Hotel Breakfast Buffet

November 10, 2024 03:04PM

Has anyone done the breakfast buffet shop at a major hotel chain without spending the night at the hotel? What do you do so that it does not seem obvious that you are a mystery shopper? Do people really walk in off the street for an average buffet in a hotel? I would like to do the shop but need advice. Thank you

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November 10, 2024 04:08PM

I've often gone with big family groups to Hotel Buffets for brunch. Those are in restaurants in the hotel.

Also I've had family join me for breakfast when I was staying at a hotel. They just had to pay, I had a chit to show I was staying there. Seemed common to them.

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer

November 10, 2024 07:39PM

I did one of these. Felt so obvious when the server asked for the hotel room. I just said I am paying in cash. Other than that, the shop was really simple.

November 10, 2024 08:38PM

Can't wait to find this shop on the boards. I used to go to the local hotel buffet regularly when my kids were young.. The food was great and it was really cheap for kids. They had a nice back room which was usually empty so the kids could run around. I am sure many stopped there who were not guests.

November 10, 2024 10:53PM

A scenerio could be that you are meeting up with friends who are in town and staying at that hotel. I also think this seems odd and this is the scenerio that I would probably have in my head to feel more natural.

November 10, 2024 11:16PM

I did such four years ago

Shopping Eastern Pennsylvania since 2009

November 10, 2024 11:37PM

I'm gonna take a duffel bag with me like I checked out of my room and make it look more natural. I have one that is paying quite decently. The reimbursement is crap ($25) in that there is no way I can take another person and have for for under $25.

November 10, 2024 11:42PM

I like the idea that I am visiting friends at the hotel but since no one will ever come to join me to eat, won't it get awkward again?

November 10, 2024 11:44PM

The hotel website makes it look like you eat in the lobby and there are different items on the counter to grab.

November 10, 2024 11:46PM

Sounds like the same one. How did you find out how much the buffet is?

November 11, 2024 12:51AM

@fa2 wrote:

Has anyone done the breakfast buffet shop at a major hotel chain without spending the night at the hotel? What do you do so that it does not seem obvious that you are a mystery shopper? Do people really walk in off the street for an average buffet in a hotel? I would like to do the shop but need advice. Thank you

Yes, many times, both as a real hungry customer and as a shopper.
Nothing. I just eat my breakfast like any other customer would.
Yes, they do.

November 11, 2024 12:42PM

They slept in, running late, etc...That is just the story I would have in my own mind as to take away my own awkwardness. If its a buffett, I imagine no one would think much of you after you pay.

I like the idea that I am visiting friends at the hotel but since no one will ever come to join me to eat, won't it get awkward again?[/quote]

November 11, 2024 02:58PM

Thank you

November 11, 2024 03:00PM

Thank you. I understand that it is probably normal but if I feel awkward that could give me away. I appreciate everyone taking the time to answer.

November 11, 2024 03:07PM

I've done one in a major upscale hotel chain in Manhattan. They don't generally ask if I'm a hotel guest until after the meal, when they bring the bill, so the meal is not awkward at all. When they bring the bill, they usually ask, "Will this be a room charge?" and I say, no thank you, I have cash. Easy and fun.

November 11, 2024 05:56PM

Let us know how it goes. Hopefully not awkward at all.

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer

November 11, 2024 06:18PM

i'm going to say I already checked out and hand over my CC (unless i'm required by the MSC to pay cash)

@CorrieCJ wrote:

I've done one in a major upscale hotel chain in Manhattan. They don't generally ask if I'm a hotel guest until after the meal, when they bring the bill, so the meal is not awkward at all. When they bring the bill, they usually ask, "Will this be a room charge?" and I say, no thank you, I have cash. Easy and fun.

November 11, 2024 06:47PM

@fa2 Don't overthink it. The staff doesn't care and you don't have to come up with a well-rehearsed story as to why you want to eat breakfast. I would call the hotel to confirm the breakfast hours. It isn't a big deal that you are eating breakfast by yourself. You got this.

November 11, 2024 10:15PM

Just for informational purposes, I called and spoke to the front desk. I acted like I wanted to stay there and wondered if they had the free breakfasts in the morning. The front desk worker told me they don't do that. They have a buffet for $16.99 and told me what it included. So I followed it up with "If I stay here, would a guest who lives in town be able to come and join me?" I was told yes.

I really wasn't worried, but thought it wouldn't hurt to call and ask. My assignment is not for awhile. I know better than to call the morning that I would be coming just in case it raises suspicion.

I'm debating whether I go solo or if I take someone. We obviously exceed the reimbursement and it will cut into my pay, but I would still come out ahead after everything.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2024 10:32PM by hbbigdaddy.

November 11, 2024 10:31PM

It sounds like just a place to have breakfast/brunch whether you’re staying there or not. I’d be fine going alone. Or having someone with me, depending on what my plans are for the day.

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer

November 11, 2024 11:16PM

Tons of hotels have restaurants open to the public. Basically all hotel restaurants are open to the public, aren't they? Why would this be in any way odd? I think some are confusing this with a complimentary hotel breakfast. That isn't what this is.

November 12, 2024 04:41PM

Absolutely not an issue, and some hotel breakfast/brunch buffets are foodie destinations.

Pre-COVID, the Grand America Hotel (#1 in SLC, owned by the Sinclair oil family) had the most sumptuous buffets I've yet to experience in the US.

That my bro-in-law (at the time) worked there was a plus, as we got the family discount. Would still have gone without the deal, just not as frequently.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

November 12, 2024 05:49PM

last year I did some quick in to make some pictures and nobody from staff asked me any questions. But in the past I did shops in questions and not just a buffet but whole service breakfast as well.

Shopping Eastern Pennsylvania since 2009

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/12/2024 05:51PM by gene.

November 16, 2024 10:09AM

As bradcrew and cool music said you are overthinking this shop.

Just think of it as a restaurant shop. No reason to bring luggage along.

Just walk in eat at the buffet and pay. I used to do them all the time in Dallas but none near me now.

They dont care if you're paying for the buffet in cash or credit card instead of a room charge.

December 06, 2024 04:30PM

@fa2
How did it turn out?

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer

December 06, 2024 04:44PM

I know you were asking @fa2...but did this hotel chain buffet in November. It was not too bad. I would do it again. I never received a "score" back from the MSC. Had me worried for awhile, but then I saw the payment status as being ready for payment. This MSC normally sends quite detailed scoring for the shop and cumulative history with them. That is why I was surprised there was nothing for this.

The location I visited was on the slower side. There were quite a few pictures required. Because I did not have customer interference, it was easy to take these pictures. If it was a crowded or busy buffet, some of the pictures might be harder to grab.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2024 04:48PM by hbbigdaddy.

December 07, 2024 04:08AM

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

There were quite a few pictures required. Because I did not have customer interference, it was easy to take these pictures. If it was a crowded or busy buffet, some of the pictures might be harder to grab.

I had to take several pictures once at a hotel/casino buffet. When I went to the dessert section, I had to wait my turn. There was already a girl taking pictures of it. Just point and shoot. No big deal.

December 07, 2024 08:14AM

@AZwolfman

I miss the Green Valley Ranch buffet. Did it as a shop too. That was well worth it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2024 08:14AM by hbbigdaddy.

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