Room Service Cart
Room service carts are a common sight in the hospitality industry, where they're used to deliver fresh meals to guests. You'll find them in cabinet and table designs, depending on the volume of food you need to deliver. They're also available in a number of finishes so you can choose one that matches your décor.
The first decision you're likely to make when choosing a room service cart is which design best suits the way you'll be using it. If you're serving several trays worth of food in one trip, choose a cabinet. If you're serving individual meals to rooms, then a table design will be preferred. Cabinet models are best for institutions that need to serve in high-volume, but might need to transport a variety of different containers other than a single type of tray.
Design
Table Design
A room service table is a creative way to bring stylish room service to your establishment. Lightweight tube frames are available in chrome, stainless steel, and black powder-coated steel. Laminated tops come in an array of colors and are scratch and burn resistant. Common sizes are 40 inches round and 36 inches square. Flip-top and fold-up box platforms form boxes for easy nesting storage, while collapsible tops and bases can save room during storage and transit. Many can hold up to two storage boxes conveniently and discreetly under the tabletop. These boxes may be heated electrically or with solid, canned fuel.
Cabinet Design
Room service carts of the cabinet variety are ideal for high-capacity usage. Institutions can benefit from the ability to serve several guests from the same cart . Carts that are enclosed can save time so it may not be necessary to cover each item. Open designs don't require extra room to open and close doors and weigh less, so it's a little easier to make trips up and down corridors. A handy feature to have on an enclosed cart is a door that opens 270 degrees. Many that have this option will also have a magnet that keeps the door in the open position. Removable tray slides and drains are available, making cleaning and sanitation easier in enclosed carts.
Insulated room service carts can help to keep hot food warm and cold food cool for longer periods of time. This can help to increase guest satisfaction and decrease food waste.
Tray capacity
Tray capacities for these carts vary depending on the type and size of the cart. As few as six and as many as thirty-two trays can be used to deliver warm food to your guests. Some have shelves that run two trays deep, and these are often shorter, making them easier to see over but could make them more difficult to maneuver.
Finish
Stainless steel and laminate finishes are available to provide a custom look to your room service cart. Typically, the cabinet variety will come in aluminum or stainless steel. Some units also come with a nylon cover that seals to keep contaminants away from the food inside. The table versions come in a variety of colors of laminate, and various wood grains are also popular.