It might be time to pour a drink for the death of the hotel minibar. According to industry experts, the amenity is on its way out.
Marriott plans to phase out its minibar offerings, according to an ABC News report, and Hilton and Hyatt are following suit. The news comes after a recent survey from Trip Advisor.
"Travelers have much less interest in the minibar," the site's director of communications pointed out in a press release.
Indeed, Trip Advisor's poll found that only 21 percent of travelers rank the minibar as an important hotel feature. By comparison, free Wi-Fi is the most desirable convenience, with 89 percent of respondents ranking it as the most important hotel amenity.
"The hotel minibar is a dying amenity," travel expert Jimmy Im confirmed in ABC's report. "[Hotels] are losing a lot of money from the minibar. Not only is it expensive to have a minibar, but people are stealing things."
Im is right, and here's insider proof. In an article for the Syndey Morning Herald, hospitality veteran and author Jacob Tomskly satirically advises readers on how to avoid hotel minibar charges:
"You don't have to pay for the minibar (part two): Check in at the desk and make a strong request for a non-smoking room, possibly mentioning allergies. Refuse help from the bellman and go up to your room unaccompanied. Immediately open the minibar and shove every goddamn item into your suitcase."
If the hotel attempts to charge you, Tomskly suggests denial.
"Never, ever, will the hotel accuse you of lying," he writes.
Satire aside, according to the Los Angeles Times, no more than 0.24 percent of hotel revenue comes from the minibar amenity. This leaves little reason for hotels to keep stocking their fridges with tiny, overpriced bottles of Grey Goose.
Another reason for the declining popularity of the hotel minibar? Guests are now more inclined to leave their rooms and explore the rest of the hotel. Brian Johnson, managing director at Loews Hollywood Hotel, told ABC:
"The days of really eating room service and attacking your minibar in your guest rooms are slowly evolving, and people really want to spend more time out in public areas and feel comfortable."
It's worth noting that these public areas also often include free Wi-Fi.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
