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!

I was always taught to use the word 'loo' and still do. Lavatory is OK but a bit old-fashioned. I hate the word 'toilet' with a vengeance, particularly if it is pronounced 'toy-lit'!!

@PyongyangKipperbang Yes, I was told off for referring to the loo as the loo....it was "common"

What were you meant to call it? We were always told never to use the word ‘toilet’ but to use ‘loo’ instead, except when out where you would then ask where the ‘men’s/women’s bathrooms’ were, as if weirdly you were there to take a bath🤣.

Oh it's fine. I do it all the time when I'm away for work.

I wasn't sure about the etiquette either, given the one time we did it with a group of others a hotel in Ireland was really funny about it, even though they had shut their bar and restaurant at 9pm on a Friday night (we were back late from an event) and there was no other way for us to get food at that point. When we went back this year it was all good though, and the bar stayed open until 11pm, so there seems to have been a change of policy even there.

Thanks for this thread, it has been useful to know you don't have to have the (often dreadful) Premier Inn food.

Yes indeed it is "loo"! A bit confused on people saying otherwise.

Ah that makes me happy to hear! We had to fight for that one 🤣 so nice to hear it was appreciated!

It’s the smell I was thinking of - hot fast food does tend have that strong, ‘greasy’ smell. TBH if I needed to eat in a hotel room I’d buy a sandwich or something else cold.

What !
I’m clearly going to have to keep my eyes on Premiers website more regularly

I live out in the middle of nowhere and rarely eat a takeaway so it’s my guilty pleasure when staying in a Premier Inn in London. I usually pack cutlery (spork) with me. A decent curry with extras is my favourite.

As we always stay for a few days the smell will have dissipated by the time we leave.

It's totally fine to do.
Weirdly, my circle at private school said that toilet is common and loo is acceptable. What did your mum want you to say instead of loo?

Weirdly, my circle at private school said that toilet is common and loo is acceptable

Except it’s not weird, it’s the way it’s always been.

It was toilet!

She said loo was common and didnt like lavatory as her own mother called it, as it got shortened to "the lav".

She was part of the boomer group that were born and grew up very working class but through property ownership etc found themselves lower MC in the 80's. And all the mothers on our street were the same, desperately trying not to look like they didnt fit in and know the rules. It was very much "what will the neighbours say". Of course the irony was that most of the things they insisted on were more "common" than the words that were replaced! I vividly remember being told off in a hotel on holiday once when I asked for a napkin (as my grandmother called them), she whispered/hissed that I should ask for a serviette!

Since she got older and my sister and I very much became "fuck that shit" kind of people, she has unclenced a LOT! Still wouldnt dream of eating in the street, which is the worst ever crime.

Thanks all for the info.

I didnt stay in hotels for years as when I had kids we always did self catering as it was easier and cheaper. Its only really been in the last 5 years that I have started doing it again and things have changed so much! I think I have inherited her fear of "what if I get it wrong?!!".

Especially grateful to have unearthed the PI policy writer, what gold!!

Very long story but DD and I had to isolate in a Hilton hotel for a week before planned surgery. We got a Deliveroo delivery for dinner every day - the staff brought it up to our room with no fuss or issues.

They vary so check. Hotels with room service may not allow it, also many hotels have restaurants on site too

I've ordered from Uber Eats or ordered a takeaway when staying in a Premier Inn. Wasn't an issue.
Staff are used to delivery drivers coming and going.

Napkin and serviette are different though - a napkin is always cloth, whereas a serviette is paper!

Thought of you today @PyongyangKipperbang
as I said we’re in a Premier this week and my ds whose coming with me just asked if we can get a food delivery in the evening.
I know it’s done. I’ve seen them being delivered a lot. I’ve never done it myself before so
Now for the first time we are following your lead 🥳

My understanding is that they are the same things, can be cloth or paper but serviette is the Non U word for napkin adopted by the aspiring middle classes to differentiate themselves from the grotty working classes!

Seems it’s something of a can of worms
One is usually used for buffets whilst the other at a table.
see this extract from the Royal Butler. ( Your dm would approve )
and never put your napkin on the table if your just popping out to the ‘ powder room’ 😁

Probably OK, but think about what you order...... do you really want to sleep in a room that smells of curry or Chinese food? Even pizza can be a bit whiffy.

I can't believe you thought you had to warn a grown-ass woman that food smells 🤣

Serviette is never the right term it’s always napkin or paper napkin.

Generally anything derived from French should be avoided, lest you give the impression you’re trying to impress.

serviette
toilet
settee

we "french up" words when taking the pee out of my aunt who is very Hyacinth. So we will "take a beveraaaaj into the conservetoire". Funny thing is, she probably would approve!

I work away often, and stay in Mayfair sometimes up to 2 weeks every month. I order food to be delivered every single time - they’ll usually bring it up to the room but I’ve gone down to get it befor too.