Tricks of the Trade

The mid- to late-aughts seemed, to the average observer, to be the dark age of the hotel minibar. But to In-Room Plus, who has been successfully slinging minibar snacks since 1988, we know better. With headlines like “Elegy for the Minibar” and “Hotels call time on the minibar” it’s no wonder they got a bad rap. Minibars had a reputation for being overpriced and underwhelming, but the desire for convenience and luxury never went away. It just had to be repackaged. We are happy to report that the minibar is alive and well. Things have...

Like fingerprints or snowflakes, no two properties or in-room programs are exactly alike. From cozy boutique hotels to mega-resorts boasting more than 1,000 rooms, In-Room Plus helps each and everyone create a unique set-up just right for their brand and guests. From grab-and-gos to minibars to kid’s clubs, here are 9 of the many tailored ways we scale to serve In-Room Plus clients of every size and stripe. We hope they inspire you to refresh and innovate your own in-room program in new and exciting ways! 6+ ROOMS The 1770 House Restaurant & Inn in...

2019 may be nearly over, but our trusty and time-tested blog tips will last far after the glittering ball drops over Times Square. We’ve gathered a countdown of the top 7 posts we published this year, along with three of our all-time greatest traffic grabbers. Brand and content managers, take note: Our readers most loved getting up-close looks at our custom-branded collaborations with top hotels, diving into top industry trends and tips, and learning to think outside the minibar to expand their ideas of how in-room hospitality can serve and delight guests. This year, seasonal,...

Rumor has it that a reporter once called Mark Twain to confirm if he had died. Though historians dispute the exact wording, the great humorist was reported to quip something along the lines of, “The report of my death has been greatly exaggerated.” Today, rumors of another death run rampant: that of the minibar. Once a staple of seemingly every room, operational frustrations, dwindling profits and the rise of nearby convenience stores and on-property shops led some hotel chains to scale back their in-room hospitality programs or remove them entirely. In other words, the original iteration...

Fall is in the air. The neighborhood pool may be closed for the season, but that doesn’t mean rest and adventure need to be packed away until Spring. Fall is the perfect time for a quick weekend getaway – a few days to relax, recharge and watch nature put on its breathtaking variety show of colorful foliage. We consulted the fall foliage predictor at SmokyMountains.com to help you know exactly when to plan a visit to these four amazing properties we’re proud to call our clients. We’ve even suggested a snack for each, to help you...

Even if you already provide your guests a convenient, branded in-room program where they can fuel up, snack and indulge (and maybe even stock up on supplies), you may be surprised to learn that you’re probably not optimizing sales. That’s because of a famous marketing principle called the “Rule of 7”; it states that potential customers need to be exposed to your offer at least seven times before they are likely to notice it or begin to take action. Obviously, seven neon in-room arrows pointing to the minibar aren’t exactly the subtle, upscale experience you’re...

An undeniable shift is happening in and around the hospitality landscape: sobriety is on the rise. People choose to be sober for lots of reasons: pregnancy, alcoholism recovery, fitness, contraindications with other health conditions or medication, or sheerly because they’ve grown weary of alcohol-soaked culture.  This isn’t a passing fad. As America’s focus on health and wellness grows and sobriety becomes increasingly mainstream (bolstered by sober celebrities like Bradley Cooper, Kendrick Lamar, Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Hudson and more), so do the numbers. According to a report by Bon Appétit, the...

While we’re proud to serve a range of top hotel properties, we supply snacks to a plethora of clients in far-reaching industries and verticals. We’re so impressed with the unique, personal touch some of our clients built into their hospitality or client-appreciation programs, we launched a new blog series last summer called Thinking Outside the Minibar. In each installment, one of our amazing In-Room Plus clients shares practical tips and inspiration on how to bring a creative touch that steps beyond a standard minibar set-up. Towne BMW is a dealership located in Williamsville, New York,...

Corporate gifts are often purchased as a holiday or end of year gift for employees, clients, vendors and others. Those gifts are a thoughtful gesture, but if you’re only corporate gifting in December, you’re missing out on 11 months of prime opportunities to build loyalty, appreciation and brand visibility. Don’t miss out on the chance to make major gains for your business. Far more than pens and peanuts, our team can customize any combination of our wide-range of products (from bridal party kits to treat towers) to seamlessly incorporate your--or their--name, branding, colors and more....

It’s hard to believe 2018 has come and (nearly!) gone. We’ve certainly stayed busy as we celebrated quite the milestone year with our friends and customers, celebrating our 30th Anniversary. Along the way, we’ve regularly shared blog posts highlighting favorite products, destinations, clients, employees, industry news and trends. And of our dozens of posts, here are the 6 In-Room Plus articles you loved most this year. 6. Thinking Outside the Minibar: Barton & Gray Mariners Club Thinking Outside the Minibar is a blog series we began to show off some of the many ways our...

Let’s face it: New Year’s resolutions usually aren’t worth the shiny new gym membership cards they’re printed on. That’s because big changes often require a major investment—the kind we tend to burn out on a few short weeks after swearing to do better this year. Great news: we’ve rounded up these seven easy, affordable (or even free!), totally doable tweaks to make to your in-room program. These simple improvements can yield significant positive impact for your business while also delighting guests. Commit a little time to each, and your program will be in great shape...

With the rise of social media marketing, unprecedented connectivity, and ever-evolving tech advances, hoteliers need to keep a watchful eye on the trends and behaviors of their consumers. Here are a few trends that seem to be here to stay in the tourism industry and tips on how to seamlessly evolve your cool for your market. It’s Keen to be Green A 2016 survey shows that tourists prefer booking their vacations at “green” hotels. Properties that boast the use of eco-friendly fabrics and materials, employ recycling programs such as the Clean the World Foundation that...

Is that tap water in the minibar vodka bottle? Are those cocktail napkins crammed into the pretzel tin? If you’ve experienced minibar theft or product tampering, you know exactly how frustrating it can be. One of the most commonly targeted hotel amenities for theft is the minibar. This is why we’ve polled some of our experienced hotel partners on their tips and tricks for minibar theft prevention.   Here are some successful ways to keep your in-room theft low, your minibar revenue high, and your food and beverage products safe for future guests:   Eyes...