Betcha Never Knew The Cool Story Behind Free Ice Machines In Hotels
Discover the fascinating story behind free ice machines in hotels and how one man’s vision changed the game! 🧊 #HotelHistory #IceMachines #HolidayInn
The Ice Man Cometh
Winona, Minnesota – Next time you’re scooping up some free ice from your hotel’s ice machine, you might want to give a little nod of thanks to Kemmons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn. Wilson was the trailblazer who first offered guests free access to ice machines in his hotels.
This cool move was in response to his own experiences staying at hotels that charged an arm and a leg for every single ice cube. As Holiday Inn franchises spread like wildfire across the country, so did the trend of free ice.
America’s Love Affair with Ice
While the Brits (and many Europeans) may not be fans of ice, Americans have had a long-standing love affair with the frozen stuff. Ice was once considered a luxury item, but as it became more readily available and affordable, Americans couldn’t get enough of it in their drinks.
Before the advent of refrigerators and freezers, people relied on ice boxes to keep their food fresh. These ice boxes required a hefty block of ice to prevent food from spoiling.
Keeping Costs on Ice
Keeping up with the demand for ice was a pricey proposition for hotels. When ice machines hit the market, hotels were among the first in line to snap them up. These machines not only made it convenient for guests to get their own ice but also helped hotels keep their costs down. It was a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Today, hotel guests still rely on ice machines for everything from mixing up cocktails to filling up their coolers for a day at the beach. So, the next time you’re enjoying a cold drink courtesy of your hotel’s ice machine, remember to raise a glass to Kemmons Wilson and America’s cool obsession with ice. Before you use that ice bucket, you may want to read our article on the dirtiest things in your hotel room. Warning: it gets nasty!
By the way, as long as we’re talking hotels, here’s some stuff you can steal from your hotel room… without getting into trouble! Stay cool!
🗣 Did you know this history of ice machines? What surprised you most? Have any travel questions you’d like us to answer? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
