Abstract: A system for operating minibars in hotel rooms based on a plurality of individual minibars, one in each of the hotel rooms, each of which is equipped with means for reading an electronic card coded for each hotel guest or according to the credit card of a guest, thus enabling the guest to open the minibar, a central computer which receives information on each opening of the individual minibar, and which can be used to deny access to such minibar when a reason for this exists. The system can also comprise means for monitoring the cooling of each minibar. The main computer stores data on each individual access to the minibar by each guest and facilitates the presentation of a list of charges to the guest checking out from the hotel.