Can I get a pizza delivered to my hotel room?

On city trips in particular, it is common to book only breakfast or no meals at all at the hotel. And then it happens quickly: After kilometres of walking and many new impressions, their energy levels are low in the evening. If every table at the Italian restaurant round the corner is occupied, it's easy to be tempted back to the hotel.

The problem? In addition to tiredness, hunger usually sets in. Room service can then be an option - if it exists. The hotel may even have its own restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat. However, this is by no means the case everywhere. And even if it does: After an exhausting day, you may not feel like leaving your room again.

What to do now? Starve, sleep and hit the breakfast buffet in the morning? Why not order a pizza from the delivery service to your hotel room? Be warned: The hotel may well have something against this in terms of hygiene.

There is no standardised regulation on this. However, a Travelnews survey of industry insiders shows that there is a good chance that no-one will object to ordering a pizza.

Many hotels are accommodating with food orders

«In some hotels, such as the Mercure Zurich City, it is common practice for guests to consume their own food and drinks in their room, including take-away menus or food from external delivery services such as pizza,» says Michael Böhler, President of the Zurich Hotel Association, when asked.

It is advisable to check the specific guidelines of the respective hotel, though. «In some hotels, there may be restrictions on the use of external food in the room, or fees may be charged,» says the hotelier.

Raymond Hunziker, President of the Lucerne Hotels Association, supports the assessment of his Zurich colleague. He explains that it is permitted to order pizza to the room in the member establishments of Lucerne Hotels that he enquired about. «Take-away meals that you have bought yourself may also be consumed in the rooms.» In some cases, appropriate crockery and cutlery are even provided on request.

Michael Böhler from the Zurich Hotel Association is also aware of some B&B hotels that offer room service in collaboration with external delivery services in order to increase the choice for guests.

This speaks against pizza couriers and take-away meals in hotels

For Michael Böhler, it is obvious that not all hoteliers tolerate delivery services and take-away menus in their establishments. One reason for this could be hygiene. «Hotels want to make sure that the rooms remain clean and that no leftover food or odours cause problems for other guests», he says.

Protection against pests could also play a role. «Bringing in food from outside can increase the risk of pests such as cockroaches or mice», says Böhler.

And sometimes, according to the President of the Zurich Hotel Association, it's also about money. «Some hotels want to ensure that guests use their catering facilities in order to generate additional revenue.»

Cooking for yourself - often a bad idea

What is not appreciated is cooking in hotel rooms without a kitchenette. «There are guests who try to heat up noodle soups in the kettles or use their own cooking utensils in the room to prepare meals», says Böhler.

This practice can lead to problems. For example, the fire alarm that is triggered by heat and smoke; «This is unpleasant for the other guests and can be expensive if the fire brigade arrives», says the hotelier.

Many hotels therefore have guidelines, similar to smoking rules, which prohibit cooking in the room, «Guests who don't adhere to this must expect to be charged cleaning fees to restore the room to an acceptable condition», says Böhler.