Room-service and minibar add-ons that sell

Sell solutions, not products

Think of the questions guests ask at night: do you have a razor, a toothbrush, a phone charger, a sewing kit, a hair tie? Each is a small sale waiting to happen, and most hotels give them away or say no. A short menu of paid or complimentary items turns the awkward request into a service.

Ask the night duty manager what is requested most. They hear the late calls, and their list is often the best starting point for the menu.

Items that work

Travel toiletry pouch with the basics.
Razor and shaving cream set.
Dental kit.
Body lotion in a travel size.
Slippers.
Eye mask and ear plugs.
Sewing kit and stain remover pen.

The amenity kits page shows several of these in ready-made form, which saves you assembling them by hand.

Choose packaging that is clean and easy to open, and avoid items with strong smells in the minibar, where they can mix with food. A neat card listing each item and its price keeps things clear.

Test the list with a few regular guests. A business traveller might want a razor, a family might ask for a toothbrush and a nappy-changing mat. Adjust for your market.

Where to put them

Three places: the minibar or a small shelf nearby, the in-room dining menu, and the front desk. In each, give items a simple name and price. A card on the desk with "Need something? Call reception" is a free way to prompt the guest.

Check minibar stock daily. Items with no expiry are easier to manage than snacks.

Include a line on the in-room dining menu such as "Travel essentials available on request". Many guests will not think to ask unless prompted. Put the same list near the phone so it is visible when the call is made.

Complimentary or paid?

Decide per item. Low-cost, high-goodwill items such as a dental kit might be free, because a charge feels petty. Higher-cost items such as a nicer razor or a lotion might be priced. Keep a short list on the card to avoid confusion. Illustrative example: a hotel might give three items free and sell four, and review after a month to see which are asked for most.

Avoid charging for items that guests would reasonably expect free, such as a basic toothbrush. A charge for these annoys more than it earns. Reserve prices for items clearly beyond the basics.

Presentation

Minibar items should look as tidy as the snacks. Use clean, labelled packaging, and group by use. A small tray labelled "Travel essentials" reads better than a jumble. Guests should see what each item costs before they open it.

Think about hygiene too. Anything touching skin should be sealed and in date. Check seals during each round and replace any that are open.

Track and adjust

Count items at each housekeeping round. Record how many are used and which rooms use them. After eight weeks, remove slow items and add new ones based on requests. Items that sell out should be restocked first.

Remember that stocking too many items ties up cash and space.

Keep a small reserve at the front desk for the busiest evenings, such as the night before a large conference. Running out at that moment is more damaging than a slow week.

Share the sales summary with the duty team every month. When staff can see which add-ons guests choose, they suggest them with more confidence and keep the shelf stocked without being reminded.

Link to the boutique

An item that guests like in the room, such as a lotion, may be bought full size from the hotel shop. Add a card to the minibar item pointing to the boutique. See hotel retail for products designed for this. If you want to test items, ask for samples and place them in a few rooms first.

If an add-on becomes a regular seller, consider a larger display near reception. Items that sell steadily in rooms often sell well in the lobby too.

Questions on this topic

Do guests buy toiletries from the minibar?

Some do, especially when they forgot something. Track your own sales to confirm.

Should items be free?

Low-cost essentials often work better free. Premium items can be priced.

How often should the minibar be checked?

Daily at housekeeping rounds, with a count for each item.

Keep reading

Looking for supply? See Hotels & resorts, browse the product range or request samples.