I am not a 'sophisticated' traveler, so please pardon me in advance if you find this question strange. We have always taken our breakfasts in the hotel's breakfast room, after we've dressed for the day and before we go out for the day. We like to see who else is staying in the hotel, and usually the seating is more comfortable than in the room (espec. in 2-3* hotel).

What shall we expect if we wish to have breakfast brought up to our room? Will the staff be shocked to see me in my pj's and slippers? or is this the norm? do they come into the room and set down the tray, or do they leave it at your door and just knock? is tipping expected? (No one tips down in the breakfast room, so I would think not...)

Please enlighten me on proper decorum for this new start to our travel day, especially if in Paris. Thank you.

They won't be shocked to see pjs and slippers. They probably wouldn't even be shocked if he was wearing her pjs, and she was wearing his. Wearing something to answer the door, even if it's just a robe, would be a good idea, though.

They probably will knock and probably will need to come into the room to have you sign the cheque, unless the breakfast is included in the room price. I do usually tip for room service (adding an amount to the bill) - around 10% or a little less, unless there is a significant service charge for room service already added to the bill. After all, it's more complicated to deliver something to a room than to have you serve yourselves in the breakfast room.

Be careful. I' not sure about Paris but here in the UK many hotels (especially Chain ones) charge a large premium for delivering breakfast. Check the small print and do people really wear slipers on holiday or is that another thread!?p

At the hotel I enjoy in Paris (the Relais du Louvre), my PJ's look like a jogging suit...I've told them the night before when to deliver it (its their procedure not me being "precious&quot. She knocks, I open the door and she sets it on the desk. I LOVE this system...very civilized to me.
I DON"T have to jump out of bed, do the hair and make-up without a cup of high-octane. And Yes, I DO tip. But I tip the maids and whatnot at hotels anywhere.. I figure a few euro's per day of my stay. Here in the US, a few dollars per day.

I'm guessing that maybe where travelnut is talking about they don't offer breakfast in a breakfast room, but only serve it in the rooms, right? I've seen this a couple of times and personally avoid those places. I'm not comfortable eating my breakfast in my room -- would much prefer going to a regular room and doing it. But then I never understood the luxury of eating breakfast in bed either -- the most uncomfortable thing in the world to be --reminds me of eating in a hospital bed.

Yes, if you're referring not to room service in a luxury hotel, but just a simple breakfast being brought to the room as an alternative to the breakfast room, the staff member really couldn't care less what you are wearing, I'm sure they've seen it all so to speak, they just want to leave the tray and move on.
I tip at the end of my stay to those who have been helpful--that delivery person, the chambermaid, etc.
I do try to do this a day or two before I leave, in case someone has the day off on my last day, or I am rushed

I've stayed in more than one hotel in France where the breakfast room is small, and the staff seemed to prefer to deliver the breakfast to the room. There was never anything to sign, nor expectation of a tip. In my experience, the tray would be left on the floor outside the door unless you're really quick to answer the door the second that they knock. And essentially no choices to be made - - though I whave been mildly amused to see that cafe noir, cafe au lait and cafe complet were listed as if they were three <i>different</i> choices (when asked what we wanted with our breakfast).

Best wishes,

Rex

Patrick--

My wife and I are in complete agreement with you.

In the first place there is usually no convenient place to put two breakfast trays and why smell up the room with the smell of the food?
The hotel in Paris (which we love) doesn't serve breakfast so we just go down to a bistro next door.&gt;&lt;

Hadn't even thought of the hospital similarlity. :-B

Hi T,

Many small hotels have tiny breakfast rooms and prefer to serve bkfst inyour room.

It is more than likely that there will be a small table with one or two chairs at which you will eat - not on the bed (too many crumbs).

As long as you aren't naked, the server won't care when he/she sets your train down in the room.

It is customary to leave your tray outside your door when you are done.

Tipping is not expected, except for exceptionally good service.

Enjoy your trip.

Thanks to all for not flaming me!
We don't have the budget for 'luxury' hotels, and mostly I'm talking 'Paris' so there won't be a separate meal check.
We will have a small table and chair to use for 'dining' - I'm not attracted to eating in bed, either (unless it's a 'champagne/whipped cream' event ).
I like the idea of having my coffee <i>while</i> I'm getting dressed. I do leave a daily tip in my room for the housekeeper and agree it might be nice to give the kitchen maid(?) a similar thank-you.

Our Paris hotel room didn't have a table, just a desk with one chair, and the tv was on the desk, therefore, no room to eat. We went down to the breakfast room every morning, but after the first couple of mornings, my hubby would go down to get two cups of coffee and bring them back to the room while we dressed. (Luckily, we were only one flight up.) No one stopped him and said he couldn't do it, so we figured it was okay.

I couldn't eat in bed, too many crumbs from the croissants!

BTW, this hotel, De Weha, in the 13th, had a really nice cold b'fast buffet, included in our room price. Cereals, ham, cheese, hardboiled eggs, pastries, bread, all fresh and delicious!

I am a night owl and I am not my pert and perkiest in the mornings so I like to have breakfast as simply as possible in my room. I might need a jump start before I shower, dress, etc. just to go down and mingle and eat breakfast.

I might not want to hear high frequency greetings from my fellow guests either until I have had at least a coffee and bread in the morning. I let the maid take care of the crumbs or I sit at a table.

This is another reason that I like apartments better now days, I can make up my own routine, but this is just me being me.

Oh, I love breakfast in my room, no matter where we stay. I am really not awake or able to speak until I get that first cup of coffee in me, so room service is a Treat that I always enjoy.
Usually, the Yankee is dressed before I am, so I hide in the bath while he opens the door.
Once, in Las Vegas, I had such a headache, I just pulled the covers over my head until the room service guy left

I have to say though, I have never had my room smell like food after, or at least, when we come back to it, it is made up, vacuumed and smells good.
Enjoy, travelnut!

I love coffee in the room but then I like to go down to the dining room for a mess of eggs, has browns, bacon and maybe soupcon of grits!

Scarlett, are we spoiled?

Yes, SeaUrchin, we are.

Ain't it fun though!

Cher Travelniut - At the places you describe, the delivered-to-your-room breakfast is usually the continental variety - coffee/tea (or sometimes an option for hot chocolate) with a piece of bread/croissant and butter/jelly, maybe juice. Often the selection in the breakfast room is a bit broader. It's really a perosnal preference. I like LOTS of coffee in the morning so usually go to the breakfast room and tank up there, though I suppose one could request a double portion of coffee in the room. Some places that offer room delivery sometimes tack on an additional fee, some do not.

I'm a room service professional! Especially breakfast. I hate having to get dressed for just a simple cup of coffee, like to wake up, relax etc but to each his own. My experience is no they don't care how you are dressed, I generally do put on a robe or something presentable. They come in and set it up, remove lids, wrappings, etc. and depart. As someone else said in Europe alot of places will offer to bring breakfast up...I've called down many times for just coffee and they offer to also bring up rolls, meats, cheeses, etc. Let them do it! Enjoy and happy holidays!

I'm sold! Breakfast, and more importantly, coffee in the room to get my eyes open... thanks.