This put up has been up to date with new info from Hyatt. It was initially revealed on Dec. 8, 2022.
Earlier this week, studies surfaced that Hyatt’s Andaz model was making modifications to one in every of its most beloved perks: its complimentary minibars stocked with nonalcoholic drinks and native snacks.
A visitor at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows was the primary to note the change and shared in a put up on FlyerTalk (first reported by View From the Wing), that the one complimentary merchandise provided within the room was bottled water — a departure from the native snacks, sodas and different goodies often provided without spending a dime.
“We are at present working to refresh the Andaz minibar expertise to raised go well with the wants of in the present day’s vacationers,” Hyatt stated in a press release to VFTW revealed Tuesday. “During this interim interval, properties can decide what minibar alternatives are provided on a complimentary foundation.”
This obscure assertion left us with questions on the way forward for free gadgets altogether and appeared in stark distinction to Andaz’s personal web site which reads, “Our complimentary minibar invites guests to taste local treats and nonalcoholic beverages.”
On Wednesday, TPG reached out to Hyatt for additional clarification on Andaz’s present and former model requirements relating to the complimentary minibar gadgets to get a greater understanding of the modifications and what company ought to anticipate transferring ahead. Despite a number of follow-ups for greater than a day, Hyatt declined to remark.
After we revealed the unique article, Hyatt returned with the next assertion:
“As one of many first hospitality manufacturers to ship such a differentiating visitor expertise, the Andaz model is proud to supply complimentary mini bars as a model customary. Though the particular portions and gadgets could differ by property, we perceive that is an providing company have come to know, love and anticipate, and as such, we’re happy to proceed to supply it.
While this customary was impacted in the course of the pandemic and motels have native flexibility inside their particular person markets, we’ll ensure that every of our Andaz motels reside as much as this model customary absolutely, delivering distinctive gadgets comparable to non-alcoholic drinks past water and native snacks.”
Some vacationers might imagine that paying $4 for a soda or $8 for a bag of chips is trivial, however as we said beforehand, vacationers are bored with the nickel-and-dime impact that is rippled throughout the resort business in the course of the pandemic — particularly at manufacturers the place we anticipate consistency.
For Andaz specifically, company have all the time liked coming into a room understanding that there is a little deal with that will not break the financial institution ready by the minibar, like regionally baked New York brownies on the Andaz fifth Avenue, fiber-filled Enjambre bars on the Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya in Mexico, Maui-style potato chips on the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in Hawaii or plantain chips and garlic peanuts on the Andaz Bali.
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“Looking forward, on account of persevering with to take heed to our company and members, we’re at present working to reimagine the Andaz minibar expertise to raised go well with the wants of in the present day’s vacationers and to focus on native purveyors to tailor minibar provisions to mirror each its resort and vacation spot,” Hyatt added in its assertion to TPG.
Though we’re excited to see what the reimagined product will appear to be, it is nonetheless disappointing to see at the least one property lower all complimentary gadgets however water — even when it is simply within the interim.
Bottom line
We’re glad to listen to Hyatt promise to implement “complimentary mini bars as a model customary” and that it is doubling down on the product to make it extra distinctive and individualized throughout properties. However, it is also disappointing that some motels appear to have utterly executed away with these little free goodies within the meantime.
As insignificant because it may appear to some, it is oftentimes probably the most refined a part of a model’s requirements that construct probably the most loyal following. Unexpected modifications to the issues we love most a couple of resort or model is usually a reminder that there are a whole lot of motels and types to select from.
As all the time, we’ll preserve you up to date on modifications throughout the resort business, from large new resort initiatives to the smallest bag of chips.