Chicago’s Acme Hotel is offering a unique take on traditional room service with its Knock & Drop program. Guests order, and food is delivered simply with a knock at the door and a brown paper bag, eliminating the need for tray pick-up or even tip money. In addition to breakfast food, Acme offers Morning Joe, free coffee delivery served in a thermos at any time.
Acme’s breakfast menu includes items from West Town Bakery, located in the hotel lobby. All breakfast options are organic and made daily. Plus, all items are US$8 and come with orange juice, yogurt and seasonal fruit.
HOTELS spoke with Gene Kornota, principal of Rebel Hospitality, the owner and operator of Acme, about Knock & Drop as well as his thoughts on the future of room service.
HOTELS: What was the inspiration behind Acme’s Knock & Drop room service program?
Gene Kornota: From Acme’s inception, we have been looking for ways to do things differently and to cater to our guests in fun and surprising ways that still fulfill their needs. Acme is a casual, approachable brand. We were looking for a streamlined way to deliver food to guests that didn’t require them to get dressed to accept their order, fumble for tip money, worry if they have time to shower or leave dirty dishes in their room. Knock & Drop was the simple solution, and guests find it fun.
HOTELS: Do you think this type of room service will catch on at other hotels and replace more traditional options?
Kornota: We’ve heard rumblings of other hotels wanting to duplicate our service, but I do not believe this will replace the traditional model. Knock & Drop isn’t for everyone. For some larger hotels or even upscale boutiques, the traditional room service model still works and is appreciated — and even expected — by certain guests.
HOTELS: What is your favorite breakfast item on the menu?
Kornota: That’s a tough one. I tend to eat by season. In the colder months, I lean more toward something a bit more hearty like bacon and eggs. In the summer months, I love our breakfast in a cup: vanilla yogurt with seasonal fresh fruit topped with gluten-free granola. And, of course, the free Morning Joe.
HOTELS: What breakfast trends are you seeing with Acme’s guests today?
Kornota: Our guests, like most hotel guests today, understand that breakfast is an important meal, but many are on the go. Whether they are staying for business or pleasure, they want to enjoy breakfast, but they don’t want it to slow them down. They consider breakfast a jumpstart to their day.
Editor’s note: For more about the latest breakfast trends, check out the May issue of HOTELS.