In today’s New York Times, Winne Hu reveled that major hotels in New York City are doing away with room service in favor of self-service grab-and-go options. According to the article, in August, the New York Hilton Midtown, will discontinue food and drink service to all 2,000 of its rooms. In its place, the hotel will promote a new self-service option called Herb n’ Kitchen stocked with grab-and-go items. Hotel operators claim that these service reductions are due to declining demand and increased labor costs.
Personally, I can tell you that it has been a little while since I last ordered room service. While I love to convenience and luxury of in-room dining, I find myself instead ordering in from local restaurants or grabbing take-out and bringing it back to my room. What do you think? Should full service hotel operators reduce rates if they do away with room service?
–8/2/2013 UPDATE–
Want to eliminate room service in New York City? It’ll cost you.
