Anthony Bourdain Strongly Advised Against Partaking In This Coveted Hotel Service

Anthony Bourdain is a beloved public figure in the world of travel, even posthumously. His adventurous television shows like "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" helped viewers learn about local communities all over the globe, including some far off the tourist path. In the process, he shared the things he always avoided when traveling regardless of destination — among these was room service.

"[I]f you really want to send yourself into a tragic spiral of depression, call down for a room service hamburger when you're alone in your room," Bourdain once said to recipe publication Bon Appétit. "You will inevitably be disappointed and more than likely sent into a manic-depressive state for days." This sounds a bit dramatic, but it is exactly the kind of edgy honesty that made Bourdain so well-loved. It also makes perfect sense given that Bourdain used the local food and drink scene to delve into what real life is like in all his destinations rather than only showcasing surface level tourist attractions. What better way to understand a new place than by sharing a meal among the locals?

The only exception to Anthony Bourdain's no room service rule is breakfast, mainly because he tended to enjoy just coffee in the mornings. But after his caffeine fix, he was ready to hit the town, meet people, and learn something new. His philosophy applies to drinks too. While many hotels around the world have lounges or bars for drinks, Bourdain advised people to, "find out where the people who work at your hotel do their drinking." This will tell you where locals go rather than tourists. Fellow travel personality Rick Steves would likely agree, as Steves is quick to offer tips on how to go off the beaten path and get the most out of local culture — food and drinks included.

Another place in which Bourdain avoided eating was on planes. "No one has ever felt better after eating plane food ... I like to arrive hungry." There are some airlines serving Michelin-starred food, but Bourdain thinks sometimes people eat on planes out of boredom. Perhaps check out your airline's cuisine options ahead of time before deciding to heed Bourdain's advice or not.