Yes, you can absolutely DoorDash to a hotel! 

The service works just like it does for home delivery, but there are a few hotel-specific things to know for the smoothest experience.

DoorDash dominates U.S. food delivery with about 67% market share, so your hotel is likely covered wherever you're staying. 

After a long day of travel or meetings, having food delivered right to your temporary home can be a game-changer when you don't feel like going out again.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know about ordering DoorDash to your hotel – from setting up your order correctly to handling potential hiccups.

How to Order DoorDash to Your Hotel Room

Getting food delivered to your hotel is pretty straightforward if you follow these steps:

1. Enter the Hotel Address Correctly: Put your hotel's full address in the DoorDash app. Include the hotel name so drivers don't confuse it with nearby buildings.

2. Add Your Room Number & Details: Use the suite/apt field or special instructions section to note your room number, floor, and any helpful directions (like "Building B, 10th floor, Room 1021"). This is crucial for your Dasher to find you.

3. Check Hotel Policy or Call Front Desk: Some hotels let drivers come right to your room, while others require lobby pickup. When in doubt, call the front desk and ask about their food delivery policy.

4. Place Your Order: Choose a restaurant near your hotel to cut down on wait times. Consider selecting "contactless delivery" if you plan to have food left at the front desk.

5. Stay in Communication: Be ready to answer calls or messages from your driver. You might need to clarify directions or let them know you're waiting in the lobby.

6. Meet or Receive Delivery: Be ready around the estimated delivery time, whether you're meeting in the lobby or waiting for a knock on your room door.

Double-check all the details before confirming your order. 

Getting the room number wrong means hungry waiting while your food sits at the wrong door!

For more general tips on using the platform, check out our complete DoorDash ordering guide that covers everything from placing orders to handling special requests.

Hotel Policies & What to Expect

Every hotel handles food delivery a bit differently. 

While DoorDash itself has no issues delivering to hotels, each property has its own rules.

Front Desk or Room Delivery

Most commonly, the front desk will receive your order and either hold it for you or call when it arrives. 

This is standard practice at major chains like Marriott and Hyatt. 

Some smaller hotels or those without 24/7 security might allow drivers up to guest floors, but many high-end properties and Hilton locations don't permit drivers to go to rooms at all.

Security Measures

If your hotel has key-card elevators or security at entrances, drivers probably can't reach your door without staff assistance. 

In these situations, meeting at the lobby is expected. Many Dashers report that Hilton and Marriott brands now ask them to leave orders at the front desk for safety reasons.

A great idea is to let the front desk know once you place your order ("I'm expecting a food delivery for Room 1021 in about 30 minutes"). 

This prevents confusion when a delivery person walks in with food bags.

Room Service vs. Delivery

Traditional room service is immediate but often pricey with limited hours and menu options. 

Many hotels have reduced or eliminated room service since 2020. 

DoorDash gives you access to countless local restaurants, usually cheaper for similar items. 

The trade-off is waiting 30-60 minutes and possibly going to the lobby.

Hotels increasingly embrace food delivery apps - Wyndham Hotels partnered with DoorDash to offer free delivery to about 3,700 hotels, and Hilton teamed with Grubhub for guest deliveries. 

Food delivery is becoming the new room service in many ways.

Tips for a Smooth Hotel Delivery

Make your hotel DoorDash experience hassle-free with these tips:

Mention It's a Hotel in Instructions: Always specify in the notes that the address is a hotel. For example: "This is the Marriott Downtown. I'm in Room 1021, please call when you arrive." 

Dashers appreciate knowing it's a hotel upfront so they can plan parking and navigation.

Meet in the Lobby When Possible: Consider meeting your driver at the front entrance, especially if it's late, the hotel is large/confusing, or the hotel doesn't allow room delivery. 

This saves time for both you and the driver. Many drivers prefer not navigating unfamiliar buildings, particularly at night.

Keep Your Phone Handy: Watch the app tracker and be ready to answer calls or texts. Prompt responses help avoid delays or lukewarm food.

Tipping Etiquette: Tip your delivery driver just as you would at home. If a driver goes the extra mile by coming up to your room, consider a slightly higher tip. 

You can tip in-app or in cash at delivery.

Timing Considerations: Order when you'll be available to receive it. 

If ordering late at night, expect to meet the driver at the front entrance since hotel night staff may be minimal.

Order Settings: Use "contactless delivery" if you prefer no contact (for front desk pickup), or "Hand it to me" if you plan to meet in person.

Potential Challenges and How to Handle Them

Hotel Layout Confusion 

Large resorts or hotels with multiple towers can confuse drivers. 

Put navigation clues in your instructions ("Entrance on 3rd St. side," "Lobby is on 5th floor via elevator"). 

For huge complexes like casino hotels, arrange to meet at a well-known drop-off point.

Driver Access Restrictions

If your driver can't go past the lobby, be prepared to collect your order downstairs. 

This is common practice, not a problem. Just grab your room key and meet them.

Delays or Late Night Orders

If your food is taking longer than expected, remember drivers might be dealing with parking or hotel navigation challenges. 

For very late deliveries, confirm the hotel's front doors remain open or have staff to let the driver in - or plan to meet at the entrance.

If Problems Arise

If your order doesn't show up or gets misplaced, use the DoorDash app to contact support. They can track the delivery and resolve missing order issues.

Food Security

Once delivered, pick up your food promptly. 

Don't leave it sitting in the lobby - aside from getting cold, unattended food could disappear. If you can't be there immediately, ask the driver to leave it with front desk staff.

Special Considerations (Alcohol, Groceries, and More)

Ordering Alcohol to a Hotel 

DoorDash can deliver alcohol to your hotel if local laws and hotel rules permit.

You must be 21+ with valid ID for verification at drop-off. 

Some hotels prohibit outside alcohol or have policies against consuming it outside their bar/restaurant, so be aware of hotel rules.

Other Delivery Items

DoorDash isn't just for restaurant food. 

If you need snacks, toiletries, or medicine, services like DashMart or partnering convenience stores can deliver to hotels too. This is especially useful for extended stays.

International Travel

DoorDash primarily operates in the U.S. and Canada, with some presence in Australia and other countries. 

If traveling abroad, local apps like Uber Eats or Deliveroo might be your go-to options.

FAQs – DoorDash Hotel Delivery Questions Answered

Will DoorDash come to my hotel room door, or do I have to meet the driver? 

It depends on the hotel. 

DoorDash drivers can deliver to your room if the hotel allows it. 

Many hotels, however, prefer that you meet in the lobby for security reasons. To be safe, assume you'll meet the driver at the lobby unless hotel staff explicitly says room drop-off is fine.

Do I need to tell the hotel I ordered food? 

It's a good idea. Informing the front desk can make the process smoother. They might direct the driver to you or hold the food. Some hotels require all deliveries to go through the front desk, so a quick heads-up ensures they won't turn your driver away.

What about tipping – should I tip more for hotel deliveries?

Tip your delivery driver as you normally would (20% is a nice benchmark for good service, or at least a few dollars for smaller orders). 

If a driver goes out of their way with a long walk to your room, an extra dollar or two is a nice gesture. 

You can tip in the app when ordering or in cash if you meet in person.

My hotel offers room service – why use DoorDash?

Variety and cost. 

DoorDash connects you to all sorts of local cuisine beyond the hotel's offerings – maybe you're craving pizza or tacos the hotel kitchen doesn't provide. 

It's often cheaper too; hotel room service typically has high fees. During limited service hours or if the hotel kitchen is closed, delivery becomes essential.

Does Uber Eats or Grubhub deliver to hotels as well? 

Yes, all major food delivery apps deliver to hotels. 

The process is similar – provide the hotel address and your details. 

One difference: Uber Eats drivers often won't go to the room and will ask you to meet them in the lobby by policy. 

DoorDash and Grubhub leave it more to the driver's discretion and hotel rules.

Conclusion & Pro Tips

Using DoorDash at a hotel gives you the freedom to enjoy whatever cuisine you want without leaving your temporary home. 

It's perfect for business travelers between meetings or families settled in for the night.

Some hotel chains even offer special perks for using delivery apps. 

The Wyndham–DoorDash partnership offers $0 delivery fees for guests. Ordering in isn't just convenient – it can come with discounts too!

Next time you're hungry in a hotel, try ordering DoorDash for a hassle-free meal – just use these tips to make it seamless. Safe travels and bon appétit!

Have you tried hotel food delivery before? It's much easier than most people think, and once you've done it once, you'll wonder why you ever limited yourself to hotel restaurants or walking out to find food when you're tired from travel.