The minibar is a thing of the past: the Dutch consider these hotel amenities completely unnecessary

Dutch hotel guests are fed up with paying for luxury extras they never asked for – being as down-to-earth and price-conscious as we are. New research by easyHotel among Dutch hotel guests shows that over three-quarters would rather opt for a lower room rate than for extra facilities they hardly ever use. In fact, six in ten Dutch people believe that hotels regularly charge for facilities that add little value to their stay.

Based on the survey results, easyHotel compiled the Dutch Hotel BS Meter: a ranking of hotel amenities that guests consider to be the most superfluous, overrated or unnecessary. The undisputed winner? The minibar.

The minibar is officially a thing of the past

From Gen Z to pensioners, it seems that virtually no one is waiting for the traditional minibar any more. Two-thirds of men even describe the minibar as completely unimportant, whilst among women, too, the minibar ranks among the least appreciated hotel amenities. The minibar thus symbolises a wider trend: Dutch hotel guests no longer wish to pay extra for amenities they hardly ever use. Luxury lobbies, designer interiors, turndown services and even decorative elements (including decorative cushions) are also seen by many guests as unnecessary luxuries. 

The Dutch don’t want any fuss, but they do want value for money

Although hotels are increasingly investing in luxury amenities, the survey shows that Dutch hotel guests value good basics above all else. Both men and women cite a clean room (82%), a comfortable bed (63%) and a good shower (34%) as the most important elements of a pleasant stay. Everything else is just fuss. It is striking, however, that women are considerably more sensitive to hygiene than men. Whilst 91 per cent of women are annoyed by a hotel room that does not feel completely clean, this applies to 81 per cent of men. 

In addition, well over three-quarters say they would rather pay less for a practical and comfortable stay than for unnecessary luxury. “The results show that hotel guests are becoming increasingly critical of what they are actually paying for,” says Bart Pastoor, Director of Operations for the Netherlands and Belgium at easyHotel. “”Whilst hotels have been focusing on luxury extras for years, many Dutch people seem to be longing to get back to basics.” The down-to-earth and value-conscious Dutch character may also play a part in this: people would rather pay for what they actually use than for luxuries that remain unused. 

Hidden costs are among the biggest annoyances

After a dirty room and an uncomfortable bed, hidden costs are among the biggest frustrations for Dutch hotel guests. High parking charges top the list of hotel costs that annoy guests the most, followed by paid Wi-Fi and extra charges for (additional) towels or toiletries.

It is striking that virtually no one accepts additional hotel charges without feeling annoyed. Transparency has now become almost as important to many Dutch hotel guests as the room rate itself. However, clear generational differences are evident. Younger hotel guests appear to be the most sensitive to unexpected surcharges and hidden costs. For them, knowing exactly where they stand in advance is essential.

Young people choose their hotel with their eyes; older people with their backs

Although Dutch hotel guests are remarkably unanimous about the importance of a clean room, a comfortable bed and a fair price, there are more generational differences. Young people choose their hotel primarily based on its appearance. For them, the hotel’s look, atmosphere and reviews are an important part of the travel experience. Older guests, on the other hand, focus more on comfort and practicality. A good bed, a good shower and a quiet room are more important to them than a trendy interior.

It is striking that tolerance for hotel frills decreases as people get older. People aged 60 and over appear to be the least interested in luxury extras such as designer interiors and opulent lobbies. Younger guests, on the other hand, are strikingly often willing to do without amenities such as a television or a landline in their room if this would result in a lower room rate. These preferences seem to reflect how travel behaviour has changed over the past ten to fifteen years: smartphones, tablets and streaming services have largely replaced traditional hotel entertainment for many travellers. As a result, a new generation of hotel guests appears to be prioritising what truly adds value to their stay.