Jaws dropped this weekend when Hilton New Yorkannounced it would be doing away with room service completely. Instead of ordering up to their rooms, guests will have to trek down to the lobby, where a new grab-and-go restaurant is slated to open this summer.
Regarding the announcement, a spokesperson for Hilton said they've seen "a decline in traditional room service requests over the last several years." Though we wonder if that says more about the quality of Hilton's cooking than people's attitude towards the concept of room service.
Thankfully, there are plenty of other hotels in NYC that not only offer 24-hour room service, but when the food arrives, gives us mini food-gasms. For example…
On our first time staying at the Andaz Fifth Avenue, we went gaga over the complimentary snacks offered in every room for guests. But be sure to pick up the phone and actually order something next time you're there, as the French Toast (pictured above) we had for breakfast on our last visit totally rocked our world.
Just like Hilton New York, Grand Hyatt New York also has a grab-and-go cafe in the lobby. The difference is that it also offers a traditional room service menu with dishes by the hotel's popular restaurant, New York Central. Furthermore, with Hyatt's new focus on healthy, locally-sourced cuisine, you can count on ingredients like cage-free eggs, hormone-free chicken, and sustainable seafood.
The Surrey was one of the hotels that made our "Celebrity Chefs Who Rule Room Service" list earlier this year, and we're sticking by our choice. With celebrity chef Daniel Boulud at the helm, guests can order up five-star fare like Gruyere-topped onion soup, or Belgian endive salad with Bosc pears, toasted walnuts and bleu cheese sherry vinaigrette.
For something less fancy, the in-room dining menu at W New York Downtown is available 24 hours a day, and offers top choices from the hotel's BLT Bar & Grill (think burgers, grilled meats, and sandwiches). Once upon a time, we found heaven in an $11 grilled cheese that, combined with views of the rising World Trade Center, allowed us to pig out and sightsee at the same time!
Last but not least, if you're looking to have your faith in room service restored once and for all, look no further than the Ace Hotel. The super-popular hotel has become super-popular for a reason, and much of that has to do with the above-average restaurants, including Stumptown Coffee, John Dory Oyster Bar, No. 7 Sub Shop and The Breslin—the latter earned a Michelin star, and offers in-room dining 24 hours a day.
SEE ALSO: Hilton Has Ruined The Whole Point Of Staying At A Luxury Hotel >