mini-bar

thumb|A refrigerated minibar in a Hyatt|Grand Hyatt hotel, filled with beverages. This minibar detects whenever an item is removed and charges the guest instantly, even if the item is not consumed.

A minibar is a small refrigerator, typically an absorption refrigerator, in a hotel room or cruise ship stateroom. The hotel staff fill it with drinks and snacks for the guest to purchase during their stay. It is stocked with a precise inventory of goods, with a price list. The guest is charged for goods consumed when checking out of the hotel. Some newer minibars use infrared or other automated methods of recording purchases. These detect the removal of an item and charge the guest's credit card right away, even if the item is not consumed. This is done to prevent loss of product, theft and lost revenue.