For a long time, the hotel minibar seemed like an inaccessible and unnecessary extravagance. A few overpriced bottles of this and that, with some sub-par, questionable snacks thrown together in a tucked away fridge, not to be touched for your entire hotel stay for fear of incurring a hefty bill. Now though, some Aussie hotels are attempting to turn that stereotype on its head, assembling minibar selections that are good enough to make you consider not ever leaving your hotel room.
For their well crafted and creative minibars, Perth’s Como The Treasury, Sydney’s Ovolo Woolloomooloo and QT Hotels & Resorts have each been announced as finalists in the best minibar category of Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine‘s annual Australian Hotel Awards.
What stands out about Como The Treasury and Ovolo Woolloomooloo’s minibar selections is that they’re complimentary, throwing that “overpriced minibar” troupe right out. Como’s selection includes Illy coffee and JING tea, local Western Australian craft beers, a selection of gourmet snacks and a seasonal fruit bowl. A stay at Ovolo Woolloomooloo comes with a minibar selection that includes international and craft beers, a selection of wines, Tim Tams, Gummy Bears and Sweet and salted popcorn. And again, this is all complimentary.
QT Hotels & Resorts are known for their eccentric approach to hospitality and that quirkiness extends to their minibars too. While still providing for late night cravings with a variety of snacks and drinks, the QT minibars also appeal to your more whimsical tendencies with nostalgic games like Pick Up Sticks, Emergency Bow Ties, ‘Kissing’ Mints and the odd, ahem, intimacy kit.
Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine will soon announce the winner of the minibar category at a ceremony at QT Melbourne on Wednesday 24th May and in their 2017 Australian Hotel Guide, on sale Thursday 25th May.
Winners in ten other categories will also be announced, including the Hotel of the Year award decided by Gourmet Traveller’s reviewing team who stayed anonymously at the country’s top hotels. Other categories include best hotel pool, best breakfast to the best club sandwich.
