Hotels can offer their guests a great many facilities, from spas to turn down services, but one you might not have thought about is the inclusion of vending machines. However, more and more hotels are now adding these to their list of services in an effort to give guests every comfort they could possibly want.
24-hour service
A hotel needs to be working 24 hours a day, but this does not mean that guests can have access to everything they need at all hours of the day.
For those who do not check in until late at night, guests with an early start, or simply the people who have the munchies in the early hours all need to be able to get a snack or a drink when typical concierge services might be limited.
Placing vending machines in the hotel lobby, stairwells or outside lifts means that guests can still access food or drink easily at any time, therefore improving their experiences.
Souvenirs
We tend to think of vending machines as things that just sell food and beverages, but there is almost no limit to the things that they can dispense.
That means they can also be a great tool for selling souvenirs such as books, caps, umbrellas or even sunglasses. They can also provide many of the common things that travellers forget to bring with them, including toothbrushes, sunscreen or sanitary products.
Added profits
With so much competition around, many hotels are looking for new and innovative ways to make profits outside of what they charge for a room.
Vending machines are a great way of providing an extra revenue stream for a business, as they require minimal management, but can provide guests with a 24-hour facility for all of their essentials.
Contactless payment
Most vending machines now provide contactless payment facilities, which make it even easier for guests to use. There are no worries about carrying change or even having the right currency on hand, as one swipe of a credit or debit card is all that is needed.
Cema Vending, specialists vending suppliers in Nottingham commented, “From our experience, vending machines are a very popular option for guests, especially those who fancy a midnight snack, and with contactless payment being very accessible, many hotels experience less problems and more sales”
Cost reductions
When vending machines are available to offer snacks and even hot drinks, it can help to keep the cost base of a hotel low.
These machines are relatively cheap to run and can therefore reduce the number of staff that are needed to fulfil these requests, particularly at the unsociable hours that normally require a higher hourly rate. This can therefore have an important impact on the bottom line of a hotel, no matter what its size might be.
Supporting facilities
Vending machines can also be used to support the facilities that you have on hand. For example, a fitness suite can benefit from a vending machine selling energy drinks, water and protein bars, whilst family-centred facilities might offer chocolate, sweets and crisps to help keep the little ones happy.
Staff
Hotel guests are not the only ones who can benefit from vending machines. Including one in staff areas can make break times better and easier for those who are already working hard within the business to meet the needs of your guests.
Vending machines can be a very important way to increase customer satisfaction levels, with limited effort or expense on the part of the hotel. They can ensure that a range of needs are all catered for simply and easily, at any time of the day or night.
