Friends, the other day we went to a really expernsive hotel with some friends.We had some snacks and tea and I fell off my chair when I was told that a cup of tea cost Rs 210/- with taxes etc; and to top it all it was not great tasting and the service mediocre.We were of course paying star price for the ambience. The total bill for a couple of snacks and tea for 4 people came to Rs 2342/- that is approximately 50 dollars....
One can go to any of the other good restaurants and get a fabulous full course meal for that amount and that to for 4-5 people...What do you all think friends? is it really worth spending so much just for the atmosphere and ambience?
[question posted by kiran8]
responses and comments:
Hi Kiran! Happy New Year to you! It has been long when we communicated last. Back to your discussion. If someone is treating me in a five star hotel and I do not need to spend a single penny, then I might consider going there..........lollol! If I have to spend my own money, I won't go for sipping a cup of tea for Rs.210/- plus taxes, I will go turtle after reading such heavy priced menulol. You are right that we pay for ambiance and other such thing rather than for snacks/food. I would spend my hard earned money in a good restaurant, where I could get some delicious and sumptuous food of my choice. Have a great day! Deepak [dpk262006]
Hi Kiran! It is mind boggling to know that a peg of scotch costing Rs.1500/- and your friends enjoying it without blinking their eyes......lollol! Even buffet meal @ Rs.2500/- per person is stupendous and beyond my imagination, in the sense that if I happen to face such a situation and I need to spend my hard earned money on such a buffet, I would leave the place ( read run away) immediately and would better be hungry........lollol! If we spend Rs.10000/- for four of our family member for such a meal, we just cannot digest it.........lol! It is true that it is for those, who have unlimited money and they damn care about spending lavishly in a five star hotel. Deepak [dpk262006]
I feel that spending so much money on snacks at a 5 star restaurant is justified in certain situations. 1.If you have the money,and are out to enjoy life,then what the heck? go ahead and enjoy.the 5 star ambience is something which you will not get in a wayside dhaba! 2.You have friends whom you have to impress,and you know that they should not consider you a cheapskate. 3.You have a girlfriend(consider yourself to be a boy!)and would like to propose to her.Which better way but to take her to a fancy 5 star restaurant and do the needful? Otherwise I feel money splurged in a 5 star restaurant is an absolute waste, when we are living in hard times what with the recession and all.(I am sure you must have known what you were in for when you stepped into the place ;)) [manumon]
Hi manumon, I agree with your views, if one has the money and no regrets , then why not? We were invited by our friends for dinner there and we had some tea and snacks earlier and looked up the place and then went in for dinner which was a buffet, beautifully set up and again cost a bomb ( Rs 2500 + taxes). But I loved the whole experience.The food was amazing and the variety....All the best and Happy new yearhappy [kiran8]
Oh kiran8, that's so unfortunate for you to spend too much on a 5 star hotel/restaurant when you didn't even find the food tasty or appetizing enough. I believe it is not worth it to spend a hefty amout of cash over something you practically did not appreciate or enjoy. First of all, if you went to a place in order to have a taste of good food or just to try their specialty, maybe it's worth it if you spend huge cash amount. Because your purpose is met so there's no reason to complain right? What matters is you enjoyed it. But if you went to a place where your expectations wasn't met then that must have been a lousy way to spend money, don't you agree? So next time when you go out with your friends...don't hesitate to search reviews first thru the internet...try to see if people did agree that the hotel/restaurant did stay true to their reputation. If not then stay away from visiting this place because your money will surely be put into the draining well and it is such a waste. Good luck next time. Happy mylotting. [hapsicordable1]
Hi hapsicordable, thankfully we dint get to spend for the tea, snacks nor for the buffet meal that we had later. It was a treat from our friends. I no doubt loved the whole experience except the price...I did think the place was expensive , but not that expensive. I came to know that the rooms cost anywhere between Rs 26,000 to Rs 35,000 per night....Ummmmsad, wish I could stay there a couple of nights....confused [kiran8]
Hi Kiran how are you, so you had this experince, i had gone to Taj once, luckily i had the credit card with me to pay, otherwise they would have thrown me in my underwear on the street lol. Any way it is a life time experience, once for all. Now a days i enjoy eating with friends in road side 'dhaba'... Thank you so much. . cool Cheers. Happy posting. ARUN . [arun2009]
Hi this was also a Taj group of Hotels that I went to. No doubt the Tatas are rolling in so much money. But guess what? I like their way of doing thongs , in grand style. There is a lot of class in everything they do...All the best and a very Happy New Year to you ..happy [kiran8]
Yes. i would spend alot of money for the atmosphere and ambience but... only if it was for a vacation i wouldnt spend all that money for no reson, i wouldnt go to any 5 star hotal and spend a bunch load of money! well if you dont include special occasions then fine. [agito121]
happyHi, Thanks a lot for your response ...A special occassion is special and sometimes one doesnt mind spending a little more than necessary, but again it is not necessary to go to a five star restaurant and think of the high cost all the time. Instead one can plan something nice within ones budget....All the best and happy mylotting [kiran8]
hi kiran,really it is costly to have a cup of tea,snacks in star hotels,it is too costly to take lunch and dinner also in the 5 star or star hotel,but i never gone to star and 5 star hotel till now for by paying money,but i am regularly attending company meetings of home appliances of TV,Refrigerators,Waching Machines,Micro wave ovens,coolers etc etc, i am attending their meetings and get-together parties there,recently i have visite for Panasonic meeting at le meridian hotel at Chennai, they have given room accommodation at that hotel that room rent cost for one day is Rs 8000.00,my brother also having a time share accommodation at Sterling holidays,have a nice day [yugasini]
Hi yugasini, If you have to spend your hard earned money then it seems a waste, but if you get treated by some one else thats quite another matter. We had a buffet dinner there which came to Rs 2500 + taxes , but absolutely no complaints. It was the best one could have with champagne, best of wines and of course fabulous food...The rooms cost there Rs 24,000 + and above....Wish someonw would sponsor me for a weekend LOLlol - all the best yugasini and have a great eveninghappy [kiran8]
I don't think it's worth. If it is those kind of once in a lifetime thing and you won't get to see or enjoy it until your next lifetime, maybe. But first, I am not rich enough to afford to spend my money like drinking water (and not to mention that I am currently having 0 income monthly), and second, things that are just for memories cannot fill my stomach. So unless there is a need to, else I would avoid these places. Cheers [warvial]
Hi, What you say is true, one has to see ones position and capacity before even thinking about stepping into these places. But they do have an atmosphere and ambience that one cannot find anywhere else, but it is too steep a price to pay for that - all the best and have a great eveninghappy [kiran8]
If your happy of what your doing and you feel comfortable to stay because it's need for your business why not and you have much gain by doing that no regret but if staying is not then not to go. [ebuscat]
Hi ebuscat thanks a lot for your response ...yes if one has the money, it is great to do what you want without ever bothering about expenses and spending. ut for most people it is a dream to even thinkin about such places - all the best and happy mylottinghappy [kiran8]
Its not worth of spending so much money for simple things.. The person who has earned the money without struggling or doing adequate or who get too high pay, are the people who go to such places many times.. Others may just visit it very few times a year.. Its better to eat at clean and economic places.. [systems]
Hi systems, thanks a lot for your response. I too feel that one cannot gp often to such places .One can go once in a while to such expensive places , otherwise there is any number of decent places where one can enjoy both the food and ambience at probably one tenth of the cost- all the best and have a great evening happy [kiran8]
u should never go to five star hotels for snacks....there are various other places which specialise in snacks and charge you very less....certain five star hotels offer buffets at 400 500 rs per person....atleast that is manageable...coz the taste is excellent quantity is too much and u can also enjoy the ambience ....all in all a nice experience [karthiksank642]
Hi karthik, we went there on invitation, and dint have to pay for the tea and snacks...infact later we had dinner as well which was a buffet costing Rs 2500 + taxes. But it was great food with champagne,wine and any other drinks and cocktails you wanted and some choicest dishes...All the best and have a great eveninghappy [kiran8]
If you have the money then why not? besides it's good to reward yourself once in a while after working so hard. It's also a good way to have a glimpse of what rich people do which turned out that you can get a better tasting coffee and better service at half the price or even less from a regular restaurant. [ybong007]
Hi I do agree with your views.If you have the money why not? The best part was that most people there were foreigners and a few flashy looking ladies, not necessarily classy lol....But the best part was the dinner I had which was superb....wouldnt mind going there for that buffet again when I can....It was really worth the price ( Rs 2500 + taxes)- all the best and have a great weekendhappy [kiran8]
I don't like spending that much money in a 5-star hotel. There are many good hotels where you don't have to spend as much but still can get good service. I'd rather spend my money on other things that are more worth my money. But I'm a middle-class person, so that's probably why this is my answer. If I were rich maybe I wouldn't mind spending this much in a hotel. [angelajoy]
Hi angela, Agreed with what you say...There is no harm in having the 5 star experience once in a while. But the whole point is that you are paying more for the ambience and not for food or service...All the best and have a great weekendhappy [kiran8]
Hi ,my friend,you can get better things and better services in a normal restaurant.I don't think it's necessary to spend so much in a 5 star hotel for something about the same.And it is easy to use the same money to get better things and services [cheerup777]
Hi cheerup, thanks a lot for your response. i too feel that way, that one can put that money into better use, without missing out on anything much - all the best and happy mylottinghappy [kiran8]
Hello, Kiran. When I go to a hotel or restaurant, I want the place to be clean and comfortable, the staff to be friendly and the food to be good. I don't want to have to re-mortgage my home to eat there. We live in Spain, and at our favourite restaurant, we can have a 4 course meal for two and half a bottle of wine each for 22 euros. (about $40) The restaurant is clean and comfortable, the food is wonderful, and the staff are very friendly, although they speak hardly any English. Friends of ours go to an English-owned restaurant which is decorated beautifully, with fantastic tableware and uniformed waiting staff. On their recommendation, we went there to eat. We paid twice as much as at the Spanish restaurant, the food was okay but nothing spectacular, and the staff obviously thought we were a notch below their usual clientele, which consisted mainly of golf club members who didn't mind leaving fantastic tips and splashing the cash. We've never been back there since, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone - unless they like to eat indifferent food, have poor service and pay dearly for it. [Sandra1952]
confusedHi Sandra, I fail to understand why people are so petty and small minded. It is best to ignore that kind of attitude.I guess everything these days is measured in terms of money and prosperity...I agree with you that what is more important is to feel at home and comfortable in a restaurant or eating joint. We go to a small restaurant here which is just a room spotlessly clean, bright and very welcoming , owned by a family. The family shares the responsibility and does all the work and service. They serve probably the best Rice and fish curry I have ever eaten...I like such places ... have a great weekend Sandrahappy [kiran8]
..well, if you have lot of money, you will enjoy your stay, if you dont have, better not to go.. i am a hotelier, and i know that it really cost a lot, but i would not recommend it because i know that its like wasting money, because you can enjoy even on some alternative places that will not cost you that much.. [raymondcarreon]
Hi ray, what you say is absolutely true, being a hotelier you know all the accounts and statistics . I feel that sometimes the 5 star hotels charge far too much for the kind of service ,food and hospitality they provide. But then that is the way it is confused...Have a nice weekend happy [kiran8]
i don't think it's worth it. i mean, good food dont have to cost a fortune. and 5 star restaurants are uncomfortable. i'd prefer to dine in places where i can be myself and not really think about whether i used to right glass or the right fork. for the ambiance tho, i guess you can transform an ordinary place into a "5-star-restaurant-ish" place by just making sure that the place is cool enough, with good ventilation and you can even set the mood by choosing lounge music. and if you're alone, you can set the mood by listening to music with your ear phones. and of course the food has to be yummy. with all these, you're good to go! [greenishpurple]
Hi, What you say is so true.We need to feel comfortable in a place when we go out to eat. The whole fun of going out to eat is to taste some exotic food and let down your hair and enjoy your time with your family or friends...All the best and have a great weekend happy [kiran8]
I rather go to KFC or McDonalds to take my lunch. My cousin told me that he spent $40 on just one plate of rice at a hotel in another country. [EvilSkyBoy]
40 dollars for a plate of rice ?shocked plain rice or did it come with something else? That is ridiculous...I mean it is not at all justified confused [kiran8]
Usually when we go to a 5star hotel, it is not for the food which we go, but for the ambience as well to be seen in the place. Usually in 5 star hotels, the patrons are people whose bill is usually picked up by their office.Otherwise you see some bored housewives whose bills are usually picked up their well paid husbands.Most of the people who dine in 5 star hotels do not pay from their pocket. The same thing goes for the expensive signature restaurants, usually we pay 10 times the amount for the cost of food, which we take in a good hotel/restaurant. [rameshkumaar57]
Hi ramesh, there are lots of people who go to a 5 star restaurant, well dressed and sit there in the lounge and may be order a snack or so and be seen by the others. may be get some pics taken as well, to show that they were there. I agree that there are different category of people who go to these places for different reasons and not to enjoy a meal there...all the best and have great weekend happy [kiran8]
hello,i think If you have Enough money ,for enjoy life ,spending money at a 5 star hotel/Restaurant is a good thing . Otherwise ,Its not worth of spending a lot of money at a 5 star hotel/Restaurant . Have a good day! [cocozhi]
Agreed, if one has the money or wouldnt mind spending then why ever not ? Thanks for your response and happy mylotting happy [kiran8]
Frankly, Kiran I would rather have some lovely ginger or cardomom tea at home and curl up with a nice book under a tree in a park rather than look for such ambience.However, we are all middleaged folks talking like this and we assess things by the value we get for the money paid. [kalav56]
Kala, that sounds so lovely. I too love ginger/cardamom, and I add a dash of pepper too while making tea. Not always, but on special occassions or when I am in the mood.Honestly, I dont mind going to a fabulous looking place all dressed up etc, only problem is the money, it makes you feel so guilty to be spending so much on a meal confused....as you say kala, we do assess things by the value we get , kya kare? we have been brought up that way ....Have a great weekend kala happy [kiran8]
Very, very rarely if at all. I am fine with humbler stuff generally and would rather save the money for other things. [dawnald]
Well said dawnald, I too would do the same. I would rather save that money for a rainy day or for something I consider worthwhile ....Thanks a lot and All the besthappy [kiran8]
Personally I don't think so. It's not really worth the money. I think there are times though we need to do something special like that just so we can say we did!whistleBut overall there are plenty of less expensive places to make lasting memories. [macdingolinger]
hi mac, I too feel that way, there are so many good restaurants serving excellent food at may be one tenth of the cost and one can have fun at such places without being concious of the atmosphere ....thanks a lot and all the besthappy [kiran8]
...Hi kiran8, When I saw your question, I laughed heartily. I laughed because it reminded me of a time when two of my friends and I were in New York, some time in the past. We decided to go into the Four Seasons Restaurant, we walked in, sat down at a nice table. Looking around, enjoying the decor, the waiter bought our water and the menus. We all looked at each other, mouths some what agape. The prices were unbelieveable, we realized it was a very nice restaurant, but well, we were fish out of water. This was more than twenty years ago and if I can remember the most inexpensive meal started at $50. We advised the waiter that we had changed our minds. He was very nice, told us to wait and gave us all some large, chocolate covered strawberries for free. We enjoyed the strawberries. We walked out, I believe we left him a nice tip. It was a very interesting adventure. If you have the disposable income and you can afford it, then I leave it to a personal decision if you want to visit a high priced hotel or restaurant. I love ambience, but I am far from crazy. Take care. [artistry]
LOL , some experience! But honestly the waiter was really good and understanding, not many are like that in such places.One should enter such places with your eyes open so that you dont get any rude shocks later on ...thanks a lot and All the best - have a great weekendhappy [kiran8]
Personally, I would prefer a picnic lunch in the woods, good hot dogs on an open fire or McDonalds by the beach! I just cannot see spending that kind of money on a meal, although, my brothers do it all the time, it is just not my world. Different strokes for different folks I guess. I do hope that you had a great time and the friends, rather than the place, made the day fun for you! Have a great weekend! [darleneL2010]
happyHi darlene, I too love taking my family out for a picnic.I did that a lot while the children were younger and we would just go off to remote places and spend time there where they could run around and do what they want and eat when they felt hungry. Everything tasted so great...all the best and have a nice weekend happy [kiran8]
I think spending money at a 5 star hotel occasionally is worth it because the atmosphere and ambience would really make you feel good. Do you think so? Especially when we live in the modern world whereby there is a lot of pressure from work, a good atmosphere whereby we can really relax our senses and feel comfortable is really important. To me, good atmosphere would also help reduce depression and make one feel more at ease. So, in my opinion, if you can afford it, spending on a 5 star hotel would be really worth it. However, I am sure everyone has different points of view. [liumay88]
Hi liumay, thanks a lot for your response happy...I agree with you that one needs to have some form of relaxation from time to time and you say if you have the money or do not mind spending then why not ? - all the best, have a great Sundayhappy [kiran8]
I am an independent traveler. I like to stay in locally owned guest houses. I enjoy knowing that the money I spend goes to thew local community. I feel happy when I meet the local people and see something of their culture. In a tropical location I don't mind if only cold water is available. My ex-boyfriend liked top range accommodation. We stayed at a five star hotel in Istanbul. I thought it was a waste of money. I wanted him to be happy and comfortable though. [maximax8]
Hi maximax, I am sure you have many interesting travel experiences. Do you write about them ? It is a lot more fun to travel as you want. I have done it a couple of times with some friends when we visited out of the way places and stayed in a coffee estate, where the owner was renting out part of his huge old fashioned bunglow.Thankfully there were good bathrooms and they offered a hearty breakfast. But otherwise it was basic, but we loved the whole experience and I will definitely do it again ....thanks a lot and all the best happy [kiran8]
I think that there is no general rule on selecting the restaurants by the people.Lot of factors are involved in it.Personal preference,affordability,celebration mood,the ambiance,and the necessity.We can't have a say in the choice of others.It is too personal a thing.And the best thing is we always have the choice of frequenting the restaurants we like and enjoy whatever like.And above all variety is the spice of life.Isn't it?happy [balasri]
Hi balasri, no doubt that one is free to do what one wants depending on one's capability and choice....We are just discussing the pros and cons just to get an idea as to how people feel about it - all the best and happy mylotting happy [kiran8]