How To Get Groceries Delivered to Your Hotel Quickly

When you’re on vacation, the last thing you want to do is go to the grocery store. Whether it’s a full day at the theme park, soaking in the sun at the beach or shopping ’til you drop, there’s no need to waste any time at the grocery store. 

Thankfully, you can take advantage of online grocery services like Instacart to help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to know about getting groceries delivered to your hotel.

Can I get groceries delivered to my hotel?

You can get groceries delivered to your hotel with the help of Instacart. We make it easy to add items to your digital cart and have them delivered to wherever you’re staying.

Keep in mind that some hotels have restrictions on who can visit and may require a room key to activate the elevator. However, you can always add instructions for your delivery driver and meet them outside.

Commonly delivered items to hotels 

Make the most of your time on vacation and choose grocery delivery to your hotel instead. You can add all your necessary items to your online grocery delivery order.

Here are some items commonly delivered to hotels:

Food items:

• Baked goods
• Chips 
• Crackers 
• Dairy products
• Deli items
• Fresh fruit and vegetables  
• Ready-to-eat meals

Beverages:

• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Energy drinks
• Juices
• Kombucha
• Probiotic drinks
• Soda
• Sports drinks
• Tea
• Water
• Water enhancers

Grab it now on Instacart:

Peanut butter

Frozen pizza

Cereal

Bread

Coffee

Energy drinks

Water

Deli meat

Chips

Granola bars

Household essentials:

• Air fresheners
• Cleaning supplies
• Disposable drinkware
• Disposable plates
• Food storage containers
• Laundry supplies
• Paper towels and napkins
• Water filters

Baby supplies:

• Body care
• Diapers
• Food
• Medicine 
• Monitors 
• Toys 
• Wipes

Pet supplies:

• Pet toys
• Pet food
• Pet treats
• Pet grooming supplies
• Pet accessories
• Flea and tick treatment

Personal care:

• Beauty products
• Body care
• Eye care
• Ear care
• Deodorant
• Feminine products
• Hair care
• Oral care
• Shaving tools

Health care:

• Cold and flu medicine
• First-aid products
• Muscle and joint products
• Protein supplements
• Sexual wellness products
• Stomach pain relief medicine
• Vitamins and supplements

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Shampoo

Face wash

Deodorant

First aid kit

Immune support

Air freshener

Damage-free hooks

Pens

Backpack

Electronics:

• Camera film
• Chargers and cords
• Fans
• Headphones
• Polaroid and disposable cameras

Books:

• Crossword or word search puzzles 
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Novels

Games:

• Playing cards
• Board games 
• Puzzles 
• Toys

How does hotel grocery delivery work?

Ordering your groceries while you’re kicking it by the pool or getting ready to board the tallest roller coaster may sound unbelievable — but it’s possible! Most hotels allow guests to receive their online grocery orders in the lobby or even right to their door. Here are a few steps to follow to ensure a smooth grocery delivery to your hotel.

1. Open the mobile app or desktop site 

The first step to getting groceries delivered to your hotel is to open the Instacart mobile app or desktop site. Once you’re on the app or website, you’ll be able to find all the items you need and so much more.

2. Add items to your cart 

When you see a product you want, hit the “add to cart” button, and your items will move to your digital cart. Maybe you’re looking for fresh croissants to test out easy breakfast sandwich recipes to take on the go. Or perhaps you want to try a new type of whiskey to sip on as you watch the sunset. Add everything you want with the click of a button.

3. Add your delivery information

Now that your cart is full of all your items, it’s time to input delivery information. This is where you’ll want to include your building and even room number (if you’re comfortable) — be as specific as possible so your delivery driver doesn’t run into any obstacles. Make sure to include your contact information, parking information and building entry instructions for a smooth handoff.

4. Inform the front desk attendant  

Certain hotels have restrictions for outside guests, especially deliveries. Make sure to inform the front desk attendant of any upcoming deliveries. If your hotel does have restrictions, you can always meet your delivery driver in the lobby or outside.

5. Enjoy your groceries 

After you follow the steps above, you should receive your grocery order without any issue. You can track your delivery driver to see if they’re on their way and nearby. Your groceries will be delivered to your hotel, or you can meet the driver outside the building, depending on your delivery instructions. Don’t forget to put cold items away before getting back to all the fun!

Is grocery delivery allowed at Disney hotels?

Eating on-site at Disney can get expensive. Luckily, Disney hotel guests can receive grocery delivery while on vacation.

However, you must meet your grocery delivery driver outside the resort, as they are not allowed inside the hotel. The theme parks also allow you to bring in snacks and nonalcoholic drinks, so you can pack a meal and toss it into your bag.

How much does grocery delivery to a hotel cost?

Signing up for Instacart is free, but delivery and other fees can add up. Standard delivery could be anywhere from $3.99 to $9.99, and sometimes more. However, you are saving gas, time and energy. 

You can sign up for Instacart+, which can save you even more money with free delivery and credit back. Members also receive lower service fees on all orders.

Aside from delivery costs, you may notice the following additional fees:

• Alcohol service: If you purchase alcohol online, these fees cover costs related to delivery compliance and ID verification.
• Distance: You may receive a long-distance service fee if the delivery route is 30+ minutes or includes a toll.
• Heavy items: Orders with qualifying items exceeding 50 pounds may receive a heavy order fee to cover operational costs.
• Priority order: You can choose the priority order option and receive shorter delivery windows for an extra fee.
• Retail pickup: Certain retailers have a pickup fee that’s similar to a delivery fee but for pickup orders. 
• Bottle deposit and bags: This fee occurs in accordance with applicable city, state, provincial, territory or retailer rules. 

Benefits of using a grocery delivery service to your hotel

Still unsure whether or not to take advantage of vacation grocery delivery? Consider these benefits of using a grocery delivery service to your hotel before making your decision.

Convenience 

Instacart makes it convenient for travelers to receive fresh groceries at their hotel. Vacation grocery delivery is perfect for folks without a rental car and those who are too busy having fun on their trip. You can add all your items to your cart, place your order and receive your groceries quickly.

Place your order for a premade pasta salad if you need boat food ideas, or perhaps hard-boiled eggs, which make the perfect hiking food for your upcoming adventure.

Save time 

Travelers can save a ton of time and energy by using Instacart. You don’t want to waste your time going to and from a new grocery store, browsing the aisles and waiting in unnecessary lines. Instead, you can find all the items you need and more in the app or website. Some orders may even qualify for same-day delivery so you can get your groceries quickly without losing time.

Reduce costs  

Take control of your monthly grocery budget by using an online grocery service. It’s easy to lose sight of how much you’re spending on vacation, especially if you’re eating inside theme parks. But dragging the whole family to the grocery store and letting everyone throw their favorite items in the cart can add up, too. Keep your budget top of mind when shopping for groceries online.

Tips for using a grocery delivery service to your hotel

Getting groceries delivered to your hotel is easier than you might think. Here are a few tips for using a grocery delivery service to your hotel to ensure a seamless experience.

• Check your hotel’s policies: Double-check the policy on outside guests and grocery delivery to hotels. 
• Add necessary information: Make sure to include your name, phone number, hotel name, room number and any additional information when placing your order.
• Include special instructions: Add detailed instructions so your driver can easily find your hotel and room.
• Keep your schedule open: Try to be available during the scheduled delivery window so your driver doesn’t run into any issues and your items stay fresh.
• Tip your shopper: Gratuities are not included in the fees — make sure to tip your shopper for their service.

Get groceries delivered to your hotel now 

You can get groceries delivered to your hotel right now. It saves you time and money so you can make the most of your vacation. Receive all your items with the click of a button — your order may even qualify for same-day delivery.
Looking for beach food ideas? Check out our guide to take your vacation lunches to the next level.

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Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.