What is it about ordering room service that makes us okay with spending triple what we spend at a restaurant? Is it those little ketchup bottles? The stainless steel food covers? The way the bell boy insists on setting up the food?

For the BF and me, it was really just sheer laziness and a need to indulge. We got a great deal at the Four Seasons, The Biltmore Santa Barbara for New Year’s Eve (pay for two nights, get the third free) and spent much of our time watching the first season of Battlestar Gallactica and eating hotel food. What we saved in one night of hotel, we definitely spent on dining.

Day One: We started the day early and after three hours of lounging by the pool, we went back to our “cottage” and went a little nuts with the in-room dining menu.

For him: Club sandwich ($24!) with a side of fries, two Fat Tire beers.

For me: Maine Lobster & Avocado sandwich ($28!) with a side salad and a Stella.

We also splurged and split an antipasti plate ($22).

Total cost: $122. Yikes. It was worth it though to eat on on our little faux patio. The Maine lobster & avo was delicious, except for the fact that most of the lobster ended up on my plate every time I took a bite of my sandwich. Please, someone invent a messy sandwich that isn’t actually messy.

The antipasti plate was the best part though. The veggies were grilled to perfection. The cheddar and brie cheeses were even better. The meats were the weakest link.

Day Two: We slept in and were too lazy to get dressed in time to go to the restaurant. What a perfect excuse for ordering room service again.

For him: The American Breakfast (eggs over easy, bacon, potatoes, grilled tomatoes, and wheat toast; $29!).

For me: Smoked salmon plate ($22!). Love when it comes with hard boiled eggs.

One cost cutting measure we opted for was bringing our own champagne to the hotel. We made our own mimosas which was a lot cheaper than ordering them off the menu. But all of that including a pot of coffee came to $80. Sadly, the days of using my three favorite words, We’re on vacation to justify every dollar we spent have come to an end.

Now, the holidays are officially over and it’s back to the grind. If only my office came with room service and a king size bed instead of views of… a cemetary. Then all would be right with the world.

Four Seasons: The Biltmore Santa Barbara
1260 Channel Drive
Santa Barbara, CA
T: 805.565.8323

*Sara resides in Los Angeles, CA. She’s an aspiring writer, a middle child without a middle child complex, and a huge fan of carbohydrates.