In the past, all-you-can-eat meals were generally associated with budget hotels. But these days, even upscale chains hungry for customers have adopted the practice.
Ritz-Carlton’s recently unveiled their “Kids Meal Plan,” which provides for breakfast, lunch and dinner (as well as unlimited soda and juice), at all 13 South Florida and Caribbean hotels of the luxury brand.
“It’s unique for us. It’s an incentive for customers to try us out,” said Vivian Deuschl, vice president of public relations for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. She said the Ritz has always had children’s menus but never a program such as this one.
“We wouldn’t have done this a few years ago because people had the money and the inclination to stay and it didn’t bother them what it cost for the children to eat,” she said.
The Kids Meal program goes through September 30, said spokesperson Michelle Payer. The program is only for children 12 and under.
The least expensive kid program is $30 a day at the Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. The price is somewhat higher at the Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, and the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.
“Guests won’t have to break the bank or watch charges mount as kids succumb to vacation appetites. Parents can know how much they will be spending on food,” Ms Payer said.
“Parents won’t be upset now if the kids don’t finish their plates. They can’t say to the kids I paid good money for this so you eat everything there,” added Ms Deuschl.
Report by David Wilkening
