Mailing a Box to a Hotel

[happily single]

I know this has been covered before, but I can't remember where.
I am going to Ft. Lauderdale in May and would like to ship a box of supplies to the hotel ahead of time.

I have already checked with the post office and they said I could mail a coffee maker without a problem. My question is, what type, if any, of security does my box go through? Ie: if I pack sugar, coffee (instant) and some other things will that trigger any type of security check?

Also, any tips on sending a box to the hotel? Obviously I know to put my reservation number, name and arrival date. Anything else I should know?

 

[scrapquitler]

I know this has been covered before, but I can't remember where.
I am going to Ft. Lauderdale in May and would like to ship a box of supplies to the hotel ahead of time.

I have already checked with the post office and they said I could mail a coffee maker without a problem. My question is, what type, if any, of security does my box go through? Ie: if I pack sugar, coffee (instant) and some other things will that trigger any type of security check?

Also, any tips on sending a box to the hotel? Obviously I know to put my reservation number, name and arrival date. Anything else I should know?

As far as how to ship to the hotel: I would suggest calling the hotel and asking for their specific policies about this. They might want it labeled a certain way or shipped via a certain carrier, they might want it to arrive at a certain time (not to soon before your reservations, for example).

As far as security when you ship it: I think that question should be directed to the shipper. USPS always asks things like does it contain liquids, explosives, etc. etc. I don't know if UPS or FedEx do the same, they might have specific rules of their own in place, but I can't imagine that a coffee maker and coffee supplies are going to trigger any sort of security crisis, think about it, Amazon ships this kind of stuff all the time. So bottom line: check with the shipper

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Better check with the hotel about shipping stuff. I know that sometimes a hotel does not get local postal delivery service since everything goes to their corporate office there for the mailman is not required to stop at that location.. So its wise to check with them.

 

[happily single]

Better check with the hotel about shipping stuff. I know that sometimes a hotel does not get local postal delivery service since everything goes to their corporate office there for the mailman is not required to stop at that location.. So its wise to check with them.

Good point!!!!! OMG I would be sooo mad if I shipped my coffee maker and coffee and it ended up in corporate somewhere

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Most decent hotels include coffee service in the room. This is a coffee maker, enough (real, not instant) coffee for a couple of pots, and a service packet with sugar, creamer, napkin and stirrer. Supplies are replaced on a daily basis and you can always ask for more. Lately these tend to be K-Cup type machines.

And if you user instant coffee, you can bring a jar along in your luggage as well as packets of sugar and a small jar of creamer. Even if the pot in the room is designed for K-cups it can still be used to boil water.

Instead of going through all that hassle, make a phone call directly to the hotel and ask what they provide. (And if they don't provide in-room, do-it-yourself, coffee serviuce do you even want to stay in that hotel.



So why do you need to bring your own coffee pot.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Most decent hotels include coffee service in the room. This is a coffee maker, enough (real, not instant) coffee for a couple of pots, and a service packet with sugar, creamer, napkin and stirrer. Supplies are replaced on a daily basis and you can always ask for more. Lately these tend to be K-Cup type machines.

And if you user instant coffee, you can bring a jar along in your luggage as well as packets of sugar and a small jar of creamer. Even if the pot in the room is designed for K-cups it can still be used to boil water.

Instead of going through all that hassle, make a phone call directly to the hotel and ask what they provide. (And if they don't provide in-room, do-it-yourself, coffee serviuce do you even want to stay in that hotel.

So why do you need to bring your own coffee pot.

We take coffee when flying and it our luggage is searched every time as coffee and peanut butter is known to be used to cover the smell of drugs. Obviously I was flying but I have heard similar tales with the post office. While most hotels/motels provide coffee I have never in all of my years of travel been provided with several pots of coffee nor enough sugar or creamer for even the small amount of coffee that is provided. Of course knowing that is why I accept that my luggage will include a searched note from TSA when I receive it at my destination

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[pixiewings71]

You don't need to contact the hotel, hotels get packages for guests every day. As long as you have the hotel address you will be fine. I ship to hotels all the time.
When addressing the box it's always helpful to put Attn Hotel Guest Jane Smith and the arrival date. They will hold it for you or if you are running late and the room is ready sometimes they deliver to your room.

 

[Luvchefmic]

you probably know this already BUT don't forget to put all your info inside the box too just in case label or writing becomes illegible

 

[happily single]

We take coffee when flying and it our luggage is searched every time as coffee and peanut butter is known to be used to cover the smell of drugs. Obviously I was flying but I have heard similar tales with the post office. While most hotels/motels provide coffee I have never in all of my years of travel been provided with several pots of coffee nor enough sugar or creamer for even the small amount of coffee that is provided. Of course knowing that is why I accept that my luggage will include a searched note from TSA when I receive it at my destination

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

This is what I was wondering. I didn't know if the post office uses X-ray machines as an electric kettle (which I should have said instead of coffee maker) and coffee and especially sugar (white powder) would cause a security check.

I am sending a box with the. Kettle and coffee as my bf prefers..wait for this..Nescafé coffee. What I used to think was horrible is now tolerable!

 

[jgreco]

My old business required a lot of travel for events and tradeshows. Hotels (even small cheap ones) are more than happy to receive packages for guests. We even shipped packages to customers staying at hotels while visiting the US. Make sure you get "signature required" on the package.

Something to consider- A cheap coffeemaker can be purchased at local drugstores for as little at $10. The cost of shipping back and forth may make it worth buying a cheapie local and just leave it behind.

Coming from someone who fully understands the importance of hot coffee in my room without having to get fully dressed and wander or worse drive around the hotel half-asleep to go get one.

 

[jgreco]

This is what I was wondering. I didn't know if the post office uses X-ray machines as an electric kettle (which I should have said instead of coffee maker) and coffee and especially sugar (white powder) would cause a security check.

I am sending a box with the. Kettle and coffee as my bf prefers..wait for this..Nescafé coffee. What I used to think was horrible is now tolerable!

If I recall, USPS does NOT X-ray packages- only those going in or out of the country.
I would package any powders very well in light of all of the news stories so there is no leakage.

 

[disneylove69]

Packages could be randomly checked but you will be fine. What you want to send is legal. I ship stuff all the time. The scary part is the cost of shipping

 

[happily single]

Thanks for all the suggestions. When I asked at the Post Office I was quoted a price of about $17.00 to send everything down (I had the box with me to show them).

I think it may be worth it just to send down the box with my electric kettle, coffee, sugar and a few other things. That way I don't have to try to find a Walmart, etc once we land. I am pretty sure I will be able to fit the kettle back into my suitcase when I leave.

 

[Angela72181]

We sent our Christmast Gifts / Tree / Window Decorations down last year 2 weeks before we arrived and they were waiting for us when we got there. They even held onto them for us until a couple days before Christmas except for the tree / decorations that we went and got out ahead of time.

We used FedEx though...and you can bet that we found the closest FedEx factility and shipped a lot of stuff back that way as well...including souveniers...a lot cheaper than paying for a bunch of extra suitcases

 

[malibuconlee]

Definitely call and check with the hotel about shipping a package. Some will charge a fee to accept delivery. MGM in Las Vegas charged us I think $7 4 years ago to accept a Fed Ex package sent to us