In recent times, food delivery services have become somewhat of a must-have for people across nations, changing the way we enjoy our meals. It doesn’t matter if you’re sitting at home or in a hotel abroad, having your favorite food items at your fingertips is simply unmatched.
DoorDash is one of those services that is gaining massive popularity among travelers looking to avoid the headache of eating out. We explain everything you need to know when planning to use DoorDash while staying at a hotel in New York City, to ensure that your next trip is as seamless as possible.
Why Use DoorDash While Traveling?
It becomes almost impossible to plan your meals in advance while traveling. But the good news is that with DoorDash, you don’t even need to leave your hotel to get food.
This is great if you don’t want to eat at a restaurant or if you’re tired after roaming around the city all day. Think about it: after a long day, you come back to your hotel and enjoy a delicious meal inside your room – without needing to go out. Sounds great, right?
So, Can You DoorDash to a Hotel in New York City?
General Policy Overview
So now I come to my next question: Is it possible to place a Door Dash order at a hotel located in New York City? Yes, most hotels in New York City are committed to DoorDash food delivery, however, each hotel has its own policies regarding the above.
Common Practices for Deliveries
What you’ll most likely get when you send someone to pick up your order from the hotel DoorDash service:
- Most hotels will require you to pick up your food order and meet them in the front lobby so you can go straight to your room so the driver can deliver your food and the hotel is safe.
- some hotels Direct room delivery policies: Some hotels allow direct room orders, provided the hotel is more lenient with delivery.
- Understanding these practices can help you better prepare for your DoorDash order.
Hotel Types and Their Delivery Policies
Budget Hotels
When you go to a more budget-friendly hotel, you’ll find a more relaxed delivery policy. Many of these hotels allow their drivers to take food directly to guest rooms, making it easier for guests to have their meals without any hassle.
Mid-Range Hotels
These types of hotels may have a variety of policies, some hotels allow guests into the lobby to meet drivers and some do not. These types of policies can be inquired about when you first check in to the hotel.
Luxury Hotels
Nicer hotels are strict on certain policies and some even require the guest to pick up their order from the lobby. Other times, the guest needs to work through the concierge and become the communication hub for the delivery driver and the hotel. While this may seem a bit excessive, it is all done for service and safety.
DoorDash Restaurant List in New York City
In order to help you ease into your DoorKnock experience in New York, here’s a useful list of some of the restaurants you should love:
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine Type | Location | Highlights |
| Joe’s Pizza | Italian | Greenwich Village | Iconic New York-style pizza. |
| The Halal Guys | Middle Eastern | Multiple Locations | Tasty gyros and rice platters. |
| Shake Shack | American | Madison Square Park | Famous for delicious burgers and shakes. |
| Num Pang Sandwich Shop | Cambodian-American | Flatiron District | Great sandwiches with bold flavors. |
| Xi’an Famous Foods | Chinese | Multiple Locations | Hand-pulled noodles and spicy lamb dishes. |
| Katz’s Delicatessen | Deli | Lower East Side | Legendary pastrami sandwiches. |
| Van Leeuwen Ice Cream | Dessert | Multiple Locations | Gourmet ice cream with unique flavors. |
| Dos Toros Taqueria | Mexican | Multiple Locations | Fresh, authentic tacos and burritos. |
Tips for a Smooth Delivery Experience
- It’s important to always ask your hotel if they allow Skip-the-Line, DoorDash, or Swoop delivery before placing your order. Most accommodation facilities provide this information during check-in or on their websites, which is a time-saver for guests.
- It is always best to add notes when placing an order on an online platform. Notes can include the hotel name, the secret room number of your room, or anything that will make the driver’s job easier. This small step can improve your delivery experience dramatically.
- When working with order platforms, choose the timing wisely. For example, there are some core hours for orders, and there are a lot of places in New York that are busy during peak hours. So, remember that lunch and dinner times are usually crowded, causing delivery delays. To speed up the delivery process, order when the peak timings have passed, if possible.
Tipping and Additional Fees
Tipping Your DoorDash Driver
First of all, tipping is an essential aspect of the delivery process. Generally, tipping 15 to 20 percent of the order amount is encouraged as it is used to reward the efforts of the delivery person. If your driver provides exemplary service – especially when he tries to help you in a busy hotel – don’t hesitate to tip a little extra!
Potential Additional Fees from Hotels
Sometimes hotels may charge a delivery fee for accepting deliveries. Such fees vary, so it is advisable to inquire about possible additional charges as soon as you check in, so that you are prepared for the challenges ahead.
Alternatives to DoorDash
Other Food Delivery Services
However, it would be unfair to say so. New Yorkers only have a choice of these apps because there are others in NYC. For example, Grubhub, UberEats, and Seamless, just to name a few of the available options. Each service offers a different selection of restaurants and some other features and amenities, so it might be worthwhile to look at what else is being offered.
Direct Restaurant Orders
Another option is to order directly from the restaurant. A lot of restaurants offer their own food delivery services which saves you the money you would spend on third-party apps and also ensures that you get your food much quicker.
