
According to the latest Club Sandwich Index (CSI), the top 3 most expensive cities to buy a hotel club sandwich globally are Geneva, Switzerland; Paris, France and Oslo, Norway respectively.
They remain in the top three, but Geneva has moved up to number one and Paris has moved down to number two this year. Seven of the top ten countries this year are from Europe.
The rise of club sandwich prices in Hong Kong has led the city to land in the Top Ten most expensive cities in the world to order a club sandwich at a hotel. In Hong Kong, prices for the humble 'Club' ranged from an extraordinary HKD237 in one five-star hotel to a more reasonable HKD86 in a three-star establishment.
Similar to last year, Tokyo remains in the number one spot for the most expensive city in Asia Pacific to order a club sandwich in a hotel. The price for a club sandwich in Hong Kong from HKD142 to HKD154, while in Tokyo, the price has decreased from HKD214 to HKD161. Sydney ranks second in Asia Pacific with an average price of HKD160.
Among the Asian cities surveyed, Hong Kong has higher hotel club sandwich prices than Seoul (HKD144), Singapore (HKD120), Beijing (HKD98) and Taipei (HKD88). Hong Kong's average club sandwich prices have even surpassed those in New York (HKD136), a city many consider to be one of the most expensive in the world.
This year's chart-topper, Geneva, has club sandwich prices ranging from HKD407 in a five-star hotel to HKD110 in a 3-star hotel. India's New Delhi remained the cheapest destination on the CSI to buy a Club Sandwich, with an average price of just HKD71.
Using the classic hotel staple of a chicken, bacon, egg, lettuce and mayonnaise sandwich as a barometer of affordability, the Hotels.com Club Sandwich Index (CSI) offers holidaymakers an indication of the cost of living associated with their destination of choice.
The CSI average price is calculated from the real prices paid by guests for a club sandwich in 30 hotels in the capital or an important tourist city of each country surveyed, across five, four and three star categories. In total, 840 hotels globally were canvassed.
Alison Couper, Senior Director Global Communications of Hotels.com said: "The Club Sandwich, available on hotel menus across the globe, is the perfect spending barometer, helping tourists factor into their travel plans the everyday cost of simple items such as food and drink. The price changes when comparing 2013 to 2012 hide a complex story of factors from changes in the local price of basic food items through to currency fluctuations. The beauty of the CSI is that we are able to offer travellers a simple price comparison to show how far their money may stretch in each country."
Inspired by the Club Sandwich Index, Hullett House Hotel has partnered with Hotels.com to create the most luxurious club sandwich in Hong Kong, which features the following imported ingredients: Beluga Caviar, A5 Japanese beef, Balik salmon, sliced black pork bacon, Ham Iberico, Belgium figs, sliced roma tomato, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, French chicken meat, Italian organic egg, mayonnaise, musclun salad, and green asparagus.
Peter Lee, the Executive Sous Chef at Hullett House shared that, "For customers to experience how deluxe a club sandwich could be, we included premium ingredients, such as Beluga caviar, which is one of the most expensive caviar in the world; A5 Wagyu beef; and Balik salmon, which costs HKD1300 per kilo."
This club sandwich is available at The Parlour at Hullett House for HKD480 plus 10% gratuity from 15 June until 31 August, 2013.
Alternatively, ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan Hotel showcases a value-conscious club sandwich for travellers. Restaurant Sous Chef Roy Hui tells us that, "The club sandwich contains bacon, ham, egg, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tartar sauce on toast. In order to let travellers enjoy the whole sandwich, it is held together with a piece of deep-fried spaghetti instead of a bamboo stick. The club sandwich also comes with a side salad with balsamic vinegar, and french fries." This shows that with value one can still order a delicious, flavorful club sandwich.
The club sandwich at ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan Hotel is available daily at TASTE (lunch) and LE BAR (after lunch) at HKD88 + 10% gratuity.
The Hotels.com Club Sandwich Index (CSI) 2013: