to not know chain hotel ettiquette on takeaways/deliveries?

[PyongyangKipperbang]

This sounds silly but I was brought up by a very snobby lower middle class mother the 70's and 80's so I really dont know the rules now! Yes, I was told off for referring to the loo as the loo....it was "common"!

Going away for the weekend with eldest DD in a couple of months to a chain hotel and she said that we could just order a delivery takeaway for the first night. How does that work? Do you have to meet them in reception? Do the hotel staff think less of you? (Yes I know it shouldnt bother me but, thank you mother, it does).

I would never dream of doing something like that in a B&B or small guest house, but in Premier Inn et al, is that ok?

Laugh away, it really wont worry me, but please explain the rules to me!

ETA....reading back, I feel bad saying she was snobby. I think that she was just really insecure that all the other mothers were better than her. Looking back, they were all in the same boat!

Just meet them in reception. It is very common. Most hotels (even smart ones) stopped room service during Covid and required you to do Deliveroo etc instead and now it is just accepted. I stay in hotels about 8 weeks a year for work and nobody bats an eye.

Check with the hotel reception. I know travelodge are usually OK with this and premier inn isn't a lot different to them but if you ring and ask they will tell you. If not then go pick up takeaway and take it back to your room.

It’s fine. I stay in smaller hotels every week twice a week and sometimes order via uber eats. You meet them either outside the front, or at reception if you’re in a larger hotel

I travel a fair amount. No matter how fancy or standard the hotel is, I order takeaways.

I always meet in reception.

No one will think less of you... What do you think the staff eat for dinner when they get home and are too tired to cook? :)

I grew up with a mum a bit like yours and had to figure out (far too late in life) that everyone is so busy being obsessed with what they are doing and worrying about people judging them, that they think about us a lot less than we would think.

Thank you!!

I brought my kids up to not worry about crap like that, and thankfully they dont. But some things just never leave you do they?

As Philip Larkin said....they fuck you up, your mum and dad

Just do it OP (and I’ve felt the same way as you!). When I’ve stayed in Premier Inns/Travelodges LOADS of people do it and meet rider in reception. Enjoy!

You wouldn't have learnt it in the '70s or '80s, because far fewer places offered takeaways anyway. Things have changed.

I rather think that you have missed the point of what I was saying.....but thank you for your input!

Premier inn do not care, I always order takeaway in them. I worked for a while as a deliveroo driver, I delivered to so many different types of hotels, from chains to fancy 5 star types. Put in the notes to meet you outside the hotel or reception and go grab it. You could say to your room but it’s awkward sometimes as they have key passes to corridors and what not, so picking up at reception or outside is easiest all around

Ask the hotel.

As someone who used to work for Premier Inn (head office) and had to stay in one of the local ones three days a week (hybrid working) I can assure you it's fine! I wouldn't eat in the onsite restaurant (grim, sorry PI) so got Nandos or something every night. Just tell reception and make sure the delivery driver has your number - I found it easier to pop out and grab my takeaway rather than getting it dropped off but reception won't have an issue if you do the latter!

I do this all the time.
most hotels the food gets delivered directly to the room. Most of the places I visit are pretty quiet with minimal security concerns and no parking issues.

the only two exceptions have been in busy cities. One hotel had no policy, but unless the delivery person arrived by bicycle, they needed you to meet them in the lobby. The second extremely large and busy hotel had an exclusive deal with a particular delivery service. They waived delivery fees and had a desk in the lobby where the food was dropped off. Then the staffer would call you to come get your delivery.

(If you're actually going to a Premier Inn, our internal guidance tells us that we need to facilitate guests getting takeaway or other deliveries 'within reason'. I should know, I wrote it. Probably very outing but meh 🤣)

Perfectly fine - even in posh hotels! Just meet the driver in reception. No one bats an eye these days…. I travel a bit for work and do it regularly.

I do it all the time. Have even done it at some really nice high end hotels when it’s late and I want food.

Just order on the app, track your driver and make sure you’re in reception for when they arrive. No one will judge.

Enjoy!

Stayed in a Hilton in London a while ago and they had a delivery driver meeting point in reception if there’s nothing that obvious when you check in, you can just ask but it shouldn’t be a problem.

No one cares, everyone does it. Why would the hotel staff think less of you if you order a takeaway?

I use a variety of hotels from budget to high end and almost always get Uber Eats deliveries. Usually other people are also waiting to collect deliveries too. Interesting side note: on two seperate occasions whilst staying at Hilton hotels people have been in the lobby collecting their orders wearing pyjamas... Not seen that at Travelodge or Premier Inn.

Looks like you got perfect advice.
I have none, but just wanted to tell you to have a great time with your DD!

I think it would be fun to go to a hotel and get delivery take-away. I might do that this summer with DGD or DH. (Yes, I am easily pleased)

Dying to know what the acceptable word for the loo was.

It's absolutely ok. Meet them in the reception to pick up or outside. Your daughter will be able to get to see or get notifications of where they are and near for pick up.

Hotel won't bat an eyelid, at it as it is very common for deliveries to be made to chain hotels since covid, etc. Even some not so chain, would be ok.

Enjoy your time away with your daughter. Hope you have a great time.

It will be fine but make sure you have plates and cutlery.

Lavatory. I was bought up by a very similar mother 😂 Never, ever toilet. The horror!

She also thinks hotels are common. And takeaways, unless fish and chips.

I was always told off for not calling it a loo. ‘Toilet’ was the common term.

Its definitely looked down upon not referring to the loo’s. Hugh Grant in Bridget Jones - “you don’t know where the loos are do you?” He’s hardly common.

I've always assumed hotels don't like you eating food from outside in the room, but it sounds like that's not the case.

Do you just ask at reception to borrow cutlery and crockery if it's something you wouldn't eat with your fingers?