Scone and a coffee - how much is too much?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118859575#Comment_118859575

Not the Irish way Esse, more like “it should be priced to suit me, why should others be able to afford what I can’t”

Esse85

Definitely done more good for the hotel than bad with publishing this on social media. The awareness she's brought to the place has been huge. Many will not have heard of the establishment and will now look to go there knowing well the costs but will have decided in advance that they'll pay the asking price to see for themselves is it worth the money.

I don't see any negatives for the hotel in this, in fact they will be quite happy in all of it.

sporina

I think also that places like this up the price for small items like coffee/scones.. they don't really like you hogging a table for such - they'd much prefer customers who are having something more substantial/sitting longer..

John_Rambo

I find if you're paying huge prices for food in tourist areas outside Dublin. Dublin Museum cafe is very reasonable and it's free admission to the actual museum.

murpho999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118844745#Comment_118844745

Just in relation to Patrick Guilbaud. I think it's a poor comparison but often done by people who'd find a huge feed at a carvery to be better dining.

€225 is by all means expensive but it's a different experience to €16.50 coffee and scone.

You're getting 8 courses over an entire evening (3-4 hours) in very nice surroundings, impeccable service and food of the highest level that has taken a whole team of highly trained and talented chefs hours to prepare.

I was there once, and I wasn't paying, and I thought it was great.

Also been to other Michelin star places and they usually work out twice the price of a bog standard 3 course dinner in a normal restaurant so I like to treat myself now and then as I'll remember those meals more.

The difference is that Michelin starred restaurants are simply expensive but at the same time you're getting something special back. This scone and coffee is simply a rip off for nothing special.

FFVII

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118859349#Comment_118859349

Houses and road frontage are hot topics here as we have some of the lowest in europe apparently...

FFVII

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118859904#Comment_118859904

Id love if covid came roaring back and shut all of them again...and again and again...fupping irish greed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118863276#Comment_118863276

Indeed, kinda like saying let’s hope you lose your job cause you want to be paid more than an employer wants to pay you. You, and others just have to accept that businesses can charge more than you want to pay, and if they have the customers to sustain it, that’s good business.

PierreLeCake

"When asked by the Irish Mirror, the hotel explained how their prices work and why a scone costs €10 in their establishment.

A spokesperson said: "The hotel charges €5 for a pot of tea/coffee (with a complimentary refill if desired) plus €10 for three freshly made scones (per serving) with clotted cream from Hayes’ Farm"

So its not a "scone" and tea but three scones per person. So that a grand total of nine scones and 3 pots of tea. Its not clear if you get a cup of coffee or a pot so the next urgent question is what size are the scones. Are they mini scones or normal size. If they are normal size then its actually fantastic value. You could feed the family on 3 scones and limitless cups of tea while spending the day in opulent surroundings.

The receipt is misleading but causes great outrage on twitter and Boards

BattleCorp1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865134#Comment_118865134

I believe they are mini scones.

SteM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865134#Comment_118865134

Pretty sure this was already covered on the thread. The hotel told the twitter poster that there were 3 mini scones equivalent to one normal size scone.

pauliebdub

Always ask for a menu or if there is none enquire on what's available and how much it will cost, especially with food to avoid getting stung.

pauliebdub

Duplicate post

crossman47

The basic rule is that value is what people will pay.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865165#Comment_118865165

My favourite. I hate those big scones you get nowadays.

FFVII

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118863332#Comment_118863332

Easy come easy go

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118867236#Comment_118867236

Good lad, that’s the spirit.

DJB030244

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865134#Comment_118865134

Have you any involvement with the hotel ?

Kaybaykwah

I was just looking up the menu on Avoca restaurant chain website. The food is excellent there, We ate at Malahide Castle’s dining room a couple of years ago, the portions were generous and the food was excellent. The regular coffee is 3€ and the desserts are about 7€, thus, 10€ total + tax and service. The difference in price/value vs a scone and a fine pastry is pretty outrageous. Of course, you may be paying for a nice setting but Avoca’s environments are pretty high end.

I guess I would put the Cashel one in the tourist trap category, in spite of the nobody forced you, it’s a free country argument.

bbbbb

The cashel palace describes itself as a luxury hideaway.

people paying €400 a night won’t want the buggys and prams calling in for some tea and scones after doing the shopping in Morrisseys supervalu around the corner.

Glenomra

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118860127#Comment_118860127

as a country visitor to Dublin I found this out some years back. A lovely place to have coffee etc and then just walk out to view our national treasures!!!! As regards the Cashel hotel, I could well afford the cost of their scones and coffee but have no intention in paying their prices. Plenty of alternatives available in the town. However, I certainly don't begrudge those who do pay that price, no more than I begrudge people who pay exorbitant sums for cars far in excess of their needs. the money will help pay for the fabulous restoration, a credit to all involved.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118870447#Comment_118870447

“I guess I would put the Cashel one in the tourist trap category, in spite of the nobody forced you, it’s a free country argument.” I’d put it in the Coolmore/Ballydoyle/Horsey category.

Kaybaykwah

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118870526#Comment_118870526

Right. Well the horsey set are tourists everywhere they happen to be. Lol

PierreLeCake

I never even heard of the place until I saw this thread.Really, we need to see a photo of the offending scones so we are armed with the full facts and then we can all properly judge how outraged we should be.

macvin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118872394#Comment_118872394

Plenty of photos if you do a Google search.

Coffee served in a silver coffee pot (refills included), silver bowl of 9 mixed scones. Small but not tiny.

Mini Pots of crossogue jams made in laois.

Ramekins of clotted cream.

Linen napkins.

Hotel recently reopened after huge and very premium refurbishment. Would be in the same grade as the shelbourne hotel

Andrea B.

I just don't get it.

Don't dine in a place if too expensive for you.

Scones in a hotel are a luxury. You have a choice.

Fuel for heating and electricity for energy are not luxuries.

KieferFan69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118859904#Comment_118859904

do you work for establishment? 15 euro for scone and coffee makes owners look like prats, plain and simple. It shows they have no respect for customer

the way some of you talk about scones it’s like you never made one. They are not rocket science as the saying goes

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118875028#Comment_118875028

It's not about the scones.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118875028#Comment_118875028

I disagree regarding no respect for customer. It shows respect for the clientele they wish to attract.

KieferFan69

Sorry to be crude, but if someone sells fecal at side of street for consumption at 40 euro a kilo then we all agree this person is a pest to be despised, even if he makes some sales to stupid or ill sods - but some will say, but what about the beautiful renovation work same man did with interior - but truth is plain to see, these people resent customers and enjoy to pickpocket them , deep down we all know some fool will agree to pay, but in our hearts we know it is wrong.

three scones size of jelly tots? No sir. And on the occasion even paper became involved and asked for reasoning. I think this shameful joke will stick long in the memory, people dont like to be in presence of hoodwinkers