Adios, Mini-Bars! A Feline Farewell to Hotel's Tiny Temptations

Once Upon a Time in a Hotel Far Far Away...

Hola mis amigos! It is I Puss in Boots reporting live from the ever changing landscape of hospitality! Once upon a time in the glorious era of the '90s and early aughts hotel minibars were the darlings of late night cravings. Ah those were the days! A tiny fridge a treasure chest of sugary delights and miniature bottles of courage. A true testament to the finer things in life eh?

Hong Kong Hilton: The Minibar's Grand Debut!

The plot thickens! Legend has it that in 1974 a Hilton in Hong Kong inspired by the bar carts of airborne carriages decided to stock its rooms with miniature elixirs. *Poof!* Drink sales soared by 500% and Hilton's coffers swelled! A genius move worthy of a sly fox or perhaps a dashing gato!

The Rise and Fall of a Tiny Empire

Soon minibars became as common as a damsel in distress (though hopefully less troublesome). Sodas candies and familiar brands lined those tiny shelves. But alas this convenience for guests turned into a logistical nightmare for the poor hotel staff! Restocking spoiled goods and sticky fingered guests made the minibar a costly venture. A true 'Fee fi fo fum I smell the blood of an Englishman' situation if you catch my drift!

Marriott's Minibar Massacre

By the early 2000s many hotel chains began to say "Hasta la vista baby!" to the minibar. In 2004 the Marriott Marquis in Times Square executed a minibar massacre removing them from almost 2,000 rooms! Imagine the horror! According to those who count such things the minibars required eight full time employees to maintain just 150 of them daily. Madre de Dios! That's a lot of dedication for a few overpriced snacks!

Smart Fridges and Modest Returns

Even with the rise of 'smart minibars' that tracked every sip and nibble the returns were... *eh*. Some fancy gizmos estimated that only a third of guests used them with an average daily spend of a measly $12. A paltry sum for such an extravagant amenity wouldn't you agree? It seems even technology couldn't save these tiny titans.

The Dawn of Delivery Apps and Lobby Treasures

But fear not travelers! Hotels have found new ways to quench your thirst and satisfy your cravings. Contactless lobby marketplaces hotel bars and strategic alliances with delivery apps are the new saviors! Wyndham partnered with DoorDash Marriott joined forces with Uber Eats and Hilton aligned with Grubhub. A brave new world of room service delivered with a touch of modern magic! However boutique and luxury hotels still offer personalized and locally sourced mini bars. For most midscale hotels they're ancient history. So next time you find yourself in a hotel room don't lament the missing minibar. Embrace the future! And remember amigos always land on your feet – even when the snacks are delivered by a friendly app!