Terrible ice at most hotel chains?

[SL6827]

Fixing to be checking out of a Country Inn and Suites here soon and I was wondering why the ice seems to suck at most hotel chains? The ice you get from the large ice machines. It seems that the minute it spits the ice out, it is already half melted.

 

[tvguy]

Never had an issue. Just back last night from a week long road trip that included stays at three different hotels, the ice was fine at all three.

 

[FreeTime]

I haven’t experienced this and am a frequent traveler in chain hotels and always get ice.

 

[tvguy]

I suspect the ice machine may be set at the warmest temperature that will make ice because in that setting they are looking to produce a large volume of ice quickly, not ice that is colder and will take longer to melt.

 

[SL6827]

Ya, my coke was watered down within seconds of me pouring it into the cup. It was good to fill a cooler with though.

 

[SteveH]

Hotel slushy ice sucks, but it is what it is. The ice just doesn't have time to freeze hard and like @tvguy said it's also part of the settings to make ice faster. If you can get the soda cool first that helps but unless there is a bar at the hotel and they are willing to let you get their ice your sort of at their mercy.

 

[tvguy]

Hotel slushy ice sucks, but it is what it is. The ice just doesn't have time to freeze hard and like @tvguy said it's also part of the settings to make ice faster. If you can get the soda cool first that helps but unless there is a bar at the hotel and they are willing to let you get their ice your sort of at their mercy.

I'm just back from a 6 day road trip. 3 different hotels that not only had ice machines, but mini fridges with small freezers in them. Big enough to refreeze by blue ice, so never needed ice.

 

[Threehearts]

Here's something that will make you think twice about hotel ice machines-

Take a facecloth and run it right up where the ice comes out. You can't imagine how much mold and residue that makes that area home. How do I know? I worked in a large unnamed high end property and those ice machines were mandated by the Sanitation Commission to be cleaned and disinfected at least weekly. It never happened. The employees never took ice from those machines for personal use.

 

[tvguy]

Here's something that will make you think twice about hotel ice machines-

Take a facecloth and run it right up where the ice comes out. You can't imagine how much mold and residue that makes that area home. How do I know? I worked in a large unnamed high end property and those ice machines were mandated by the Sanitation Commission to be cleaned and disinfected at least weekly. It never happened. The employees never took ice from those machines for personal use.

The health department here posts restaurant inspections and it seems like every restaurant has this issue with their ice machines, soda fountain dispensers and their beer taps.