How to Increase Room Service Dining Orders

Room service is a hallmark of great hospitality. Yet for many hotels, this once-reliable source of guest satisfaction and revenue has lost momentum. In-room dining is no longer just about placing a phone call and waiting for a knock on the door—it’s about meeting guests where they are: on their phones, on the go, and expecting fast, seamless service.

Through GoTab’s real-world case studies, we’ve seen how hotels and resorts are modernizing room service to increase orders and drive profitability. With tools like mobile ordering and payment, QR code ordering and payment, and handheld POS systems, operators are reimagining how room service fits into today’s guest experience.

Here’s how to do it.

Make Room Service Frictionless with Mobile Ordering and Payment

Traditional room service models come with high overhead, long delivery times, and clunky ordering systems. In contrast, GoTab enables mobile ordering and payment that removes the friction.

Guests simply scan a QR code placed in the room, on the TV, or on printed collateral. This opens a fully branded digital menu where they can browse offerings, customize items, and pay—all from their mobile device.

Case Study Example: Pacifica Hotel

Pacifica Hotels, a leading boutique hotel operator on the Pacific Coast, partnered with GoTab to enhance guest experiences and boost revenue. By integrating GoTab's mobile ordering and payment solutions with their Stayntouch PMS, Pacifica enabled guests to place in-room dining orders via QR codes, streamlining service and reducing staff workload. Notably, Oceanpoint Ranch in Cambria, CA, deployed GoTab QR codes across five hotels, resulting in a 10%+ increase in revenue. This collaboration showcases how mobile technology can modernize hotel services and drive profitability.

Key Takeaway: By integrating GoTab’s hotel POS with their PMS, Pacifica Hotels streamlined in-room dining and boosted revenue—proving that modern tech can enhance guest convenience while reducing staff demands and unlocking new revenue streams. Read the Case Study>

Case Study Example: The Little Nell

The luxury hotel and resort brand implemented GoTab’s QR code ordering and payment system across its guest services. In-room dining became part of a larger mobile-first strategy that offered everything from breakfast to late-night snacks with just a few taps. This streamlined experience not only drove more orders but reduced phone call volume, freeing up staff time.

Key Takeaway: Use QR codes as on-demand gateways to your menu. Make room service as accessible as a tap and swipe. Read the Case Study>

Enable Staff with Handheld POS to Speed Up Service

While mobile ordering empowers the guest, handheld POS systems put speed and flexibility in your team’s hands. Room service often requires quick communication between front desk, kitchen, and delivery teams. With a handheld point of sale, staff can manage orders from anywhere in the hotel.

Rather than returning to a central terminal, employees can:

• Initiate or edit orders on the fly
  
• Process payments if guests prefer card or contactless tap not associated with their hotel bill
  
• Send real-time updates to the kitchen or bar
  
  

Upsell with Smart, Real-Time Menu Features

Increasing room service dining orders isn’t just about volume—it’s about value. GoTab’s platform enables operators to feature high-margin items, time-based specials, and upsell suggestions dynamically through mobile menus.

You can:

• Promote breakfast bundles in the morning
  
• Suggest wine pairings with dinner entrees
  
• Add “Late Night Cravings” menus after 10 p.m.
  
  

Offer Multiple Fulfillment Options with Operational Flexibility

One of the most powerful ways GoTab supports increased room service orders is by letting operators run flexible fulfillment workflows. Orders placed via mobile or handheld POS can be fulfilled in a variety of ways:

• Delivered directly to the room
  
• Picked up from a designated area
  
• Scheduled in advance for future delivery
  
  

Case Study Example: Stayntouch + GoTab Integration

Hotels using Stayntouch PMS can integrate with GoTab to sync room charges and enable seamless mobile ordering and payment. The integration makes it easy for guests to charge orders to their room, while GoTab handles the ordering and kitchen fulfillment. This unified system simplifies operations and improves the guest experience—resulting in higher adoption of room service.

Key Takeaway: Give guests options and operators control. Flexibility wins. Read the Case Study>

Market Your Room Service Like a Luxury Experience

Lastly, don’t underestimate the importance of positioning. With modern tools in place, room service becomes a value-added guest amenity—not just a meal delivery. Market it across your guest touchpoints:

• In pre-arrival emails
  
• Through in-room signage
  
• On the smart TV or room tablet
  
• Via SMS or automated check-in flows
  
  

You’re not just delivering food—you’re delivering convenience, privacy, and personalization.

Key Takeaway: Make room service part of your brand story. Communicate the ease of mobile ordering, QR code access, and fast delivery as premium features.

Expand Room Service Through Local Partnerships

Room service doesn’t have to be limited to your on-site kitchen. With GoTab, hotels can partner with nearby restaurants and hospitality venues to offer guests a broader range of delivery options—all seamlessly managed through the same platform.

Guests scan a QR code to browse partner menus, place their order, and pay—all without leaving their room. Orders are fulfilled by the partner venue and delivered directly to the guest, expanding your F&B offerings without increasing operational overhead.

Bonus: This approach strengthens local business relationships and gives guests the variety they crave, boosting satisfaction and incremental revenue.

Key Takeaway: Extend your culinary offerings by using GoTab to facilitate partner-powered room service—no extra kitchen required.

The Future of Room Service is Mobile, Flexible, and Profitable

By embracing smart PMS integrations, mobile ordering and payment, QR code ordering and payment, and handheld POS systems, hotels can transform room service into a modern, guest-centric offering that boosts revenue without overwhelming staff.

GoTab’s case studies show the power of technology to reinvigorate in-room dining. When guests can order with ease and staff can serve with agility, everyone wins.

Ready to modernize your room service model? Learn how GoTab can help you create a seamless, scalable in-room dining experience that guests actually use. Get a Demo of GoTab>

Download our free white paper, Tech Powered Hospitality, and discover actionable strategies to overcome legacy tech limitations, unlock new revenue streams, and personalize every stage of the guest journey—from booking to checkout.

Whether you're a hotel GM, revenue leader, or operator looking to modernize your in-room dining and service models, the guide is packed with insights to help you thrive in today’s digital-first hospitality landscape.

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