Why Do Hotels Have Ice Buckets and Ice? I Discovered 17 Reasons Why It’s Important

Hotels are great. amiright?

You get to kick your shoes off and enjoy time away from home. Grab some ice and chill that drink, or throw some ice in your glass and enjoy a relaxing evening.

One of the questions that we get a lot about ice and traveling is why hotels have ice buckets.

A hotel provides ice buckets to their guests because they have one ice machine in a central location. Guests are asked to go to the ice machine fill up their bucket and then return the ice to their room. The ice bucket is used to distribute the ice in your room, or it can be used to place your drinks into the bucket to keep it cold.

Are Ice Buckets In Hotels Clean?

You have to be careful because some ice machines in hotels are not taken care of, and the ice can be filled with bacteria and other nasty stuff.

If an ice machine is not cleaned regularly, then mold and bacteria can grow in the ice, and this can make you sick.

Don’t be afraid of asking the front desk when the last time the ice machine was cleaned. If the ice tastes or smells off, then do not take any of it.

Most hotels offer ice bucket liners, so you know it’s clean. If you want, you can even purchase your own ice bucket liners from Amazon.

Are More Expensive Hotels Better?

Sometimes you think that the more expensive the room, the cleaner it will be, but this isn’t always the truth.

Jennifer Stagg, MD, naturopathic physician and author of “Unzip Your Genes: 5 Choices To Reveal A Radically Radiant You,” said,

“You would think paying more for a hotel would also net you a cleaner room, but investigative reporters have found that not always to be the case.”

Jennifer Stagg

There are several places in every hotel where dirt and grime love to hide, and you need to be aware of them. These include:

1. The ice bucket
2. The remote
3. The bathroom counter and faucet
4. The hotel desk
5. Phone
6. Coffee Makers
7. Comforter and pillow
8. Room keys
9. Sofa and Chairs
10. Carpets
11. Air Vents

Make sure you walk through your hotel and ensure everything is clean before you get settled into your room.

It’s also a good practice to bring disinfecting wipes with you to use on various items inside your room – you can never be over cautious.

Why Do Hotels Have Ice Machines?

People want to have ice when they are in a hotel, and hotels know and understand this. Since the 1890s, when commercial ice makers were introduced, hotels have consistently made sure ice is available for their guests.

Kemmons Wilson, the founder of the original Holiday Inn, which opened in 1952, was the first hotel to offer FREE ice to their guests via the ice machine.

Wilson was so frustrated with how much he would spend traveling with all the extra fees. He was baffled that he had to pay for ice when he went to a hotel, so he decided that ice would be free for all his guests at the Holiday Inn.

This prompted other hotels to follow this example until every hotel and motel offered free ice for their guests.

When was the last time you had to pay for ice at a model? It’s all included in the price; if it’s not, you need to find a new hotel.

If you go to a hotel and the ice maker is broken, you could probably ask the kitchen to provide ice for you. Most hotels are magnificent about this and strive to please their guests.

To be honest, having an ice maker at a hotel is just regular practice. If you went to a hotel now without an ice machine, you would think it’s the worst hotel ever.

Why Do You Need Ice From a Hotel?

Ice is used for so many applications that it’s hard to narrow it down for one reason. Most people fill their ice bucket and use it to chill their drinks, and others use it to put in their glasses.

The American love affair with ice continues and will continue for years. Hotels give you the convenience of always having ice available to you.

Here are some good and not-so-good reasons you’d use ice from a hotel ice maker.

1. Chilling Beverages: Ice from an ice maker is perfect for cooling down sodas, water, or other drinks.
2. Wine or Champagne: If you’ve brought a bottle to celebrate a special occasion, add some ice to that ice bucket, friend.
3. Keeping Food Fresh: Especially if you’ve brought takeout or leftovers back to your room. Of course, you could also put it in the included mini fridge.
4. Injury Relief: Applying ice to reduce swelling or pain from injuries or sore muscles is a great idea.
5. Cooling Down: On a hot day, rubbing an ice cube on your pulse points or forehead can help you cool down. Hopefully, your hotel has AC.
6. Skincare: Some people use ice as part of their skincare routine to reduce puffiness or tighten pores.
7. Making Iced Coffee or Tea: If you prefer cold beverages, make some coffee and throw in some ice.
8. Cocktail Preparation: For guests who want to mix their own drinks in the room.
9. Reducing Fever: Applying ice wrapped in a cloth can help reduce your fever if you get sick.
10. Freshening Up: A cold splash of icy water can help wake you up and feel refreshed.
11. Ice Bath: Fill your tub with water and then fill it with ice for a soothing ice bath.
12. Cooling Sunburn: Applying a homemade ice pack can soothe sunburned skin.
13. Entertaining: If you’re hosting guests in your room, ice is essential for serving drinks.
14. Post-Workout Recovery: After a gym session, ice can help soothe sore muscles.
15. Teething Relief: For parents with teething babies, an ice cube wrapped in a cloth can provide relief.
16. DIY Cold Packs: For picnics or day trips, you can use ice to make your own cold packs.
17. Ambiance: Some might want to have a bucket of ice with drinks displayed, especially in upscale suites or romantic settings.

Make Ice at Home

Finally, why enjoy ice at a hotel when you can enjoy having ice daily?

We love the portable ice maker that we purchased for our family and use it all of the time for parties, family gatherings, and everyday use. We just sit it on our kitchen countertop, and it’s being used all day.

We have a great list of the top portable ice makers available to you right now with links to the best prices online. Check them out today!