Unlike many hotels that charge a premium for in-suite items, last year, Virgin Hotels Chicago began offering minibar alcohol and other snack items at the same low prices as food and drinks sold by street vendors. As a continuation of this, Virgin Hotels Chicago just launched a new series of 'Minibar Mixology' videos that detail how to make delicious mixed drinks using the affordable items that can be found in its minibars.
The three types of mixed drinks include 'Vice Ice Cream,' the humorously named 'Pour Richard's' and the 'Cheeky Bastard,' which feature recipes crafted by bartender Jonathan Harris. In total, these drinks range in cost from $8.50 to $14.50, which saves those who don't want to leave their room a trip to the bar.
Minibar Mixology Videos
Virgin Hotels Chicago Illustrates Making Mixed Drinks with Minibar Alcohol
Trend Themes
1. In-suite Minibar Items - Hotels can offer a wider range of affordable in-suite items, such as minibar alcohol, and introduce instructional videos to increase convenience and customer satisfaction.
2. DIY Hotel-inspired Drinks - Consumers can learn from hotels' instructional cocktail videos and create their own DIY hotel-inspired drinks at home, which presents an opportunity for recipe-sharing apps and online classes.
3. Affordable Luxury Experience - Hotels can leverage affordable minibar items and other offerings to provide a high-end hotel experience at an affordable price point, which can appeal to price-sensitive consumers or those seeking luxury on a budget.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - Hotels can use affordable minibar items and recipe guides to offer luxurious and convenient in-suite experiences, which can provide a competitive edge in the hospitality industry.
2. Food and Beverage - Restaurants can offer DIY home cocktail classes and kits that include affordable ingredients and instruction on how to create hotel-inspired drinks, which presents a new revenue stream and customer engagement opportunity.
3. E-commerce - Online retailers can provide minibar items and affordable luxury offerings that can be delivered to consumers, as well as partner with hotels to sell items used in their minibar-inspired cocktails, increasing revenue potential through cross-promotion.