Hotel Minibars Have Significantly Evolved—Here Are the Very Best

Traditionally, minibars offered a pretty uninspiring selection: bland canned drinks, tiny liquor bottles, mixed nuts, and overpriced M&Ms, all crammed into a basic mini fridge.

This generic assortment is no longer acceptable, especially in high-end hotels worldwide, which are now treating in-room amenities as an opportunity to showcase local specialties.

The latest minibars include everything from pre-mixed cocktails to gourmet snacks. Even pets are getting pampered with upgraded minibars: for instance, at the Rittenhouse in Philadelphia, there's a 'Doggie Minibar' stocked with homemade dog treats crafted by the hotel’s pastry chef.

Some minibars are complimentary except for the alcohol (as noted below), while most have fees that should be confirmed with the specific hotels. They may be custom-built to harmonize with contemporary designs, like the minibar at Borgo Santandrea on the Amalfi Coast, which features a stunning blue feather backdrop and sleek wooden cabinets. It's filled with local beers and wines, and snacks and soft drinks are free of charge.

Minibars are evolving to include digital-only options, such as the 'Penny Mart' at the trendy Penny Williamsburg hotel in Brooklyn, where guests can order a variety of snacks, essentials, beauty items, and merchandise from local vendors 24/7 through an app or in-room QR code. While cocktail selections vary by location, at the unique 146-room Hotel Emma in San Antonio’s Pearl District—where the minibar is referred to as an 'Ice Box'—guests discover everything needed to make La Babia Margaritas, a local favorite. Meanwhile, at the Rosewood São Paulo, guests can find traditional Brazilian caipirinhas made with cachaça in a space adorned with vertical gardens and Philippe Starck designs.

Prioritizing guest well-being is also a common focus. For instance, visitors (often celebrities) at the ski-in/ski-out Little Nell resort in Aspen, Colorado, can find an oxygen canister (for an additional fee) alongside complimentary 'chocolate stones' (sweet treats designed to resemble colorful rocks) and locally distilled Wood Creek vodka in their minibar. At Hoshinoya Tokyo, a 17-story hotel that embraces the concept of a traditional ryokan, guests can remove their shoes and access a communal minibar in the private lounge on their floor. There, they can enjoy the Japanese sports drink Pocari Sweat or refreshing azuki bean tea, both complimentary.

While these curated selections of local treats can vary significantly in content and focus, they aim to reflect the unique character of the property and its surroundings, support the local community, introduce guests to new culinary experiences, and enhance the hotel stay with thoughtful details.

Minibars tailored to reflect seasonal changes—and even individual preferences

Upgraded minibars often feature rotating selections based on the season or new local artisan products. They elevate the experience by personalizing offerings according to guests' unique tastes. At the remote Eleven Deplar Farm in northern Iceland, guests may enjoy complimentary treats like Omnom chocolate bars, Nóa-Kropp Chocolate Balls, Icelandic beers such as Sjarmör Lager and Naggur IPA, along with house-made herbal hummus, sesame crackers, and trail mix, all customized to accommodate dietary restrictions noted before arrival.

At Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Bali, guests have the option to tailor their minibar items online before arriving, selecting from fair trade Tema Tea (80% of which is sourced from local rural farmers) and Hungry Bird Roastery coffee. They can also personalize their amenity kits, which are beautifully packaged in Balinese boxes crafted by local artisans, featuring choices like Bali Highland pork spice jerky, chicharron, house-made tempe crackers, and rempeyek kacang (crispy peanut crackers).

Personalization goes beyond edibles to include self-care items and home decor. For instance, the minibar at Las Alcobas in the upscale Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City features an array of handmade Manos Que Curan soaps by local herbalist Lilia Mendoza, as well as a selection of Mexican candies, snacks, and beverages. First-time guests are invited to choose their favorite bar, which will be placed in their room on subsequent visits.

Minibars as avenues for philanthropy

Supporting local businesses while enjoying new products is a great advantage, but some hotels are taking community support a step further. At MacArthur Place, a culinary-centric resort in Sonoma, California, the complimentary 'Provisions Bar' is a favorite for its local wines and sweets. Guests can prepare high-quality hot beverages in clay mugs on their private patios each morning. Notably, Uppercase Tea donates 15% of its sales to grassroots women’s organizations, while Steeped Coffee contributes 1% of its revenue to hunger relief and clean water charities. This way, guests can enjoy their morning brew and contribute to a good cause at the same time.

These charitable initiatives often focus on local issues. For example, the Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas, California, which overlooks the Pacific, stays connected to its coastal heritage by offering minibar options that support ocean-related causes. Sales from locally made Solento Tequila—endorsed by top surfers—benefit the Solento Surf Festival, which aids the Changing Tides Foundation in promoting gender equity and social justice. Mizu reusable water bottles available for purchase also support the Rob Machado Foundation, which focuses on clean water and ocean conservation.

Similar ocean conservation efforts can be found at the Lovango Resort & Beach Club in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where guests can enjoy glamping tents and villas on a stunning private island. Here, you can raise a glass to your good intentions with locally distilled Little Gem Spirits, including Sweet Tamarind Rum, Caribbean Spice Whiskey, and Sorrel Lime Vodka, all crafted from surrounding breadfruit trees and supporting the Trees That Feed Foundation, which plants thousands of trees across the Caribbean.

Sustainable, locally sourced items

Many properties harness the natural beauty and resources of their surroundings to attract and indulge guests, using minibars as a way to promote sustainability and protect the environment. Nestled in the stunning Swiss Alps, the 56-room Earthcheck-certified gold Alpina Gstaad showcases its eco-friendly minibars in restored antique wardrobes and offers snacks in regenerative wood boxes crafted by a local nonprofit. The hotel takes the concept of 'local' seriously, sourcing complimentary products—such as Swiss sodas, Länggasse tea, herb salt, dried pear spread, and popular Choba Choba fair-trade chocolate-covered almonds—within a 15-mile radius, often from family-owned businesses. They refill glass bottles with mountain water using a special filtration system to reduce plastic waste.

Across the globe in Montana, the Ranch at Rock Creek, an all-inclusive resort located on a historic 19th-century homestead, presents local water in refillable glass bottles and canteens for adventure outings. In its glamping tents, the hotel provides recyclable aluminum bottles filled with Montana Silver Spring water, sourced from mountain springs and renowned for its purity with a pH of 7.8. The complimentary minibars, housed in wood-paneled cabinets, offer snacks like beef jerky from Kalispell and beer from Philipsburg Brewery—all local products.

Minibars that create a homey atmosphere

The emergence of luxury hotels with a residential vibe has led to minibars that make guests feel at home. This is often achieved through D.I.Y. offerings, allowing visitors to create their own spreads as if they were entertaining at an upscale residence. At One Aldwych, located in London’s vibrant Covent Garden and featuring tranquil guest rooms in soft pinks and creams, an individually curated 'Personal Bar' offers U.K.-centric drinks, including offerings from Canned Wine Company (which minimizes the CO2 impact of heavy glass), Meantime British craft beer, and Franklin & Sons ginger beer and lemonade. The hotel’s standout feature is a cocktail-making kit, complete with silver-plated flutes by Robbe & Berking, enabling guests to play bartender and mix their own drinks.

In Austin, Texas, guests who savor cheese alongside their wine and cocktails will love the in-room selections at Hotel Saint Cecilia, a stylish Bunkhouse hipster haven. Along with local snacks and signature Nag Champa incense, rooms are equipped with marble cheeseboards and all the essentials for a lavish charcuterie spread, including espresso-rubbed cheddar, tinned Atlantic salmon, sardines, tomato and sultana chutney, rosemary crackers, and bourbon pecans.

At the exquisite Singita Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania, guests in modern tented accommodations enjoy minibars included in their rate, featuring homemade cordials, nut balls, shortbread biscuits, and Afrikoa dark chocolate made in Cape Town with cacao sourced from Tanzanian farmer cooperatives. There’s also a communal pantry and a self-serve bar in the main area, along with a Nutribullet in each glamping tent, allowing guests to blend smoothies using a variety of fruits and ingredients sourced from local horticultural co-ops, just like they would in their own kitchens at home.