“The report of my death was an exaggeration,” quipped Mark Twain after hearing rumors he had died.
If hotel minibars could talk, they might respond the same way. For years, media reports have speculated that minibars are on the verge of extinction. Many properties have, in fact, eliminated them.
From management’s side, minibars are considered labor-intensive and costly to maintain, and when guests contest charges (apparently, a frequent occurrence), they’re a big hassle to boot. Consumers complain about having to pay inflated prices for water, beer, liquor miniatures (with less than two ounces of booze), and snacks.
But minibars aren’t quite dead, yet. Upscale properties are redesigning minibar cabinetry, sometimes making them a focal point in guestrooms, and are creating new menus that add creative cocktails and gourmet treats with local flavor. Some minibars have gone minimalist, featuring still-life displays of imaginative, eye-catching contents on simple trays. These hotels and resorts are banking on the fact that some guests will always want to cocoon in their rooms without heading to the hotel bar/lounge or out the door.
Here are six standout hotel minibars:
1) The Hotel: Nautilus by Arlo, South Beach Miami
The historic Nautilus by Arlo is an oceanfront property on Collins Avenue in South Beach. The hotel was designed by Morris Lapidus (who also designed the Fountainbleau and Eden Rock Hotels), known for his modern architectural style that dominated Miami and Miami Beach in the 50s and 60s. The 250-room hotel was renovated and recently rebranded to appeal to contemporary travelers.
The minibar:
The minibar in every room takes the form of an oversized chest inspired by the steamer trunks with brass clasps and leather strips once popular on ocean liners. Chosen by Javier Egipciaco, the property’s senior vice president and managing director, the contents are curated to reflect Arlo’s ethos: creating a home for urban explorers. They also build upon the brand’s eco-conscious Arlo Cares mission.
The chest is stocked with champagne, fine spirits, cocktail books and tools, glassware, snacks and eco-friendly, 100% recycled flip flops from Samba-Sol. Electrical adapters are available for purchase to enable guests to connect with family and friends, also promoting the brand’s goal of accessibility,
2) The Hotel: Fauchon L’Hotel, Paris
Founded in 1886 and known especially for its delectable macarons, Fauchon is a gourmet food and delicatessen company with outlets in 20 different countries. Last year, the luxury brand opened Fauchon L’Hotel, a five-star, luxury hotel in Paris’ 8th arrondissement that offers views of the Eiffel Tower or the Place de la Madeleine from each of its rooms. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the 54-room boutique property prides itself on its personalization and culinary creations. So the elaborate nature of the minibar shouldn’t come as a big surprise.
The minibar:
The custom-designed minibar (by Sacha Lakic for Roche Bobois) is housed in a lacquered pink armoire that is displayed in the main living area of each guestroom. Filled with gourmet Fauchon goodies, including madeleines and macarons, it’s been dubbed a “gourmet bar.”
It lives up to its name, also housing foie gras and champagne that is restocked daily. Like having one’s own in-room Fauchon shop, guests can choose their preference for savory or sweet snacks. And a la “the best things in life are free,” everything in the minibar is included in the price of the room and guests can even take home anything they haven’t consumed—without anyone looking askance.
3) Hotel: MACq 01 Hotel, Hobart (Australia)
The MACq 01 Hotel is the first so-called “storytelling hotel” in Australia. Located on the waterfront in Hobart (the capital city of Tasmania), the hotel celebrates the history of the island state by sharing stories about the characters that helped shape its culture and spirit. Each of the 114 rooms is dedicated to a different Tasmanian character; the lounge has an indigenous theme displaying rare aboriginal artifacts; and the restaurant, bar and modern gym also evoke a sense of place.
The minibar:
This hotel minibar builds upon the storytelling theme as well. Offering a range of uniquely Tasmanian products, it showcases quirky and unexpected products from local producers, suppliers and distillers who have stories of their own. Notably, the Gourmet Traveller Hotel Awards named it the Best Australian Minibar last year; two reviewers were so wow-ed by the contents they purchased the minibar’s woolen Mongrel scarfs.
The variety of products is noteworthy: They include local wines, gins, beers, whiskeys, and teas as well as chocolate freckles, amazeballs, chocolate honeycomb, shortbread, gourmet nuts, beef jerky, gourmet popcorn and dried apple wedges.
4) Hotel: Thompson Nashville
Thompson Nashville is a luxury boutique property. Each room and suite has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook The Gulch, the vibrant neighborhood between Music Row and downtown Nashville. With sliding barn doors and hardwood floors, the rooms convey the spirit of Music City, a blend of country and contemporary.
The Minibar:
The minibar features beverages, snacks, local brews and a few extras, like Third Man Records 7-inch vinyls and WithCo cocktail mix. The hotel has worked with WithCo, a local company, since the property opened in 2016 and stocks their products in the minibar and partners with them for events outside the room. Guests can select either The Rose (featuring lavender, lemon and rose) or The Mule (with ginger root, bitters and lime) to pair with their favorite liquor from the minibar. Also in the minibar are other local favorites, including Hot Chicken Crackers, Music City Munchie Mix and RF BBQ Beef Jerky, as well as a “romance kit” and bespoke Thompson scented candles.
5) Pulitzer Amsterdam
The 5-star Pulitzer Amsterdam includes 225 guest rooms and suites, each one unique, spread across 25 interconnected 17th and 18th-century canal houses and gardens. The property overlooks the city’s historic canal belt, evoking the feel of a private residence rather than a hotel. The hotel is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
The Minibar:
Consistent with the home-like ambiance, each room is furnished with an elegant, wooden trolley with a minibar, shaker, stirrer and strainer, and an instruction booklet for making great cocktails with the spirits in the minibar. The trolley is outfitted, too, with tall drink glasses and fancy fluted cocktail glasses. The idea of the trolley: General Manager Alex van Gastel wants guests to get creative and mix their own cocktails as they would at a home bar.
6) Andaz Tokyo
The 164-room Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills is a luxury property located in the heart of Tokyo. With all the rooms and suites occupying the top floors of a contemporary skyscraper, the hotel lobby is situated on the 51st floor. The décor blends Japanese design with modern touches.
The minibar:
In each of its properties, Andaz strives to weave local sights, sounds, scents, tastes and textures into the guest experience. The contents of the minibar reflect that orientation. They include Kiya rice cracker snacks ordered from Toranomon Kiya, a neighborhood rice cracker shop with over 60 years history; Toraya Yokan, a traditional red bean Japanese dessert, sourced from a storied yokan shop; chocolates from Meiji, one of the most popular brands of chocolate/confectionary in Japan (first established in the early 1900s) and authentic ITO EN green tea.
Minibars aren’t dead; they’ve just evolved to keep pace with the times.
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