room service

[Isafari]

not sure this can be classed as dining but here goes.....we are staying at a hotel near US, just off International Drive. They advertise room service and, a food court that is open until 2am. Now, if we get back one evening and want to go straight to our room and order a meal via room service, will we be charged a ridiculous amount of money on top of the $ on the menu at the foodcourt?
Hope the above makes sense to you :wacko:

[marivigi]

I am not sure about that particular hotel, but in general, you do get charged extra for the same items, just for eating them in your room... plus, you have to tip the person who delivers..

[JuniorMickey]

Your better off going by the food court and bring it back to your room. Figure to pay at least 25% more for room service

[BevW]

And I've always wanted to do room service. :(

[uscwest]

Not only are the room service prices normally inflated over and above the restaurant, but they normally tack on a service/delivery charge (Not a TIP however, that is extra).

[Mickeymac]

all that said, I love room service. We get ice cream sundaes or something totally decadent and hang on the balcony and watch the animals or something...

Ooop! You're not talking about the Animal Kingdom Lodge and all I'm doing is fantasizing!! :p

[clio]

Hi, Isafari. I assume you mean the Doubletree? My husband is staying there right now on his golfing holiday so I asked him. They charge 20% gratuity plus $2 service charge per order. He doesn't know whether the menu prices are more than the food court.

Another tip - request a room in the South Tower. It has been renovated but the North Tower has not.

[PaulaK]

:iagree: With Clio about the room request. My brother stayed there in June.

[Isafari]

clio and PaulaK - would be interested in any feedback you can find out on the Doubletree Hotel - if it is the one at the entrance to Universal, just off International Drive.
I had heard that it is used as a stopover for airline crew so I imagine it to be rather crowded all of the time :sigh:

[clio]

Here are my husband's opinions of the Doubletree :)

It seemed to be quiet when he was there, there was a mix of tourists, air crew and convention attendees but he wasn't bothered by them. Staff were friendly and helpful.

There is still a little hurricane damage but it didn't affect his stay.

He had requested a room in the South tower but when he checked in there was no record of his request so he would recommend getting email confirmation of your request.

He liked the floor to ceiling windows - good view and people can't see in. Try to request a room on a higher floor, that doesn't look towards the other tower.

The rooms were clean and reasonably spacious. There is an in-room safe for $2 per night.

Plenty of free parking. Easy walking distance to Universal. Trolley stop and Lynx bus stop outside. Lots of restaurants within walking distance, TGIs is across the road.

Driving - easy access to I-4 and I-Drive. Vineland Rd is a better route for getting to Disney as it is much quieter than I-Drive.

Elevators are slow, which is frustrating at busy times of day.

He would stay there again, if the price was the same ($58 on Hotwire). If you have to pay the price on their website (around $99) there are better value hotels such as Hilton WDW or Wyndham Palace.

On weekend evenings Universal Citywalk is very popular with locals, so traffic in the area can be heavy.