Hosting a Party in a Hotel Room
More Tips on Hosting Functions in Your Home Away from Home
This article covers several different types of functions that are feasible to host in a hotel room.
In the first article of this series, the concept of hosting a hotel room or hotel suite party was introduced. This follow up article will cover the different types of functions that can be hosted in this environment and the appropriate food and beverage offerings.
Type of Function
Depending on your circumstances, you may wish to host an impromptu pizza and beer party, a pre-dinner cocktail hour with snacks, a popcorn/soda/movie night or a late night wine and munchies event. In order to prepare your room in the most efficient manner, put yourself in the mindset of the guest. Ask yourself, “Where would I want to sit? Is there a convenient place to chat with a friend? How far of a reach do I have to reach to get to the snacks? Where is the beverage station?” If you can answer all of the questions effectively and without the imaginary guest having to jump through hoops – real or imagined --- then you’ve accomplished your goal.
Food and Beverage Recommendations
- For an informal get together, consider offering pizza, soft drinks and beer. This type of food can be easily obtained simply by phoning a nearby pizza delivery restaurant. You can supplement the pizza place’s delivery with soft drinks and beer from Room Service, the hotel vending machines or a nearby convenience store. Don’t forget to ask the pizza place to deliver napkins, disposable plates and plastic knives. This is a common request and the delivery person is happy to oblige with the incentive of a little extra tip!
- For a pre-dinner cocktail hour, consider offering the following items, which can be purchased with one quick trip to a nearby liquor store. You may want to phone first, since some liquor stores will even make deliveries. Offer a white wine and a red wine (if your group is small, look for smaller bottles, or be prepared to leave the extra for the housekeeping staff!), a small bottle of gin, a small bottle of vodka, mixers (tonic, orange juice, cranberry juice, Tom Collins mix) and some dry snacks. Peanuts, Chex mix, and popcorn are all great (and easy) snacks to offer, and they can be purchased at the liquor store. Don’t worry about getting fancier items – like cheese, fruit kabobs, etc. --- this is neither the time nor the venue for such fare. Finally, you may wish to bring in plastic glasses and a couple of spoons to mix the drinks. Add some nice napkins to catch spills and to act as bar towels, and you’ll be set.
The final article in the series will cover several other options for in-room parties.
