Why don't hotels make it easier to order room service?

[flyingfan]

I wonder if room service is a loss leader for hotels (despite the fact they charge something like $29 for a sandwich) and just have a bare minimum service to cater for the odd occasion when someone arriving on the red eye needs a feed - maybe they can’t be bothered making it easy and attractive.

 

[Gold Member]

I wonder if room service is a loss leader for hotels (despite the fact they charge something like $29 for a sandwich) and just have a bare minimum service to cater for the odd occasion when someone arriving on the red eye needs a feed - maybe they can’t be bothered making it easy and attractive.

Don’t forget the room service Delivery charge of $6.95.

If there’s any saving grace for hotel room service aside from the sheer convenience, it’s that you’ll probably earn points on the food if staying with a chain Hotel.

 

[flyingfan]

Don’t forget the room service Delivery charge of $6.95.

aka (or even in addition to!) a “tray charge”

 

[Katie]

Stayed at the Hilton MEL over Easter, and there was a QR code for Room Service and housekeeping. I ordered an extra blanket and pillows with the QR code, as well as a nightcap on the Sunday night as the restaurant/bar/Exec Lounge wasn't open. Lounge had been earlier in the night, but the restaurant doesn't open on Sun or Mon nights.

 

[DC3]

... Room service menu has weird names for all their pizzas, like the chicken one is "the clucker" or that sort of thing. Try to order, guy speaks perfect english but has no idea what I want. "oh, the chicken pizza"... yep, why bother with silly names.
Then it took about 1.5 hours to come, no idea why.

First, catch your chicken

 

[dajop]

I wonder if room service is a loss leader for hotels (despite the fact they charge something like $29 for a sandwich) and just have a bare minimum service to cater for the odd occasion when someone arriving on the red eye needs a feed - maybe they can’t be bothered making it easy and attractive.

Overnight room service - maybe a loss leader.

Regular meal times - almost certainly not if they already have in-house restaurant. Usually a similar menu to (or same menu as) restaurant/cafe, often with higher prices than dine in + a tray charge.