No more awkward food deliveries: Grab Food lockers to the rescue

Imagine this: You’re checked into a hotel, tracking your food delivery on your phone. Just as the rider nears your location, your stomach rumbles. Uh-oh. You rush to the bathroom, and while you’re mid-crisis, a message pops up: “Here na po.” Panic mode: Activated.

You’re on the 17th floor, and it must’ve been the bad hummus from lunch. You quickly text the rider, asking him to leave your food at the reception. By the time you get downstairs, however, there’s been a mix-up. Now, instead of your meal, you’re staring at yet another hummus. Meanwhile, the poor rider who waited 12 minutes for you is upset. Not exactly a five-star experience for either of you.

Thankfully, there’s now a genius fix for this all-too-relatable problem. Red Planet Hotels, a budget-friendly hotel chain in the Philippines, has partnered with Grab Philippines to launch the first-ever Grab Food Lockers — a contactless, self-service system that saves everyone from delivery drama.

Think of it as an ATM-sized food locker, located just outside the hotel. Splashed in Grab’s signature green, the locker has 14 glass compartments, each resembling a microwave. It’s simple to use:

You just order food through the GrabFood app as usual. Instead of putting your hotel’s address, select the Grab Food Locker option (e.g., “Red Planet The Fort — Grab Food Locker”). Once your food is delivered, you’ll receive a notification with your locker number (say, 5) and a QR code. When you’re ready, head downstairs at your own pace, scan the QR code at the machine and voila — your locker door opens, revealing your food inside.

No awkward encounters. No riders waiting impatiently. No stressed-out receptionists.

“This collaboration with Grab Philippines sets a new standard, turning simple stays into seamless experiences,” said Mary Grace de Luna, Marketing Manager at Red Planet Hotels.

Jose Generoso Roño, Grab Philippines’ director for Commercial and Business Development, added, “Partnering with Red Planet Hotels to introduce the Grab Food Lockers is a significant step in our mission to continually innovate and improve the experience for both our users and delivery partners. This collaboration sets new standards for convenience and productivity in the on-demand delivery industry.”

The only catch? The lockers only work for GrabFood — so if you’re using GrabExpress or Grab Pabili, you’ll still have to meet your rider the old-fashioned way.

Still, for food deliveries, this is a game-changer. No more embarrassing bathroom emergencies or frustrating mix-ups — just a stress-free way to get your meal, whenever you’re ready for it.