Skift Take
The hotel minibar is becoming a stale concept. So substituting beer and chips for self-care alternatives has a promising trajectory.
The soaring number of hotel facelifts aren’t the only cosmetic upgrades these days. Mini bars are getting in on the makeover game by offering beauty products in the spots formerly occupied by chips and beer.
Exhibit A: Equinox Hotels in New York City has created RoomBar, a one-stop shop for beauty products and nutritional supplements in guest rooms — with a selection of up to 80 items that also includes standard snacks and beverages.
Beauty products account for approximately 60% of RoomBar revenue, said Ara Patterson, vice president of food and beverage and spa at Equinox Hotels.
“The revenue generated by beauty products in the RoomBar has now matched the revenue of food and beverage retail, making them equally significant,” Patterson said, adding that RoomBar generates an average monthly revenue of approximately $55,000.
Equinox has a deal with New York City-based plastic surgeon Lara Devgan to offer a facial at its spa. Products