Room service is there to make life more indulgent. Why get ready for a meal at a restaurant when your meal can be delivered right to your room?
Apparently, it is not an uncommon feeling. Demand for room service is on the rise with hotel guests, according to Hotels.com’s first-ever Room Service Report. The report surveyed 473 hotels worldwide about their guests’ room service habits during April 2023.
While most people are ordering burgers, pizza and other beloved comfort foods, there are some guests pushing the boundaries of their room service experience. About 27% of the surveyed hotels said their guests will splurge on room service, spending over $100 on items like steak and champagne.
The offerings for room service can get even fancier than that though. Hotels.com came up with the most unique and indulgent room service experience from its top properties. Check them out below.
A front-row seat comes to you
When tickets to the symphony are sold out, guests at the Milestone Hotel in London can still bring classical music straight to your suite with an in-room concert from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Pick from a solo harpist or a string trio for the private performance. The experience is only offered to hotel guests staying in their suites and prices are quoted on an individual basis.
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How about a $1,600 burger?
According to the survey, burgers are the most popular in-room dining option. However, most burgers probably aren’t like the one offered on Houston’s Post Oak Hotel’s room service menu. It’s likely going to be the most lavish burger you ever encounter, “Black Gold Burger” is made of 16 ounces of Wagyu beef imported from Japan and topped with seared foie gras and black truffle served in a caviar-infused black and 24-karat gold brioche bun. On the side, you get 24-karat gold handcut fries. To wash it all down, the burger comes with a 2006 bottle of Dom Perignon champagne. The meal won’t come cheap either, clocking in at $1,600.
Yes, you can order toys at this hotel
Staying in an 800-year-old Irish castle once owned by the Guinness family is fascinating enough, but how about also meeting with a Lego Butler who will hand-deliver Legos to your room on a silver platter while wearing white gloves? The unique service at Ashford Castle is offered to young guests staying at the castle and costs 40 pounds (almost $50 USD) per LEGO set.
Dial the caviar hotline
Located along Billionaires’ Row, Park Lane New York lives up to its name by offering a caviar hotline. All guests have to do is dial ‘5’ on their in-room phone and they can get caviar nachos, deviled eggs or other caviar dishes and even drinks delivered to their room. Caviar prices vary, but a 30g tin of Petrossian Royal Ossetra Caviar’s retail price is $125, as of May.
Food via boat more your speed?
A vacation in Bora Bora is already romantic, but the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa wants to take the experience up a notch. One in-room experience is a starlit dinner or breakfast delivered to your overwater villa via an outrigger canoe. According to the hotel website, it’s a “fairy-tale experience,” including French champagne and dishes made from fresh, local ingredients.
A movie-inspired sundae
The iconic New York hotel has a room service menu item inspired by the movie filmed there, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” For $300, you can get the Home Alone sundae delivered to your door with 16 scoops of assorted ice cream flavors and an equally outrageous amount of toppings, including brownie bits, maraschino cherries and M&M’s.
The ice cream ‘truck’ comes to you at this hotel
When you’re hankering for some ice cream in the Windy City, the Four Seasons Chicago, makes it easy with an on-call Ice Cream Cart. Just make the reservation ahead of time and the ice cream man will pull up to your door to make your perfect sundae with vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com
