Take Comfort In The Mini-Bar

On a business trip and searching for a snack at the mini-bar? How about some fruit, a granola bar, or trail mix? No thanks, say many hotel patrons, not in this economic climate.

No, it isn’t exorbitant prices that are turning guests away from the mini-bar's nuts and bottled water. Travelers are still willing to pay – but only for junk food. USA Today reports that sales of mini-bar junk food have been on the rise since the recession started.

Patrons at the Westin New York have made Pringles potato chips the hotel’s number one seller. It’s ironic since the Westin’s marketing message revolves around offering guests healthy options, like herbal teas and granola bars.

"Through the economic downturn, when we went to re-evaluate the products in the mini-bar, we realized it wasn't necessarily the items that were healthy choices that were being purchased, but rather potato chips and comfort foods," the hotel’s general manager told USA Today. "So we're adding more."'

Hey, at least it’s not those mini bottles of cognac that are getting popular.

Photo courtesy Joepyrek, via Flickr.