Case study: Little National Hotel serve up a point of difference with Uber Eats

Uber Eats gift cards are delivering a smart way for hotels and serviced apartment operators to expand their offering to guests and simultaneously allowing people to order in what they want to eat when they want it.

Making Uber Eats gift cards part of accommodation packages has massive appeal for guests, says Sandra Bellamy, General Manager of the DOMA Group’s recently opened Little National Hotel on Sydney’s Clarence Street.

It might be said the proof is in the eating.

At Little National Sydney, Uber Eats gift cards are adding to the allure of the hotel’s popular Date Night packages and giving guests the opportunity to eat in and savour the delights of a multitude of local CBD restaurants and cafés, from fine dining to fast food.

Couples can have their meals in their rooms or enjoy the awe-inspiring view from the hotels’ rooftop bar while they dine.

The popularity of the Uber Eats gift cards has far exceeded expectations for Bellamy, she admits candidly. “People love them. I’ve been surprised by the number of people who want to eat in, considering we’re in the heart of the city with Barangaroo just five minutes’ walk away and many other top restaurants nearby.” 

Equally, Bellamy adds she’s intrigued by the unique places that people order from, tapping into out-of-the-way cafés for breakfast and coffee or a late-night supper. Plus, bringing in Uber Eats beats guests’ typical concerns about limited menus and room service cut-off times, she says.

The gift cards as part of packages are one more clear point of difference for the innovative Little National brand.

Despite opening its second Little National Hotel at the end of 2020, a notably difficult year for travel and tourism worldwide, DOMA Group has outstripped everyone’s expectations.

In just a few months, the 230-room Little National Sydney property leapt to #2 out of 206 in TripAdvisor’s hotel rankings, with guests rating it 5 out of 5 – and that’s without a kitchen or restaurant in-house.

Food delivery in hotels is an idea that’s time has come, insists Patrick Lonergan, Director of Hotels at DOMA Group, and the concept sits readily with Little National Hotels’ 5-star “affordable luxury” business model with its emphasis on high-end design and quality, and low costs. The first Little National opened in Canberra in 2015.

Hi-tech features, such as tablets and a virtual mini bar, in Little National rooms ensure dining in with Uber Eats becomes a seamless experience for guests. 

“If our guests are not already Uber Eats’ customers, we tell them how to download the app,” Bellamy says. Just as digital distribution of the gift cards is easy for hotel management, so is downloading them for guests.

“We provide information in the room to encourage people to use the platform, explain how to order and what details to put into the commentary.” 

Guests simply key in the Uber Eats gift card certificate number provided and they can track delivery.

“Once a meal is dropped at reception, a hotel team member adds the finishing touches with a Little National paper bag, sustainable bamboo cutlery and plates before being delivering it to the room or guests at the rooftop bar.”

Click the link below to find out how Uber Eats gift cards can serve up a point of difference for your business.