It’s one of life’s simple pleasures… sitting in a fluffy robe, tucked into a cashmere throw and overlooking a picturesque view from your guest room window at a luxury hotel while you dine on room service.
Gone are the days when room service is limited to soupy oatmeal and cold pizza. Today’s luxury hotels have mastered the art of fine dining in your guest room, and have taken room service to a science, instead of simply a requirement. Today, you don’t need to sacrifice good food for comfort. In-room dining has taken on a five-star service of its own, and it’s worth staying in for.
On a recent trip to New York City, I arrived the Mandarin Oriental New York after a bumpy flight from Punta Cana to JFK. The weather in New York was rain, rain, and more rain, and the cab line at the airport was filled with travelers crammed together in the open air trying to shelter themselves from the storm while waiting for a cab. After 30 minutes in line and a 45-minute ride into the city, I arrived the hotel soaked to the bone, starving and in need of some serious down time. I ordered room service and anxiously awaited for my bowl of wonton soup and side of steamed vegetables to arrive. Less than 30 minutes later there was a knock at my door, and within minutes a white-tableclothed tray had been set up perfectly in front of the TV, decorated with silver utensils and a pink orchid in a crystal vase. The display was beautiful, the food was divine.
Departures Magazine recently pulled together some of their favorite hotels that do room service to perfection. Next time you’re holed up in a hotel, consider dining in instead of dressing up to go out… Read about the hotel room service in the industry in my ‘Pack Up‘ column.
