The minibar is a fridge stocked with drinks and snacks found in hotels worldwide. It originated in Europe in the 1950s and was brought to market by Siemens in the 1960s. Minibars are monitored using various techniques, and some hotels lock them. They are expensive, so travelers are advised to avoid them by buying from local stores or ordering room service.
The minibar is a convenience that can be found in hotels all over the world. It consists of a refrigerator stocked with items such as drinks and snacks. If guests want to use the service, they open it and remove everything they want to use. The hotel, in turn, charges for these items at checkout. Minibars are known to be expensive, and some travelers feel the prices aren’t worth the convenience.
The idea of the minibar seems to have originated in Europe in the 1950s or 1960s. A German company, Siemens, brought it to market in the 1960s, and the concept quickly caught on in hotels in other locations. Along with complementary items like toiletries and room service, a minibar is designed to meet guests’ needs so they come back to the hotel.
A basic minibar is stocked with alcoholic beverages, sodas, and snacks. Many companies also offer personal care items such as socks, hairbrushes and makeup. Alcohol is probably the product for which the minibar is most famous, and it usually comes in single-serving bottles. The guest opens the refrigerator, takes out everything they need, and the hotel replenishes it after the customer leaves.
Various techniques are used to monitor the consumption of the minibar. The simplest is manual counting of its contents, which can be done when refueling. Other hotels use radio or infrared tags, which can instantly send a message to the front desk when a product is removed. If it is replaced within a set time period, the charge will disappear from the invoice, even if a member of staff checks whether or not the product has been tampered with.
In some cases, the minibar will be locked and guests will be given the key upon check-in. Most hotels have a system in place to alert them when a minibar is opened, so staff know to check and refill it when they clean the room. If it has radio or infrared transmission, roaming personnel can check it without even entering the room.
Since minibars are notoriously expensive, many travel guides advise guests to find ways to avoid using them. Stocking up on snacks and drinks from a local store is a great idea, as is ordering room service, which can be cheaper. Guests who simply can’t resist its charms may consider requesting a price list, so they know what to expect when they receive their bill.
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