The minibar is a controversial topic in the sustainable hotel industry. While they are a must for hotel stars, the little mini-fridges are anything but sustainable. That’s why some of our Green PearlsⓇ partners offer their guests an Honesty Bar instead. What do you think about that? Image ©Gut Guntrams

The idea of the honesty bar/trust bar

is that you can help yourself as a guest. You can either pay directly into a cash box or write down what you take and pay for it when you check out.

The advantages at a glance:

• The honesty bar is open 24/7.
• Staff costs remain minimal.
• In addition, fresh food and snacks can be offered because the range is easier to control than with minibars in the rooms.
• Finally, a central refrigerator consumes significantly less energy than numerous minifridges in each room.

Furthermore, sustainable accommodation pays particular attention to ensuring that the honesty bar is stocked with ecological, regional and zero-waste products.

‘In our central minibar – the honesty bar at reception – our guests will find homemade sweet and savory delicacies that we fill in reusable jars,’ reports the Gut Guntrams near Vienna. There are also regional wines (see picture). Nevertheless, there is still an empty minibar in the rooms to meet international standards.

No minibar

Gut Sonnenhausen near Munich, goes one step further and has no minibar at all. We have never had a minibar and no one has ever missed it,’ say the hosts. Instead, guests can get snacks and drinks at the Trust Bar in the farmhouse. According to the hosts, this concept works wonderfully.

Mini-fridges are known to consume more electricity than large, energy-efficient household fridges, despite their small capacity. Older appliances in particular can use up to three or four times more electricity! Although small, energy-efficient mini-fridges are now available on the market, doing without them altogether is even more ecological.

Rethink your travel-habits

When it comes to environmentally friendly travel, it is important to think outside the box and not always take the usual path of convenience. Of course, it is practical to have an international brand of Coke ready and waiting next to your hotel bed. But the small refrigerator not only makes unnecessary noise, but also consumes a disproportionate amount of energy.

It’s worth taking a few steps to Trust Bar. And a sustainable reward awaits you at Green PearlsⓇ partners: interesting, fresh and environmentally friendly alternatives to the usual standard drinks.