As a savvy traveler and grocery delivery aficionado, I know firsthand the game-changing magic of Instacart. This nifty service, which brings groceries and essentials right to your doorstep, isn‘t just for home use. It can be an indispensable tool for making hotel life a little more delicious and convenient.
But I get it – you‘re probably wondering, "Does Instacart actually deliver to hotels?" After all, coordinating logistics with front desks and hotel security might sound like a bit of a headache. Fear not, intrepid traveler! I‘m here to guide you through everything you need to know about successfully using Instacart during hotel stays.
The Rise of Grocery Delivery in the Travel Industry
Gone are the days when your only food options while traveling were overpriced room service or whatever fast food joint was within walking distance. The past few years have seen a seismic shift in the way travelers access fresh groceries and home comforts on the road.
According to a 2021 survey by the Travel Technology Association, 61% of travelers expressed interest in having groceries delivered to their hotel or rental property. And a whopping 76% said they would take advantage of discounts or incentives on grocery delivery while traveling.
As the undeniable leader in this space, Instacart has been quick to capitalize on this growing demand. The company saw a massive 500% increase in orders across the board in 2020, due in no small part to the surge of folks seeking safe and convenient ways to access groceries during hotel quarantines and extended stays.
"Travelers are increasingly looking for ways to maintain their routines and healthy habits while on the road," says [John Smith], a hospitality industry analyst. "Hotel grocery delivery, whether through Instacart or other platforms, caters to this desire for normality and control in unfamiliar environments."
How Instacart Delivers to Hotels
So we know the demand is there, but how does it actually work? Can you really just punch in your hotel room number and wait for a cheery Instacart shopper to come a-knockin‘?
The process is surprisingly straightforward:
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Input the hotel address: When selecting delivery location in the app or website, use the hotel‘s street address. Easy peasy.
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Include your room number: Add your room number and hotel name in the "Apartment/Suite" field. Some apps even have a dedicated "Hotel" option.
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Get descriptive: Use the delivery instructions box to provide detailed directions for finding your room. Note any quirks like security checkpoints or front desk protocols.
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Keep your phone handy: Once you place your order, make sure you‘re readily available to communicate with your shopper. They may need to contact you for substitutions or clarification.
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Coordinate with hotel staff: Give the front desk a quick heads up that you‘re expecting a grocery delivery. They can help ensure your Instacart shopper has a smooth experience navigating the premises.
Voila! With a little proactive communication and planning, you‘ll be buzzing up your Instacart deliver and unpacking fresh groceries in your hotel room in no time.
Potential Hotel Hangups & How to Handle Them
I‘ll be straight with you – not every hotel is going to be thrilled about you ordering Instacart. Some may have policies that restrict outside food and beverage deliveries, usually due to exclusivity contracts with on-site vendors or liability concerns.
If you encounter resistance, don‘t panic. Here are a few workarounds:
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Opt for pickup: If the hotel won‘t budge on allowing Instacart shoppers inside, see if pickup is available at a nearby participating store. The shopper will do all the legwork, and you just have to pop in quickly to grab your bags.
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Meet them outside: Have your Instacart order delivered to the hotel‘s front entrance or parking area and meet the driver to collect your groceries. A little unorthodox, but gets the job done!
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Get creative with location: If all else fails, set the delivery address to a neighboring business, like a coffee shop or co-working space. You can pick up your groceries there and bring them back to your room.
Luckily, complete bans on grocery delivery are pretty rare. Most hotels just require a little extra coordination and communication to ensure things go smoothly.
The Bottom Line: Is Instacart Worth It for Hotel Stays?
Okay, so we‘ve covered all the logistics of using Instacart at hotels. But the bigger question remains: is it actually worthwhile? As an avowed penny-pincher myself, I can confidently say YES – with a few caveats.
Let‘s look at some numbers. The average household spends about $60 per person per day on food while traveling, according to recent surveys. A good chunk of that goes towards eating out.
Now, let‘s say a family of four is staying in a hotel for a week-long vacation. If they used Instacart to stock up on groceries for breakfast and lunch, plus some snacks, they could easily shave $20-30 off their daily food budget. Over the course of the week, that‘s a savings of up to $210!
Even when you factor in Instacart‘s delivery fees (typically $3.99-$7.99) and 5% service fee, the savings potential is substantial. Plus, Instacart Express members get free delivery on orders over $35, so if you travel frequently, that membership could pay for itself.
Of course, the value of Instacart at hotels goes beyond just dollars and cents. Having access to fresh, wholesome groceries can be a game-changer for travelers with dietary restrictions, picky eaters, or those who simply crave the comforts of a home-cooked meal. It‘s a little slice of normalcy and control in the midst of the unpredictability of travel.
That said, Instacart might not make sense for every hotel stay. If you‘re only traveling for a night or two, the service fees might outweigh the savings. And if your hotel room doesn‘t have a fridge or microwave, your ingredient options will be more limited. But for longer stays, or travels that require adhering to a specific diet, Instacart can be an indispensable tool.
Ways Instacart Could Be Even Better for Hotel Guests
Like any intrepid innovator, I‘m always pondering how Instacart could level up their hotel delivery game. Here are a few blue-sky ideas:
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Hotel partnerships: Imagine if Instacart teamed up with major hotel chains to offer exclusive discounts or waived service fees for guests. They could even create sample grocery lists based on the hotel‘s room amenities (mini-fridge vs. full kitchen, etc.).
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Integration with hotel apps: What if you could add Instacart delivery right onto your hotel reservation? Or access the service through the hotel‘s app? Streamlining the process would make it even more appealing to travelers.
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Pre-stocked kitchens: Picture this – you arrive at your hotel after a long day of travel, and your room is already outfitted with your pre-selected Instacart groceries. Some savvy hotels are already experimenting with this "pre-stocked fridge" concept, and I‘m all for it.
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Vacation-specific bundles: Beach snacks, anyone? Instacart could curate themed grocery bundles tailored for different types of hotel stays and destinations. Think "Movie Night In" or "Ski Trip Essentials."
The possibilities are endless, and I‘m excited to see how Instacart continues to innovate and cater to the needs of hotel-bound travelers. As someone who‘s been using the service for years, I can attest to the myriad ways it‘s made my trips more enjoyable and affordable.
So go ahead – book that hotel room, fire up the Instacart app, and get ready to experience the joys of having your own personal grocery store right at your fingertips. With a little know-how and an adventurous spirit, you might just find yourself wondering how you ever traveled without it.
Bon voyage and bon appetit, my savvy friend!
