of the lounge. There was always some minimum salad, crackers/cheese, fruit, and all you can drink, LOL. If you had to have protein and carbs there was always something, but believe some use/abuse their company benefit, my son works for the fruit company and he enjoys out even though he is always in 5 star..
In the US it's totally a sad state but at the Marriott I'll do one meal, but the choice and having to pay 6-10 for a glass of wine or beer is of little benefit but the convenience of not having to go out. Like above, in the US the lounge is generally so sorry always go out for socializing.
On vacation, its vacation, no way do anything but breakfast or snacks before going out for fun, lounge ain't no fun in the US, far east not to shabby.
Le Meridien Puxi right off Bund walking distance to Metro, miss it kind of, LOL
In the US it's totally a sad state but at the Marriott I'll do one meal, but the choice and having to pay 6-10 for a glass of wine or beer is of little benefit but the convenience of not having to go out. Like above, in the US the lounge is generally so sorry always go out for socializing.
On vacation, its vacation, no way do anything but breakfast or snacks before going out for fun, lounge ain't no fun in the US, far east not to shabby.
Le Meridien Puxi right off Bund walking distance to Metro, miss it kind of, LOL
Last edited by chipmaster; Oct 8, 2019 at 11:09 am
Oct 8, 2019, 10:19 am
#19
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
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Posts: 4,120
Usually depends on how tired I am...but I would still walk down the street and grab something at a cafe than the evening snacks at the lounge.
I might do a small snack to bite on with some free alcohol and then head out.
I might do a small snack to bite on with some free alcohol and then head out.
Oct 8, 2019, 10:30 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2018
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Basically it depends on how the lounge offer is and if i’m on business trip or leisure stay
if on business trip I always have lunch/dinner at restaurant (except if i’m not so hungry to have just some light bite and a beer at lounge)
if we are on leisure stay and the lounge offer is enaugh to have a decent lunch or dinner, we go at the restaurant only if outside the hotel or inside if there is really a special restaurant.
Then, it depends also on location. Of course in Asia there is plenty of lunch/dinner options at moderate costs, so we use the lounge sometimes only to have a beer / cocktail and light bite
if on business trip I always have lunch/dinner at restaurant (except if i’m not so hungry to have just some light bite and a beer at lounge)
if we are on leisure stay and the lounge offer is enaugh to have a decent lunch or dinner, we go at the restaurant only if outside the hotel or inside if there is really a special restaurant.
Then, it depends also on location. Of course in Asia there is plenty of lunch/dinner options at moderate costs, so we use the lounge sometimes only to have a beer / cocktail and light bite
Oct 8, 2019, 10:31 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: SNA
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Occasionally, Ritz Carlton's have a fairly decent spread for a decent meal after a long drive or a flight. Sometimes I am just too tired to go out and grab a bite to eat. However, I am a pretty big foodie and like to try different cuisines, therefore if the destination has a restaurant or food I want to try I will go out.
Oct 8, 2019, 11:23 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2019
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Posts: 484
It depends, but generally no. I don't get a per diem for meals, just actual spent, so I don't save any money and the lounge food isn't generally good enough. When I travel on vacation, food is generally a key component, I sometimes even skip breakfast at the lounge.
However, if I am exhausted or not that hungry, sometimes it works out well.
However, if I am exhausted or not that hungry, sometimes it works out well.
Oct 8, 2019, 1:21 pm
#23
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In the Far East depending on the hotel the lounge was pretty full buffet,if on business would probably eat there if I didn't have a business get together. Part of life good times is socializing, for many of my friends where and how much you spend seems to be as important as the people, for me not so much its the people, I am a cheapskate and even on business on company dime enjoy the convenience of the lounge. There was always some minimum salad, crackers/cheese, fruit, and all you can drink, LOL. If you had to have protein and carbs there was always something, but believe some use/abuse their company benefit, my son works for the fruit company and he enjoys out even though he is always in 5 star..
In the US it's totally a sad state but at the Marriott I'll do one meal, but the choice and having to pay 6-10 for a glass of wine or beer is of little benefit but the convenience of not having to go out. Like above, in the US the lounge is generally so sorry always go out for socializing.
On vacation, its vacation, no way do anything but breakfast or snacks before going out for fun, lounge ain't no fun in the US, far east not to shabby.
Le Meridien Puxi right off Bund walking distance to Metro, miss it kind of, LOL
In the US it's totally a sad state but at the Marriott I'll do one meal, but the choice and having to pay 6-10 for a glass of wine or beer is of little benefit but the convenience of not having to go out. Like above, in the US the lounge is generally so sorry always go out for socializing.
On vacation, its vacation, no way do anything but breakfast or snacks before going out for fun, lounge ain't no fun in the US, far east not to shabby.
Le Meridien Puxi right off Bund walking distance to Metro, miss it kind of, LOL
Oct 8, 2019, 1:57 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: EWR
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When I am traveling for business, a lot of my meals are with clients in fancy restaurants - whether lunch or dinner. So on the nights where I've already been out for a big lunch, a plate of veggies, salad, and a glass of wine are all I need. And depending on the location (say the LAX Marriott or Ren, for example) there really isn't much else around there beside more hotel food. On those nights, convenience definitely wins out.
Now when Mr jtwiz is traveling with me, it's a whole different story. We definitely go to the lounge for free drinks (if in Europe) and a light snack. We are usually dining out, typically later, so the lounge is convenient for a quick bite but we don't make a meal of it.
Now when Mr jtwiz is traveling with me, it's a whole different story. We definitely go to the lounge for free drinks (if in Europe) and a light snack. We are usually dining out, typically later, so the lounge is convenient for a quick bite but we don't make a meal of it.
Oct 8, 2019, 2:02 pm
#26
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In over five million miles of travel, mostly for business, I've only used room service for dinner several times. However, I will use a good lounge for a light dinner if I'm exhausted, jet lagged, etc. or if I would otherwise be forced to go out of the hotel in bad weather, an isolated area, or where there are safety concerns, including food safety issues. I've taken myself to one/two/three star restaurants many many times and if I eat out, I want to pick someplace good. To make it special, I like to return to the hotel and dress for dinner if possible.
Oct 8, 2019, 6:19 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,512
I do it occasionally. Usually it's when I get in after a day of travel and don't want a big dinner (meaning heavy appetizers are enough). I wouldn't eat a full dinner size portion of the lounge food.
I have also done it in Asia several times where it's really a full dinner spread, often with larger plates, just because I needed a night in.
For some perspective though, it's almost never a choice between a hotel restaurant and lounge for me. The choice is always the lounge or going out to a restaurant. I generally dislike hotel food, whether from room service (the worst) or the restaurant (average food at high prices). If I'm hungry for a full meal, I want something good and perhaps with windows or an outside dining area, which isn't the case in most of the Marriotts I frequent for work (the non-resort kind).
I have also done it in Asia several times where it's really a full dinner spread, often with larger plates, just because I needed a night in.
For some perspective though, it's almost never a choice between a hotel restaurant and lounge for me. The choice is always the lounge or going out to a restaurant. I generally dislike hotel food, whether from room service (the worst) or the restaurant (average food at high prices). If I'm hungry for a full meal, I want something good and perhaps with windows or an outside dining area, which isn't the case in most of the Marriotts I frequent for work (the non-resort kind).
Oct 8, 2019, 6:21 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,512
Yikes.... that is just cheap! I mentioned above we sat outside at the Lounge and it was DEAD. We had the place to ourselves so we ordered form the restaurant including a bottle of wine etc., because it was so peaceful and we literally had the place to ourselves.
Oct 8, 2019, 6:43 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2018
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