How to Create a Hotel-Style Room Service at Home
Imagine waking up on a leisurely weekend morning—sunlight peeking through the curtains, the smell of freshly brewed coffee lingering outside your door, and the only plan on your calendar is room service at home. Sign me up!
Now, what if I told you that you could achieve that same hotel luxury in your own home?
No more waiting for that vacation that never comes or pinning aesthetic shots on Pinterest boards that seem so far out of reach. I’m going to give you the blueprint to curate this luxury ritual in your home so any day can feel like a hotel stay.
Whether you are a remote worker, stay-at-home mom, or maybe someone navigating a health shift, this morning ritual can transform something as ordinary as breakfast at home into a restorative experience.
Let’s reimagine your space, your serveware, and even your bedding to turn your home into a relaxing sanctuary where luxury and self-care go hand in hand.
Here’s how to create a *luxury* hotel-style room service at home that you’ll genuinely love waking up to.
Hotel Room Service Over the Years
Room service has a storied past dating back decades. The 1930s marked a new era for hotels, with New York City’s iconic Waldorf Astoria leading the charge. Hotel innovator Lucius M. Boomer advanced the hospitality industry by introducing novel services like hotel room service and hotel restaurant reservations for fine dining experiences.
Pretty cool, huh? It didn’t take long for other luxury hotels to adopt this meal service. Over the last 90+ years, hotel room service has evolved into a tenant of the luxury hospitality space with specific rules and etiquette that create an unmatched sense of occasion.
But room service is more than just a fancy meal in a nice hotel. It’s a reprieve from the demands of daily life. A moment to pause, reflect, and simply enjoy. Creating your own room service at home is a way to claim that luxury for yourself.
You don’t have to wait for a special occasion or book a room at a fancy hotel. And you most certainly don’t have to earn the right to relax.
Establishing this practice in your daily life will shift your mindset and anchor your routine in physical and mental self-care.
Upgrade Your Everyday With Room Service at Home
Our homes are more than just a place to recharge amid hectic schedules, demanding jobs, and never-ending responsibilities. Your time at home should feel as relaxing as a 5-star hotel stay.
I’m looking at you, Ritz-Carlton…👀
You might be thinking: “There’s no way I can recreate that experience in my own home. I’m so busy, my room is a mess, and this seems way too expensive and frivolous.”
I get it. It’s easy to assume that creating luxury experiences at home requires a major design overhaul and an unreasonable budget. But it doesn’t have to. Hotel-style room service at home is not about unattainable extravagance. It’s about promoting self-care, respecting your environment, and living with intention.
Regardless of your schedule…and your budget.
It’s high time you ditch the endless cycle of survival mode and create elevated, sustainable routines that add relaxation to everyday moments.
Here’s how you do it.
Book the Presidential Suite at Home
If you’re a homebody like me, chances are you’re eating most of your meals at home. The concept of switching your breakfast set up from your kitchen to your bed might sound…messy.
But hear me out. There are a few tricks to make the breakfast-in-bed practice chic and clean.
Let’s start by prepping your bedroom for this indulgent morning routine.
Hotel Bedding
The biggest difference between your bedroom and the Presidential Suite at the Waldorf Astoria is actually the bedding. That’s right. Upgrading your bedding is a game-changer when it comes to style and comfort.
The first step to luxury bedding is high thread count sheets. Thread count indicates the amount of yarn per square inch of woven fabric. The higher the thread count, the finer the yarn and (in most cases) the softer and more durable the fabric is.
To achieve the 5-star hotel feel, aim for a sheet set with a thread count between 300 and 500. As for fabric type, cotton is the way to go. It’s soft, durable, breathable, and moisture-wicking. I bought these 100% cotton, 400 thread count sheets 2 years ago, and the quality is *chef’s kiss*.
I even bought my parents a set, and they’ve been using it ever since!
Hotel Bedding
When selecting a duvet insert, I recommend buying a down insert with baffle box construction since it distributes the filling evenly throughout the insert (no one likes lumpy bedding!) Add a cotton duvet cover on top, and you’re good to go!
The fluffier, the better
If you want an even fluffier bed, add 2 duvet inserts to your duvet cover and use a safety pin on each corner to secure the inserts together. Trust me, I’ve been doing this trick in my condo for years, and it makes my bed look and feel so luxurious.
The last step is pillows. Down and feather pillows will give you that luxury feel, especially with a high thread count cotton pillowcase on top.
The only issue with this combination is that once you try it, you can’t get out of bed. Not the worst problem to have!
Ambient Lighting
Lighting sets the mood for your room service at home ritual.
Open the curtains to let the natural light in, and make sure to leave the overhead lights off. If you need additional light, opt for soft bedside lamps or reading lights that cast a gentle glow.
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For bedrooms, I recommend using lightbulbs with a warm, relaxing color temperature, anywhere between 2,700K and 3,000K. This small change makes a huge difference.
shop lighting
If you want to take it up a notch, scented or flameless candles are a great option. They provide a warm, inviting atmosphere, perfect for morning meditations or quiet evenings.
Signature Fragrance
On the topic of fragrances, adding a signature scent to your space will enhance your sensory experience. Consider essential oils like lavender (my fav) or eucalyptus for a relaxing touch, or even a bouquet of your favorite flowers for a more natural experience.
Personalized DEcor
Surround your space with decor that speaks to you. A few personal touches—a framed family picture, a handmade vase with fresh flowers, or a family heirloom—can add subtle elegance and personality.
Remember, your bedroom is a reflection of you. So don’t be afraid to experiment with new decor as your style and lifestyle needs evolve.
Curate Your Room Service Menu
Your room service menu can be as simple or as over-the-top as you want. Use this as a guide to get your imagination flowing, but feel free to take it in any direction you want.
Room Service Menu Ideas
Master the Art of Presentation
The tray is the foundation of a great room service meal. Opt for a silver or stainless steel tray to mimic the high-end hotel look. Don’t forget to add a mat to your tray to muffle the sound of the plates and silverware. These small details make all the difference.
Serveware
Next comes the plates, silverware, and glassware. You can use the items in your kitchen for this step or invest in ceramic plates, stainless steel cutlery, stemmed glasses, and linen napkins for the occasion.
The Power of Napkins
Cloth napkins are your best friends. Use them to wrap your silverware for a sophisticated look, and add one to your bread basket for the ultimate restaurant experience. Plus, they help keep crumbs out of your bed. It’s a win win!
There are a few elegant ways to present your food. You can use these fancy egg cups for hard-boiled eggs, metal bread baskets with a napkin inside for pastries, stainless steel domes for hot meals, and coffee pots to serve your warm beverages.
Don’t forget the finishing touches! A bud vase with your favorite flower, *little* salt and pepper shakers, and garnishes go a long way in presentation.
Final touches
Arranging your tray is a ritual in itself. Give yourself time to appreciate each element and reflect on this special moment in the day reserved just for you.
Now, it’s time to bring your masterpiece back to your bedroom. You can either set your tray down directly on the bed, or use a folding tray stand next to your bed to create the ultimate hotel experience.
Amazon
Foldable Tray Stand
Develop a Routine You Can Sustain
We’ve covered a lot of ground. And in aggregate, all these elements might seem a little much. But I have a few tips and tricks for creating a sustainable routine that elevates your every day without adding extra stress.
Room Service Routine Tips
Finally, determine what you really want out of this ritual.
If you need alone time, ask your loved ones for space so you can enjoy a meal by yourself. If you crave connection, invite your partner or kids into the experience. Divide tasks and put together a feast. Sharing these moments strengthens relationships, while solitude is a great recharge.
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Some Added Luxuries to Enhance Your Ritual
If you want to elevate your room service experience, I have a few more upgrades for you. Start by creating a comfortable outfit for the occasion. You can’t go wrong with a spa robe, soft slippers, or a cozy pajama set.
extra luxuries
Next, curate a relaxing playlist, lose yourself in a captivating podcast, unwind with a soothing audiobook, or pick out your favorite vinyl records to set the mood.
And finally, upgrade your bed with a lux mattress topper, silk pillowcases, and heated or weighted blankets (or both?) to help you fully unwind. I switched to these silk pillowcases over a year ago and haven’t looked back since. They are such a game changer. The silk, paired with my Luna weighted blanket and my favorite Taylor Swift playlist is my version of heaven.
Embracing Your Lux Life
A personalized room service at home ritual is more than just a routine—it is an investment in your happiness and peace of mind. It serves as a reminder that luxury is accessible, even in small doses.
I can’t wait to hear how you’re enhancing your morning routines. Share your experiences in the comments below or tag @gdhomedesigns in your beautiful room service moments on Instagram. Happy relaxing!
This post is all about how to plan your very own room service at home.
