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Why I Don’t Do Room Service

I just arrived at the Charleston Place Hotel with producer Tara and cameraman Mike, and am inhaling a smoked salmon platter from room service while going over my notes for the afternoon (apologies for blurry PhotoBooth photo). The room service, while very beautifully presented (the whole hotel is stately-classic-elegant), was FORTY-FOUR DOLLARS (including tax and tip). FOR A BAGEL (with salmon, but still) AND A DIET COKE. Sorry – I’m just in a bit of shock. I’ve only ordered room service maybe three times in my life, because when I went to hotels with my parents as a little girl they always said that it was totally off-limits…and now I know why.

Anyway. Horrible guilt about room service prices aside, I’m SO excited to be here – I’ve never been before, and from what I saw on the ride from the airport to the hotel, Charleston is stunning. Now…off to watch tennis and talk carpets (I’ll explain later)!



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April 14th, 2010 | Posted by Jordan | Play | 12 Comments »

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  • Sara

    Last time I ordered room service I ended up spending 20 dollars on a bowl of milk and froot loops. Lesson learned.

    Charleston is (in my humble opinion) one of the most breathtakingly beautiful “cities” in the US. Enjoy!

  • http://keepcalmandeatacupcake.blogspot.com/ Elizabeth

    You are absolutely going to adore Charleston; it is one of my favorite cities. You must visit the market and get some baskets weaved from palms, sample some delicious shrimp and grits and check out Rainbow Row, with all the beautifully mutli-colored Southern mansions!

    Enjoy-I can't wait to read and see your pics!

    PS. That chicken vesuvio recipe looks amazing and will be tried by yours truly quite soon!

  • Kristen

    I go to the College of Charleston! I would love to meet you! So excited you're visiting my city!

  • Guest

    The horrible guilt schtick is kind of tired and cloying? You know? Do it or don't do it, but own it?

  • jordanreid

    Well, “guilty” is pretty much my dominant emotional state, so if that really bugs you, I'd suggest avoiding this site ;)

  • jordanreid

    Oh, I would love to visit all of these places! Unfortunately, I just got off work and I leave tomorrow afternoon (after another full day of shooting)…but I'm going to wake up as early as possible to try to experience at least some of the city.

  • franny

    boo to the 'haters'

    i know what you mean about guilt being a primary emotion
    i think its good that you think of what it could be/ others, let alone admit it publicly

    so you can technically afford some things/ lots of things that others/ people reading this website cant/ dont want the expense of/ are jealous of
    GOOD FOR YOU. let us live vicariously. obviously its loved on some level or we wouldnt check in on you!!
    personally, i think youre great
    :)

    x

  • http://themanhattanfoodproject.wordpress.com elizabeth

    When it comes to room service–well, if you can bill it to someone (one or two meals at most, of course!) and it's because it's a working meal, I see nothing wrong with that. It's not something to be taking advantage of to an extreme, of course, but it's not so bad once in a while. I will say, that the Renaissance in Oak Brook IL will send you a tray with a croissant and either tea (green OR black), coffee or orange juice free of charge–it's awesome.

    Yes, it's an extravagance to many, but it's easier to think of it as one of the costs of traveling–you're at the mercy of where you're sent, and if you're with a client who pays and/or who you pay for, well, you gotta do what you gotta do…am I right? Not everywhere has continental breakfast, anyway!

  • jordanreid

    agreed re: never taking advantage. of course meals “on the road” are charged back to the company, but that doesn't mean that i should spend indiscriminately. tonight, i got back to my room too late to go out for dinner, so i ordered a steak salad (one of the cheaper entrees on the menu) and a glass of wine…and the bill was nearly $50, including tip. i think that's just insane, and it makes me uncomfortable, because even though i suppose my meals are included in the travel budget, these prices are just ridiculous. tomorrow morning i'm going out for breakfast, and you can bet i won't be sending in my receipt, because it doesn't feel like the right thing to do. even on business trips, i think it's important to comport yourself the way you ordinarily would – do what you must, and even order a glass of wine (or two) as a luxury if that makes you happy…but don't take advantage.
    i think that's a good rule to live by, actually :)

  • Charleston

    You MUST, I repeat MUST, get up early and head over to Hominy Grill for the most delicious shrimp and grits, biscuits (with pots of homemade jam on the table), and Bloody Marys with pickled okra. Do not leave Charleston without experiencing!

    Oh, and the Charleston Place Hotel has a lovely roof deck for laying out if the weather is cooperating.

  • jordanreid

    okay, okay…i'm up ;)

  • kel

    yeahyeahyeah! Hominy Grill! It's soooooo good! Do it!