If you’ve ever felt awkward ordering something off-menu from room service, take comfort in the fact it’s probably not the strangest thing they’ve been asked for.
Hotels.com has released its inaugural Room Service Report looking into requests from around the globe, and they range from quirky to downright absurd.
Among the weirdest guest demands were ‘diet water’, melted ice cream, and rice bowls for dogs.
Other bizarre requests staff have encountered included boiled bottled water, a giant serving of bison and blowfish – which can be poisonous if not prepared properly.
One person even requested a fish they had brought with them be cooked and served.
The top 10 wackiest room service requests
- Diet water
- Melted ice cream
- Blowfish
- Boiled bottled water
- A cooked fish that the guest brought with them
- Cockle popcorn
- No egg white omelette
- Rice bowl for dogs
- Bison
- Eggless shakshuka
The report found room service use is on the rise globally, according to almost four in 10 of the hotels surveyed.
Nearly a third (30%) of travellers spend at least £100 on their room service bill per night, with burgers coming in as the most popular item ordered around the world.
The fast food staple beat the classic club sandwich, pizza and even chips, taking 40% of the vote for favourite.
For Brits, it’s all about burgers in bed, although the most popular time for room service is between between 7pm and 8pm.
British food orders are also evolving, with more than 55% of hotels seeing an increase in vegan orders over the past year, more so than vegetarian or dairy-free dishes.
Melanie Fish, from Hotels.com, commented: ‘Room service holds a special place in the hearts of hotel guests.
‘Whether it’s a treat-yourself moment or must-have after a long day of sightseeing, there’s a certain satisfaction in having someone else foot the bill.’
To encourage travellers to make the most of room service on their next stay, the brand will be giving 100 guests up to £100 to spend on whatever madcap thing they fancy.
It may be best to avoid home-caught fish or rare meats though – at least if you don’t want strange looks from the server.
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