How Hotels Are Taking the Guesswork out of Meal Plans

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This period has been tough for all of us, but somehow, we have all managed to make it work. And by that, I mean we have been working from home. Protocols put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 has seen us all adopt new schedules and routines, and its been working great for the most part. But all good things, even those borne from adversity must come to an end. In the coming days, those of us who are not yet back to work will be heading back to the office. Which will mean the resumption of the eternal question: what am I going to have for lunch?!

For all its convenience, Beijing and its convenient apps also have a nauseating amount of choice, making simple decisions like deciding on noodles over a burger over lunch paralyzingly difficult. But hotels like Grand Mercure Beijing Dongcheng Hotel has taken on the challenge to take the guesswork out of your midday meal, opting to provide more options available for delivery during this time. Promising carefully prepared, healthy meal choices for the hungry workers of Beijing, Grand Mercure’s offerings seem to be a safe bet. We spoke to Billy Jin, General Manager at Grand Mercure Beijing Dongcheng to find out just why hotels are now offering this new dining option and how choosing their offerings is not only a convenient but a smart choice for our lunch rush orders.

When will the delivery service start?

We’ve recently launched our delivery service to include a healthy selection of salads and our all-time guest favorite local Chinese dishes. We launched our delivery menu on April 8 and it’s been well received by both Chinese and ex-pats in Dongcheng. They’re great for those who are looking for a fast, healthy, and clean work lunch.

What made your company decided to venture into delivery?

COVID-19 has greatly impacted our industry as travel to Beijing significantly declined and the F&B industry faced new challenges. So as a way to sustain our F&B business, we decided to turn our guest favorites into delivery sets for people to enjoy in the comfort of their own home.

The hotel’s sanitation requirements and procedures are extremely strict which means that not only did our staff meet the city’s requirement, of quarantine, they also meet the additional requirements that the hotel as placed. Since everyone has now become even more conscious of health and sanitation, hotel restaurants have become the trusted safe choice for diners.

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What is the menu available to clients?

The Grand Mercure is a brand that tempts travelers with a charming and inviting hotel experience that appeals to their imagination and an insatiable sense of discovery. For us, that’s Beijing. Following our brand motto, we put together two options of healthy salads and Chinese sets starting at RMB 38. These menu sets are created with health and local flavor in mind and with a price that’s as competitive as any restaurant.

How far will you be able to deliver the orders? For instance, will customers in Shunyi and Tongzhou also be included?

We’re using Meituan for delivery service which currently limits our range to the Dongcheng District area.

Where customers access the delivery services?

In-house guests can order by calling our restaurant directly from their room. For guests who aren’t staying in the hotel, our menu can be ordered through Meituan by searching “东方美爵酒店” if you prefer to have it delivered or through the hotel’s WeChat Mini-program by adding us on WeChat at “东方美爵酒店” if you’d like to pick up at the hotel.

How does it work? What is the process of ordering from start to finish?

After an order is placed either through Meituan or through our Mini-program, our chefs will immediately begin preparing the order, and the delivery service picks up the order from the hotel lobby. The entire process is done promptly with the name and body temperature of every staff who’s handled your food written on the order.

Do you guys have any sort of guarantee? i.e. Deliveries to be done within thirty minutes of ordering or something like that?

We understand that no one likes to wait too long for their food. When you place an order, you want your order to be at your doorstep immediately. From the time the order is received to the pick up from the Meituan delivery person, the entire process takes less than 45 minutes.

What is the philosophy of your company when it comes to customer service and satisfaction?

Customer service is our number one priority. We place the satisfaction of our guests above all else which is why we ensure that the hotel only uses the freshest ingredients, the menu that we prepare are both tasty, in season, and healthy, the food is prepared on time, and finally the sanitation, health, and safety of our staff and working environment are closely monitored.

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Photos: Grand Mercure Beijing Dongcheng, unsplash

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