Minibars are on the way out, or so suggests a report in The New York Times.
Hotels have really transformed from the good ol' days when everything you wanted was IN the room; They're now catering to millennials, who the industry believes want everything out of the room in communally shared spaces-even work environments.
That doesn't appeal to everyone, however. Take 26-year-old travel blogger, consultant and millennial Ben Schlappig, for example. His blog, One Mile at a Time, chronicles the 365 nights a year he stays in hotels, and he tells the Times that communal spaces don't work for him:
"I'm a millennial, but I'm also an introvert. Hotel executives are building everything around millennials right now and they expect all millennials to want to work in these hip, communal lobby spaces or in bed. That doesn't work for me."
So what does that mean for the minibar? Well, if you haven't noticed, it's rare to find more than an empty mini fridge in a modern property these days. Minibars take up a lot of space and are expensive to maintain, so it's not surprising that they were one of the first casualties of the modern hotel era.
However, a new trend is picking up where the minibar left off: What if you could build your own, just to your liking?
Marriott hotels are giving their guests on the West Coast the chance to do just that.
A new Build Your Own Mini Bar package provides guests with a $20 credit to the Market-a mini grocery store at each hotel-every night of their stay.
READ MORE: Can Technology Boost Hotel Customer Loyalty?
Those traveling to Northern California, the Pacific Northwest or the Rockies can return to a refrigerator stocked with their favorite snacks and drinks, chosen from the Market.
The package is available when booked online at Marriott properties, including Courtyards, Residence Inns and TownePlace Suites.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
