What annoys me the most is before tip it’s $92 dollars and they still have to tip to pay so the server gets a wage.. why can’t the owners pay their staff… they make enough..
You get what you pay for. The Westin is a mediocre hotel. I never would recommend anyone stay there. The area is not safe either. I live a mile from there. You can get shot in that area.
The sad thing Is the Americans that stay here and worse still my brother who moved there from Ireland would also justify this defensively. It’s vulgar and outrageous - well done lee on exposing what it’s like … And having to give a big tip on top because they won’t pay their staff properly and expect you to pay it !
I am American, and live a mile from the Westin hotel. It’s a crappy over priced hotel. I never recommend it. MacMaster wanted to save money. There are way better hotels in the area over the Westin. They could have done a nice Airbnb for the same money. I’ve traveled in Japan many times, hotels are way better priced than the USA. They are cleaner and offer free full course breakfast. No tipping also. Most hotels here are a joke, dirty and filthy. Only Las Vegas offer nice Hotels to stay in. By the way I can tell you dislike Americans. It’s okay, I dislike most Americans myself, they are big mouth obnoxious self centered people. 😢
@@lesliecarter8322 also, wages were raised during Covid. A waitress/waiter can make at least $22.00 an hour and up. They use to make $10-12.00 an hour before Covid. So tipping should be 10% maximum today, not 15-20%. I tip less at restaurants now. When I got my job in 2010 I made $16.00 an hour doing graphic design that I got a degree in, the economy was bad. I was laid off in 2019 at $22 an hour. Now a waitress/waiter makes more than I did and I paid allot for college degree. 😉
The reason why the bacon was stuck together was because it was just chucked in the deep fat fryer along with the potatoes,heart attack on a plate especially if they give you the bill with the food at the same time. We’ve always said we don’t mind paying for quality,we wouldn’t have paid for that lol.
Have to agree with you Lee food wasn’t great looking apart from the eggs . The prices were outrageous. Even a bowl of cereal was 8 dollars what a ripoff 👍🏴
I spotted that too. Along with the muffin or Danish and choice of a single piece of fruit for $16 - These places are utterly taking the piss. Yet people like Lee's mate justify the prices and cough up, meaning the theft continues.
My Wife and I watched in shock as you showed the disappointing breakfast. The price, Oh My Goodness!!.. Disgusting.. Thank you Lee for showing your loyal viewers how it actually is. America seems ridiculously expensive and you are correct when you say about people starving. Is the hotel trying to rip off it's guests to recover lost profits from the last 3 years? Ps, Is the Silver Fox so used to paying a fortune for American products? He might feel well off if he came to Northern England. Mansfield & High Peak for example. Another Masterclass by the MacMaster.
Hello, I live a mile from that hotel. That is the worst hotel in Pasadena. They could have spent less at a Motel in a better area. You can actually get shot in that area, even in the day time. There are way nicer hotels than the Westin in Pasadena. But of course allot more expensive. Airbnb would have been a better option for them. PS, America is definitely more expensive compared to other parts of the world.
I'm with you Lee, sorry Silver Fox, full service hotels in America, except for the luxury ones, are mostly rubbish. One's better off by booking limited-service brands which include breakfast in the room rate. I'd rather support local businesses which offer a superior quality experience and which allows for interaction with locals.
As you know Lee, I live here, I have eaten at 5 star restaurants that were not that expensive for breakfast. As I have said over and over, whenever you can, try to stay at a Marriott. They have a rewards program so you can save money and I have never stayed at any Marriott that wasn't top notch. I bet the Courtyard Marriott in Pasadena would have been less expensive and would have been a considerably better hotel. Breakfast starts at $9.95 there and I bet it's much better. You just stayed at a Marriott across from Heathrow. I think you really enjoyed it there. As far as your snoring, you probably need a CPAP machine. Have you ever had a sleep study done? When you get home, book an appointment with a pulmonologist or an ENT and tell them you want to sleep study. Snoring can cause serious health issues. Martin's such a pain in the ass, you should have just booked your own room so you don't have to hear him bitch and moan. Look forward to the footage from the concert. I like Squeeze too, it's a good substitute for Adam Ant.
I have to say that not only did that abomination of a breakfast look dire the price was outrageous. Rarely do I say that, it was dry and to me inedible. Sadly my health is lousy and I rarely manage to get out now, but I drove to a local café Bridgtown Chippy, Cannock, Staffordshire yesterday. I had their large breakfast and mug of coffee for £6.50. This included 2 decent sausages, 3 slices of thick bacon, 2 fried eggs, 1 hash brown, a slice of pigs pudding, loads of baked beans, plum tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and 2 rounds of toast. Whilst the Ritz it is not it was really tasty.
The other week my wife and I were in Vagas and we both had the same breakfast as you Lee and that came to $70 and I thought that was steep but after seeing your bill I think I got away lightly. We need more of the Silver Fox when you two get together I have tears rolling down my face with laughter.
Ouch. I stayed at Gleneagles once and I distinctly remember it not being as expensive as that. Had I been forced to eat from that menu I'd have gone for the Huevos Rancheros (and then there'd be two reasons to be reaching for the vaseline 😁)
You kept your composure! I'd be absolutely fuming with that, basically £100 for that crap! You can go to some of the best restaurants in the World for breakfast & pay no where near that!
Food costs are ridiculous in Los Angeles, but it's even worse in San Francisco - I remember going to a small diner in San Francisco and ordering breakfast for me and my wife plus two kids, if you ordered it from a Morrisons cafe, it would cost no more than £20, but I ended up paying about £60 there and kids hardly ate anything, it's daylight robbery
Going to the U.K. was very expensive for us 'mericans until fairly recently. The pound just about got up to $2 twice between 1990 and 2008... it averaged about $1.60 between 1991 and 2013. I'd blame Brexit for the current low exchange for £ mostly. My point is there is a pendulum that swings both ways.... and yes, food prices are high here even for those of us who live here, mostly since COVID. San Francisco might have the highest cost of living in the entire U.S.A., perhaps even more than NYC.
Seattle also has a high cost of living…All I can say is “Welcome to America “ where you pay more and get less! It’s the same in Canada except they are much more polite❣️ Try to enjoy your stay!
A high possibility, after eating in SF, going back to your car, and the windows could be broken out, with your luggage gone. I would never, ever go to SF again. Last time I visited SF twenty years ago, I walked back to my car, after lunch at Mel’s dinner, and a homeless man was crapping next to my car. I don’t have to tell you, I lost my lunch, and he just smiled at me. I’m so glad you didn’t experience anything like that with your family. 😢
Lee, I was thinking about visiting my aunt in the states in August as myself and the wife have time off and the opportunity. However I just can't face it. The sh*t immigration experience, the high prices, and the (at least) 20% tip on top. Wife enjoyed her visit to Canada just pre covid. Might do that, methinks!
Rory they didn't even look fit for a dog! Actually my sisters dog nearly died eating a party sausage it was a close call...I think these nasty looking things would have finished her off.
That’s the whole trouble with the states now ! It used to be cheapish years back ....But not no more!! that was outrageous for a breakfast but as Martini said the price is on the menu and I would have confirmed if the breakfast came with the room price .. there sneaky out there and I myself would have gone to a local diner ... just be aware next time Lee and don’t get caught out again !!!! great blog as usual mate 👍
Totally agree, daylight robbery, it might be understandable if prices were hiked due to the festival nearby, but if that’s everyday pricing it’s a rip off.
I prefer Martin's ham. None of its like our own. Scammed at that price 😳. Thought it was around 25 dollars each? 🤔 Breakfast in the Savoy Hotel river restaurant London only £22 and extra sausages £6!
Absolutely shocking. It’s getting like that everywhere in America now, and Canada too. Eating out used to be cheap but now it’s ridiculous. The bill is already high even before you add on the tax and gratuity. People who complain about the cost of living in the UK should feel lucky in knowing that food and eating out is much cheaper than in North America
Good point about Bread and preservatives, Bread goes off in days in the UK, here it can last for weeks, and again the price is high, we pay $6 for a loaf and its nothing special, just decent quality.
Hi Martin, glad to see you again, great banter as usual, but I have to agree with Lee, the prices & quality are outrageous there, I thought American's were quick to complain but not as fast as our MacMaster lol, great vlog 😊
Love protaras I'm gonna have to visit that place kev ....great vlog...psychology ofah is the best thing ever made on tv...the gravy boat gag is the best one liner ever...not only have u sunk every battle ship or carrier u have ever sailed on now you've knackered a gravy boat hahaha
Food looked absolutely rough Lee. How can they charge disgusting. Not surprised you are walking like that. Silver fox is used to having his pants pulled down 😅
HOW MUCH?!!!!! I've been lucky enough to travel all over the world because of my previous job, and there is NO WAY I would expense a breakfast like that, disgusting
It looked like the typical hotel breakfast at a Travelodge or something. But with massively inflated prices. I think the moaning is justified, that price would ruin my day unless I was loaded.
When we are at home in Dubai and staycation or equally in uk with crowne plaza or ihg we try to get a club room. You get early evening snacks and cocktails, afternoon tea and they don’t scrimp, plus breakfast mainly continental but they offer you the works plus any eggs choice like scrambled omelette poached etc. toast machine cheeses, it’s worth the room in extras.
I gasped when you showed the bill, and that wasn't including the tip. Everything looked dry, the sausages looked like what i scoop out of my Cats litter tray everyday. 😱
That breakfast was minging.Far better value in Tenerife and everywhere else the yanks are shafting you.The Silver Fox has been in the colonies far too long to think that was ok.
We are not long back from the Iberostar Lanzarote and every morning I had eggs and bacon cooked to perfection followed by fresh juice, fruit and amazing coffee all included in the room rate. That was a fraction of what was on offer. I remember the BS in the USA when I used to travel with work. I’m sticking to the lovely Canaries.
Hi Lee I know its LA but $111 ,you can't make it up,those home fries are called Santa fe style home fries, you just can't justify the price. I heard that the concert was great and did you get to say hello to any of the performers for the vlog can't wait for the cruel world vlog
Price of that breakfast should of been so much better they can’t justify the cost of that with the quantity. Good video which will make people avoid the breakfast there.
Lee, I like your videos but alas I'm not surprised about what you paid for breakfast. I live in Long Beach, CA (south of Pasadena) and travel back and forth to the UK often and can say that California has become mega-expensive. At this point, I find CA more expensive than Britain. Even with the exchange rate, food, groceries and even rent costs more in California than in the UK.
Martin's quite right when he says you can see the price on the menu but it's the quality of what's served which is the issue here. Absolutely dreadful food to my eyes. I had a breakfast for 2 at Hawksmoor in London some time ago which was around £50 or so if memory serves but that was a gargantuan feast of quality. If I was served that rubbish in England I would send it back and not pay the bill
Imagine preparing that same plate at home at mid range, retail prices from a grocer here in the states. Even if the eggs were $0.60 cents each, (which would be expensive,) and the few pieces of bacon cost $1.00, sausages at let's say $3.00 for a 1/2 dozen, slice of ham at $1.00, home fried potatoes at $0.70, toast and jam at $0.60 and a cup of joe at $0.50, your entire breakfast would run around $8.00 Then consider that a restaurant or other venue such as a hotel which offers dining, purchases their foodstuffs in bulk at wholesale prices, meaning probably 1/2 or more of that $8.00 retail grocer price is eliminated. In short, about $10.00 worth of food between the two plates that you had to pay a $100.00 premium for. Now I fully understand that we pay tax and give added value for the convenience of someone else cooking, while using their utilities, servicing our orders, cleaning up after and the reward we pay for an enjoyable visit, but holy cats, that's beyond exorbitant and a price gouge, regardless where it was. Ugh. I too would avoid.
$111!!!!!!...wtf!..Lee was justifiably miffed there..taking into account the service charge on top, i'd doubt that i'd be eating for a week after having to pay for that!..rip off USA.
My LA food expert tells me that it is a pity you didn't go to Russell's, 30 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena for one of the best breakfasts in LA. Other good Pasadena choices would be Millie's and a "hole in the wall" called Andy’s Coffee Shop which is also stellar.
The price is non comparable to UK people. US people earn much more and pay little tax, so the bill is somewhat irrelevant. However, quality of food is world wide, and that was 2/10 standard.
I think you should be using the ponytail to score these events , if it’s down = rubbish , if it’s up but in the middle =ok , if up looking like Ariana Grandes “ it’s a buy !
Guess I won't be going to the States for a while!!! I used to feel comfortable when going abroad as only places like Switzerland and Scandinavia were expensive... now it's nearly everywhere!!!
you can get a Michelin star chefs breakfast for less in the uk that breakfast was 5x more expensive than it should have been it looked like army canteen food
Long time subscriber from down under. I need to know what does Martin do for a work? $92 American dollars for that crap. Would have got up and left when i saw the prices. Definately shafted.
Should have tried Pie 'n Burger in Pasadena. They serve the best burger in Califorina. Right near the spot where all the pointy headed people hang out - Cal Tech.
That’s about what my husband paid for 2 burgers, fries and beers in Paris. Just have fun you only live once money comes and goes there is only one Silver Fox enjoy the time with your buddy 😊
So, you chose to stay at the Westin... they are always high end, sometimes low value. I think I stayed at that one once years ago, but the company was paying. As Martin said, the prices were disclosed on the menu, so you ordered in a way to support your complaints afterwards. In the U.S., it is the mid-range hotels that tend to have breakfast buffets included (although they often close too damn early). I think you over-tipped. I always figure the tip on the food price before the tax. I think I would have tipped $15 (nothing wrong with reducing my normal 20% tip a bit due to crazy prices).
Love seeing the silver fox again......your right though Lee, for two breakfasts thats unbelievable. Changing the subject a little, as a woman ive been thinking lately about your girlfriend and that she hardly ever sees you as your always jetting off somewhere and that she must be a lovely understanding lady but with the silver fox mentioning your snoring she probably waves you off at the door thinking "finally, a nights sleep" 😂😂.......do love your vlogs Lee ❤ xx
Omg I've never seen such a disgraceful plate of food put on the table 😢😢 . As for the price I think I'd of refused to pay for it 😅😅... Try enjoy the rest of your trip Lee 🙏🙏
Lee you been shafted big time, in Britain that breakfast that would be roughly £8.00, plus you got too leave a tip, I would give them a tip, lower your prices, 😢 great vlog ,
To me it shouldn't matter where in the world you are, over 100 dollars for two people to eat breakfast is discusting. Maybe Martin isn't as shocked because he lives in America and is used to high prices, for us English that's a weeks worth of shopping 🤒 keep up the good work lee, watching over from shirebrook 😃 x
