The relative costs of accommodation and food
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On Wednesday evening Mr F and I met up with my nephew and his partner in a very nice pub in rural Oxfordshire for dinner B & B.
Tom, my nephew, said he had noticed that, when staying somewhere like this, the cost of the room for two people would always be (within a few quid) the same as the cost of the food and drink for a couple.
I had never thought of this before but, when we paid the bill, he was spot on to within two pounds.
I suppose this is just down to the market forces that dictate what people will pay for things of a certain standard, but it felt a bit spooky!
Anybody else noticed this, or have any thoughts on it?
Responses (4)
I know socialising in general these days has become a luxury especially in the middle to better class establishments.
As much as Hubs and I like to wine and dine out we've had to curb that luxury and try for a couple of long weekends a year.
You're right though there is very little difference between the accommodation and food costs.
As long as I've got a few bob left for a drop of the hard stuff things can't be that bad, in fact I'll forgo the tonic lime and lemon and save a little more.
That's interesting Feline - will note next time we stay somewhere. I love the 2 for 1 offers that are everywhere in the chain restaurants such as Ask, Zizzi and Pizza Express at the moment. At lunchtime such places are full of pensioners with their vouchers clipped and ready! It's the wine and coffee that makes them the money though - that usually costs as much or more than the meal.
Never really thought about this Feline but I think it all boils down to what the market will stand and traditionally what people expect to pay for B&B accommodation. I cannot say that I have noticed any similarity as you describe.
I have to say that B&B accommodation seems to vary enormously. I have paid £110 a night for B&B in a good hotel in Blackpool ( and that was six years ago ) and as little as £44 for B&B for two at a Premier Inn.
In my experience I find that decent pub accommodation tends to fit somewhere in between. And I am aware from the B&B pubs that I visit in the course of my job, that pubs with accommodation who are seldom full will generally negotiate on the tab if someone comes in to enquire and then walks away when they hear the price. I have spoken to one tenant manager of a lovely pub in Sussex who will knock £50 off a room and B&B for two for people that come in from the street and simply enquire. Sometimes high prices are not always achievable in recessive times.
I did try to negotiate a discount when I booked, Snoops, but no go. sadly!
Sad but true Feline. From the pub landlords I speak to, it only works for the 'walk ins' and when they have unlet rooms for that day. The B&B trade for pubs is crucial to support their insignificant 'wet sales', especially if they are 'tied' pubs and there are very few free houses about nowadays.
Another tip is, if you are speaking to a member of the opposite sex, you use your sexual mystique to smooth tongue him. That can have the desired effect. I get calls at work from women advisors at the locals CABs ( whom we work with ) and simply by using their womanly charms, they can often 'soften my approach' in money matters.
Having said that, I haven't 'smooth tongued' anyone for ages .......
Snoops, you're the only man I know who can be 'softened up' by a bit of 'smooth tongueing'!
Actually Feline .. that's quite hard to consider ...straight up!
I knew you wouldn't be able to leave that one hanging, Snoops!
Pubs I hear are closing at a vast rate of knots so I suppose they have to get as much as they can and who likes staying in a pub or even thinks about it when booking a room.
Never mind hopefully I will be getting a free holiday for a few weeks , nosh and bed thrown in - I've just applied to go on Channel 4's Coach Trip!
Yay
Fingers crossed!
Ooh, let us all know if you get chosen, Omen. I've never seen the programme, but I'll watch it if you're on it! :-)
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And it leaves more room for the gin, Lillie! ;-)