To consume shop-bought food and drink in a hotel?

[Alcemeg]

Four nights at a nice French hotel where we feel a bit out of place (other guests a bit snooty). Dinner in the restaurant here is a very hushed and formal affair -- not inclined to repeat the experience. It's also very rich food, served slowly, so you go to bed feeling as though you've swallowed a tub of cement. It's hard to sleep after that little lot.

Our room has a little terrace overlooking the hills. Our preference is to grab our own food and drink from a supermarket when out exploring during the day and stash it in an ice box so we can do our own thing when we get back to our room. But is this a bad thing? Is it rude to the hosts?

YANBU = Go ahead, relax and enjoy your terrace views while scoffing a big fat sarnie washed down with local wine

YABU = Only eat and drink your own stuff secretly in your room with the curtains drawn, or in a layby on the way back from the shops

I regularly get Deliveroo to some fairly posh U.K. hotels. YANBU

@Anonymous48

I can't believe this is even a question! Have you never stayed in a hotel before? What would make you think there's something not right about taking food and drink to consume in your room?

The trouble is, it's not in our room. It's out on the terrace, with the hotel owners wandering past now and then, nodding slightly frostily.

This is a totally normal thing to do!

When DH and I went to Canada we often stopped by the supermarket down the road to get supplies.

I am not sure of how many bags of BBQ Lays we got through in our room, but I have many fond memories of doing so!

Plus they served McDonalds breakfast all day long.

meant to vote yanbu..sorry!

ROOM TEA! It’s one of the great pleasures of a hotel stay. We do this at least one night of any hotel holiday, and I almost always do it when I’m travelling on my own for work. Especially when I’m staying in London the night before an event - a big raid on M&S as I arrive at the station, and if it’s not too late, a cake from the little shop on the corner of the block I stay on, and then pjs on and a lovely evening watching Netflix and stuffing myself!

I’ve had pizza delivered to hotels I’ve stayed in! Enjoy your holiday and don’t even question what others think!

Is the terrace part of your room set up? Or a public area?

I've been known to smuggle McDonald's into 5 star hotels. It's embarrassing if you meet someone in the lift and they can smell wafts of a Big Mac coming from your handbag though

It’s law in my household to swing by M&S close to the hotel for a picnic tea, bag of ice in the sink to keep the wine cold. A balcony tea of French wine, bread, cheese, pate etc, overlooking the countryside, I’d be in 7th heaven.

We always do this when away, my friend called it 'bed picnic' so we do too now.

The trouble is, it's not in our room. It's out on the terrace, with the hotel owners wandering past now and then, nodding slightly frostily.

I assumed you meant the balcony of your room. Is this a public terrace? If it's part of the hotel's bar/restaurant then I do think it would be unreasonable to sit there consuming your own food and drink. If it's a seating area meant for the use of guests, then there's nothing wrong with it. Just don't leave a mess. (And who cares what the hotel owners think? They are supposed to be in the hospitality business.)

@Blinky21

I've been known to smuggle McDonald's into 5 star hotels. It's embarrassing if you meet someone in the lift and they can smell wafts of a Big Mac coming from your handbag though

Why do you feel you have to smuggle it? Why is it embarrassing?

Ah hang on.. if the terrace is part of your room and private then yanbu but if you are sat in a public area of the hotel then I do think that's a bit cheeky

@Anonymous48
I assumed you meant the balcony of your room. Is this a public terrace?

No, it's just our terrace. Out of sight of the main hotel and restaurant, but visible to anyone going out for a stroll.

So far we've had our snacks indoors and haven't left a crumb anywhere. I honestly think a forensic steam could check our room and have no idea of the consumption that's taken place in it. But I'm now really looking forward to enjoying the view tomorrow night!

@DartmoorChef

Ah hang on.. if the terrace is part of your room and private then yanbu but if you are sat in a public area of the hotel then I do think that's a bit cheeky

She said in her original post "Our room has a little terrace", but subsequent posts have made it sound like it's a public area, so I'm not so sure either.

forensics team

!!

You can't eat your own food on the terrace or bar area, that's a total no no. But you can eat in your room.

But you may like to choose more wisely from the menu: something lighter like fish or chicken and steer clear of the classic rich creamy dishes.

[quote Alcemeg]@Anonymous48
I assumed you meant the balcony of your room. Is this a public terrace?

No, it's just our terrace. Out of sight of the main hotel and restaurant, but visible to anyone going out for a stroll.

So far we've had our snacks indoors and haven't left a crumb anywhere. I honestly think a forensic steam could check our room and have no idea of the consumption that's taken place in it. But I'm now really looking forward to enjoying the view tomorrow night![/quote]
Then the terrace is part of your room. This shouldn't be an issue.

Xpost - your own terrace is ok.

@TatianaBis

You can't eat your own food on the terrace or bar area, that's a total no no. But you can eat in your room.

But you may like to choose more wisely from the menu: something lighter like fish or chicken and steer clear of the classic rich creamy dishes.

Nonsense. If their room has a balcony/terrace, that's part of the room and they can do whatever they want there.

Seems sad to go to France and not eat out at some point. Why choose a hotel in the middle of nowhere?

Nonsense. If their room has a balcony/terrace, that's part of the room and they can do whatever they want there

Read my posts.

That sounds fantastic OP. I'm quite jealous
Do whatever you like, you've paid for the hotel.
Have a lovely time!

@TatianaBis
A lighter meal option would be great, but the hotel sacrifices its geese in October and the menu is 100% foie gras, confit d'oie, or something dripping in goose fat!