Has the Minibar Gone the Way of the Dodo at Accor?

[kangarooflyer88]

I'm now staying at the Fairmont Resort in Blue Mountains marking the 14th Accor property I've stayed at in AU/NZ. One striking feature I've found at every Accor property I've stayed at thus far has been the lack of a minibar from the cheapest Ibis hotel to mid-level Mercure and even high end Pullman and Fairmont resorts. The reason I see stated is due to COVID. As someone who is very afraid of catching COVID and takes every measure to avoid it, I fail to see how a minibar poses an inherent health risk compared to say the in room coffee or tea or the breakfast buffet. At the same time, I've stayed at Marriott properties in Sydney like the Pier One Sydney Harbour back in December 2020, the W hotel in Brisbane and even the Quality Inn Darwin Airport in March 2022 and they all had minibars.

What am I missing here? Alternatively, has it always been the case that Accor properties haven't had a minibar?

-RooFlyer88

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Recent stay at a Sofitel had a stocked minibar replenished daily.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Recent stay at a Sofitel had a stocked minibar replenished daily.

May I ask which city?

 

[oz_mark]

In my experience, minibars have started to be restocked over the last month or two. I think some hotels (and Accor seems to have particular problems) still have staffing issues and are focussing on other elements.
At least the ones i go to seems to have got back to daily housekeeping.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Fairmont had a minibar when I was there in May.

And that property is also an MGallery, so absence of a mini bar would be very disappointing.

 

[maia200]

The Sofitel Brisbane has a stocked minibar... but I think it may be a higher grade room benefit .

 

[SYD]

I rarely, if ever use the mini bar (unless it’s comp) but a quiet in room fridge is always handy.

 

[Anna]

My Pullman room has a large, well stocked minibar.

 

[jase05]

I’ve stayed at plenty of Accor properties in Australia over the last 12 months and can’t think of too many that didn’t have a stocked minibar

 

[SeaWolf]

Over the Christmas/New Year break my experiences were:

• Movenpick Myth coughet - Free minibar, but only had some soft drinks and bottled water in it
• Sofitel Bangkok - Minibar empty
• Swissotel Singapore - Minibar empty

I never get anything from the minibar anyway, but I agree with SYD, it's certainly handy having the small fridge.